Jul23

“Time to hang up your gi,” they said.

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Here’s a little recap in case you need it: If all had gone according to plan, I would have gotten my red belt in Taekwondo with my three daughters at the beginning of April. Instead, thanks to that Jiu-Jitsu injury that kept me from walking for 3.5 months, I got behind and was only able to test for brown in April.

Then, because of my “expert” negotiation skills, I “convinced” Sensei to let me test early for red and get caught back up to my girls. All would be right in the world again. I was fully back on my feet, slated to test for my red belt May 1. But on April 29, exactly nine months after my foot/ankle injury, I busted my knee.

Some of those who saw me on crutches YET AGAIN so soon said, “Man, maybe it’s time for Betsy to quit martial arts.”

I did not consider that an option.

Though I wasn’t able to catch up, I was at last(!) able to test for red this past week, which included some board breaks.

Sadly, the moment of impact wasn’t captured, but here’s the immediate aftermath of me breaking that board with a palmheel strike.

I posted this pic online with the caption: “My knee injury can suck it!” Thankfully, the knee was no worse for wear despite the workout I put it through that night.

Belt ceremony was two days later.

Here’s Sensei’s amazingly impressive daughter, and in her hand, pointed out with my terribly squiggly arrow, my new red belt, about to be in my hand.

I did it.

The day after belt ceremony (to which we brought sliced oranges from our tree and leftover cupcakes from my son’s recent birthday party–no baking mishaps to report this time, sadly), I was still trying to internalize that I finally, FINALLY earned this belt.

I’ve started teaching myself the next form: red/black, with some help from my daughter. Sensei mentioned off-hand that maybe I can test for that one in August. I don’t even want to put a date on the calendar because I’m afraid of what might befall a lower extremity beforehand.

We’re still trying to get me caught up so the four of us can test for black (the next belt!) together. I’ve accepted that it might not happen. But if it does, I’ll probably get teary-eyed as we all receive our belts together.

One final thing, because this post wasn’t funny at all: I alerted my new friend, Snowball Man, that The Band is now booked for my birthday in September. His response:

“You just made my day! Will make sure that day is clear and that I wear body amour. I tore the muscle in my throwing arm unloading a 300 lb tub so I’ll have to throw left handed……………which should make it fair this time. 🙂 “

Does he remind anyone else of Sensei? Oh brother. 😛

Eight down. Two to go.

How are you all doing, my friends? Any challenges you’ve had to overcome recently?

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67 responses »

  3. Congratulations!

    Just so you know, years ago I was forced to hang up my gi. Well, technically, I never had a gi as I never took any marshal arts training. I mean, I had started doing some training to be a police officer and was working as a security guard when I tripped in a parking lot and broke my finger, it was that and my results from the firing range that made the Sargent suggest that the general public might be safer if took the dispatcher test or maybe thought about working in the crime lab …

    But these days I mostly just leave comments on people’s blog pages. Honestly, I think it’s my true calling …

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  6. Good job! I’d say “break a leg,” but considering you might take that literally, I’ll stick with “go get ’em, tiger!”

    I always thought black belt was the highest you can go. What’s above that? (Please say it’s something like unicorn confetti.)

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  7. That’s awesome, Betsy! I’m so happy for you to finally accomplish your goal.

    Life here has been difficult dealing with stuff with my mom. I’ll post about it when I get my head above water. Like in the Fall!

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  8. Mark stole my thought about breaking a leg. Wow, you’re definitely resilient. Sure your knee/legs/etc. aren’t made of rubber and high tech steel. “We can rebuild her.” Yes, an old Six million dollar Man and Bionic Woman reference. Showing my age there. Anyway, congratulations!

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  10. This is fantastic! You are amazing for your ability to overcome adversity. Clearly your martial arts go far beyond the physical because you have it mentally as well too. I laughed about you not wanting to put it on the calendar in case it triggers another injury to your lower extremities. Good thinking!! That’s the kind of stuff that will get you to a black belt. Congratulations, my friend!

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  11. Congratulations to the most remarkable lady! I don’t know how you do it; one thing I know is that most of my challenges seem anything but in the face of yours.
    Congratulations again and all the best for your next. You certainly are setting up a high standard for your daughters.

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  13. Thank goodness! Your blog title led me to believe a piece of your soul was about to be retired for good. Instead, you’re seeing red and maybe even red/black (and congratulations on that). Looks like your readers can look forward to more “Adventures in Betsysitting” 🙂

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    • Adventures in Betsysitting–Haha. A piece of my soul about to be retired for good–Oh, Dave. How right that would be if it were the case! Thanks for feeling this one with me. Seeing red–ahhhh… your way with words is delightful. 🙂 Thanks, Buddy.

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  15. Although I would have stopped at purple (because… purple), congrats on earning your red belt! I am curious, though. You seem to have had way more than your share of injuries on your journey to the coveted black belt. Is what you’ve experienced normal or is it because you are female (heavier sparring partners, smaller bones, etc.), or? I’m impressed with your resolve, but yikes!

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    • Jiu-Jitsu is kind of dangerous. In TKD I’ve had some minor bruising: crunched toes, jammed fingers in sparring; but otherwise, no biggie. My first biggish JJ injury was because my partner dragged his big heavy leg over my foot and bent it backwards. The foot/ankle injury, which was the worst, was a freak accident of my own doing, and was also in JJ. The knee thing was because I dropped a heavy woman on my knee. So, really, some of this I just bring upon myself. That last one was me not stopping to think before trying to throw a much heavier person. :/

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  16. Congratulations, knee be damned, eh? I knew you’d make this happen. Also, I answered your question today on my AMA blog post. Not quite your level of achievement, but I followed through… inspired by you, of course.

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  18. There is too much here to ‘like’ to just ‘like’ it. What an incredible time you are entering. I remember when I started martial arts my instructor said 1 of 100 (or more) students reach black belt, many giving up after achieving the closest to it rank (belt color dependent on organization). I know I will see you on the other side. 🥋

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  23. I gotta say that it has been super fun working with you and your amazing daughters this summer….I kinda want to keep doing it again. A 6 year break was good for my knees so maybe….

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  24. Congrats on your red belt – and with an injury, too. Impressive. Makes the little kickboxing class I did at the gym yesterday seem like Kindergarten. Is it black next, then white? What happens then?

    We overcame MANY driving challenges in France and Andorra on our recent trip (and a few we didn’t overcome). All will be revealed…

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