So here we are, 6am on the morning of our first run for the black belt training season and I'm convinced I was meant to be a fat middle-aged couch potato, because I really want to go back to sleep. But, pudge is my enemy and the runners are my friends, so off I go.

My biggest challenge so far this training season? Time. There's just not enough of it. I got out the phase 1 sheet, listing everything to be accomplished over the next several weeks, only to sit there wondering how I'm going to get it all done.

Did Bruce Lee and all those other guys have this problem? Did Bruce's teenage daughter come to him and say, "Dad, my dress just has to arrive in time for Winter Formal... Can you get your friend Karate Joe to do my hair? Oh, and my friends will be here around 6, so can you drive us to dinner, pick us all up afterwards, drive us to the dance, and, oh yeah, we may need you to pick us up. Can we go to the mall for shoes now?" Did Bruce's cat hack up a hairball right as he was going out the door for a 9 hr work day after walking his younger child to the bus stop, only to have his spouse step over it and say, "Cat puked." ?

My point is, I'm quickly finding my life disappearing around me to train. I signed up for it, I want it badly, and at the same time, I know that each year it seems more is added onto the first degree test than the last year and I find myself knowing that I have to finish this goal this year because I don't think I can do it next year without getting a divorce, quitting my job and telling the kids to go everywhere on their bikes at night.

This year, the physical requirements don't seem to be nearly as challenging as the life surrounding it.