Spirit Challenge Survivor Stories

from the July, 2012 issue of Kiai!

Collected and Edited by Jun Shihan Nancy Lanoue
Co-Executive Director

I recently asked several Spirit Challenge 2012 participants to share their reflections with Kiai! readers. Be forewarned – after reading these accounts, you just may find yourself signing up for ALL the challenges next year!

Karate Boot Camp
By Chris Lamitie, then Adv. White Belt, now Blue Belt

It was an advertisement for Spirit Challenge that drew my interest and sparked the idea to join Thousand Waves. I participated in the Karate Boot Camp and found it to be one of the most difficult and rewarding athletic events in my life. I have ridden a cycling "century," 100 miles around Tucson Arizona in a single day. I have run half marathons and the Chicago Marathon as well. The Karate Boot camp left me as empty and yet raised me up as high as those other events. I was taken to my limits and asked to dig deeper to find a little more, and I found it. The following day I was exhausted and sore, but happy because I knew I had risen to the challenge and passed it. Through it all I earned the first of many future blisters working out and am proud to have taken part.

Advanced Breaking
By Becky Kidd, Adv. Brown Belt

This event was an incredible experience for me. I’ve participated in all the Spirit Challenges since a year before I began training and this was probably my favorite event of all of them because it did present a true spirit challenge for me. Most of the other events are such that I can muscle through them, even if I am not at my best. For this one to go as well as it did for me, my mind and my body had to be in the right place. For a couple of years I have felt like I have been at an in between place in my breaking practice. I am not a beginner, but have not felt confident being called an advanced breaker. This event helped me feel that I had a place among the advanced breakers in our community. I did very little preparation, with the exception of exploring techniques for doing a self-held head break. I was glad to have it follow Karate Boot Camp because I was plenty warm and able to relax and breathe.

After my breaks I realized that from the time I arrived that evening until I bowed after the 10th board I had not for a single moment considered the possibility that a board wouldn’t break. I pulled the blindfold off and I saw one board. I kicked it, turned and saw another board, and so on. It was one of the greatest experiences of focus and mindfulness I have ever had. I didn’t think about the previous board. I didn’t think about the next one. I just kept moving and kept breathing. When I learned that I had one tenth of a second to spare, I felt that I had done as perfectly as I could have hoped or planned. I didn’t use too much time or too little time. I expended only the energy required for each step.

Sparring Endurance
Senpai Susan Barney, Sandan

This was my first time taking on the sparring endurance challenge in Spirit Challenge. Over the years, some of my training partners took it on and always exclaimed how much fun it was. And I would think, "Yeah, fun for you but certainly not for me. Sparring just isn't my thing." This remained true until I made a conscious decision to carve out time in my training schedule for Senpai Rebecca's class on Saturdays. By doing so, I renewed my interest in and enjoyment of this part of our art. During a moment of bravery, I signed up.

Inside my mind, leading up to the event, I thought it would be tough and scary, and I had a strong desire to bail out. I was certain I had no business being there, especially the "big kids" division since I had only one of the three qualifying characteristics: larger, taller, more mobile. Before we began, Jun Shihan Nancy asked us how we were feeling and if we had any injuries. It took all I could do to keep my mouth shut and not express my concern that there wasn't an oxygen tank on the premises. But I took it one round at a time, just doing the best I could with each partner. By gathering my courage and stepping into my doubts and concerns about making it through the event, I was able to feel my fear dissipate as the event played out – very empowering! When it was over, I felt surprised at how enjoyable and fun (!) the experience was.

There is no question in my mind that I will do this event again. I encourage everyone who feels a little (or a lot) scared to just do it, especially if it freaks you out a bit. Just sign up and let the experience expand your knowledge of what you think you can do. I've been around for many years, but still Spirit Challenge can feel refreshing, because we get to try new things. I feel a responsibility to participate and to raise funds to support our beloved school, but it’s also a reward for me to reset and reenergize my training, kind of like Kagami Biraki, when we rededicate ourselves to training at the new year.

Kata Endurance
By Natalie Kendall, working her way back up to Brown Belt

During my 11 year break from karate, some things have changed at Thousand Waves. When I found out that classes were cancelled for a whole week in June for a fundraiser called Spirit Challenge, I thought, "This is perfect timing. I NEED a week off to wrap things up at the end of the school year". To tell the truth, I was kind of looking forward to the little break. But, this pesky little voice inside my head wouldn't leave me alone until I eventually signed up (after the deadline) for three events, Kata Endurance, Board Breaking and Karate Boot Camp. I was really scared of the Kata Endurance event because I knew for sure that I would forget some of the katas that I had relearned over the past 10 months. And, I thought I might pass out or something. Once the day came, I was already sore from the Karate Boot Camp. I wondered if anyone would notice if I didn't show up...probably not because the group was so large. But, that pesky voice just wouldn't shut up. So, I got a massage, studied all of the katas and was able to remember almost everything. Oh, and I didn't pass out or anything. It felt great to defeat my enemy, ME. It was awesome and I will definitely do it again. The whole Spirit Challenge experience was incredible. My family really surprised me with their financial support. Even though I signed up late, I met the fundraising goal quickly. Next year I'll start earlier and raise more money. I just hope that pesky little voice doesn't convince me to sign up for an even scarier event, like a team competition.

Beginner / Intermediate Breaking
By Ellen Gibbon, then Adv. Yellow Belt, now Green Belt

FLASH BACK: June 2010.
I’m assisting Senpai Kim and running sound during rehearsal for the ‘Art with Heart’ performance. I know almost no one in the room, I’m not yet a training member at TW, I’m completely out of my element, I know nothing about karate, and I’m the only one in the Dojo not wearing a gi. Picture this: Five Black Belts are crouching face down, lined up in a diagonal on the Dojo floor. Five more Black Belts are standing in the NE corner of the Dojo – two are holding a board and three are bracing the holders. One more Black Belt is standing in the SW corner of the Dojo, preparing for his moment. Ready? He runs, he leaps, then flies over the crouching karateka. He extends his foot, breaks the board in mid-air, and then lands like a cat. Whoa. After seeing this, I join the Dojo.

FLASH FORWARD: June 2012.
It’s Monday night. Spirit Challenge has begun and I’m watching the Advanced Tameshiwari event. This time I’m not watching a bunch of strangers. I know everyone who is participating, and because I know them – their names, their personalities, their recent injuries – I am that much more inspired. Case in point: Senpai Becky wowing us by smashing every single board in less than thirty seconds. Surgery? What surgery?

FLASH BACK: June 2011. It’s open dojo on Sunday. Senpai Aileen is working with me as I Shotei my way through a practice board over and over. Her tips give me the final boost of confidence I need before my first board-breaking attempt.

FLASH FORWARD: June 2012. I’m at home the night before Spirit Challenge kicks off. I’m adjusting a window screen when suddenly the heavy wooden pane drops almost two feet and SLAMS down, pinning both of my wrists on the sill. This is three days before the board-breaking event. Bye-bye Haito.

FLASH BACK: June 2011. Spirit Challenge Beginner/Intermediate Tameshiwari. OK folks - time for the real deal. I’m ExcitedAndNervousAndExitedAndNervous. It’s finally my turn, and (thanks Senpai Aileen), I Shotei right through the board. Next - Tetsui Sakotsu Uchi. Right through the board. Next – Mae Geri, and (to my great surprise because I was sure I’d break my toes) right through the board. My reaction? I yell “Holy S---!” with pure glee. This is my first lesson in what you MUST NOT EVER DO after a board break attempt.

FLASH FORWARD: June 2012. Spirit Challenge Beginner/Intermediate Tameshiwari – my second board-breaking event. This time I’m not really nervous, just ExcitedAndExcitedAndExcitedAndExcited. Ready? Hiji Yoko Ate. I’m stunned at how much this break felt like I was simply falling through the wood and into my fellow karateka. Was there a board there? Next - Mawashi Geri. This is the break I’ve been wanting to do for almost two years. I do several practice wind-ups and then CRACK! The board that started in one piece ends up in three. Next - Shuto Uchi Uchi: Dear board, you don’t stand a chance. Slice. Hands down, this is my favorite break so far. I know I will never be able to leap over five Black Belts and break a board mid-air. I know there will be boards that will get the best of me. I know that I may get injured along the way. But I have discovered strength and power and accuracy I never knew I had – and that is quite a breakthrough. OSU!

The Art with Heart Performance
By Sensei Sally Wigginton

One night in Black Belt class Jun Shihan Nancy announced that this year the Spirit Challenge Performance would be done by just black belts. I thought, great, I’ll be in one or two kata pieces and that will be it. When I received an email from Jun Shihan asking me if I would consider being in a Sai and Bo piece, I laughed to myself. Leave it to Shihan to know exactly what I need to work on. No easy route for me, time to really learn and practice my rank level material! It was a challenge, especially the Bo kumite. That was the material I knew the least and I couldn’t follow along in the back row! I guess that is the point of a Spirit Challenge. So practice I did, but I was still worried about looking like I was marking it and not really using the Bo as a weapon. I think Senpai Pat’s idea of having us enter the stage with a swagger got me believing that I could challenge my opponent (Sensei Wai) with a swagger. Once we all loosened up the piece took off and we all had fun!

What I got out of the whole performance was a reminder of the community of Thousand Waves and the importance of Black Belts taking on leadership roles and showing the art that we have done for so long to members of the school and others. I know I love watching my senpai and kohai perform. I am so impressed by the creativity, knowledge and power that is demonstrated in the performances. I suppose a lesson for me is that I have something to show too. My strength is not only my passion of the art but also my perseverance to practice.

I love Spirit Challenge week. It is a perfect time to shake things up around the dojo and get out of our comfort zones. It’s also a wonderful time to foster community among all the members. One of my highlights was helping out with the Soul Survivor Event. I even got a neighbor involved in making my extra leg. It was truly a community effort!

Soul Survivor
By Tabatha Olsen, Adv. Yellow Belt

I like to challenge myself. I like to take something that's difficult and work really hard at it until I get it. That said, there are things I find challenging and there are things I consider torture, like running. I can’t stand running. I will run for the train if I absolutely have to, but that's about it.

My point? When registration opened for Spirit Challenge, Jun Shihan Nancy said that we should sign up for the things we shy away from. Soul Survivor fit that description perfectly for me, so I took a deep breath and registered.

I had no idea how much running would be involved: to the beach, to the trees, back to the beach, back to the trees, up the hill, down the hill, back up the hill, carry a car tire, tie our legs together, and on and on and on. All that running, especially through the sand, made the push-ups, sit-ups, V-sits, etc seem easy. I guess it’s all about perspective…

If I had known how much running I’d have to do, I would have chickened out (so I'm glad I didn't know). Instead of freaking out, I chose to do my absolute best for the sake of my team, embracing a vivacious non-quitting spirit. I ended up pushing myself much farther than I ever would have on my own.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Especially if we do teams again. My team made the event so much fun. We cheered each other on, giving support and encouragement when needed, all the way to the finish line. Of course, I could barely walk the next day from all that running, but it was worth it.

Race Against Hate 10K
By Michele Curley, Brown Belt

Choosing to run the 10K version of the YWCA Ricky Byrdsong Race Against Hate was a no-brainer for me. First of all, running is one of my favorite activities – especially long distances. I’ve run 12 marathons and many half-marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks. My friend Dani just took a picture of the medals I’ve received over the last 10 years. I hadn’t really considered them recently, since I’d just been storing them by hanging them off two corners of my computer deck. In looking at them displayed, I felt a surge of happiness for all I’ve accomplished during the last decade. One of the best things I did was discover Thousand Waves! It’s thanks to TW fitness and karate that I’m now running faster than ever! In fact, I ran a personal best 10K time this year: my former personal record was the 2011 Race Against Hate time of 48:56; this year I ran it in 47:15, finishing 2nd in my age group (45-49)!

Secondly, I especially love running events that support great causes! The Race Against Hate meshes perfectly with the Spirit Challenge goals and the mission of Thousand Waves. This is the 4th year that I’ve engaged in the Spirit Challenge and I’ve become more and more inspired each year. My first year was 2009 when, as a brand-new white belt, I participated in the Soul Survivor event and the 9-mile run. I remember being completely entranced by Thousand Waves and totally happy to have found such an amazing community whose I truly share. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, I was able to compete in all of the events for which I was eligible and was honored to be one of the Sogo Champions for each of these years. Participating in all of the Spirit Challenge events provides me with countless opportunities not only to increase my fitness, endurance, patience, concentration, mind/body/soul connection but also to have tons of fun with awesome TW members!