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The title basically states everything. I got a new belt that's way too long but that's the smallest size my school has. I went to tailors in my neighbourhood but they all said the belt is too thick for their machines to handle. Any suggestions? Maybe a way of tying that uses more length than usual? Thanks!

This is just a place holder .... There will be Karate. There will be a grading. There will be general fitness. There will be Paddy's day (even though I disagree with most of it) There will be a new Gi. Details to follow Copied from below... So... My Goals for this 6 week challenge: Karate: Keep attending the weekly lessons! (My initial misgivings about the lessons only being 60 minutes long have been dealt with to some degree as we regularly over run in typical Irish fashion - they're often 80-90 mins which seems to work well) During this challenge I intend to do my grading near the end of March. I should be wearing a yellow or orange belt by the end of the challenge Kata: Do practice on katas a couple of times a week. Keep practising Fukyugata Ichi and Ni and Bo Shodan. Finish learning Pinan Shodan and Nidan. Begin learning the remaining Pinan Katas. Fitness: In addition to the short bursts of exercise I get from my Wednesday lunchtime class, I will try to do the same as last time and include two workout sessions per week. Bodyweight and kettlebells. Other: Get my Karate Gi. Sometime in the next few weeks my Sensei should have a gi for me (a bit cheaper than ordering my own or driving to Dublin to get one from a shop). I just need to pay for it (and likely shorten the legs a bit...) Help the other members of the class prep for Paddy's day: The club will probably be involved in the local parade or celebrations in some way. As I have a choreography background, I'll be helping to come up with some simple paired kata's involving different weapons and defences against same.

If some superhero nerd out here has triathlon, half marathon, and strength training experience and could point me on a plan or lend suggestions, I'd be super grateful! Or even just pointing me toward resources that may be useful. My fitness goals, life details, and fitness preferences any plan would have to take into consideration: Fitness Goals: 1.) On Sunday, May 4, 2014 I am running a half marathon through a slightly hilly course. This is my first half marathon I need to build up to the 13.1 miles I am not looking to finish front or even middle of the pack, just finish and enjoy the experience Right now, I can run about 6 miles at a 10 minute mile pace before the run becomes labored. 2.) I want to do an Olympic length triathlon within 2 years. (.93mi swim, 24.8mi bike, 6.2mi run) I do not have a baseline to offer for my swimming and biking 3.) I want to incorporate strength training that will give me stability, mobility, and injury prevention for these endurance race goals. 4.) I want to incorporate stretching for the same reason as strength training. 5.) My lofty goals are to someday do an Iron Man triathlon, and bike across America someday. Life Details: 1.) I have enough free time to workout on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 2.) I have access to: A weight room (dumbbells, barbells, dip bar, pull up bar, squat rack, bench press, and a bunch of machines I don't want to touch) Indoor cardio (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, Olympic swimming pool) Outdoor cardio (lots of biking/running trails, high school track, swimming pool, lake [in summer], a bike) Fitness Preferences: 1.) I get bored doing the same mode of cardio more than 2 workouts in a row. ex.) Workout 1: Run, Workout 2: Run, Workout 3: I'd really rather not run 2.) I need to build up my mileage slowly to avoid injury. (I'm prone to shin splints and knee throbbing) 3.) If I am going to strength train, I want to do it right. Efficient, compound exercises done with body-weight or barbell 4.) I am not opposed to minimalist shoe running in very very small, foot strengthening doses. But, I am not striving at all to be the barefoot guy at the race. 5.) If the ground is slippery outside (snow/mud), I prefer to work out in my gym (treadmills, swimming pool, stationary bikes.) Given I live in New England, in the winter, it is slippery at least 1/3 of the week. I don't like to feel derailed from my plan due to inclement weather, so back up plans for inside work is vital. 6.) I want to give the muscles used in a workout enough time to recover before their next usage. 7.) I will not be willing to workout longer than 2 hours (and even that is pushing it, unless it is for specific mileage building training) 8.) I understand fitness in terms of pounds, miles, and other wacky imperial units. What I'm hoping to have when I make the completed plan: A plan that takes into account my resources, my goals, and my schedule. A plan that won't over-train me or leave me susceptible to injury. A plan that will both set me forward into triathlon training, and prepare me for my upcoming half marathon. A plan with every workout scheduled and marked on an intuitive calendar for at least a year (preferably 2). A plan with back ups for cruddy or dangerous weather. A plan with strength training, (rep and set aims as well as progressions of intensity.) A plan with what stretches and movements to do in warm up and cool downs for each activity. Thanks for the help!!