Training with Grandmaster Reno Claudio 2
b y Sensei Jay Hager - Sichidan Judo and Godan JuJitsu
Senior Judo Advisor - HOTEIKAN RYU

Though Grandmaster Reno never took me to HOTEIKAN ISLAND, he DID make the class visit historical location.

We were training at Sensei Tom Purdys' AMERICAN JUDO-KARATE ACADEMY in the mid-1970's which was located at 41 W 33rd Street (on the 3rd floor) in NYC. To end our "wartm-up" we would do laps around the Dojo. What Sensei did was lead us out the door, down to the street level and started running in the street. Down 33rd St to Broadway - Up to 34th St - Onto 5th Ave - Back to 33rd St.

If you are familiar with the area you know we were running around the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING!!

By the way, the first time Sensei ran us around the streets, it was July and not too bad. It became more of a challange when we would "do the streets" during the winter-in 6+" of snow-BAREFOOTED!

Class was a breeze after that.