Note to self: Invest in TKD shoes >.<

So today pretty much consisted of everything related to martial arts.  I woke up and just chilled out for a few hours before getting moving and walking down to Flinders St. to check out these 2 gyms I looked up online.  The first one I found was this tiny Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym that reminded me a lot of the one in Charlotte (puzzle mats, goofy instructor, small class size), so that is DEFINITELY going to be my haven.  I then went to check out the other gym for boxing/Muay Thai, which I'll have to go to a few classes before I can really feel it out.  I walked back to my dorm and hung out for a little bit, recovering from the heat mostly.  Why is Melbourne windy at the most inappropriate times?  Arg. 

Anyways, I headed out for TKD practice around 5, and met some of the people there who seem nice.  However, much to my dismay, I discovered that there were *GASP* NO MATS.  It was the evil hardwood floor of DOOM!  While I never thought I'd say this, I wish the floors were dirtier.  There was NOTHING to reduce the friction when I would pivot on my feet, leading to the inevitable removal of one of my valued callouses.  So after bleeding for a bit, and cringing at the formation of another blister on my other foot, I finished out practice, and limped home feeling wounded both in body and ego.  It's embarrassing to think about how much work my left side kicks/sparring needs.  I have NO rhythm when I spar.  It's sad!  Luckily, this entire semester pretty much is going to be devoted to sparring as the team has a big tournament coming up.  It's going to be good and bad, as I know I need the work, but the work is going to be miserable.....My cardio is seriously out of shape.  I thought that 2 hours was going to kill me....Whatever, tomorrow I'm heading down to the QV to scope for shoes.  Curse you, hardwood!  I never thought I'd miss the Berkeley mats so much!

I'm sadly/masochistically looking forward to my shower of pain (hot water + missing skin = pain).  I was so glad to finally break a hard sweat, to feel my body digging to keep going.  Martial arts love, right there :)