Last Update: Wrap up

Well, It turns out that my Mac was NOT fixed and it would only charge to 4%.

Which basically meant I could have it up and running and stare endlessly at my desktop, but could not start any programs or it would drain completely. :(

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It was my original intention to blog after every workout. I at first wanted to do it just to keep a record of my own thoughts (and body aches) so I could remember them later. Somehow along the line, Frank (Camp Social Director) found out about it and it ended up being linked (pressure !) to the main Camp page. Since camp is over and Mark and I made it back home, I have to apologize to all (three) of the people who were looking for updates. I will leave you with some final thoughts though on the experience:

First and foremost, it was incredible. From the first day, there was excitement. Some of this naturally faded in light of the grueling workouts we went through, but I don't think people ever stopped feeling that this first camp was a positive harbinger of future events. I think I can speak for most when I say that politics and egos were left at the door in favor of just getting better. I for one am already thinking about next year's Camp...

Second, for those following my toe-drama (I know, exciting right?) it was a complete non issue. It hurt like the Dickens for the first two workouts and then 'poof' I never had another problem. The magic herbal cream I was using did the trick ! As far as other injuries go, this Camp was no worse than any other; a few bruises on my shin and ribs and a stowed thumb on the very last sparring match was the extent of it. We heard that there were over 30 'treated' injuries ranging from broken toes to sprained ankles. My guess is most of there were caused by fatigue and people trying to push themselves past their exhaustion point. There was a tremendous amount of pressure to 'be tough' and I think its sometimes hard for all of us to just admit we should bow out.

Third, the campus was a great choice. Rooms and other services were top notch. Don't change a thing. Well, one thing maybe: the two hour break between first and second workout is NOT enough. Not enough recoup and digestion time.

Workouts in general were perfect length. Instructors made it a point to give frequent water breaks, which cut down on exhaustion injuries I'm sure. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say the Friday three PM workout was epic due to the heat. I'm glad it was the final one for the day because it took everything out of me.

Day Two went well, with good workouts in the morning and mid-morning {I had to carry Frank in a 2 on 1 match but it worked out....see Frank? You made the blog ;) }. We were all girding our loins for another blazing hot 3PM practice when we were told it would be in the Field House.

Which sounded good until Frank ran what I consider to be the toughest workout of my life. At the end of two hours which involved all forms at least three times and culminated in flying side kicks across the entire gym...I was completely drained. I think I was drained three hours later. Thanks Frank !

The party that night was good, with Tshirt exchanges and cheap beer (where was the Guiness?).

I turned in early so as to have energy to grind out the last two workouts.

6 AM workout I was really stiff, but managed to feel great after basics and forms. Its funny how that works out; the hardest part is actually getting up and walking down to the field.

10AM workout (the final of Camp) was run my Victor Jr and he held nothing back. His energy and excitement was contagious and we all tried to 'leave it on the field' like he asked us to do.

After nearly two hours in the hot sun (with extra sparring rounds and extra three-step) he told us we were going to do Marathon forms...to which I laughed because I thought it was a great joke.

Then he told us he wasn't joking.

:(

So the last five minutes of Camp were spent doing continuous forms from white belt all the way through your highest form without stopping. By the end of that, I know I had nothing left; I don't think anyone did as we left the field. Thanks Victor for a great workout !

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So next year will roll around eventually. Hopefully Camp will be bigger and better. Going in, I didn't expect the degree of camaraderie that was pervaded every facet of Camp, but there it was.

Wouldn't it be great to do things like this, all the time ??

See ya soon,

J

Doh! Mac problems, long post coming later folks! Lots of cool updates

Late day One: Back to the Past

So I made a trip in Bruce's Kia (a nice zippy little car that I tried to not wreck into anything solid) so that I could get supplies. We had gone to Walmart before, but I hate all the plastic junk they sell from China. On the way out of town, I saw a Rite Ade ! Ha , good bye Evil Walmart !


Turns out Rite ade was WRONG ade...they had nothing. Back down the road to beloved Walmart...

Got a bunch of gatorade for the three of us and as I was sitting there in line, I realized I forgot to mention how we got here...

THE DISTANT PAST

Well, two days ago at least. Mark and I decide to fly from RDU, since tickets were only 200$ or so. Bruce (the wild man he is) decides to drive...but he has a valid reason: he's staying up here and heading to NYC for a wedding later.

Our flights were good, got herded like the docile cattle we are and we arrive in Harrisburg. One problem though: as we were getting on the plane in Raleigh, our ride from harrisburg to Selinsgrove calls us and tells us he's NOT going to camp and THUS we are S.O.L for a ride. We try and call a few people from camp, but no dice.

We land in Harrisburg and figure there's got to be a way to get there. Well...no actually. A couple cab drivers tried to rip us off to the tune of 120$...to which we said, hell no. Greyhound was not running ANY buses up there that day and...we're rapidly getting worried.

Well, remember our Wild Man Bruce? Just so happens he's driving right past Harrisburg, but he's 3 hours behind us. Drat. Mark and I decide to park it in the sports bar and have a good lunch with some cold beer and just wait for Bruce.

Eventually, like the proverbial knight in shining armor, Bruce picks us up and we get here. I dunno what we'd have done otherwise...hitch-hike ? :)

Still leaves us the problem of getting back to Harrisburg on Sunday night, but that may as well be next year as far as I'm looking ahead. Speaking of which...

Day Two stands to be a test of will. Temperatures are going to be in the 94-95 range. Slap on the sunblock and gut it out I think. Nothing to be done about it. Everyone has kind of settled into camp mode now, withdrawing into themselves a bit and trying to not think about anything past the next workout. 5 more to go and we're done, but its a long haul from here.

I'm excited and happy to be here still. The campus (more on that later) is gorgeous! When I had time to reflect later (when i wasn't broiling), the weather certainly was wonderful today.

Ok, nearly 10 PM. Took my vitamins, time to read my books (I brought the Shannara series) and sack out. More tomorrow after workout # 4 !!

Third Workout

Old Proverb: Be careful of unintended naps


Ok, I just made that up, but its true. I managed to 'just close my eyes for 5 minutes' at about 2:05PM...and woke up with a start about 2:50 ! Apparently Bruce and Mark were knocking at my door and making puppy sounds (I have three dogs at home) and there was silence from my room.

They dutifully let me sleep and (whew!) I woke up in time. Danger though!

However, as a result of my nap (and I can rarely ever nap..ask my wife) I was ENERGIZED. My toe pain ? Gone. The wondrous power of our bodies to heal itself always amazes me.

Its a good thing I had that nap though, because the third workout (3-5PM) was the hottest of the day. Nary a cloud in the sky and relentless sun.

Good news was, the instructor was very aware of the heat and gave us frequent water breaks; he could have been a Nazi and forced us on...but that would have been carnage.

As it was, people were still nearly dazed by the end and lots of people were getting a little sloppy. Bumps and bruises for a few tonight.

As I said, my toe felt great the whole workout! I managed to take a full on punch to the ribs from a brown belt (who will remain nameless again!). Good thing he was wearing a hand guard and good thing mark has been making us do all those situps.

Since I haven't mentioned them much, Mark (4th Dan) and Bruce (fellow 2nd Dan) both had good workouts. Bruce has this rolling cooler that is the envy of everyone. lol. We stocked it with liquids and wow did we go through them. The sun was beating down all afternoon.

I felt a sense of accomplishment though to come through that and still be balanced and in control at the end, when some were losing it. I wouldn't want to have stayed out there much longer, but I had a great workout.

I just had an enormous salad at the dining hall and i was craving it all afternoon. Fresh tomatoes to go in it...mm mm mmm. Sitting here now, I'm discovering all the little bumps and bruises (arms getting beat up) and my feet generally hurt, but I think I'm holding up well.

I'm on a supply mission though; I have to go get some more gatorade cause we're drinking it like fish ! I'll do a late night Day 1 wrapup later...

Second Workout

So much for the early morning rain. The sun returned with a vengance.

Hot hot hot. I drank a 16oz gatorade by the halfway point and was dreaming of more, but too bad its back in the room. :(

Lots of good sparring this time. We did a gauntlet where you fight 50 people in a row, zig zagging down the middle of a line. By the end you feel like jello, but then you have to go fight more people...

Mark did his forms right this time; in the morning he managed to forget some moves and ended up GOING THE WRONG WAY from everyone else. And I was right there to see it, heh heh heh.

No injuries to speak of, but my toe is still nagging me. Go Go Wifey Tendon magic ! Took a few shots on the arms from blocks, but that always happens. I'm glad I've been going twice a week to the Raleigh class and running/working out at the gym, cause I feel pretty good.

Its great to see all the people I've known for years. They ask me where I've been and we compare history and talk about our old instructors or Camps gone by...

So 6 more workouts to go, only one more today. We get a three hour rest now and don't have to be out there till 3 PM. Hopefully the ball of fire in the sky will be spent by then...

Off to lunch and to drink about a gallon of water !

First Workout

So the first workout is done. We started at 6 am, here in Selinsgrove PA. Many different schools of Chung Do Kwan, but all associated in some form to Grandmaster Son.

It was everyone's first 'summer camp' without him and I was especially noticing his absence. We're all here to honor his life's work, even those who were turned away by him years ago. I found myself wishing that politics didn't have to get in the way...and that the organizations could have all stayed together.

Oh well, c'est la vie.

As for me, I had a good first workout. We had some rain that was pretty heavy for a few minutes but then quit. Made the field slick, but balance balance balance right? 125 people or so here; all TKD; all Chung Do Kwan. A field of black belts is a great sight !

Got my first scrape, and got punched in the nose once...but at least it was by a 6th Dan (who will remain nameless and innocent) :)

My toe is bothering me, but its an injury i've been nursing for a few weeks now. We'll see how it handles. I'm trying some joint/tendon meds that my lovely new wife gave me!

More to come, next workout in 35 minutes...