Sensei's back...

Sensei is finally back from his trip to Europe. Hopefully I he can kick my ass back into shape, cos that good feeling from last week didn't last too long. Anyway, was feeling quite tired today, I probably shouldn't have had that nap before I went to kendo. Felt like my body was still in nap mode.

Anyway, onto training, straight into men. Again, I was first, hehe. I should keep a tally. Started off with kiri kaeshi, and it all went downhill from there. Couldn't put my finger on it, but it just seemed all wrong from me. I still maintained a decent speed, but it just felt shit. I almost even slipped over, albeit from the set where we were meant to go flat out, but I've gone flat out before, and it felt good. Also, my cuts seem to be getting smaller. Damn. Probably need to relax more. We must have done about 10 sets of kiri kaeshi by the end of it, and I was knackered. Then to uchikomi. Sensei noted that I wasn't constantly attacking. I'm so glad he can help me personally like that... but did he have to do it in front of everyone! how embarassing. Hopefully I can learn from my shame. During uchikomi practice I need to be 'ALWAYS' attacking, so as soon as I turn around, I should be attacking with my seme, which I wasn't doing. Anyway, kept on going and I think I improved a little bit. I hope its related to my tiredness today, and not some inherent problem that I'm going to spend months on to improve.

Onto jigeiko. My dou him was loose, again! I tried so hard to make it tight at before training, and it still came loose. Need to get some advice on this. I sat out to fix it then rejoined the line. It worked in my favour, because I ended up doing jigeiko with sensei after the first rotation. WOOT! Anyway, first jigeiko was with a regular 'fun' partner, though I don't think I made it too fun cos I was a bit too serious about it. Still had 'fun' though. Then jigeiko with sensei. I think I've ever only had one jigeiko with sensei, all about 5 years ago! so I relished this moment to spar with him. Didn't realise how quick he actually was! I see how quick he can be when I watch him, but he seems even faster when I spar with him. Anyway, he kicked my ass, but I tried to really focus to show him my best kendo, so that he can take it apart and give me some advice. I managed to actually score a men cut on him. Can't remember how I did it. Must have been a kote nuki men, but then it can't be, cos I remember every time I tried to nuki, his cut would always land before I could get it out of the way.

Anyway, went to thank him at the end and was hoping that he'd give me some advice regarding my jigeiko, but he just told me to keep trying to improve what he'd mentioned during uchikomi.. ah well, I'll have to jigeiko with him again soon. Hope the club doesn't sweel in numbers anytime soon, or else its gonna reduce my chances of that...