April 23rd

Long time no update!

Things have been quite busy for the last couple of weeks. Training wise things are going very well, very well indeed.

Although, I developed a problem with my right tensor facia latae. That's a muscle at the very top on the out side of the hip. At one stage I couldn't lift my leg over my waist as the TFL was cramped up. I had one visit to Orlagh Sampson and got immediate relief after some dry needling. I have to go back a few more times but already the right leg is much better.

I'm still training in Rivervalley with Stephen Cooley. They're a great bunch of guys out there and I'm enjoying the new surroundings and different ways of doing things.

Also on Sundays after I do the 1st kup class, Jim Faulkner joins me along with John Malone for about three hours of patterns work. Mr Faulkner is going for his fifth degree and John Malone is gearing up for his 3rd degree in the future. It's great to have other black belts to be technical with! Its funny all three of us have donkey's years under us and we're still only 2nd, 3rd and 4th degrees. John Malone got his 2nd degree 20 years ago, and Mr Faulkner has a pile of years done too, I graded to 1st degree in 1994, no racing here!

Mr Willy Owers also joined us last week, we had a great session delving into the books and performing all the tiny detail. It's incredible what you can forget!

Along side the physical training, my head is buried into the books. I've had to go back to basics with step sparring and get that right so volume 3 of the encyclopedia is out, as is volume 13 carrying all the details of Sam Il, Yoo Sin and Choi Yong. All the finer details of the patterns are important. I have to break out the theory of power next.

I've started the conditioning. My forefists are fine, as is the footsword, the ap kumchi is not too bad, but the reverse knife hand and the heel are still lagging. I'll keep banging away.

I hope to pop down to the degree grading on the 9th to see what is being done, good luck to all those going for degrees in front of Master Dalton on that date!