An Amazing Weekend

This weekend was incredible.

Saturday was the tournament. It was an awesome day. I took a couple days to really process everything. The thing I love about tournaments is that I learn something new every time. I learned a lot at this one, and things are starting to click. It was probably the best tournament experience I've had yet.

About five minutes before the start of the tournament, my TKD partner in crime, Michelle, and I decided to participate in synchronized patterns. We practice together a lot and thought it would be fun. Synchronized patterns go first, so we had to compete right at the beginning. It was a lot of fun and dispelled a lot of the nerves that I usually have before a tournament. We ended up getting first place.

The Bean competed next. She is my TKD hero. She's always so calm and focused, and she's so powerful. I love watching her. Her weapons pattern was great, and she got second place. Her break had been worrying her a little, but when it came time to do it, she broke the board without a problem. It was a hard break, and she made it look easy. Every time I watch her, I am even more thankful for everything TKD has brought to our lives. She's so strong and confident.

There were a lot of ladies in our group. Six of us. I have to admit that the nerves got to me during my pattern. I went too fast and flubbed it up. Still, it was better than the last tournament. My score was pretty close to the third place score. Not placing was made better by the first in synchronized patterns.

My break was probably my personal highlight of the day. I love breaking. I was struggling with my break. It was supposed to be a 360 downward kick with the board half-suspended. I couldn't get around quick enough, and I was getting frustrated. The boards were really hard, and I was nervous. Normally, I will force myself to try it even if I know it won't happen, but this time I decided to go with something I felt a little more confident about. I switched to a jumping downward kick (half-suspended). I still wasn't 100% sure I would break it, but I was slightly less nervous about it.

As I watched the ladies before me try and try to break the boards. I've competed with most of them before, and they're powerful ladies. I was nervous. My break went really well. It was over quickly, and it took me a moment to realize that I broke it the first try. I ended up getting first place.

Sparring is always difficult for me, but it felt better this time. I'm starting to see openings. I sparred three times total and earned a very difficult third place. One woman was really tall and just kept kicking me in the head. I had no idea how to deal with that situation. I got some advice afterward and have a better idea on how to handle it in the future. I learn new things every time.

It was a great day. Everyone was super friendly and supportive. I saw some amazing competitions and learned a lot. I left with a very happy heart, and the feeling lasted through Sunday. It was a blast.

On Sunday I did a 10-mile run. I chose a brutal route that started with three miles of uphill. Add to that running into the wind, and my first five miles was a battle. I decided to turn around and do the other five going downhill with the wind to my back. The second half of my run was much faster. I felt great. I took it easy during the week as prep for the tournament, and it helped my run, too. I was sore from the tournament, but it didn't effect my running. I really enjoyed my run. The whole weekend was great.