Laser Focus

[phoenix4444]

So nice too see you hit up the weights again. Looks like you are rockin it too.

[shesprints]

The 25 year cold college wrestler/BJJ guy and I were just going at it like wrestlers mostly we were pretty evenly matched other than stamina. He got me in a rear naked I think, he had one arm and my head from behind. He shot a double, I sprawled and caught a guillotine on him but he was fast AF, and before I could crank on some controlled pressure he managed to duck under and ended up behind me. I wasn’t getting blurred vision or anything, but I wasn’t getting out of it either.

Yea one of the black belt guys was in his 50s and a little out of shape looking, but he was just handling people like nothing. He would just go to bottom guard and be lazy letting people wear themselves out then he’d wait for them to make a mistake and it would be over, just like that. Really neat to see that. I need more of that, that’s Jujitsu in general if any style whether BJJ, DZR etc etc, it’s just being efficient and effective. He didn’t waste an ounce of energy “wrestling” with guys likely much stronger, he’d just kick back and relax for 4-5 minutes, let people make a mistake, work a move and it would be done. Very technical and relaxed, looked like he could have taken a nap down there lol. I noticed you looked a lot more relaxed in your last vids I saw. I wondered how matches could go that long, but that kind of rolling is different than wrestling which is usually 6 minutes of all out effort. Going to try to get there on Sunday ps and bring my own gi . Pulled a little muscle in my side working a throw. Old people problems also didn’t have my knee sleeves since I wasn’t planning to be on the mat and my right knee is a little tender.

I think that's right--wrestling is very different from BJJ, much more intense. I think it's probably(?) close to judo in its emphasis on standing work and throws/takedowns. BJJ is about conserving energy. When I first came into the sport I would go way too hard, to the point that a black belt instructor told me that my attitude would be better suited to wrestling. Also, at least part of why I've become more relaxed in my rolling is the knee issue. My top game has been on the back burner and I've been working on my guard for awhile. I expect when I come back I'll adjust to include more time spent playing top again. I hope your knee is ok. I'm glad the sleeves really do help protect things that much, though--I can't wait to see what difference they make for me.

Solid looking leg day! Looks like you're keeping busy with lifting and swimming while you're away from BJJ.

Heehee! Good news on the knee, hope it's back in action soon. Any time I'm injured I get extremely impatient and gotta "test" the injury all the time, "crap, that still hurts," 5 minutes later test it again, "OMFG why does this still hurt, arrgghhhh it's not getting better, call the paramedics!"

Ahahaha Hammy I'm exactly the same way. I keep gently touching that part of the knee during the day. Good news is it really is getting better! I also ordered by leg brace yesterday so it'll be here for my return to BJJ. And today I asked my trainer why the split is set up like it is, and he explained that he likes to train separate muscle groups on separate days so that the muscle isn't pre-fatigued for the exercise (because chest exercises also use triceps, so training triceps that day would mean training them pre-fatigued). He prefers to continue some emphasis on power work by leaving them somewhat fresh. I see the rationale so your brain will have to remain broken looking at my workouts.

So nice too see you hit up the weights again. Looks like you are rockin it too.

I do really enjoy lifting, just not as much as I do BJJ... luckily I'm back to that soon enough. The main thing I dislike about lifting is the social atmosphere of the gym. So many awkward people avoiding eye contact, or staring at you WITHOUT eye contact, and no nice friendly hugs. What I truly miss about BJJ is all the hugging. And the strangling. And the athleticism--doing a movement for a purpose suits me so much more than doing a movement just to build muscle, though obviously I appreciate getting stronger, too.



Yesterday I just did PT exercises for an hour, and today I lifted with the trainer, which also included a heavy emphasis on balance/small muscles. I need that, as for whatever reason I struggle with hip and core stability.

2/25--PT Exercises
Single leg med ball twist 3kg on upside down bosu 2 x :30 each leg

Side walk w band around foot arch x 3

Step downs 3 x 10

Single leg squat to parallel 3 x 8

Side plank leg raise 3 x 10 each side

Banded wall sit 3 x 1 min

Headstand :45

2/26--Full Body Day

Side to side oblique swings 3 x 10 @ 10, 25, 25
Haloes on upside down bosu 3 x 10 each way @ 10, 25, 25

Quadraped balance on Swiss ball 3 x 1 min

Power snatch tempos 45lb 5 x 5
Headstand 3 x :30
High pull 95lb 4 x 3
Yoga balance on upside down bosu 2 x 3 each side (knee up then leg straight back and airplane arms)

Pause deadlift 125 x 4, 135 3 x 4
Band-assisted pullup x 5, 10, 10

Wrestler's pushup* 2 x 10
Rollouts 2 x 15
Navy pushups(???)** 2 x 10


*Pushups from a bridge, so upside down pushups, basically.
**Hard to explain... you start on hands and knees but then lift your knees up. Then, with knees still bent, go through the yoga pushup series pressing forward and down until your chest goes down between your hands, and then come back up the same way, sliding your chest down and backwards, then up again, always while keeping knees bent and off the floor. These are REALLY HARD. I have no idea what they're actually called. Next time I'll try to film them.

[thehobbes]

Ahahaha Hammy I'm exactly the same way. I keep gently touching that part of the knee during the day. Good news is it really is getting better! I also ordered by leg brace yesterday so it'll be here for my return to BJJ. And today I asked my trainer why the split is set up like it is, and he explained that he likes to train separate muscle groups on separate days so that the muscle isn't pre-fatigued for the exercise (because chest exercises also use triceps, so training triceps that day would mean training them pre-fatigued). He prefers to continue some emphasis on power work by leaving them somewhat fresh. I see the rationale so your brain will have to remain broken looking at my workouts.

Ok, I can see where he's going with that one, fair enough. I've always tried to keep things far apart, like a bench press day a day or two after working triceps would kill my bench I think, or I'd get injured. I'm hesitant to even do a shoulder day two days after bench day, srs, feel like I need at least two non-pressing days in between to recover. We have different programs though, seems like you are doing more of a bodybuilder workout to improve strength and stamina instead of a chit ton of singles and doubles near max. Yes indeed, brain will remain broken, it's too far gone to be fixed at this point.

[shesprints]

It looks like BB.com doesn't allow me to copy + paste workouts in here anymore, which... what? Huh?

Anyway... I'll catch up quickly: Wednesday I did just PT and a short run, Thursday I went nuts and did shoulders + abs PLUS an hour swim (2650 yards, or 1.51 miles), and today I was incredibly drained-feeling but still did a back workout same as I've posted above, just with slightly lighter weight and more focus on form, plus of course my PT exercises.

I'm so bored of PT exercises.

Also, even though I ate about 2500 cals yesterday to try to keep up with the swim and lift, I don't think it was enough. I'm so exhausted and logy/weak/headachy today. Blah.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Good luck with the PT. It can be hard to get through but in the end helpful. Should have done more of the exercises when I'd injured my back at 20, maybe would have had less issues with the arthritis developing, hard to say for sure with hindsight. Still, PT is there for a reason. Once you make it through back to the fun stuff.

[thehobbes]

1) EAT MOAR!
2) PT can be extremely valuable. Was stuck with it one time for like 6 months, it sucked!! But I learned a lot of chit I still use to this day and sneakily listened to what other people were doing for other injured body parts. I am now filled with secret knowledge on how to fix a lot of body parts.

[shesprints]

Good luck with the PT. It can be hard to get through but in the end helpful. Should have done more of the exercises when I'd injured my back at 20, maybe would have had less issues with the arthritis developing, hard to say for sure with hindsight. Still, PT is there for a reason. Once you make it through back to the fun stuff.

You're right! Plus, these PT exercises are helping me work on my pistol squat, which has been a goal forever, SO hooray. I'm sorry you have arthritis in your back. If it helps, I first heard I had arthritis in my low back at age 23, so I think sometimes it just happens.

1) EAT MOAR!
2) PT can be extremely valuable. Was stuck with it one time for like 6 months, it sucked!! But I learned a lot of chit I still use to this day and sneakily listened to what other people were doing for other injured body parts. I am now filled with secret knowledge on how to fix a lot of body parts.

Yeah, I'm trying to make the best of it, but... I totally did skip two days in a row. Yesterday I did leg day and my legs were just too tired, plus I figured some single leg stuff I did kind of subbed in for it? Last night, I had a party for UFC 235 and was out WAY late, so this morning I didn't have time, since I worked from 10am to 8pm. But I'll be back at it tomorrow. Honestly, I just needed the mental and physical break.

Leg day went really well, though! I did box squats to the lowest box in the gym, so well below parallel, and it was HARD. My legs are actually still sore a day and a half later. The whole workout was as follows:

3/2 Leg Day!

Backwards lunge with front foot on upside down bosu 3 x 10

Low box squat 95 x 20, 115, 135, 145, 155 x 10 each

Giant Set:
Leg extensions 4 x 12 @ 70lb
Hamstring curl 4 x 12 @ 70lb
Hip Thrust 95, 105, 115, 115lb x 15 each
DB Step Ups 20, 25, 30, 30 x 12 each

Smith machine calf raise 75lb 4 x 25 (first 15 slow, last 10 fast)

6 min treadmill incline walk

WHEW!

Then, that evening, I made and ate chicken and tofu tacos with homemade pico, peppers and onions, mushrooms, avocado, and spiced beans. Plus a cupcake Rachel made. She is hella talented. Best cupcakes of my life right here. I want some credit for losing weight while dating such an incredible baker. My guests loved my food too. I'm proud that I cook healthily, with whole foods, and still make things that are delicious.

Also talked to the GF about moving in together someday and she said she'd been thinking about it too. Not SOON, we're not U-hauling, but we're considering it as a future possibility for like a year from now.

I think my knee is basically better. I'm HOPING I can get back to BJJ in about a week. Eeeeee!

I'm also really happy I hit 155 x 10 with those low box squats. I didn't rest on the box at all, just used it to touch/hover, so it felt even harder than regular squats.

[LunaLifts]

Woah, a break from BJJ and PT work? What'd I miss?!

[Fiction2Fitness]

The food does sound good. Hard to go wrong with a cupcake or a girl who can make cupcakes.

heheh U-haul. You are well past the third date but still, good to wait but sweet on having the discussion.

As for the arthritis, mine started in my early 20's. Injured my back and got the diagnosis when I was 23 I think. Somewhere around then at least.

[thehobbes]

Lol OP you two both sound like planner type people. That's good though, too many people moving in with each other after like 3 weeks these days and it going horribly wrong. But... CUPCAKES!! Good news on the knee, wahoo only one more week!

As for the arthritis, mine started in my early 20's. Injured my back and got the diagnosis when I was 23 I think. Somewhere around then at least.

Always wondered how people know if something is arthritis or tendonitis, srs. Maybe some people in Club Tendonitis are just in serious denial for years.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Always wondered how people know if something is arthritis or tendonitis, srs. Maybe some people in Club Tendonitis are just in serious denial for years.

There is a scan that can be done at the hospital. That's how I got the diagnosis at least. Not sure on what I have in the elbow, hip and hand but the back has claims from the doctor. So, whatever the scan shows them I guess tells which it is. Details I know not.

[shesprints]

Woah, a break from BJJ and PT work? What'd I miss?!

I had suprapatellar bursitis in my knee. Very painful, also called "wrestler's knee," an injury in response to just too much pressure on the joint. I took time off BJJ, but I could lift and do other stuff, so that's what I did. Now I'm better! I'm still doing some PT to strengthen my hips and improve my balance, which will help protect my knees, but I'm allowed to train BJJ again and did in fact for the first time today. Man I missed it.

The food does sound good. Hard to go wrong with a cupcake or a girl who can make cupcakes.

heheh U-haul. You are well past the third date but still, good to wait but sweet on having the discussion.

As for the arthritis, mine started in my early 20's. Injured my back and got the diagnosis when I was 23 I think. Somewhere around then at least.

I know, right? Luckily the cupcakes she makes are small, and I also like to keep special occasion foods like that fairly infrequent and in very modest servings. That way I enjoy them more and can still approach my body composition goals.

Lol OP you two both sound like planner type people. That's good though, too many people moving in with each other after like 3 weeks these days and it going horribly wrong. But... CUPCAKES!! Good news on the knee, wahoo only one more week!

Always wondered how people know if something is arthritis or tendonitis, srs. Maybe some people in Club Tendonitis are just in serious denial for years.

We are both planners. Actually, she is more than I am. And LESS than a week! I went back to training today and I'm so happy. YAY!

I don't know about arthritis vs. tendonitis. I didn't even feel pain, it just showed up in an x-ray.

Sorry I haven't logged for a couple days. This week and next are super busy, but then I get a little break while my students are on Spring Break. I'll be logging more and also training more.

3/4 Chest and Biceps

Incline DB fly 3 x 10 @ 15, 15, 17.5lb

Flat bench 80lb 4 x 12

Flat DB fly 15lb 4 x 12
Incline Smith bench 95lb 4 x 8

Seated DB rotating curl 15lb 4 x 12
Standing strict DB curl 15lb 4 x 12

Cable preacher curl 7 x 10 with :30 rest, one @ 20, rest @ 15lb

3/5 Oly Day session w/ trainer

Overhead press 45, 65, 65lb x 5

Full clean to power jerk to front squat 5 x 2 @ 65lb
Banded squat on upside down bosu while holding 10lb plate x 10
Banded squat HOLD on upside down bosu while doing around-the-world with 25lb plate x 10 each way
Quadraped balance on Swiss ball 3 x 1 min
Clean x 2 to jerk x 2 @ 65lb, x 3

Full clean and jerk 3 x 3 up to 90lb
2 x 100m row

Slow tempo front squat 65, 75, 90lb x 5
Wall sit + 25lb plate curl 3 x 15
Prowler push high + low handles x 3

Ab wheel rollouts 2 x 10
High step ups with just toe touch down 2 x 10 each leg

3/7--BJJ Training 2 hours

Level 2 gi
Butterfly sweep from half guard
Get knee shield, get underhook and grab belt, hip out, hook in, overhook far arm, tip down and use hook to lift and flip.
4 x 2:30 positional sparring to sweep, pass, or submit. Some good rolls.

Advanced 1 nogi
Calisthenic warmup including decline pushups, situps, partner press with legs and with upper body
Same exercise as last class but with transition to double leg x if they post their leg to prevent the sweep.
5 x 5 min regular training
Got an arm triangle on a visiting blue belt girl and fought a bunch of larger guys. Did OK, but I feel rusty--my reflexes aren't quite back. It felt SO GOOD to spar, though!

I wore my new knee pad/brace and it worked perfectly, really happy with that.
I was so tired afterwards! I took a quick nap between students. I'm going to see Rachel this evening and then try to get more good sleep tonight. Whew. It's amazing how I feel so wiped from training, but I also LOVE IT.

[thehobbes]

WAHOO! Welcome back to BJJ training brohametta!

[LunaLifts]

I had suprapatellar bursitis in my knee. Very painful, also called "wrestler's knee," an injury in response to just too much pressure on the joint. I took time off BJJ, but I could lift and do other stuff, so that's what I did. Now I'm better! I'm still doing some PT to strengthen my hips and improve my balance, which will help protect my knees, but I'm allowed to train BJJ again and did in fact for the first time today. Man I missed it.

Ouch! Glad you took the time to heal up properly, I know you don't love time off of your active stuffs.

[shesprints]

SO

RECAP

Two days after coming back from my knee injury, I broke my hand (5th metacarpal fracture) rolling with a hyperactive blue belt guy who somersaulted over my pinkie and snapped it backwards.

Understandably, I hope, it became quite hard to type, and I also didn't want to report demoralizing news to this journal, so I stayed off it for awhile. Now, however, I am back. I'm training and lifting again. While my hand was injured I mostly just ran and continued some PT exercises for knee stability; later on in the injury I was able to drill some at BJJ as long as I only used one hand. Running easily came back to me--I was doing 6-7 miles every other day at between an 8:20 and 9:00/mile pace. I also threw in some workouts, such as a 4 x 5 minute interval at 6:50 pace run (1 min rest in between) and some hill sprints (10, to be exact) on another day. As a result, my cardio is awesome--I get winded even less than I used to back training BJJ. However, my grip strength and core strength and upper body are. Well. Bad. So I'm on a program easing back into strength training and I'm also back in BJJ as often as I can make it. Today that meant going at 7am and then lifting at lunch, which was fine.

I'll just start the journal off again with today, and we'll go from there.

BJJ--1 hour (+ two more 5-min rounds after class)
arm bar escapes and arm bar technique notes
also, kimura from arm bar position if you can trap their head between your knees

some good rolls, lots of neutralizing inversions by grabbing the belt, worked on spider guard and lasso guard as I drilled those while injured

Weights--1 hour
warmup:
bosu squats 3 x 20
band pullaparts 3 x 20

RDL 4 x 10 @ 65, 85, 95, 105lb
single-arm KB shoulder press 4 x 6 @ 20lb
lat pulldown 4 x 10 @ 70lb

back extensions 3 x 10
triceps pushdowns 3 x 20 @ 25, 30, 30lb

BB lunge 3 x 10 @ 27.5lb
DB bicep curl 3 x 10 @ 17.5lb

Abs
2 rounds of 12 reps each:

toe touches
legs apart reach up
crunches
single leg crunch (each side)
legs straight out crunch
suitcase carries each arm 45lb

Felt pretty good.

Also met with the nutritionist who says that on days I do 1 hour of training, 2200 cal, 2 hours, up to 2500, and 3 hours, up to 2700 but at least not under 2400. She says I should lose a bit more weight this way and settle into a weight that is good to maintain for the weight class I'm still targeting. I'm up about 3 pounds throughout the whole injury cycle, which is nothing, especially as I was purposefully eating at or a bit above maintenance while hurt for better healing. I also needed the diet break! Now I'm happy to go back to a stricter regimen. Oddly, my appetite is also much lower while training BJJ than when my chief exercise was running. I'm not sure why.

Other news: still dating Rachel, our 1-year anniversary is in a week and a half(!). She's doing krav maga now and killing it. I got into grad school and will be attending The New School for Creating Writing in the fall (I got into Columbia as well, but they didn't offer as generous a scholarship or seem like the best fit for me program-wise). Work is going well.

Good to be back

[thehobbes]

Two days after coming back from my knee injury, I broke my hand (5th metacarpal fracture) rolling with a hyperactive blue belt guy who somersaulted over my pinkie and snapped it backwards.

Aw chit, wondered where you went, glad to see you back at it! As far as broken fingers/hand is there really much they can do for that except tape it up and leave it be? That sucks. I'd be so pissed off and if it was my right hand would probably get half my food on my shirt every day trying to eat.

Other news: still dating Rachel, our 1-year anniversary is in a week and a half(!). She's doing krav maga now and killing it. I got into grad school and will be attending The New School for Creating Writing in the fall (I got into Columbia as well, but they didn't offer as generous a scholarship or seem like the best fit for me program-wise). Work is going well.

Good to be back

Congrats on all that, glad to see some happy news!

[anandagirl]

Ooohh one year already!? Congrats!

[Cardioconvert]

I wondered where you went! Sucks about the finger/ hand

Congrats on one year!

[shesprints]

Aw chit, wondered where you went, glad to see you back at it! As far as broken fingers/hand is there really much they can do for that except tape it up and leave it be? That sucks. I'd be so pissed off and if it was my right hand would probably get half my food on my shirt every day trying to eat.

Congrats on all that, glad to see some happy news!

Thanks brohamette! There really was not much to do with the hand. It was my left, luckily, and it was the smallest bone in the main part of the hand, sometimes called a "boxer's fracture." A bunch of other BJJ people told me they'd had something like it. Honestly, it probably healed faster than my bursitis, which is still slightly present in my knee if I do too much BJJ too many days in a row. (good reminder to get back to my rehab exercises tomorrow when I lift). My whole relationship to BJJ is that I want to do way more than my body does, but that's what lifting is for--getting me stronger to withstand it. Fun times.

Ooohh one year already!? Congrats!

Time has indeed flown. We still have not had a real fight, which is... weird....??? But things are going great. I know engaged couples who've dated for less time than we have. We haven't even moved in. So there, stereotypes about lesbians and u-hauls! So there.

I wondered where you went! Sucks about the finger/ hand

Congrats on one year!

Thanks! I was still here, just working like crazy to save up $$$ (I saved like $8k, I swear--not training is so good for my bank account... I took way more work hours to cope with the emptiness inside). (Also I need it for grad school). (And paying for doctors... hm).

[shesprints]

Anyway... I've totally gotten out of the habit of posting my training here. I'm assuming my BJJ training means almost nothing to you guys but weights is something, right? Right.

Last lifting was Sunday, 4/28

Warm-up:
Bosu squats 3 x 20
Band pullaparts 3 x 20

Incline DB press 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 x 10
Dips -40lb 4 x 8
Neutral grip lat pulldowns 70lb 4 x 10

Bent over row 25lb 3 x 10
Banded face pulls 3 x 20

BB bicep curl 35, 45, 45 x 10
IYT 5lb 3 x 8

Ab circuit:
Toe touch 3 x 20
Reverse crunch 3 x 20
Plank :45

Been training 1-2 hours of BJJ most days as well, derailed briefly by a slight cold that, in actual fact, did not so much derail me as it overlapped with a tournament this weekend. The gym was closed so all the coaching staff could attend and coach. Our team did OK, not great. White belt women both lost in the second round, which my black heart kind of enjoyed because I lost in the second round at my first tournament, too--so while I was sad for them, I was also relieved not to be totally outclassed by everyone at my gym. Rather, I think IBJJF events are just super tough and bring all the best people at every belt level. Anyway, I went and watched and supported, but I did not compete. My hand is still not 100% and I also had only had a few training sessions since injury. Good decision tbh. Rather train unhurt for a bit before I'm back to competing.

BJJ in general has gone well. I did 1 hour yesterday and 2 today. I'm hitting some good moves in training that I couldn't before... butterfly sweep, lasso and spider guard stuff. Taking a break was kind of good for perspective. I still rely way too much on my "easier" moves like arm triangles. I want to diversify my nogi submissions to more darce and anaconda chokes, which I just can't seem to master.

Training today was great, though. I took the back and almost choked out a really tough 4-stripe blue belt woman, and more than held my own with a visiting blue belt as well. Plus I spent an entire round clamped onto the back of a large white belt guy like, as he put it, "a little backpack!" I'm also feeling like I'm using more technique and control, which is great. Oh, and I sank a really good footlock the other day, too. And I'm berimbolo'ing a bit, which is an advanced move white belts are not expected... or encouraged (lol) to do. Fun to play with though. Anyway, I'm just more relaxed and having fun with it than I used to. I'm so grateful to be training.

Nutrition is dialed in. Eating only at home, weighing, measuring, all whole foods, no sweets/added sugar apart from a tiny bit of maple syrup that I use to glaze fish sometimes. Calories are as nutritionist prescribed for slow fat loss: 2200 on days I work out 1 hour, 2400 on days I work out 2, and up to 2700 if I do three hours of training, though I still haven't taken that option. I feel hungry but not too depleted, in a good zone, though I did lose my appetite for a bit due to the cold, which made dieting easier.

[shesprints]

More weights!

Wednesday 5/1

Warm-up:
Bosu squat 3 x 20
Band pullaparts 3 x 20

High pull 4 x 10 75lb
Leg extension 4 x 10 80lb

Leg press 3 x 10 200lb
Seated row 3 x 20 60lb

DB 21's* 3 x 21 10, 12, 12lb
Skullcrusher 3 x 10 30lb

Abs
2 rounds of 12 reps each:
toe touches
legs apart reach up
crunches
single leg crunch (each side)
legs straight out crunch
suitcase carries each arm 45lb

PT:
Lateral step down toe touch 3 x 10 each side
Side plank leg raise 3 x :30 each side

Bonus 1 min headstand



*These are bicep curls with false grip, then rotate to palms facing down and lower slowly for a count of ten, x 7. Great for forearms and grip. Do this 7 times, then 7 hammer curls and 7 regular curls, for a total of 21 reps.

I also trained two hours BJJ today and will do two more tomorrow, then lift while on vacation with Rachel.


Here's a bonus video of me doing a crazy complicated BJJ move with my drill partner and fellow white belt, Kyle:

video on instagram

[erica44]

don't think for one second we don't want to hear about your BJJ. I know I do. I did it for like 6 months and it was soo much fun. I love the thinking aspect of it. I watched your instagram and I am glad your rolled long enough to see you do it twice. The first time I was like WTF is she doing. Second time you did it made more sense.

Glad you are dialed in and enjoying the training. Looks like you are going to belt up soon. yes?

[LunaLifts]

Congrats on 1 year! I can't believe it's been that long already!
Glad you're all healed up, and able to kick all the ass again. Must have been a very boring recovery time.
And of course we want to hear about your BJJ too! If I can go on about drawing, not at all related to fitness lol, you've got no worries. I don't have any experience with it, but I like hearing about your progress, and who you're grappling with/your experiences with those people. Plus we get to hear about all the awesome compliments you get.

[anandagirl]

Ditto - I know nothing about BJJ but happy to hear about your progress!

[thehobbes]

I like that a lot of you guys talk about different sports like BJJ. I have no technical input on it of course because I don't have knowledge about that sport, BUT I love hearing about your progress, goals, and triumphs with it. Sounds like competing in that makes you very happy, and if you're happy then we as fellow journalers are happy. (That would be pretty funny if I started making up weird suggestions for it though. "OP next time you gotta grab her leg and do the double penguin flop. Yep, just watch out you don't get a toe to the eye on the flop part! Believe me a toe to the eye is twice as bad as a knee sprain!" )

[shesprints]

Preface: BLARGH, I could not get this stupid website to post for the last few days. It kept sending me "error" messages. So annoying.

don't think for one second we don't want to hear about your BJJ. I know I do. I did it for like 6 months and it was soo much fun. I love the thinking aspect of it. I watched your instagram and I am glad your rolled long enough to see you do it twice. The first time I was like WTF is she doing. Second time you did it made more sense.

Glad you are dialed in and enjoying the training. Looks like you are going to belt up soon. yes?

Haha I don't know. I definitely feel I am still a white belt compared to the blue belts I roll with at Marcelo's. I wouldn't mind staying here for awhile. But I'm enjoying learning and I'm absolutely ecstatic to be back training again, after all that injury nonsense. I know injuries happen in sports, but two in a row really got me down. May I ask why you stopped going? No judgment--it's definitely not for everyone, especially if you have, ummm, a life outside of BJJ. I'm just lucky Rachel trains a martial art now too (krav maga).

Congrats on 1 year! I can't believe it's been that long already!
Glad you're all healed up, and able to kick all the ass again. Must have been a very boring recovery time.
And of course we want to hear about your BJJ too! If I can go on about drawing, not at all related to fitness lol, you've got no worries. I don't have any experience with it, but I like hearing about your progress, and who you're grappling with/your experiences with those people. Plus we get to hear about all the awesome compliments you get.

Recovery was so boring bro I can't even. I just worked a ton, so at least I made $$$. And I ran. I can still hold an 8:30 pace for 6 or 7 miles just fine so that's good to know. I also did some art, which you probably saw on my instagram If this site didn't give me so much grief I'd post here more.

Ditto - I know nothing about BJJ but happy to hear about your progress!

Awww, yay! Nice to see you in here too, I see in your log you've had difficulty posting too. Laaaame.

I like that a lot of you guys talk about different sports like BJJ. I have no technical input on it of course because I don't have knowledge about that sport, BUT I love hearing about your progress, goals, and triumphs with it. Sounds like competing in that makes you very happy, and if you're happy then we as fellow journalers are happy. (That would be pretty funny if I started making up weird suggestions for it though. "OP next time you gotta grab her leg and do the double penguin flop. Yep, just watch out you don't get a toe to the eye on the flop part! Believe me a toe to the eye is twice as bad as a knee sprain!" )

LOL I would love to have you visit me for a comp just so you could "coach." My opponent would be--if nothing else--deeply confused!



ETA OKAY WHILE THIS THING LETS ME POST, WORKOUTS:

Saturday 5/4 (away in the Berkshires)

Warm-up:
Bosu squat 3 x 20
Band pullapart 3 x 20

RDL 4 x 8 @ 65, 75, 95, 105lb
Bosu pushup 4 x 12
Lat pull down 4 x 8 @ 40, 55, 70, 85

Back extensions 3 x 12
Triceps pushdown 3 x 20

Bulgarian split squat 3 x 10 @ 50
Barbell curl 3 x 10 @ 45

Abs:
2 rounds 12 reps each
Toe touch
Legs out toe touch
Crunch
Single leg crunch
Legs straight crunch
Suitcase carries @ 45

PT:
3 x 30s single leg upside down bosu w twist 6lb
3 x 30s side plank leg raise on knee

Sunday 5/5

No workout, but we went into the woods with a mycologist and foraged for edible mushrooms, ramps, and fiddleheads, which we then cooked. We also bbq'd steaks, lamb, and a ton of vegetables... it was a good food weekend and a fun anniversary. I even got to show her my old high school and introduce her to my former counselor from way back then. And we had a very nice time despite some rain.

Monday 5/6

As my knee had been twingy, I stuck to lifting to wait for it to heal up, then returned to BJJ the next day.

Warm-up:
Bosu squats 3 x 20
Band pullaparts 3 x 20

Incline DB press 17.5, 20, 22.5, 27.5 x 10
Dips -40lb 4 x 8
Neutral grip lat pulldowns 45, 55, 70, 85lb 4 x 10

Bent over row 25, 27.5, 27.5lb 3 x 10
Banded face pulls 3 x 20

BB bicep curl 45lb 3 x 10
IYT 5lb 3 x 8

Ab circuit:
Toe touch 3 x 20
Reverse crunch 3 x 20
Plank :45

PT:
Band walks x 3
Single leg squat 3 x 8 each leg

+ 1 min headstand


5/7

BJJ--2.5 hours (2 classes + takedown practice afterwards)

Level 2 gi
Closed guard situp to kimura
Leg press partner
Spider guard sweep
Spider guard sweep to triangle drill

Positional sparring 6 x 3:00
Regular rounds 3 x 5:00
Rolled light with some women, worked on spider + rdlr sweep, worked on lasso guard, scissor sweep.

Advanced 1 nogi
Breaking out of overhook and collar tie from closed guard. Reverse the arm and circle it out of overhook, then grab collar tie. Stand up and break closed guard.

4 x 2:00 positional sparring
4 x 5:00 regular training

Took the back a few times, berimbolo, single x a bunch, some hard rounds with strong guys, tried to keep moving and turtle out if caught underneath

Takedown practice, 1/2 hour
single leg, low single, head in double, inside trip, go-behind

5/8

BJJ 2 hours (2 classes)

Advanced 1 gi
Drill back takes
7 x 5 min regular training
Working on sweeps still (from spider, lasso, x guard)

Advanced 1 nogi
Front headlock to side control
Get your hip in so they can't turtle
Put forearm over their neck to keep them from effectively framing
If they post elbow or arm run forward in circle to get them on their back

Good rounds w upper belts, lots of scrambles, inversions, moving pretty well today

Knee also is not hurting(!) I think the few days off helped, and I have been wearing my knee brace/pad religiously. Whew. If it starts to hurt again, I will take another day or two off.

[thehobbes]

And I ran. I can still hold an 8:30 pace for 6 or 7 miles just fine so that's good to know.

This is very impressive to me. I hope I can get to this level in my running some day.

Sunday 5/5

No workout, but we went into the woods with a mycologist and foraged for edible mushrooms, ramps, and fiddleheads, which we then cooked. We also bbq'd steaks, lamb, and a ton of vegetables... it was a good food weekend and a fun anniversary. I even got to show her my old high school and introduce her to my former counselor from way back then. And we had a very nice time despite some rain.

OP you lead an interesting life! You're like a superhero... running fast for miles at a time, pinning people to the ground, and eating wild mushrooms.

[erica44]

I stopped training because I moved, and just never got back into it, because yeah life happened. But, it's all good. I enjoyed it while it lasted. I think now, I would end up hurting myself or someone would hurt me. I just don't bend the way I used to, which was never very well to begin with. hahaha.

[shesprints]

This is very impressive to me. I hope I can get to this level in my running some day.

OP you lead an interesting life! You're like a superhero... running fast for miles at a time, pinning people to the ground, and eating wild mushrooms.

LOL my life is pretty fun right now, been trying to break out of my comfort zone more! You'll get there with running. Remember, I've literally been doing the sport for over 20 years. I started running when I was 8 or 9. It means that I have very efficient form and can go fairly fast without as much effort as you'd expect. Meanwhile, I wish I had your strength!

I stopped training because I moved, and just never got back into it, because yeah life happened. But, it's all good. I enjoyed it while it lasted. I think now, I would end up hurting myself or someone would hurt me. I just don't bend the way I used to, which was never very well to begin with. hahaha.

It sure is a sport with injury potential, so yeah, safest to keep up what you're doing instead! It is fun, though, and there are ways to train safely. I personally, um, don't train that way, but as I get older I'll probably do more drilling and less live sparring.

So yesterday I trained BJJ at 7am and then lifted midday. Today I trained 2 hours BJJ. I'm glad I trained so much this week, as Marcelo sat us down after class and gave a speech about how important it is to train even when tired or when coming back from injury, that doing so is what separates winners from losers. It felt like what he said applied to me. I've trained almost every day this week and even stayed late to drill takedowns, so I feel like I'm taking his advice.

5/9

BJJ--1 hour + extra rolls

Warmup: pick up partner's pant legs and partly invert them, then hip slide down and hook far leg to complete second half of berimbolo back take

Lesson: collar chokes from back
If on strong side (arm on the floor) hook their bottom leg to free your bottom leg and slide into s-mount, then cross legs over their far shoulder and lean back to finish choke. Make sure to keep their hips off the ground and over you or they can escape!
Option 2: If your head is by the floor and your top arm is the main choking arm, brace your foot on the top hip and block their hand with your knee, then finish choke from there.

To escape: PULL if their choking arm is on top, PUSH out from under if choking arm is on bottom.

4 x 2:00 positional start, 3 x 5:00 regular training

Some good rolls, got to roll with a brown belt woman my size who has a great over-under pass. Stayed a bit late for 2 more rolls, one with a blue belt smaller guy who inverts a lot (battle of berimbolos!) and another with a purple belt guy who I kept smashed in top half guard for like 3 minutes as he tried to flip us. Whew.

This was very technically complex for 7am and it made my brain hurt, but was an excellent lesson.

Then, later, weights:

Warm-up:
Bosu squats 3 x 20
Band pullaparts 3 x 20

High pull 4 x 8 @ 55, 65, 75, 85
Leg extension 4 x 8 @ 50, 60, 70, 80

Leg press 145 x 4, 170 x 4, 195 4 x 8
Seated row 55 x 4, 60 x 4, 90 4 x 8

DB 21's x 3
Skullcrusher 30lb x 3

Abs:
2 rounds 12 each
Toe touch
Legs out toe touch
Crunch
Single leg crunch
Straight leg crunch
Suitcase carry

PT:
Side plank leg raise 3 x 10 each side
Lateral step down 3 x 10 each side

I was pretty wiped after that tbh.


5/10

BJJ--2 hours

Level 2 nogi
Top half with far side kimura
Use it tp escape leg (forehead on ground)
Then roll over shoulder, stretch out their arm, and swing or walk feet around for back take

6 x 2 min positional training
3 x 5 min regular

Got to roll with the guy who broke my hand. Went fine. Whew.

Advanced 1 gi
Swing single to run the pipe with grip on collar and without
Stay close!!!
You want to get around almost behind them
Got 3 takedowns live
Note to practice this shot w spin

Positional and regular training

Some good rounds with sweeps, some with really big guys. Ow.

Tomorrow is off as I have work; I might lift, but I might just need to recover. Sunday I'm going to check out an all-female open mat at 11am, then make mother's day dinner for my mom. Rachel is going to help and keep me company; she's also making a "hostess snowball cake" because my mom loooooves snowballs and has wanted a cake like one forever, and Rachel is an amazing baker. My mom is legit so excited. I like that my parents like my girlfriend so much.

[thehobbes]

^^^So jelly of all the home baked goods you get, please share with the rest of the class OP.