An accumulation of distance

Things have been going fairly well lately with the exception of a few bumps here and there. My numbers are staying pretty close to where they should be and now I have to work in some kilometers. I never was much into running. I didn't see the point in running some where if there was no fire or a bear chasing you. Waking up at 5:00 a.m. to go outside and run to no where and back.

Well that perception will soon change, seeing the benefits of learning to run is something to look forward to. My wife is a long distance runner so I'll learn how to run properly and gradually build to a solid endurance and measured distance.Then I have something to gauge off of and try to improve my distance or time.  An added bonus to this is we get some time together, thats a tough one around this house, much like everyone else trying to make a go of it with work, children, life. I'm sure this is understood all too well. I'm going to research lengths of pools, walking/ bicycle paths, and in door tracks to try to get as many ways to travel by your body power as I can and rack up some kilometers.

I very glad to hear that some of our injured teamates are starting to recover already and chomping at the bit to get back to training. You are setting the bar for hard cores on this team, good on you guys for displaying drive, determination, and patience. Thats all I really have this week, until the next.

Brian Chervenka

Blind to the obvious

I have to admit I really didn't understand the valuable tool of a hand written journal when it came to my Kung Fu. I thought the real way to my Kung Fu is through hard work and discipline; blood, sweat and tears. Just do it. Why would I want to sit and write about Kung Fu when I can go beat my heavy bag or keep doing form reps or practicing with my weapon But after starting to log my daily/ weekly requirements it made sense. How else can you really improve something if you don't step back and break things down on paper. My hand written journal was very vague and not a lot of attention to detail. For example I would write down said requirement and just simply a number. I have to be more descriptive and record what kick or form I'm working on and what problems or improvements are occurring and why. Where is the problem in my side heel thrust that makes them so difficult for me. What advice or example or improvement have I consulted or experienced and recorded on what date and for what form or kick. None, just a number and catagorized under kicks. So as of now I write down exactly what I am doing specifically and what feels right and what sucks. While I did a couple of reps of da mu singh I noted my flow with the dragons whip transition into the spinning back kick, my center was off and I rose in my stance. My high back stance is unstable due to lack of flexibility in my hips. Then when I stretched I worked on my hips and legs and recorded it under my stretching minutes and specifically why. As the quest for center and improvement carries on I now have references to specific details of my own account and what problem solving tools have I used or have been taught by my Sifus and piers. After these thoughts finally penetrated my thick skull and penetrated my cast iron wall of stubbornness, I felt rather foolish for not seeing the advantage in the first place. Hence, Blind to the obvious. Until next week.
Brian Chervenka

Keeping cool

This past week and a half has cost me some numbers and a lack of staying on my game. It sure doesn't take long to fall behind in your numbers if you have unexpected deviations and you can't meet as many of your numbers or requirements daily that you want too. Normally when this occurs I start to beat myself up on self discipline and accountability, and of course fish for justifiable (in my mind) excuses. I'm not doing that anymore. As long as I can get anything of something in each day I am going to meet my requirements. I have been staying positive and telling myself its going to work out and it won't be that hard to catch up and remain focused on what exactly it is I am trying to accomplish. Of course its not easy and you have to be mindful at all times. This is a very difficult challenge to anybody. Nothing beneficial comes easy, it takes hard work and failure can happen, but thats how we learn and improve.  I find if I tell myself its not that bad and approach it from an on lookers point instead of being in the trenches things work out well and I see success ahead, its easier to keep cool and not start to develop that sense of overwhelming and doubt in yourself, freaking out over numbers or something that hasn't been started yet. This is where a very common and very modern habit comes in, I quit. This is just too much, I don't have time, I'll try again next year, all excuses we hear and at times, use everyday somewhere, at some time. Well to hell with that! Full steam ahead for the I ho chaun team 2012! One more thing that has been great for learning and drive is reading everyone elses expierences. It gives you a great sense of never being alone and some really good insight. Until next week.

Brian Chervenka