Boston Marathon 2023? Well, 2023 is stacking up to be a very exciting year! Of course, my black belt test and should I pass, it will be an accomplishment for me, like no other. I have written this before but I do see some parallels in training in karate and running a marathon; it is […]

More miles on my journey… Had the opportunity to meet with some running friends in Portland to participate in the annual Hood to Coast 196 mile relay run. The relay starts at the base of Mt. Hood and winds its way down through multiple towns, through Portland and ends on the coast at Seaside. I […]

Training in the alpine air! A few weeks ago, Dirk-san and I took a trip to my family cabin up at Huntington Lake. We departed from Sacramento after Thursday night sparring class, and arrived at the cabin after midnight Friday AM. After unloading and settling in a bit, we proceeded to get a restful nights […]

Another check on my bucket list. I know I have shared this with some of my friends in the dojo and I may have even posted about it earlier this year. My niece and her fiance’ asked me to marry them (to officiate their wedding) which is truly an honor. When they asked me it […]

Kusanku & kata @ 7100′ A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend a week up at our family cabin; I immensely enjoyed the solitude, filling my lungs with the alpine air while getting some kata practice in on the cabin deck. A few chipmunks seemed to watch with interest, as did a […]

1000 Mile Journey plus some achieved! As of June 15th or so and just under the half way mark for by black-belt candidacy, I hit 1000 plus miles achieving my 1000 mile journey requirement. Lots of running, cycling, skiing and walking (some in San Francisco during an annual security conference). This has come at a […]

Back in the saddle! Finally! My hand is back to 99.5% (Still a little less grip strength but improving). Half the battle now is just being careful not to damage my hand again (break or sprain). As I am a little behind on my sparring requirements I am confident over the next few months I […]

Pushing through physical and mental fatigue. It can be a real struggle at times! A culmination of work, karate training, family, life in general like heinous shootings where children and innocent adults are killed. All of these things can and often do sap my energy–I feel like I am utterly exhausted! But even under these […]

Sometimes your mind can be your worst enemy! A week ago, I had the opportunity to share part of my life story, the challenges and opportunities, with a non-profit (Boldly Me) that a work colleague of mine roped me into mentoring. It has been a great experience even though going into it I was not […]

Thank you to Mom’s, everywhere! We wouldn’t be here without you!! Had an enjoyable day with my wife and mother-in-law. We went to lunch and then walked around McKinley park and the rose garden. We too stopped into a very cool cactus and succulents garden show at the art center to review and purchase some […]