I missed black belt class last night because I had relay for life, but I figured that would give me opportunity to talk about my at-college routine!  Its a much different feeling practicing Taekwondo outside the Do Chang.  Where we usually have direction and structure, trying to keep yourself disciplined to do your best technique with no one watching.  It teaches a different type of self control, different to the physical control we learn over our bodies at class; much more of a mental self control.

My usual work out starts with stretches, which I do the same way as at a normal class: starting with neck, then arms, working down to my legs and ankles. A lot of times I'll do this work out on the blacktop outside of my dorm, where I don't feel like I'm going to be getting many weird stares, especially when I'm doing my stretches.  Being able to do about 90% splits can exhibit some concerned looks.  After that, I run through my 12 forms without pause in between, to raise my heartrate and get my body moving.  This is less about technique as it is a warm up.  Then, I'll do kicks for the length of the basketball court, with some hand motions thrown in.

After this I start my technique practice, where I'll run through my take down techniques and step sparring motions.  These are just the basic "mock fights".  I also take this time to run through my forms again, usually my 5 highest, striving for perfect technique.  This is the part that most involves the self-discipline I mentioned before.  I usually end my workout with jump drills and jump kicks in an effort to improve my leg strength.  Working on building up for a 540degree kick, which is a spin and jump kick, where you land with the leg you kick with, making it a difficult technique to master, but it gives me a good goal to work for.

That about sums up today's entry!