Ugh. Long break complaints.
 

Got swine flu back at the beginning of November, then a lung infection followed by a pretty bad case of bronchitis for a long while, gained a bit of weight, but I just went back to keiko today. It felt pretty good to get back on that bike, though I hit some bumps and bruised my balls.

The most surprising thing to come out of it is that I didn't forget any of the first seven kata. I thought that would've been the first to go.

The least surprising thing is that I lost a lot of muscle and it's a strain for me to do 100 men-uchi now.

I hate it when I take breaks.

I feel your pain. I took a break from kendo and iai for little over a year, gained a bit of weight. Just return to iai a month ago, and barely finished the 1000 suburi at kagami biraki. The first couple weeks of return felt horrible. It's better now, slowly getting back my muscle strength...

Yup, been there, done that (minus the swine flu and other infectious things - yuck!). I took an almost-seven month break from kendo while I got things sorted out, and have been making an effort as part of my New Year's resolution to make every class I can. I've been absolutely demolished every class so far, but I go home glad that I went to class in the first place.

I think the important thing to keep in mind (for me, anyway) is that it should feel good to be back in keiko, regardless of how out of practice you are.

I think September was my last practice. Hopefully we're back on tonight for my first of the year, and a good few months...

I felt bad just missing the last 3 weeks due to the Christmas/New Year break! Couldn't keep warm (the dojo was chuffin freezin'!!) so all my kata felt strange . . . . . . even for me!! Plus the feeling of "almost-cramp", due to the cold, for kneeling kata.

Despite having to finish early as my back played up I'm still glad I practised . . . . . I think!