I Can Haz Double-Black Stripe Belt!

[pegkerr]

The test went really quite well. I was plenty nervous, especially because I was having cramps in both feet for almost a half an hour before the test started. But once I got started, the body settled down, and it didn't give me trouble during the test. Thank heaven. There were only three advanced belts testing: me, and two black belts, one first degree and one second degree, both testing for section stars. Therefore, we were told to come to take the test with the Intermediate belts, rather than having them hold an hour and a half long test for just the three of us. Therefore, things were much easier than they might have been, if it had been a standard advanced belt test. The kicking didn't go on nearly as long, I didn't have to do paper kicks, and I got much more rest.

I had a little trouble with balance on the injured side during the kicking section. But my instructor reminded me to arch my back, and things settled down. I felt quite confident on the form and self-defense section, and sparring was easy: I only had to demonstrate a setup and a jam, rather than free sparring as we would if it had been an advanced belt test.

My instructor said I looked very solid, and he thinks I'll be entirely ready to test for black belt test in December.

If I live through the screenings first. Oy.