You want to know the most frustrating thing about Project Hallabbey Shuffle? It's the same problem anyone working on a project involving creative license (novel, music, etc.) You can't share a single thing until you're done or close to done. So, while I'm slaving away to improve run-times on my engine tests (physics engine not included), I can't be like "hey, you, come read this method and see if it's the most efficient way to reduce meter" or "do you think I should make a separate class for Status?" It's a lonely road...now I know how Akuma feels...since clearly he's an expert in OOP.
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| "Where I code, I code alone." |
At least when I'm training for the US Open in February I can be a little more open about my routine. To that end...I've been doing as much as I can to get ready for it. Aside from my warm-up and a general workout, here's some of my daily TKD specific training routine:
-100 turning kicks (50 standard, 50 variations)
-100 attacking cuts (50 standard, 50 variations)
-50 ax kicks (25 standard, 25 variations)
-50 back kicks (20 standard, 30 variations)
Aside from these, I also do the "thousand uppercuts of the Spartan army" drill, as Sir Evan Delahanty aptly phrases it. Basically, I punch the shit out of a target bag with full force until I reach 1000, no resting. Usually accompanied by manly roaring, and the occasional "DRAGOOOOOO!!" Every two days, I run full stadium steps (up, down and back), and whenever the weather thwarts my training efforts, I mix in weight training, (carefully) using a weighted vest.
Anyways, some of these drills are much improved with a partner - sadly, no one's in town that is interested in training during the Christmas break. Once more TKDists come into town, I'll be able to work more freestyle/mobile drills as well. Dynamic training is going to be the most important factor for me. For everything else, there's stadium steps. every three days, though that'll be coming to an end with Ithaca finally acting like Winter exists and snowing. It's been perpetually in Fall mode since just about late 2010. No, I'm not complaining. It's just odd, something so integral to the town being absent. Don't worry, I won't make any lame Game of Thrones Ned Stark references.
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| "False. You just made a Game of Thrones Ned Stark reference." |
In addition, I've also been working turning kick variations involving cuts and front hooks. One really neat trick I've started using is what I call the "hook back." Basically, I throw a turning kick and, if it misses (or even if it hits), I retract the leg and hook to the face or cut to the hogu. I tested it out during a sparring session the other day to great success - aside from my sparring partner's face (sorry Peter!!) The nice thing about this style of kicking is that it still leaves me with enough time and balance to adjust if my opponent moves in or out.
All this training is good, but it can't ever achieve what match sparring with strong competitors accomplishes. To that end, I'm attending a "kicking clinic" in Boston on January 20th, hosted by Jayson Grant, a seasoned TKDist with quite a few titles under his name. Having sparred him a couple times, I can say he's got some sick nasty footwork, reactions and insight into how to improve one's motion and gamesmanship. Training with him, even for just a few hours, will help me put together some of the new sparring ideas I've had. I look forward to it.
Anyways, time to clean the glitter off my face. Two words about last night: Disco Christmas. Oh, actually three words. Disco Christmas WIN.
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