Hate flying!!

So here I am in Dublin for the second time since Saturday. God, I hate flying! Some people may think that flying to work is cool... but it's nothing but a pain in the ass. Check out the pic of the Blackberry prototype I found on the truck!

Back to the grind

It's been a little while since I finished the Minimum routine by Pavel and I had been waiting for an ideal time to get the ROP started. Sickness came and went and I started wondering if I was going to be able to do a routine that required three seperated workouts in one week. Apart from my stupid job, I train BJJ quite erratically too and in my mind my BJJ training comes first with my KB workouts as a means to support. I have been training BJJ hard too and three sessions of that a week leaves me little time to recover from all the aches, pains and strains.

I have been enjoying Art of Strength's Providence DVD (see link on the right) a great deal and I also enjoy setting myself workouts so I came up with this one for today:

2 Minutes Swings (20kg)
30 Seconds Both
30 Seconds Right
30 Seconds Left
30 Seconds Both
-----
1 Minute Active Rest
-----
Clean and Press (20kg)
Alternate 5,4,3,2,1 Sets
-----
1 Minute Active Rest
-----
Pull Ups (BW)
5,4,3,2,1 Sets (Small rest between sets)
Followed by
3 Double Jerks (2x24kg)
Followed by
1 Minute Active Rest
Repeat 3 Times
-----
1 Minute Active Rest
-----
Windmills (20kg)
5R, 5L
Followed by
1 Minute Sumo Squat (24kg)
Repeat once with no rest
-----
Finish with TGUs or Swings or Snatches.

Not a bad little workout...

The Return of No Gi Power!!

For the first time in many months, probably four, I went to No Gi class at Gracie Barra Brum. Wow, I really enjoyed myself! I'm not sure if its a case of me getting better or there being a large amount of white belt level guys there but I cruised. I slapped on several Triangles, RNCs and a Papa John Calf Crank. I even went for a Gogoplata at one point and almost sunk it. That particular submission is still one I have yet to finish someone with.. It's time will come.

Anyway, the most important part of the night was my showdown with Justin. Justin, for all of you whom haven't rolled with him (erm, all of you I reckon), is one of those guys who is very very strong and relies on his strength heavily when rolling. I think he is just the sort of grappler that will remain a white belt forever as he doesn't play a technical game and just uses his raw power. Saying that he still is very difficult to deal with as if you do not possess a sound technique his power will win. He is also an extremely stubborn tapper, you really have to get it on for him to tap. I rolled with him twice last night, the first time was a backwards and forwards struggle but I got the upper hand on points. Second time around he played his game again, he powered past my guard and went for head and arm control. I faked bridging one way and then quickly reversed my energy the other getting the sweep and ending in side control. He was still able to power me over but this time I had enough space to put him in a Reverse Triangle. Like I said, he's a stubborn sod and it took me a while to get him to tap but he did.

And there it was, my first submission win against Justin. For me that is such a landmark as my technique finally was good enough. Even when he was in good position I was happy that I wasn't in danger and that I could escape. It's like something out of a B Movie were the hero works hard and beats his first foe only to find out that he has just seen the tip of the iceberg in what he can achieve.

As a side note for the evening I never felt tired. I'm sore today but cardio wise I was fit to go all night. Must be doing something right!

10K and things

Last night was the first London 10K Ground Clash. All in all a very good event with Braulio Estima, Jeff Monson and Lovarto Jr. The only problem was that Braulio didn't win after losing to Monson in the final. As for my ETK training, I've finished the first 4 weeks minimum programme so I've got to set my sights on the Right of Passage programme. I'm notoriously bad for following routines for long so I've been throwing in Art of Strength Providence sessions which have been killer! I'm staying away from my 24kgs a bit at the moment until I'm really ready to tackle Military Pressing them.

Blessed by Buddha

This is my Lucky Gi
It is Buddha Blessed.
Do not bleach the luck out.
Always air it dry and you are guaranteed protection from bad referees and the Jiu Jitsu Police.
Wear it with pride.

Even with all the cardio work I have been doing over the last two weeks whilst I have been away nothing can keep me in shape for a hard BJJ session. I had a 20 stone Rugby player to deal with, squashing my noggin like a rotten tomato. Even the mighty power of my Lucky Gi didn't save me! Anyway, I am continuing with my ETK minimum routine. I moved onto week 3 and started my swing session with my 20kg KB but it was soon apparent that I wouldn't be able to finish it so I changed to a 16kg half way though. Even then finishing the set wasn't simple! Anyway, I've done a serious BJJ session today and I'll do the 5 minute TGU set tonight when I have recovered some. Man, this is hard!