tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post4813225266163701386..comments2023-10-22T16:13:55.130+01:00Comments on My journey to black belt: Pre-dan for NidanSue Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-85629013693497223562013-06-05T11:01:05.350+01:002013-06-05T11:01:05.350+01:00Thanks Charles but I hope 6 months isn't MY li...Thanks Charles but I hope 6 months isn't MY lifetime!Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-22273930447634743472013-06-04T22:55:49.374+01:002013-06-04T22:55:49.374+01:00Six months, a lifetime, good luck Sue.Six months, a lifetime, good luck Sue.Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-5060479513195876632013-05-28T17:04:45.655+01:002013-05-28T17:04:45.655+01:00Brett, The pre-dan did make me feel like I was fai...Brett, The pre-dan did make me feel like I was failing which was made worse by the fact that I thought I was doing ok - so it was a reality check as well! Another 6 months of training and preparation will hopefully make all the difference. Thanks for your support.Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-60210789212041033192013-05-28T16:29:35.927+01:002013-05-28T16:29:35.927+01:00I won't tell you that you shouldn't feel o...I won't tell you that you shouldn't feel one way or the other about this, Sue. If it were me (and some day it will be) I would feel like I had on some level failed. Though, on the other, I would try to focus on the fact that if I were to train brutally in order to test then I'd run a risk of injury that simply isn't worth it - especially with another test only a few months away.<br /><br />You made the right call, Sue.The Strongest Karatehttp://www.kyokushinblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-41302623464941018822013-05-22T11:25:17.596+01:002013-05-22T11:25:17.596+01:00Colin, I don't mind a bit of mushyness now and...Colin, I don't mind a bit of mushyness now and again ;-) I'm glad you like reading my blog and thanks for taking time to comment.<br /><br />John, I keep reminding myself that its not about the grading but the training. I'll grade when I feel ready, it seems the best way.<br /><br />Charles, I get what you're saying here but I have been in contact with my instructor about this and he agrees that I should wait until November - it's not long. I'm not giving up on it Charles, just biding my time.<br /><br />Felicia, I remember you blogging about you not being able to grade with Ed for nidan and I did think about you when I was making my decision so you did influence me a lot. I'm quite happy it's the right decision so thanks.Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-87323283232765407082013-05-21T16:47:54.059+01:002013-05-21T16:47:54.059+01:00Hi, Sue. I was in the same boat - only it wasn'...Hi, Sue. I was in the same boat - only it wasn't my hubby but my training partner. We tested together from when we met (3rd kyu or so) through shodan and I was quite disappointed when we were informed that he was ready to grade for nidan but I was not. But like your husband, he had quite a bit more MA experience than I did (he started as a teen and took a seven year hiatus, which was about the amount of time I'd been training in total), so it made sense that he was where I was not yet. I did what you are planning to do - settle in and work to be the best uke/partner for him. I learned a lot along the way and when it came time for me to grade (about a year later), I was comfortable - and ready.<br /><br />It's tough, but I totally understand you wanting to wait. For me, a lot of it comes back to being one of the few women in the dojo. I instantly feel that I will become the representative and benchmark for ALL women when I grade - whether it goes stellarly or not. I always want to make sure I am prepared to give it my best (which is why I also wouldn't grade if I was ill with the flu/asthma flare or right after being away from the dojo for a long time - like I was after my surgical reconstruction). It may sound silly, but I can't really explain it any better than that. But I think that as long as YOU are comfortable with your decision, all will work out well.<br /><br />All the best to you, Sue. Knowing you, the learning will not stop - and there will be some really great posts about your journey between now and then as well :-)Feliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09017194727231120284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-91318832525546519472013-05-20T16:18:52.309+01:002013-05-20T16:18:52.309+01:00My thoughts, go for it anyway. Look at it as a typ...My thoughts, go for it anyway. Look at it as a type of shugyo if you wish. Marginal may just be a test itself. Work diligently along side your husband with both of you focused on doing well. You could have had a mental glitch day and that came across as marginal. It may be that you will be on the day you actually test. <br /><br />If you are awarded Ni-dan on that day or not it is still a means to show your desire to accept any and all challenges. Look at it as if your attacked on the street. The adversary will not give a rats ass if you are marginal or not and if you defeat your adversary you defeat them and whether you did so by marginal or by excess you still win the fight. <br /><br />Go for it regardless. You were asked and now your being tested with this pre-test marginal thing. What you do with it means something. Is it possible your giving up on this one or is it possible your not?<br /><br />Sorry, used marginal over borderline but you get my drift.Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-9551498371423186922013-05-20T15:52:34.266+01:002013-05-20T15:52:34.266+01:00Do you know how I got my 3rd dan.
Never thought a...Do you know how I got my 3rd dan.<br /><br />Never thought about nor trained for 1st dan. Just focussed on the next grading because it was a focussed means of learning. Half way through 1st Kyu I thought, Good God, I'm going to get a black belt. Never ever thought of it.<br /><br />Shodan was all good. Never thought of any higher grades. No humility, just no interest. One of my instructors needed a partner to progress his dream of completing the grading system. So I agreed to do so, and in the process ended up being the only 'student' to complete the grading system.<br /><br />Your relationship and explanation has a very familiar ring.John Coleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14634192254115557179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-54348680276660089302013-05-20T11:53:53.224+01:002013-05-20T11:53:53.224+01:00Oh - and get rid of that thumbs down - the whole t...Oh - and get rid of that thumbs down - the whole thing is very very positive.Colin Yateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220345119421398909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-80673708062299603192013-05-20T11:53:17.088+01:002013-05-20T11:53:17.088+01:00Sounds sensible. Not being mushy, but I really en...Sounds sensible. Not being mushy, but I really enjoy reading this blog for your honesty and humility. <br /><br />Martial arts would be better off with a few more grounded people like yourself.Colin Yateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220345119421398909noreply@blogger.com