So recently I've added a series of strength training exercises to my normal workout routine, to try and build up some more strength in my core and legs. Of course, whenever you add a new training regimen the subsequent two weeks are going to be nothing but pain and weakness and general discomfort and why, god why am I doing this to myself. After pinching a nerve after the first weak, I'm back at kendo again this week to test out some of the results of my additional training.
The results were not pretty.
Muscles which hadn't had the time to repair and rebuild were less than inclined to do an activity requiring a great deal of short, explosive movements, so I was much slower today than I wanted to be and took the brunt of a lot of teases for it. Unfortunately, there's nothing for it than to do it, but there are times when I really do wonder why I do this to myself.
The answer, of course, is that there's no quitting kendo. I don't think I could ever really leave this sport. It's too much a part of me now. Even on the days when my body screams in pain to lift my arms for another men strike, I can't conceive of stopping.
In any case, a hot bath is in order tonight, to work the stiffness out of these joints. Plus, if there's one nice thing about kendo nights, it's that I can eat as much meat as I want. Mmm... niku.
I cornered Ino-san today to give me some pointers on kamae and seme. He advised me to be aware of where my left fist is and should be. That is to say, the left fist should be in front of the navel at all times during chu-gamae. He also suggested that seme should feel as though one is pushing down on the opponent's shinai, toward the tsuba, but cautioned, that this is only a feeling. He also suggested that my kensen be pointed toward my opponent's left eye, which always throws me a little bit since my basic training has always said that being in dead center is the place to be. Oh well, little changes it is.
