Training: Simulated Rank Test
Today we did a simulated rank test. We had someone sort of proctor a test outline that we developed to help get us ready mentally and physically for our January Blackbelt test. She did really great for us, she took what we outlined and then added her own style to it so had the element of surprise and had to work to adapt and use our minds as well. Much like a class or actual test. Just to get the vibe to help get comfortable in the mindset needed.
We did about 5 hours of working through our material. We did 1 hour each on; Basics, Weapons, Kata, Self Defense and then about 30 minutes for fighting/sparring. I did about 175 pushups during the Basics portion. Due to time, we’d set a limit of 1 hour on each section, just so we wouldn’t be there more than 5 hours, we only had one “challenge”. Now in retrospect I wish we’d done more of those to see what’s what.
After all the Karate parts were done, and to finish off the simulation we Rucked from the Dojo all the way down to the river. ~5 miles total with a 30# pack and vest. It was about 95 degrees and the heat really sucked the life out of us. When we got to the river I actually dumped my gear and got in the river. The cold water really helped a great deal.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/1208099739
She was nice enough to keep notes on what I did and her feedback on what I was able to do properly. There’s so much here that this post doesn’t do it justice. But I can honestly say when we were done, I feel like we recreated the same feeling/result physically that we had for Brown Belt test or the Spartan Beat from last year.
I’ll be focusing on recovery and paying attention to my body the next 48 hours, which is the real reason by doing this simulation. To see how I recover and perform after a good deal of stress.
All in all, 6 hours total of work. I’m very drained and fighting leg cramping like crazy. But I think we’ll look back in a few months and say how much this helped us prepare. Only time will tell.
We did about 5 hours of working through our material. We did 1 hour each on; Basics, Weapons, Kata, Self Defense and then about 30 minutes for fighting/sparring. I did about 175 pushups during the Basics portion. Due to time, we’d set a limit of 1 hour on each section, just so we wouldn’t be there more than 5 hours, we only had one “challenge”. Now in retrospect I wish we’d done more of those to see what’s what.
After all the Karate parts were done, and to finish off the simulation we Rucked from the Dojo all the way down to the river. ~5 miles total with a 30# pack and vest. It was about 95 degrees and the heat really sucked the life out of us. When we got to the river I actually dumped my gear and got in the river. The cold water really helped a great deal.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/1208099739
She was nice enough to keep notes on what I did and her feedback on what I was able to do properly. There’s so much here that this post doesn’t do it justice. But I can honestly say when we were done, I feel like we recreated the same feeling/result physically that we had for Brown Belt test or the Spartan Beat from last year.
I’ll be focusing on recovery and paying attention to my body the next 48 hours, which is the real reason by doing this simulation. To see how I recover and perform after a good deal of stress.
All in all, 6 hours total of work. I’m very drained and fighting leg cramping like crazy. But I think we’ll look back in a few months and say how much this helped us prepare. Only time will tell.