Whoever says karate isn't an endurance sport hasn't tried practicing karate in a place without air conditioning in Taipei in the summer.

I'm glad that yesterday I went to Wen-shan Sports Center and chatted with Mr. Kuo Meng-hsi. From talking with him I get the impression that in Taiwan, modern pentathlon and biathlon are seen as extensions of shooting sport. Interesting point of view. Mr. Kuo is the head coach of Taipei Shooting Sports Association, a governmental organization that fosters and regulates shooting sports.

I believe the straight forward punch has one thing in common with single pole drill (used in classic skiing, of course). The straight forward punch requires flexing one's waist ever so slightly to add oomph to the punch. The flexing motion in karate is almost imperceptible, whereas in skiing it is more pronounced. Still, one technique should reinforce the other.

Chinese Taipei Modern Pentathlon and Biathlon Association

With Pacific High Pressure over the West Pacific, the entire city of Taipei is a sauna - at 9PM the temperature is 32 C (90F) with 90% humidity. Training for anything is hard but I still pulled through the 90 minute karate class today. My dojo has no air conditioning, by the way. I will come out of this as a winner. The heat will eventually dissipate but I won't.

Balance drill learned today: stand on one foot, bend my knee slightly, maintain a straight and upright posture of my upper body, place about 70% of body weight on the ball of my foot, make sure the toes grip the ground, and pay attention to breathing - I should breathe naturally and smoothly.

Hopefully, this balance drill I learned in karate today will make me a better skier in the future.

Finally restarted karate training this evening! I will try as hard as I can to advance my craft. I will spend the rest of my life finding the connection between karate and cross-country skiing.

So glad that I'm able to do 8 chin-ups with ease! I'm getting back to my normal self. And the trip to the biathlon association yesterday was a blast. Will be posting more thoughts about the trip later.