31 Pull No Stops

Shaun slowly got to his feet, that was one of the longest thirty minutes in his short life. Yet his mind felt less cloudy. He looked on the thick ply and memories of his last attempt lingered. Though he didn't need them, the damn pain in his fist was enough of a reminder.

Old Fox: "Don't be daunted, you may not realize it, but you have gained focus. Now use your five turns. Remember your breathing exercises, then strike with speed".

Shaun did just that, he calmed himself breathing in and out before taking the first strike and second strike. Bam! Bam! - His fist smashed into ply but oddly this time the strike did not hurt.

Old Fox nodded in satisfaction before commenting, "Now that there is muscle memory and not as much tension, limited the pain. Continue…" Shaun couldn't agree more, this wasn't so bad. Thus he punched this time with three consecutive strikes.

Bam! Bam! Bam! - Instantly the pain came so he flashed his hand. Still, it didn't hurt as much as the first. He looked down at his knuckles which felt as though they were throbbing in pain. It was then Old Fox placed the board on one side and brought some white wrapping cloth and ointment.

Old Fox: "You did well", he said before wrapping both of Shaun's hands. "Now your next thirty begins", he pointed for Shaun to once return to his meditation stance. Shaun could not believe his ears, here he thought that he would receive some sympathy from the old man. Yet it was like he was a new army recruit and the old man his drill sergeant.

Old Fox: "I know you want to be tough, so here is your chance. This time try to visualize the board within your mind".

Shaun knew he could not argue, no one said it would be easy. He sighed before once more returning to his meditation stance. His mind started to clear as the mantra continued to reverberate throughout his mind. It was even easier this time around, even the pain in his hands faded. Then he visualized the board as instructed by Old Fox, which was quite simple.

It appeared in his mind and with it, he saw some small indentation caused by his punches. He searched the surface weaknesses that could be exposed or errors in his execution. But honestly, he was lost. The one thing he could tell by the marking was that his strikes were wild and sporadic. He had missed the center of the wood with every single punch.

'I guess my focus should have been the center but because the old man stated I need speed, I overcompensated. So next time, I'll once more use speed but not so much that I lose my accuracy', He plotted in his mind.

After the next thirty minutes ended Old Fox was surprised due to Shaun opening his eyes without even being prompted. He then held a new piece of ply between his hands.

Old Fox: "Three strikes!"

Bam! Bam! Bam! - Shaun unleashed upon the board. His fists once more ached but he paid it no mind. His only focus was on the board, this time his punches had been further centered. The board now showed more pronounced indentations.

Old Fox: "Not bad, so you have discovered the secret. To break the ply focus towards the center. Only through precision can the board be broken. But don't be bothered about breaking the board, it will take up to a week".

When hearing Old Fox's words Shaun frowned. A week? It would seriously take a week only to break a piece of board? He didn't have a week to waste in such a manner. In two weeks he needed to sort out the mess he was currently in.

"Sensei, would it really take that long? I don't have that much time", Shaun admitted.

Old Fox sighed, truth be told it usually took pupils two weeks. But he was going to teach Shaun a few shortcuts. He remembered when he was Shaun's age and his eagerness to take on the work. But age taught him a thing or two so he had these words of advice for Shaun. "Ever heard the term, 'slow and steady win the race'? Learning the intricacies of Martial arts takes time, few are naturally gifted in the path and able to learn at a quick pace. For people like us, the slower the better".

Shaun could understand where Old Fox was coming from but this would not do for him. So right there and then he decided he would push himself further than anyone before. Just like Jamie said, "To be the greatest you'll need to push through obstruction and obstacles along your journey. Accomplish what was once perceived as the impossible".

'For a normal guy, big bro certainly had some profound words', Shaun thought as he remembered Jamie. He always seemed so wise beyond his years.

Once more Shaun returned to his meditative stance. This time determined to push beyond what seemed possible. But how would he do it?

'I need to set strict goals then find a means to motivate myself to accomplish them', He pondered on the way forward. Yet it was easier said than done. With this being so key he had placed the third attempt on the back burner. It wasn't as important as what he currently contemplated. He was then forced out of his stupor by Old Fox.

Old Fox: "Third attempt!"

Shaun got to his feet before lightly punching the board. "Are you ok lad? That was quite the weak attempt", Asked the old man when seeing the board hardly had a scratch. Based on what he previously saw Shaun was by far better than what he displayed.

Shaun: "My knuckles just ache, so I didn't go all out. Is this the end of the lesson Sensei?" He questioned before getting to his feet. Old Fox was quite startled when looking at the clock. It was indeed 12:30. Though he wouldn't have minded going for another hour.

Old Fox: "Yes, so tomorrow at 10:30 am sharp I'll teach you other means to break the wood".

"Ok sensei, thanks again", Shaun uttered before bolting through the door. "Hope I didn't scare the poor fellow away", Mumbled Old Fox under his breath. He started to have doubts on whether or not Shaun would return the following day.

As for Shaun, he did not hurry home. Instead, he visited a hardware and lumber store to buy an assorted array of plyboard which he could carry home. He also stopped at a pharmacy buying up some cloth and alcohol to wrap his hands. He was on a mission, tonight he was pulling no stops. Old Fox said it was going to take one week to break the board, he would do it in one night.