By Claus Hansen, Member until 2017

I had decided after my 3rd kyu graduation that I would do better for my 2nd kyu. That's why I also declined the first time, when I was told that they wanted to nominate me. At that time, I couldn't see how I was going to be able to get ready either physically or mentally for a 2nd kyu graduation, since I had agreed to a work assignment that I knew would take a lot of free time to finish.

I had otherwise decided after my 3rd kyu that I wanted to keep in shape, so that it wouldn't be so difficult for the 2nd kyu. But as most people probably know, one thing is what you plan to do, another is the reality. Because all of a sudden you get hit by it, reality that is. And I became that, there is always something or work, friends or family that requires something extra from you and then it is difficult to keep the promises you have made to yourself. But as I realized, the future is not created through what you say, but through your actions.

But I got the chance again not so long ago. This time I had a little more time for preparation. It's a funny thing about time, we don't have much of it and yet I always think I have too little of it. Which I especially thought the day before I had to appear for the physical test and the week before I had to take the syllabus test. Even though there was too "little" time, the physical test and syllabus test actually went ok. It wasn't the world's best physical test, but I got through it with a certain body part in the water crust.

The syllabus actually went ok, although I thought there was room for improvement. I even got praise from Kimu-sensei, of course there was also rice, but still it shows that you can do much more than you tell yourself. It probably helped that I didn't have that much time to be nervous, as I hadn't arrived in particularly good time for the test. However, I cannot recommend that - the pitfall is that you get stressed instead.

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the actual graduation. The day before the syllabus test I must have consumed food that did not quite live up to the health authorities' standard, or it was just the rest of the recent flu. In any case, the day before graduation, I couldn't move very far away from a certain practical device found in every bathroom across most of the world. I was very grateful for that invention that day.

But it's no use dwelling on the past - you can't change it anyway. It is about looking forward. There was nothing else to jump into the saddle again, to use a popular expression. Which I did for the 3rd time, you could say.

This time I had the time, I had the attitude, I knew roughly what I was getting into. Which is an advantage as you can then prepare for the various tests.

I spent the months leading up to the physical test and the syllabus test getting in shape and practicing as much of the syllabus as I could. On the actual day of the physical test, I knew that I could pass it with relative certainty. A few days before, I had done a small general test and knew that I could do both the circle and the run together. It is also a good thing to test. It allows you to see where you have problems and lay out a suitable strategy for the test itself.

On the day of the test, I make sure that I don't eat any heavy or large meals for at least 2 hours before the test, but make sure to have consumed plenty of liquid. In addition, I ration the forces during the circle, but not so much that it destroys the rhythm. At least that's one of the things I've experienced. It is important to find your own rhythm in the circle, so that you do not get too tired because you do an exercise too slowly or too quickly.

In any case, with that strategy I had plenty of money to run the trip myself. Significantly more than all the previous times I have been for physical testing. It is possible that all the fitness training up to now has also done something. The only thing that can upset me afterwards is that I could have given it more gas on the run itself. (Red: 3 x Bronze circle: 7 min. 55 seconds and subsequent Cuba test; 2,690 m (13.5 km/h)).

The syllabus test actually went ok too, funnily enough I didn't think it went quite as well as last time. It could possibly be connected to the fact that this time I arrived in good time to get nervous. It's actually something weird. There were quite a few of us who were up for the syllabus test and everyone seemed nervous and why exactly.

After all, we wouldn't be there if it weren't for the fact that there was an instructor who thought we had what it took to pass the test. Still, you're a little nervous, but there's nothing else to do but do your best and it will probably work out. If nothing else, you have done what you could and there is not much more you can do.

After the syllabus test came the actual meeting with the final graduation. I don't know how many students are aware of what precedes that time. When those who are up to brown belt stand on the floor for the actual graduation after the training meeting. You have done your best up to and during the camp itself and then you end up with what people see when you stand out on the floor with the others who are up to the other levels.

But those who are brown belts continue after the others have sat down. For them, it's not over until they're completely run down. You have to try it to understand how hard it is. In particular, I think the final test of will with pad amok training for 3 times 1 minute, or however long it is, is hard. This time I was as flat as the first time, although I was better prepared.

Now you sit safely, dear reader, and ask why am I putting myself through this and why should you put yourself through this. I could sit at home on the sofa and relax and enjoy life.

Why train so many hours every week and subject yourself to that self-torture.

If I have to answer that question, I would ask you to think about why there are some people who climb mountains at the risk of life and limb or run marathons, not to mention doing an iron man or running a 24 hour race. When everyone can say to themselves that it cannot be healthy to subject themselves and their body to such a hard physical strain. Why expose yourself to this?.

I don't know what their answer is to this question, but my answer is very simple. I have proof to myself that I can, moreover, I will be "high" when it's all over. And the more difficult it is to complete, the greater the reward afterwards. In addition, it provides good well-being and a healthy body gives a healthy soul.

I am therefore looking forward to the next time, even if it will be just as hard or harder. Good training desire to all Shidenkaners - it pays off!.