Sorry -- bad pun. But, judo has been a weird blend of therapy, anguish, joy, and confusion for me. I truly do enjoy the sport though!
I started my love affair with judo back in 1993 when my little girl was 2. I was taking nursing classes (go figure, right?) and had to take a 1-credit physical education class. The aerobics sounded interesting--right until I found out that I had to write a thesis, track everything I ate for 3 months, and give 4 speeches. Uh huh.... I dropped the class and decided to check the course catalog for something else. Self-abuse, er, I mean, self-defense class looked interesting. My brother had taken Tae Kwon Do in high school and seemed to enjoy it.
So, off I go to the class. About 3 classes in, I was asked if I wanted to stay after for a "judo clinic." Aside from the Flintstones (below), I had never heard of judo.
Okay. So I figured why not? I eventually bought myself a gi (a judo uniform) and enjoyed it. For a while, it was like wrestling with my little brother and I discovered I wasn't too bad! Fast forward a couple of years (and quite a few bruises later) and I am still enjoying myself and getting a great workout.
I am quite older now, and my judo club is quite younger, faster, stronger, and for the most part, smarter than I am. However I do what I can! Here are 2 videos of my last competition. This one was taken about 30 seconds into the competition. (I am the one with the blue belt.)
This was is the second--it didn't go as well.... (also with the blue belt)
At almost 50 years old, I still enjoy judo even though I don't really "win" very much. I hope someday to get my black belt!
