I was hoping by now to have filled page after page of
information on preparation for the October black belt grading, which is
now just about a week away. However, none of my carefully planned out
regime worked the way I thought it would and I seem to have spent more
time recovering from injury than anything else. I also went down a route
to a place I really didn't want to go, and it was only by the good
graces of Mr Chahal (OK.. I got a verbal rollicking from him) and then a complete pestering off a few people (thanks Gill, Helen, Karen,
Teagan, Heather, Fiona, Craig, Simon etc) that got my ears burning so
badly, that something in the back of my mind started saying "yeah ok, do
this!" after the 2nd pre-black belt session. Yes, my own wife, daughter and son harassed me no end.... just cant trust family these days! :) It
was that very night that I was given no option when Karen asked me to
switch the printer on and next thing I know a copy of the black belt
grading application form started churning out..... I had but to get it
completed, photos printed and then hand it all into Mr Chahal at the
next session and that was it.... no going back.
A
few people will know I had recently lost my mojo for taekwondo, mainly
due to the persistent knee injury, which incidentally has started to
improve the more I train... go figure! After a few club training classes
and the pre-black belt sessions, I started getting this mojo back....
and in spades too! One of my work colleagues, Gordon, has been getting
this overflowing enthusiasm a lot recently (sorry mate!). Hoping it will
maybe spur him into giving TKD a try too.
Like
the rest of the students grading, I to have some nerves, which is only
natural, but I have been practising outside of class (yes really!) and
doing theory via the various apps and the black belt schools website.
I'm feeling a bit more confident that this new preparation work has me
on the right track and in the right frame of mind. Most of us dread the theory
and once it's out the way we tend to relax a bit. Maybe not this time
though. I'm fully expecting a tough testing of both theory and physical
skills on the day. From speaking to others who have gone through this,
they tell me it's an experience never to forget and I plan to enjoy
every minute of it.
Before I finish
up I want to wish all my fellow black stripe club mates and friends from other clubs the very
best of luck and I look forward to seeing and grading with you all on
17th. I also have a few personal thank yous to hand out. So, in no particular
order...
Scott McMillan - thanks for the words of encouragement and helping me to believe in myself again.
Kuli Chahal
- you're without doubt the best instructor I have ever trained under
but I also consider you a good friend... thanks for telling me to "CUT
THE CRAP AND GET ON WITH IT!!"... when it needed to be said. See, I do
listen... well sometimes I do :)
Simon Littlejohn
- Over the past few weeks you and I have talked numerous times on the
phone or at training when you've been down at Prestwick. Thanks for
listening and also bolstering my confidence. Looking forward to grading
with you mate.
Gill Blackwood, Helen Westwood
- Thank you both for the constant pestering of me all the way back down
to Ayr in the car after the 2nd pre-blackbelt session.. my ears have
never been the same since!
Teagan and Ieuan - For just being you... don't stop and don't change.
Karen Harley
- Like the kids, thanks for being you and thanks for making sure I believe
in myself and own abilities... and thanks for bouncing theory galore off
me in the next week as I know you will!
Max & John Stewart - Thanks for being my chauffeurs to Bristol on 17th. First beer is on me John. Max, semi or fully skimmed?
To everyone at Prestwick & Ayr TaeKwonDo - Thanks for being my second family, you gals and guys are the best!
.... now.. lets do this thing!
Well done Iain, we knew you could do it!! Helen x
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