How much effort?

[sensei8]

Honestly, I wish I could say I give 100% at all times, but it'd be a total lie. I have days where I give 100% and feel great and I have days I'm just not all there-- my body's already exhausted or my mind is otherwise occupied-- days I'm proud of myself for just showing up and sticking it out to the end. Obviously the 100% days are more productive, but I still learn things on the stick-it-out days. I'd rather keep plodding along then push myself when my body's not feeling it and get hurt or start dreading class.

Solid post; I wholeheartedly agree!!

Any yes, my Dai-Soke had a major influence on me, I can't deny, nor do I try to. I'll be 57 years old this October, my 50th year in Shindokan, but I'm not that spry and vigor of youth that I once use to be. I'm slowing down, and at times, it's hard to keep up the pace and such as I get older. My right knee is getting worse, but my spirit is more than willing, therefore, I push, thereto, I submit to make the necessary changes so that I can still be that effective MAist.

Ask me to do Unsu, and I will, except the big jump because that big jump will kill my right knee, so I adapt and I change, and sometimes, I just want to scream out in pain. My heart's willing, but my body is saying..."Give it a rest!!"

[bushido_man96]

I think, as a rule, as we get older, our 100% effort changes. My 100% is not the same as an 18 year old's 100%.

It is painful to watch some just go through the motions when i'm out front, you want to push them but feel if you push too much they will give up or they will always be reliant on being pushed in training and will take longer to be able to push themselves.

Some just drive forwards regardless and will turn out well.

I understand this completely. I also know that when I give 100% of myself to basics, forms, and one-steps throughout the course of a class, my sparring energy levels suffers dearly. So sometimes, I make sure to pace myself throughout a class, that way I have some energy left at the end of class when its time to spar those younger kids.

Another factor is that my knees hurt a lot more now than they used to. All the kicking in the air with snap, lockout, and no impact, takes its toll on the knees. So I don't always kick as hard as I used to during basics. My body just can't take it. So, as we get older, sometimes we have to give a bit less than 100% so we can make it through a week of classes.