2006 Workout #13: Combinations…

Tonight I did five Sochin using five pound wrist weights and ten pound leg weights. I then did five more with the 20 lb weight vest on. I then did a total of five more au natural.

In between classes, and I did five more kata. That brought the grand total up to 20 Sochin for the night!

Tonight’s workout itself was very good. We did basics during the first class, including sparring combinations. The second class we continued on with more sparring combinations and drills to learn how to use them more effectively.

My exploration of Sochin is already starting to lift the veil on how to use my center better. About 20% of the time tonight, I actually felt like everything was connected when I attempted to throw combinations at my partners. I have found that this regiment is a double-edged sword… the rest of the time I was having difficulty keeping my center together, I assume it was because of the fatigue of the number of kata that I did. This will pass in time, but I think its going to be hit or miss for awhile.

The only physical problem that I have to report tonight was that I’m starting to feel some strain near a tendon on my right shoulder. I really feel it most when I’m doing the weight training on the high/low blocks in Sochin. I think I may monitor this a bit closer as I continue and adjust the weight training accordingly until that set of muscles develops past the pain point. That’s it though… we had a good set of sparring drills tonight with no major catastrophes that I can report. I think Dobbleaire-san caught one in the nose, but I didn’t see how it happened. Maybe someone else can fill that one in.

Thanks as always to the people that have done a handful or more Sochin with me to keep me motivated over the last ten days. has probably the highest count aside from myself… its tough but he’s a tough guy. Thanks bud! Also, thanks Dad for helping me along in this… even though I tend to complain about the weight training. Its hard, but there’s a reason its hard… its making me better. I appreciate all of the help you’ve given the last week or so, I hope I’m helping you as much!