Training for 1st Degree Blackbelt




              Today is 08/27/2017. I needed to discuss or go over my experiences back in the 80's when I was training for my 1st degree Blackbelt 1981 - 1988. The audience I am trying to reach is the common person man or woman this is not for Politicians, Celebrities, or rich billionaires.


                In the 80's, When you were up for your Blackbelt test this required mental and physical preparation and to drive home the point one day back around 1987 my master showed us a live training session on North Koreans training in Tae-Kwon-Do in the sea of Japan water temp. 50 degrees roughly. This made me think a lot about my training and how I want to train and had a year to get ready for this I was fired up and had dreams of after getting my 1st degree Blackbelt I would goto Japan and get the opportunity to fight for a world title shot or work at it. At the time, I was working on 3rd shift as a computer operator so I was saving money in the process.



               Cleveland, Ohio in the winter time was cold not the coldest place in the world but enough to make you feel it. I would run in cold weather complete bag workouts in the dojo when you can see your breathe hint 50 - 60 degrees kicking and punching. I would lift weights and in fact at 160 lbs I benched over 300 lbs took some work but got there. I am not trying to boast about achievements but merely pointing out some unknown facts.  The speed was there as well because my best 40 yard dash was 4.6 back in high school ok now average in today's world.



               During my training, I can remember jogging, biking in all kinds of weather hot and or cold,  and bag workouts all this was both indoors and outdoors. As far as social life had next to none or very little.



              I can recall back in 1987 while I was serving in the Ohio National Guard and completing my two - three week training out at Grayling, Michigan I was given a test very little sleep in three days 4-5 hours total I would than complete my PT test pushups situps, and two mile run in consecutive order. I completed the pushups and situps but the two mile run my legs never felt so wobbily and after the run I commenced to throw up at the time I had never felt so week in my life. My sergeants knew I was testing for my Blackbelt in one year. I never understood why but as you get older you obtain wisdom and this is what it would take to get me over the hump. My sergeants served in Vietnam mostly as Rangers and Marines and they would see me training out in the field when I could so they understood I was hungry in my eye's and would not accept anything less. I waited a very long time for the day to arrive.



          The one year arrived August 31, 1988 and test went for 8 hours forms, breaking two-boards, sparring two blackbelts verse myself, self Defense used some Greco Roman moves for throws little humor. I completed my test with my uniform and myself drenched with sweat and water. I went to work at night and felt happy and satisfied also tired for I must have slept two or three days straight muscles tired and aching but felt a real joy inside similar to a prize fighter who took the enemies best shot bloodied and bruised but standing tall and proud as the army would say and came out a winner.


        As far as Japan was concerned, I saved the money to get over there but the clerk told me  at the passport office yeah you got the money but how are you going to live over there this was very frustrating and felt disappointed.  My master closed down his dojo fall of 1988 and I trained in Hapkido with some friends that were blackbelts in a local area for about one more year 1989.



    As far as injuries were concerned I blead and was bruised but the goal was in my sight so the pain did not matter because of August 31, 1988 was going to be my day that was what kept me going.



Barry L. Crouse

08/27/2017





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