Recently rediscovered these songs in my music library and they've been pumping me up all week. These are great songs before and during training sessions. Enjoy!
No One Gets Left Behind- Five Finger Death Punch
Warrior- Disturbed
Blood Brothers- Papa Roach
Saturday, June 25, 2011
So much for a "light" week
Time till first tournament: 22 days
Strange how you can't tell how a week's training is going to develop until you get to the day of training. Even if you planned in advance for the week, wrote a schedule down and everything, it always seems to fall together in an unanticipated way. Guess it all really depends on how you feel at the time. I generally try to do what I can to push myself within the workout rather than try to accumulate successive days. This acts as a fail safe against overtraining while making the best use of the time I do have to train. So in this manner, I take each day and evaluate how fresh I am and what I could get out of a workout that day. Consistency is vital to success, but not at the expense of well-being. Since the earlier part of this week was light, I had much more energy left to hit it hard the rest of the week (with tangential benefits: stress relief and time off from physics studying).
Thursday night, I went to the competition class at GBMB, which was a solid hour and a half of fun times. I'm really trying to focus more on technique than strength during my rolling sessions, and the transition has not been easy, Though I can say that I have significantly more energy when I'm not wasting it throwing people around unnecessarily, I definitely have some holes in my game that I need to address as soon as possible. However, I am happy that these growing pains are happening within the confines of the school rather than in competition. As they say, "It is better to sweat in practice than bleed in battle."
Earlier tonight (Friday), I headed over to my old steady, CrossFit Mean Streets, for a little old fashioned punishment. Once again, I made my own workout. As I said a few posts ago, I am really becoming fond of the rower for cardio development (using it anaerobically in short sprint distances) and today's workout reflects that love. Sadly, my knee has been a bit stiff (more on that in a second), so I didn't quite get as much out of it as I wanted to. Such is life. Tonight's workout was:
Warm up
Dynamic warm up drills
500m row slow
WOD 1
3 rounds for time
1/3 mile run
10 KB swings (70#)
10 wall ball slams (30#)
10 sand bag front squats
Rest 15 min
WOD 2
250m row sprint (~1:35 pace)
50 side wall balls (20#, 25/side)
250m row sprint
As for my knee, it has been bothering me for a bit. Not painful, just stiff and doesn't feel right. I have had this issue for about the last two weeks. My guess is the constant pressure I put on my knees while grappling is causing an issue. Luckily, I go to a great PT/chiropractor who will hopefully take care of it today (Saturday) when I see him. For all those who need such services, Dr. Kleinbrodt is the man and does all kinds of magical things, such as ART, Graston, and chiropractic medicine. He is a sport oriented doctor, and helped me out a lot with a CrossFit related issue. He takes insurance too, which is a huge plus. Check him out at http://www.brentwoodspineandsport.com/
The rest of Saturday will be a rest day. Well... not really, since I will be studying all day. I guess it's body rest/mental work out. That will have to do. And now, to bed. Till the next post, everyone. Thanks for reading.
Strange how you can't tell how a week's training is going to develop until you get to the day of training. Even if you planned in advance for the week, wrote a schedule down and everything, it always seems to fall together in an unanticipated way. Guess it all really depends on how you feel at the time. I generally try to do what I can to push myself within the workout rather than try to accumulate successive days. This acts as a fail safe against overtraining while making the best use of the time I do have to train. So in this manner, I take each day and evaluate how fresh I am and what I could get out of a workout that day. Consistency is vital to success, but not at the expense of well-being. Since the earlier part of this week was light, I had much more energy left to hit it hard the rest of the week (with tangential benefits: stress relief and time off from physics studying).
Thursday night, I went to the competition class at GBMB, which was a solid hour and a half of fun times. I'm really trying to focus more on technique than strength during my rolling sessions, and the transition has not been easy, Though I can say that I have significantly more energy when I'm not wasting it throwing people around unnecessarily, I definitely have some holes in my game that I need to address as soon as possible. However, I am happy that these growing pains are happening within the confines of the school rather than in competition. As they say, "It is better to sweat in practice than bleed in battle."
Earlier tonight (Friday), I headed over to my old steady, CrossFit Mean Streets, for a little old fashioned punishment. Once again, I made my own workout. As I said a few posts ago, I am really becoming fond of the rower for cardio development (using it anaerobically in short sprint distances) and today's workout reflects that love. Sadly, my knee has been a bit stiff (more on that in a second), so I didn't quite get as much out of it as I wanted to. Such is life. Tonight's workout was:
Warm up
Dynamic warm up drills
500m row slow
WOD 1
3 rounds for time
1/3 mile run
10 KB swings (70#)
10 wall ball slams (30#)
10 sand bag front squats
Rest 15 min
WOD 2
250m row sprint (~1:35 pace)
50 side wall balls (20#, 25/side)
250m row sprint
As for my knee, it has been bothering me for a bit. Not painful, just stiff and doesn't feel right. I have had this issue for about the last two weeks. My guess is the constant pressure I put on my knees while grappling is causing an issue. Luckily, I go to a great PT/chiropractor who will hopefully take care of it today (Saturday) when I see him. For all those who need such services, Dr. Kleinbrodt is the man and does all kinds of magical things, such as ART, Graston, and chiropractic medicine. He is a sport oriented doctor, and helped me out a lot with a CrossFit related issue. He takes insurance too, which is a huge plus. Check him out at http://www.brentwoodspineandsport.com/
The rest of Saturday will be a rest day. Well... not really, since I will be studying all day. I guess it's body rest/mental work out. That will have to do. And now, to bed. Till the next post, everyone. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Light week so far
This week I haven't been hitting the heavy duty training classes because I have a physics final next week. Feels good to give my body a rest, though I am itching to get some tougher training in. After next Tuesday it's back to work.
In other news, my first tournament is July 17 in Carson at the South Bay Open. I'll be joined by a few of my GBMB training partners, so it should be good. Please come out and support us if you can.
In other news, my first tournament is July 17 in Carson at the South Bay Open. I'll be joined by a few of my GBMB training partners, so it should be good. Please come out and support us if you can.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Long week
My first week as an advanced student was a rough one. Went from one roll a week to three. Impressive how physically demanding it is, both in terms of simple endurance and pure physicality. I was wrecked after three straight days of rolling. It is clear to me now why BJJ athletes benefit from, but do not rely on, outside physical preparation. One can do all the physical prep in the world but there really is no replacement for just getting out there and doing it. As I have been prone to say, "Weights don't fight back." I think that basically characterizes the divide between pure physical training and martial arts training.
So I have spent the rest of the week recovering. On Thursday I did a recovery at the CrossFit gym. The workout consisted of wall ball throws and slams, a 2000m row at a slow (-2:20) pace, and a few minutes of jump rope. Definitely felt better after this, highly recommend the rower for recovery. Friday and Saturday were spent resting, relaxing, and otherwise getting prepared to wreck shop next week. Sunday will be more of the same, also going to check out the CrossFit Games Regionals. Monday, back to work and the whole thing starts all over again.
So I have spent the rest of the week recovering. On Thursday I did a recovery at the CrossFit gym. The workout consisted of wall ball throws and slams, a 2000m row at a slow (-2:20) pace, and a few minutes of jump rope. Definitely felt better after this, highly recommend the rower for recovery. Friday and Saturday were spent resting, relaxing, and otherwise getting prepared to wreck shop next week. Sunday will be more of the same, also going to check out the CrossFit Games Regionals. Monday, back to work and the whole thing starts all over again.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
My first choke out
Tonight during class I was able to successfully apply the choke I learned yesterday during a sparring match. I applied it so well, in fact, that the guy was choked out almost immediately. Luckily no serious damage was done and he recovered shortly after, but I remain conflicted over the event. On one hand, this is largely what I have been training to do over the past 5 months: use chokes and holds to submit my opponents by either their own tap out or by their involuntary unconsciousness , whichever comes first. In this regard, it is exciting to know that I have developed this skill well enough to execute it in a full speed setting. But, on the other hand and much more importantly, one should always put the safety of training partners as the top priority. This is especially true in an art like BJJ where we are so up close, but the standard applies to all combat sports. So although I am excited that the choke worked as expected, this excitement is tempered by the fact that I wish it had happened in a way that allowed him the proper time to tap out.
This event prompted me to really think generally about the role training partners play in one's overall development and the need to really pay attention to the safety aspect of the whole thing. Unlike CrossFit, which is largely individual and thus intensity is modulated by only that individual's ability to perform, intensity during a roll is dictated largely by the most able person. One can have (and often does have) two people with vastly different abilities, endurance, and so on paired with each other in practice, which can be a potentially dangerous situation depending on the match up (ie. 50lb weight difference, etc.). In these circumstances, it becomes vital to pay attention to not only the character of your partner's strengths and weaknesses, but also the role these play in the safety of the match. In a tournament, feel free to take advantage of a guy who is winded or has holes in his game, as losing is his payment for a lack of preparation. However, in practice we are all trying to get better so there are many considerations that must be made aside from "I need to beat this guy." A total disregard for the safety of training partners can also become systemic, increasing one's own chance of being injured by that same process. I am lucky to be taught by a professor who preaches the value of safe training. But I know ultimately the responsibility lies with each of us so it must be made a priority on an individual basis. Overall, this is simply an important lesson to internalize and take home for whatever sport one plays: the safety of teammates during practice is as vital to one's development as anything else.
This event prompted me to really think generally about the role training partners play in one's overall development and the need to really pay attention to the safety aspect of the whole thing. Unlike CrossFit, which is largely individual and thus intensity is modulated by only that individual's ability to perform, intensity during a roll is dictated largely by the most able person. One can have (and often does have) two people with vastly different abilities, endurance, and so on paired with each other in practice, which can be a potentially dangerous situation depending on the match up (ie. 50lb weight difference, etc.). In these circumstances, it becomes vital to pay attention to not only the character of your partner's strengths and weaknesses, but also the role these play in the safety of the match. In a tournament, feel free to take advantage of a guy who is winded or has holes in his game, as losing is his payment for a lack of preparation. However, in practice we are all trying to get better so there are many considerations that must be made aside from "I need to beat this guy." A total disregard for the safety of training partners can also become systemic, increasing one's own chance of being injured by that same process. I am lucky to be taught by a professor who preaches the value of safe training. But I know ultimately the responsibility lies with each of us so it must be made a priority on an individual basis. Overall, this is simply an important lesson to internalize and take home for whatever sport one plays: the safety of teammates during practice is as vital to one's development as anything else.
Monday, June 13, 2011
First advanced class: thoughts on my progress thus far
Today was my first advanced class, and it was very enlightening to say the least. I now understand how all the three stripes were beating me consistently before: the advanced curriculum is just that, more advanced. We learned some great judo stand up take downs, which should be useful in a tournament setting because of the standing start. From there, we learned a really nasty side mount collar choke. Pics will come tomorrow if I have a neck full of bruises. Finally, we did positional training from the side mount and I, as expected, got bounced around the gym. I really need to improve my side mount game; hopefully I can address this during one of my private sessions soon. Post class, we rolled for 30 minutes then called it a day.
As for my overall progression, I have seen a significant improvement over the past 5 months and tonight sealed that for me. While I will obviously continue to improve (and thus my individual performance tonight is ultimately meaningless), my first time in a totally advanced class gave me a good benchmark as to where exactly I stand versus some of the best our school has to offer. I think I stack up well already, and this gives me quite a bit of motivation to train even harder so that I am able make strides within that group. I am starting to figure out how to use my strength alongside technique instead of in lieu of it, which is a significant change for me. Still a lot of work to be done, but I see signs of positive progress that weren't so readily apparent only few days earlier. Very excited to see what the future holds.
As for my overall progression, I have seen a significant improvement over the past 5 months and tonight sealed that for me. While I will obviously continue to improve (and thus my individual performance tonight is ultimately meaningless), my first time in a totally advanced class gave me a good benchmark as to where exactly I stand versus some of the best our school has to offer. I think I stack up well already, and this gives me quite a bit of motivation to train even harder so that I am able make strides within that group. I am starting to figure out how to use my strength alongside technique instead of in lieu of it, which is a significant change for me. Still a lot of work to be done, but I see signs of positive progress that weren't so readily apparent only few days earlier. Very excited to see what the future holds.
Awesome Tim Kennedy video
If you don't know who Tim Kennedy is, he is a contender for the Strikeforce MMA middleweight championship and in his spare time is a US Army Green Beret. Notice how I said is a Green Beret: the guy is a pro MMA fighter and is still in the Army. Unreal.
Anyway, I had this video shared with me a while ago and it is truly inspirational. And also pay attention to how this dude trains, he has a motor like I've never seen. Enjoy!
Anyway, I had this video shared with me a while ago and it is truly inspirational. And also pay attention to how this dude trains, he has a motor like I've never seen. Enjoy!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The past week
To catch the blog up to the most logical starting point, I will begin when I earned my third stripe on June 7 and thus became eligible to be an advanced student. At that point, I had been training consistently for 5 months. Mind you, training time in BJJ terms is a lifetime and thus being in for 5 months is roughly akin to being a 5 month old baby. I am under the tutelage of Professor Rodrigo "Digo" Simoes at Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach in Manhattan Beach, CA. I also receive weekly private lessons from the assistant professor, Guilherme Cotliarenko.
During the week from then until today, I have trained four times. Three of those have been in BJJ, and one has been in CrossFit. At my current skill level, I feel that this training regimen will allow me to steadily get better while avoiding the pitfalls of overtraining and risking possible injury. I hope that as the summer progresses I can push that number to 5 training sessions a week, but my earlier attempts to do so were counterproductive.
Here was this week's schedule:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Fundamentals class
Wednesday: Private lesson working on double and single leg take down techniques
Thursday: Competition training class, which involves a full 1 hour conditioning class followed by a half hour of rolling. It's a pretty rough beat down but it definitely makes the other classes during the week seem easier.
Friday: Rest
Saturday: CrossFit workout of my own design done at my gym, CrossFit Mean Streets, on 2nd and Main in Downtown LA. The workout was:
Warm up
-250m row
-20 push ups
-250m row
-20 squats
-250m row
-20 sit ups
-250m row
WOD 1
3 rounds for time
- 5 man makers (35#DB)
-10 kettlebell swings (2 pood)
-1 lap (1/3 mi) with a heavy sandbag
WOD 2
Not for time
50 side wall ball throws (20#)
50 sledge hammer swings (16#)
Now, off to eat and do physics homework!
Justin
During the week from then until today, I have trained four times. Three of those have been in BJJ, and one has been in CrossFit. At my current skill level, I feel that this training regimen will allow me to steadily get better while avoiding the pitfalls of overtraining and risking possible injury. I hope that as the summer progresses I can push that number to 5 training sessions a week, but my earlier attempts to do so were counterproductive.
Here was this week's schedule:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Fundamentals class
Wednesday: Private lesson working on double and single leg take down techniques
Thursday: Competition training class, which involves a full 1 hour conditioning class followed by a half hour of rolling. It's a pretty rough beat down but it definitely makes the other classes during the week seem easier.
Friday: Rest
Saturday: CrossFit workout of my own design done at my gym, CrossFit Mean Streets, on 2nd and Main in Downtown LA. The workout was:
Warm up
-250m row
-20 push ups
-250m row
-20 squats
-250m row
-20 sit ups
-250m row
WOD 1
3 rounds for time
- 5 man makers (35#DB)
-10 kettlebell swings (2 pood)
-1 lap (1/3 mi) with a heavy sandbag
WOD 2
Not for time
50 side wall ball throws (20#)
50 sledge hammer swings (16#)
Now, off to eat and do physics homework!
Justin
The beginning of my blog
Hello everyone,
Welcome to my new blog, which I created to chronicle my summer training journey and the road to my first tournament in August. I will be posting my daily training routines, what techniques I learned, lessons learned/inspirational stuff, and general updates. Hope you enjoy.
Justin
Welcome to my new blog, which I created to chronicle my summer training journey and the road to my first tournament in August. I will be posting my daily training routines, what techniques I learned, lessons learned/inspirational stuff, and general updates. Hope you enjoy.
Justin
Location:Los Angeles, CA
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