Tomorrow marks one week since I started training and we had our first sparring session tonight. Point-style contact was the order of the evening but even that can get harder as the adrenilin starts pumping. Man did it feel great. I caught one student with a fake front kick and then doubled it into a hook kick where I tapped him in the shoulder.

Of course sparring with Sensei was a different matter. I think it is safe to say that his blocks hurt as much as my punches do. While sparring with him he blocked a kick and I know my foot will be a lovely shade of purple tomorrow. At another point, he and I threw a punch at the same time and our fists deflected off each other. Mine harmless cut through the air while his grazed my temple and ear. It took a second or two for the stars and bells to clear.

All in all I held my own. My timing has to come back but my body is definitely gaining the benefit. The next day soreness I suffered in the first few days does not happen any more, even with an increased intensity in class.