B is for BOOT CAMP!

Saturday was our Kwoon's annual boot camp, an event that I look forward to every year even though I know that the next day the only body part that won't hurt are my eyelashes. So why do I look forward for such a torturous event? Let me explain....

First of all, boot camp is filled with seminars that are jam packed with both fun and learning. I get to experience new things that I wouldn't otherwise. Where else can one learn about meditation, Tai Chi, weapons, Sanda, and George St. Pierre conditioning all in one day?

Next the team Spirit is astounding. We are all there to learn, to grow, to have fun, and to support each other. It's easy to have that Spirit when the Sifus leading the seminars are not only well-knowledged on the topic, but are very passionate about it and they too like to have fun. A day with a great bunch of like-minds.

Even though the day is long and tiring, we are well cared for as we are given breaks and good food. Meditation feeds our energy and soul, the remote location feeds our Spirit, and the challenges feeds our self-worth and well-being.

Now a day full of fun, learning, and growing would not be complete without everyone's *ahem* favorite event: the fitness test and 2K run. Personally, I'm not wild about the event based on previous performances, or more accurately, lack thereof. However this year I decided to be unattached to my results. I was just going to do the events and see what happens. I did have one goal and that was to run the whole 2K, something I have not done in the past. This year I completed all of the events including the 2K run. To top it all, when I checked my fitness rankings when I got home, I was SHOCKED when I saw how good my results were. I am still in disbelief.

Lastly, even though my muscles were wildly threatening strike action, the aches and pains pale in comparison to the amount of pride and accomplishment I felt (and still do) at the end of the day. Words truly cannot describe the feeling when we all come together to celebrate our completion of boot camp.

Thank you to Sifu Brinker and all of the Sifus for making Boot Camp 2011 an amazing event. Thank you to my Boot Camp team mates for your Spirit (both self and team), your commitment, your inspiration, and your enthusiasm as you all made the day a day to remember.

Sherri Donohue
Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta