update on training and goals

[Matt - a simple hobbit]

I was reading through some of my past blog posts this morning and revisited my goals for 2010. Man was I encouraged and also saw I need to step it up in planning for one particular goal.

The first goal was to advance towards black by Jan. 1st, 2011. Well due to some serious focus, many private classes, and training everyday with my dummy and staff, I think I will be able to move that goal up to July 1st. I need to talk specific dates with Mr. Bronson, but I have been keeping up on my material from other belt ranks weekly and I have figured I have done at least 440 repetitions on the Dummy and my staff 10 count since March 22. If I continue at this pace, I will get close to 1500 reps on the Dummy and with the staff by the time I want to take the test. Exciting times. Now I just need to begin fitting in some 5 hour work-outs. I have also begun thinking how I want to begin to train for the 2nd degree forms with this goal is achieved.

My second goal was to finish the academic work for our doctorate program and then get some serious work done for our dissertation by Jan. 1st, 2011. My final piece of academic work, a large paper, is due Monday. I have a polished rough draft done and just need to get the final editing touches on it before I turned it in. That finishes a significant two journey and commitment by Carla and I. Just makes me smile. I will continue to push forward on getting some serious work done on the dissertation by January.

My third goal was the mountains. Our window for climbing is quickly approaching and I am ready physically. Training to become black is great preparation. The only challenge here is that we don't set dates to climb. We have weeks where we would like to do each one, but we are fair weather climbers. I like to see the sun set and rise with a climb. The beauty takes your breathe away. Sometimes, weather doesn't cooperate, and other times we can be flexible enough to move things around to wait. Mt. Hood is first on the list. I will keep you posted. I need to plan the rest of our summer well so that we don't double book (or triple book!) key weeks for climbing.