I am sure all of you have heard something
described as a marathon (26.2 miles) and not a sprint. This description could also be applied to practicing
a martial art.
The very elite runners can finish
a marathon in 2 hours and median time is around 4:20 for men and 4:50 for women
[Ref 1]. And some of the slowest times
are over 9 hours. People who train for
marathons spend 18-22 weeks if new to marathon running and 12 weeks if an experienced
/seasoned marathon runner [Ref. 2]. It
is also important not to try to rush the training – if you rush it can lead to
injuries. As you can imagine running a marathon
takes time, commitment and fortitude to train and actually finish a marathon.
The training, as well as the mental
and physical strength needed to train and run a marathon is very much like studying
a martial art.
One, it takes time. Becoming a martial artist or achieving a rank
of Black Belt takes time. While there is no
documented standard, from various articles out there the average time to earn a
Black Belt is around 4-5 years. This is consistent
with what we have seen in our Club. But of
course, this is dependent on many factors, including how much time you are able
to dedicate to your practice.
Two, to improve, you must make a
commitment to stick to the practice. It
is not something you can do only one day a week or stop for months at a time
and still be effective. If you do take
time off, you need to come back slowly, else risk injury, and may need to
relearn some techniques you have forgotten or to become as effective as you
were before your break. We have had a couple
Club members earn a first-degree black belt in under 2 years (some of these people
have come from similar training or spent almost every day training). Being committed also means never stop showing
up. We had one student take as long as
21 years. This student took time off at various
times in his practice for various reasons, but kept coming back when they could.
And it takes fortitude. Studying a martial art can be physically,
mentally, and emotionally challenging. There
were many times before I became a Black Belt, I myself, wondered if I should continue
to study (for various reasons including did I have the time). And this can be especially true if you have setbacks
like injuries or surgeries.
Studying a martial art takes
time, a commitment, and fortitude. Martial
arts is not something you learn or become a master of overnight – it is a
marathon.
Regards,
Kelly
“A marathon is hundreds of miles. The finish is the last 26.2." ~Unknown
“A marathon is hundreds of miles. The finish is the last 26.2." ~Unknown
References:
1.
https://www.verywellfit.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-run-a-marathon-2911423,
retrieved 2 March 2019
2. https://www.verywellfit.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-train-for-a-marathon-2911422,
retrieved 2 March 2019
