Saturday, February 27, 2016

Preparing for Pre-Qual

Today is pre-qual for a group of 10 KMA students.
That means they're in the process of PRE-qualifying to enter the black belt cycle. In other words, they're being tested to make sure they're strong enough to start the months long training required to take their black belt test.
Even to get to the pre-qual stage you have to meet certain requirements: you have to know all of the traditional forms (Extreme Form #1, Extreme Form #2, Dan Gun, Tae Gae, Chung Mu) and you have to have earned your three "tips." You earn a tip during a regular grading event by demonstrating your knowledge of those forms. Also, you have to put in at least 9 months as a bo black belt before you can try to pre-qual.
So.
Having earned my bo black belt last September, I knew I would not attempt to pre-qual today. I am striving to pre-qual in July.
But I have increased my training and I'm mentally preparing.
I went today to cheer on my teammates (Kevin and Mike in particular. We came up together. They're more consistent at getting to classes than me so they moved ahead.)
Master Turnhout took them all through their paces, similar to a regular grading. They did punches, kicks, combos. She was testing to see if they knew their punches and guards and blocks. One in particular hung up some people: throat strike. One young student (she must be 10. Anya?) was the first to remember it and demonstrate it, enabling the others to follow her lead (even though technically they're not supposed to look at other students for that reason).
Then they had to demonstrate the forms.
After that, about 45 minutes of nearly non-stop testing, they had an opportunity to shake the hand of every black belt who was there (and there were many!). Then they had to reconvene at the park for their 2 mile run. You must be able to run 2 miles in under 20 minutes. (AFTER this testing!)
It's intense, but if you're preparing, it's reasonable to think you should be able to do all of this. I think the biggest hurdle - and Master Turnhout mentioned it a couple of times - is the mental one.
I think I'm going to look up some books at the library about mental preparation for athletes. I think I may also post on Facebook asking for advice on such literature or inspiration that other people have found.
Yeah. It's intimidating, for sure.
But I can do this. I am already preparing. I am getting stronger.
I want to push myself harder. I want to dominate my own mental game.
You know what a black belt is?
A white belt who never gave up.

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