What makes a winner?
by Mark Robson
September 28, 2009
For those who have been following the posts on my progress at Tae Kwon Do, you will know that I was disappointed not to get an ‘A’ at my red belt grading in the summer. It was particularly irritating to me as I’d prepared better for that test than for any of the previous ones (at which I’d had seven straight ‘A’s in a row). Yes, it was a disappointment, but that B+ grade only served to make me even more determined to get an ‘A’ for my black tag when I take the grading at around Christmas time.
For the past four weeks I’ve been on a mission to lose weight, get fitter, faster and stronger in preparation for the next grading exam. To that end I’ve been running 20 - 25 miles every week, doing static exercises and stretching every day. Sadly, I suffered a very irritating setback on Friday. During ‘light’ sparring at one of our regular training sessions in the Daventry Leisure Centre, I failed to avoid an incoming kick and suffered a broken rib as a result. Accidents happen. I’m not going to get all excited and angry about it, but it is particularly annoying as it means that I cannot now practice sparring for the next 6-8 weeks. This, just at a time when I should be really working hard at improving this vital element to gaining a higher grade belt.
Am I going to give up? Certainly not! Here’s a picture of me earlier today (3 days after the injury) having just completed a 6 mile run wearing 1lb weights on each wrist and ankle to make the run harder.
Did it hurt? Just take a look at the expression on my face. It hurt like hell all the way round. Most people have suffered ‘the stitch’. Running with a broken rib is rather like running with a severe stitch from the moment you take the first step. But if there’s one thing I’m not, it’s a quitter. All through my life I’ve given 100% effort to the things I’ve tried to achieve. I haven’t always succeeded, but on the few occasions that I have failed, I’ve always walked away with the satisfaction of knowing that my failure has never been due to a lack of trying.
Will I run again tomorrow? Definitely. And the day after, and the day after that… in fact for however long it takes to meet my goal.
For me, the winners in this life are not necessarily those who make it to the very top. It’s those who are willing to try harder than anyone else. Which is why, no matter what anyone else thinks of me, I’ll always be a winner in my own eyes.
Don’t be a loser who never tries, or who quits the moment things start getting tough. No matter what you’re trying to do, give it everything you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel about yourself.
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I train Tae Kwon Do with Mark and I’ve got to say Mark does give it his all. TKD is a fantastic art and we are very fortunate to be taught by the great Jackson White, who we refer to as Master Jackson White as he has achieved his 7th Dan. Jackson is extremely well known in the world of TKD and has fought the best fighters around. With his wealth of sparring experience and decades of commitment and dedication to the sport Master white became World Champion in Croatia earlier this year. Further more he encourages people from our club use these skills by entering into tournaments. Otherwise how do you measure how proficient you are? Unfortunately we all get a slight injury from time to time and many people in our club are carrying injuries, however I’m willing to bet Mark you’ll never get kicked in the Ribs again ?? Funny thing is in our club we love TKD and we go back for more what a great way of staying fit whether your 5 or 65 years old. I’m sure you’ll be back soon getting A passes, Oh and Mark let that rib heal, take it easy and I look forward to sparring with you soon! TA
Comment by TKD Assassin — October 7, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Thanks for your message, TA.
I should add that although the hospital staff assured me it would be OK to carry on running, when I went to see my doctor later in the week, she thought running in my condition was madness! With a big grin she told me that she advises all her patients that exercise is bad for you!!! (I will take this as a joke.) She gave me a severe telling off (grinning the entire time at my obvious discomfort - I think she’s a sadist at heart) and told me to rest for some time to let the ribs have a chance to heal. I walked away suitably chastened.
The one really good thing about this, though, is I now have another vivid experience to draw on for my writing. If I’d had suffered this injury before I wrote the scene in Imperial Spy where Shalidar breaks several of Femke’s ribs, I’d have then gone on to write the early part of Imperial Assassin very differently!
Comment by Mark Robson — October 8, 2009 @ 11:51 am
Hi Mark
Thought I would pop your site to see how your taekwondo journey was progressing(posted on your previous thread).
Well keep up the hard work as sounds like you are well on target for a good grading the end of the year. Not so great the news about the rib so i hope thats on the mend.
Just recently took my Red Tag and passed with an A grade. Quite suprised really as personally did not think the grading went that well but made no mistakes and got all my theory correct so maybe that is where the A came from! Just gut feel it felt like a mediocre performance. Thankfully now have a 6 month window tell my next grading around march/april time.
Keep up the good work from a fellow taekwondoian (if there is such a word!)
Andy
Comment by Andy M — October 14, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
Many congrats on your A pass at Red Tag, Andy. Great result. I went running again yesterday and was pain free for the first time since the injury, so I’ll be stepping the pace back up again on the training now. I’ve lost about three quarters of a stone so far. Still got a way to go to hit my goal, but I’m getting there.
Comment by Mark Robson — October 15, 2009 @ 11:02 am