Kempo Karate ... Again?

I was really looking for Tai Chi classes, and in Redmond. What I ended up with is Kempo Karate, like I used to do in my 20s, in Bellevue. And a Gi (a uniform). I ended up with the Gi after talking to the teacher for a few minutes (he calls himself "Mr" something and I bet he's younger than John). He'd given me a pretty good quote for 4 private and 4 group lessons per month plus testing and whatever else was needed, and then he said, "Would you like to do a lesson today?" and of course I needed to buy a Gi. So I went into the women's dressing room and changed my clothes.

I'd warned the teacher that I had Type I diabetes and used an insulin pump, but really what I was worried about was injuring myself, not being able to keep my balance, getting too tired, being too old to do this any more, etc. etc. And of course, not having the energy to do anything at all. But there I was, in the back studio with "Mr" something, barefoot in a Gi.

Well, amazing amazing. I could do all of it, and my body remembered quite a bit from the past. I was able to keep it up for longer than I expected, and really the only issue was that it was pretty hot in that room (in the future I'll wear a cami under the jacket). The most amazing thing (and "Mr" something said so) was how well I could do the snap kicks. He said guys a lot stronger and younger than me didn't have that kind of control. And for that you need balance! My brain is pretty good too -- he quizzed me a few times during the lesson and at the end, and I remembered everything quite well.

So much for being terribly out of shape.

BTW, it felt so good to exercise! I was a little achy after (my right calf) but I think I can actually do this!