What Kempo has to do with Running

So week 1 has come and gone and I am onto week 2. Last Saturday I did my "long" run. I also went to Zultimate Self Defense Studios in Redmond and past my belt test and became an orange belt.

I am doing 2 things (well, more really, but these 2 things are the biggies) to get ready for my RunDisney year.
1) I am doing the Jeff Galloway Training Program
2) I am taking my Kempo training sessions way more seriously.

JEFF GALLOWAY PROGRAM
This is the program that Disney recommends. I have looked at every inch of his website and I have read his book Marathon: You Can Do It! I am really encouraged. It boasts to be "Injury Free." I was sceptical, but in week 2, I am starting to understand and be encouraged. I started doing what he calls a "conditioning" program. I do these short runs that are 5 seconds of running and 55 seconds of walking. It's nuts! Once 5 seconds of running is over, I don't feel like I've barely started running until I start walking. As a former competitive distance runner, this feels absurd to me.

On week 1, I really started second guessing myself. I broke down in tears several times overwhelmed with the goal I set for myself, overwhelmed with the financial burden, angry that I am running 18 minute miles, angry that 1 mile is a long way to go. It took my amazing husband reminding me not to give up, to pray and to just TRY.

But on week 2, I am starting to understand why I am running only 5 seconds at a time. I haven't hurt myself. The daily runs are not so taxing that I do 1 and then don't do another for 5 days. The times are increasing, but not overwhelmingly so. Also, I am still dealing with a couple of healing injuries. I've noticed that I am able to do this conditioning program without triggering those injuries. My foot feels fine. My shoulder feels fine. My knee feels fine. I'm able to progressively finish runs without pain or exhaustion. I've also read several blogs of competitive runners that report that the run-walk method Galloway has recommended has actually given runners faster times, not slower. That has kept my motivation up.

KEMPO
I've become very serious about kempo. But not for the physical fitness aspect. Kempo is a type of martial arts that is a mix of several different martial arts. Since beginning, I have seen quite the change in my mood and mental status. I have lost 15 pounds and I do feel a lot stronger, but it's done a much more important thing for me. It has drastically reduced my Social Anxiety, Shyness and Negative Thinking. When I started I was incredibly trepid. I hated going to group classes (and missed a lot of them) and found excuses to get out of my individual lessons. I would work myself up to the point that I would make myself sick (usually migraines). I could tell that my Sensei was getting frustrated with me, but she didn't give up and I feel a lot different. I'm still shy and I still have a bit of a hard time in social situations, but it is completely different now. It's not as intense. I don't have panic attacks and I don't use medication to deal with the emotions.

I really don't know what it is about Martial Arts that changes the mind and soul, but I have seen and felt it. My oldest son has gained some self-esteem and become more socially healthy. My youngest has gained some self control and gone from being kicked out of Sunday School to able to mind his manners and be very well behaved. My Sensei doesn't do counseling or self-help lessons. She teaches us all Martial Arts. It's not anything exceedingly amazing. Just step by step instruction in Self Defense. But it is magical! I've tried to find some books on the subject, but haven't been able to find much (if you know of some, please let me know).

Continuing my work in Kempo will help me prepare my mind and emotions to keep going when things get hard. It will give me the emotional stability to be able to get through 6 hour runs and boredom and aches and pains. I really think that not doing this work for my emotions and mental well-being is a huge reason for failing several times over the last 2 years.

So I'll finish Week 2 on Sunday and keep on keeping on.