harpingon

I run quite a bit. At least 6 miles on 6 days. Sometimes longer runs, depends what I'm training for, marathon or half, or something shorter. Somewhat. I'm still learning and close physical contact with strangers (slowly becoming not-strangers) is somewhat discomforting. Mostly though, especially with Kumite (gohon I'm okay with), ippon sparring and even one step, I'm accutely aware of my low skill level, so I know that the red belt, yellow belt, green belt I'm sparring with isn't getting much use from the session. At least, that's what I think. Yeah, life, work and just 'stuff'. Lots of stuff. I do train karate in the evenings mostly, and this will almost certainly be after a run of some distance and pace or other. Saturdays I train karate in the mornings, and usually the running will be after that. Maybe that will help.

thanks everyone

Thank you. I will try this.

Hi I'm a novice Shotokan student, will be taking 9th Kyu grading in four weeks. Have been training for 3 months. One 90 minute session per week for a month, then 2.5 hours a week for a month, and latterly up to 4 hours a week, on three days. This is as much dojo time as my club can offer. We had a guest Sensei in Dojo on Saturday, and he was paying close attention to us novices who were about to do our first grading. He mentioned, I'm far too tense. Too much tension in stepping, and preparing. Too much tension everywhere really, so there's no real distinction to the final strike or block, and I end up being much more tired than I should be. He correctly guessed I have a desk job. I'm 44 years old, and my stretching ability is woeful. I can't do most of the warm up stretches yet in any meaningful way, and I do at least some of the warm up and practice some Kihon every day. I'm coming to Karate from being a runner (still run, actually) and I compete in my running at every distance from 5km races, up to marathon. I observed myself this weekend, and found in my every day activities from driving, to eating dinner to watching TV that I discovered myself to be tense, and and had to force myself to relax each time. But this would repeat regularly. I guess my question is, any tips for relaxing? I'm sure it would benefit me in more ways than just Karate, but the very act of 'trying' to relax, is making me anxious and tense! Sorry if this sounds daft, I can't think of a better way to put it! Ps. Just had to take a big breath and relax after typing this. Was tense.

I'm 44 years old, and have been training in Shotokan for 3 months. Taking my 9th Kyu grading in 4 weeks time. My son (8yo) is currently 9th Kyu and taking his 8th at the same time, we train at the same Dojo in Northumberland. I'm currently training 3 times a week, for 4 hours total.