exhaustion and perserverance

It's been a long time since I've attended class every single day. I figured I'd be fine and went ahead to train on my own. Not only did I train for an hour in Taekwondo but I also felt a little soccerish so I practiced some moves hitting the ball against the top of my foot and my knee, then went to class that night.
When I woke up Tuesday morning I felt my legs stiffen up so bad I could barely move. I debated whether or not to skip class but remembered I promised to come in early to help with the kids. Not really wanting to break a promise I showed up for the early class. Any chance I got I stretched but even bending hurt! I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to do my class. Moving around helping the kids helped me forget about my body issues. When it came time for my class I used the five extra minutes to get a good stretch before we stretched together.After stretching we lined up in the back and did some basic kicks to warm up our legs starting with front kicks, went on to roundhouse kicks then ax kicks. We were paired up with someone in the middle and two people on either side of them holding a target. The person in the middle did front leg roundhouse kicks then turned and did the same on the other side with the other foot.  When they finished we switched the person in the middle held the target and one of the other two went in the middle etc. When it was my turn in the middle I picked up my leg for the front leg roundhouse but my leg resisted barely coming up. Fighting through it I was able to finish the rounds and even do some ax kicks (although not as high)

When we finished we moved onto other techniques with pads.After kicking so many times my legs finally gave up although I did feel it when we sat down for a minute break. After our break we practiced forms from beginner to high level. By the third form my face started burning red with sweat.We also practiced one step sparring techniques with a partner. For the last five minutes of  class we did cardio. Every squat ached throughout my legs and I slowed down. Two minutes seemed like a long time when your legs don't want to move. Taking short breaths I pushed through it somewhat slower but not wanting to give up fully either. Perseverance  came through today and I realized pushing yourself is good but knowing your boundaries is better to avoid injury.

dinner afterwards

begining

I don't remember why I decide to take up Taekwondo. One day I was in my room and it just hit me that I wanted to take up a martial art. At the time I only knew of karate based on what I saw on television. I researched types of martial arts on the internet narrowing it down to two, karate or taekwondo that were near my house. I took shotokan karate as a kid but it lasted only a week due to lack of interest and the instructor hitting the back of your leg is you were in the wrong stance. I carefully researched each school, on the websites and calling individual schools with lists of questions. After only an hour I narrowed it down to only two schools. The first school I visited the instructor answered my questions shortly and curtly which left me with only one school. The second school was my old school which I wasn't thrilled about going back to.
On my way home from work one day a path I often took, we passed by a Taekwondo school I never saw before. Intrigued I started walking by but something made me stop and go in. It was dark inside with no classes going on yet.  An older man sat at the desk wearing a white uniform and black belt. I introduced myself explaining I wanted to take up martial arts. He smiled kindly telling me to come back and speak with grand master the next day who will happy to discuss the classes with me. I returned the day after speaking to the grand master deciding to try the month program.  Grand master kindly answered my question discussing the type of adult class he offers, how discipline works and tuition.  
 I was nervous the day of my first class a Friday evening. A little after the hour Grand Master joined in the only one there!! He taught me some stretches that they use. I stumbled and winced as my body protested. Not only have I never stretched before I was also overweight and clumsy. Boy did my my body hurt the next day. Still I couldn't wait for the next class, now I was hooked! 
The next class was full with others of different rankings. A tall muscular man with a beard and ponytail and a black belt around his waist sat in front talking to another man with  a red belt around his waist. I nodded sitting in the corner quietly. The muscular man approached me, asking "Hi I'm Matthew is this your first day." I nodded mumbling shyly "Yes" He replied with a friendly smile and a "welcome' before calling us to line up. This stretching was just as bad as the first time with me stumbling, almost falling over my feet. Not even five minutes in heat radiated from my face.Matthew gave me an encouraging smile and nod throughout the entire thing. Despite my clumsiness and apparent lack of direction class was fun, everyone was really nice and I loved every minute of it.