Somebody's butt's getting kicked

...and it may well be mine.

I started karate a couple of months ago. My tutor helped me find a dojo in one of the prep schools that holds classes twice a week, in the evenings. The classes are pretty informal, mostly for sport. Most of the kids are less than 10 years old. Better yet, one of the sensei is an American so I'm not completely lost.

The classes are free since I'm an adult. I had to buy a dogi (my uniform), but that was only about $200. It and my belt are embroidered with my name...in kana. They're so cool.

The first few classes hurt...a lot. I am slowly getting better. The movements are feeling more natural. My knees don't scream near as much. My flexibility is improving (though I started out better than the other adults in my class). I can do a few more situps and pushups than I could before (though my sensei was laughing at me tonight when I could barely do a cruch for the last few situps).

I don't get picked on as much as the kids do. The Japanese sensei doesn't bother with me much and the American one likes to talk to me quietly. I was pretty amused when the Japanese one swatted my leg on Wednesday to tell me I had it in the wrong place. Were I 20 years younger, I would have had it yanked out from under me so I consider myself lucky.

They spar pretty regularly in class. I did my first bit this week - against a black belt - and it went pretty well. I punched and didn't contact; she contacted (gently) and apologized profusely.

When I started, they told me I would be lucky to get a colored belt by the end of the year. I am just fine with that.

Last week, my Japanese sensei explained that he wanted me to be at least a brown belt by the end of the year. I think he must have lost his mind. Mike, the American sensei, says I can do it. I have much less faith, but I'm certainly willing to try.