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Breaking Stuff

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Who knew it would be so fun? This past Saturday was board breaking day at Tae Kwon Do. You go to class, you practice your basic skills, then you use them to break a wooden board. I was completely convinced I would not be able to break anything. I would slam my hand/foot/elbow into a board and it would laugh at me. Seriously. Out loud. The board would laugh. I could hear it in my head, taunting me. "Seriously, Carol? You think you are going to break me? Oh I don't think so, you weak GIRL!"

When we got to class, we had to decide and I told Scott I wasn't going to do it. He just said "oh yes you are" and told me to sign all three of us up. Before our class finished, Isabella comes out of her class and over to the windows and shows me her two broken boards with a big smile on her face. I was so proud of her but all I kept thinking was "crap. my nine yr old just broke boards. I'm going to look like SUCH a wimp."

Our instructor handed us FOUR boards. I figured he was extremely optimistic. Or insane. Whatever the case might be. I also noted that mine were much thicker than the ones Isabella had just waved at me through the window. Now I knew he wasn't optimistic or insane. He was evil, trying to get me to break my hand/foot/elbow so he didn't have to put up with me in class anymore.

They assigned me to two black belts who were to hold my boards and help me through this. I told them I was nervous, first-timer, etc. They were awesome. The instructor came over and said I had to use my foot first because my legs are stronger. I think he's crazy because my kicks in class suck. I'm a leg wimp. So they walked me through my front kick and I kicked (and quite possibly closed my eyes) and realized. I BROKE THE BOARD. Oh man, that felt kinda good.

Okay, let's do this. Sidekick next. My nemesis. I'm a klutz so generally, I kick and fall down. I'm not kidding. And I haven't even told you about the damn superman move. Really, love my instructor, but superman I'm not. Anyhoo. Sidekick worked perfectly. Then my elbow strike and my palm strike. Suddenly, I was done with four broken boards, wishing I could break more.

For those of you who are possibly used to hitting things (not saying you are bullies, maybe its a punching bag in the gym), this probably sounds so lame and ridiculous. I have never hit anything or anyone. I have never been hit by anything or anyone. Ever. And I'm old by now so maybe that is amazing. Hitting and being hit is the part of TKD that has me most nervous. After we get our next belt, we start sparring and I'm a mess just thinking about it. Perhaps part of me is afraid I will like it too much, I'm fully willing to admit that out loud.

But breaking boards was cool. And I will do it again.

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