A Beginner's Point of View 634-635

Day 634:

In Iaido, I was distracted. Distracted by how I felt. I was tired, cold, lethargic, and not well. The weather took a sudden downturn and we were all feeling it. I only completed 2.5 sets of kata and they weren’t very good. My limbs acted wobbly and slow.

In Kendo, we started with okuri-ashi. I hoped that would wake me up but I never quite fully came awake. After kihon we had several kakari-geiko in a row for endurance training. We had a short break to catch our breath and then we practiced some oji-waza such as men-nuki-men. Then we had multiple ji-geiko matches to practice our waza. Still, I felt lousy. It was a bad class but at least I finished it.

Day 635:

Today I felt really well. Sharp, active, alert. I completed 3 full sets of Iaido and then practiced the twelfth kata a few times to remind myself to saya-biki with the draw. Our new student wasn’t here today. I hope she comes back.

I Kendo, it was a good day. After kihon, it was more kihon. 3, 5, 7, and then 9 repetitions of waza for everything. It was breath-draining. We then had another set of multiple kakari-geiko. I just barely finished still standing. After a short break for breath, we practiced men-nuki-men and then ji-geiko. I had a ji-geiko against sensei and I felt great. I bought my best game and scored multiple strikes. At the end, I stepped back with vigor to rei.

I tripped over the raised step towards the door, flipped three-quarters around in a backward somersault, and landed against the wall. All I could think of was…”Please, flimsy wooden railing, do not break and impale me through the back.” My body weight collapsed onto my right hand and bent my thumb backwards. I felt the bones crunch against each other, but not break.

I had to sit out the rest of class because my entire thumb is sprained. The class went on to figure out kote-nuki-kote and then finish. I stayed for the end of class to lead the closing rei.