Sidelined - Neck Issues

I'm out for a while.  Not sure how long yet.  Fingers numb/tingly.  Achy trap.  Spamsy pec.  Dull pain. Flaring herniated c5-c6 almost certainly the cause.  Not much I can do about it.  Taking muscle relaxers and trying not to get too bummed out.  Been here before.  Twice.  First time kept me off the mats 6 weeks.  Second time almost 3 months.  But both times I made it back.  It will pass again this time, I'm sure.  Can't wait to get back on the mats.

Week in Review

Start weight:  No scale.

• Mon 10/22:   Rest day (return travel from NOLA)  

• Tues 10/23:   1.5hrs BJJ.  

• Wed 10/24:   1.5hrs strength and cardio.

• Thurs 10/25:  Rest day.

• Fri 10/26:   1.5hrs strength and cardio.  

• Sat 10/27:  45min run. 

• Sun 10/28:  1hr strength and cardio.      

Final weight:   204.8 lbs.

My Son's First Class

My 14-yr old boy joined the adult beginner class tonight.  He took a one hour intro last week, but tonight was the first night in a mixed class.  He did really well and I'm super duper proud of him.  I hope he sticks with it.  If anyone has any advice on how to gently encourage him to continue, I'd love to hear it.  Thanks.

From his intro class, 10/16/12

Worlds and Louisiana Open

I'm behind on my posts, I know.  I went to the Long Beach Pyramid for high expectations of a solid performance at the Master/Senior Worlds a few weeks back.  It didn't happen.  I botched my guard pull (landed in half guard) and it was down hill from there.  Lost 3-0.  My opponent went on to take Gold, handily, and earned his Purple on the medal stand.  Good for him.

Poor performance at Worlds notwithstanding, Master Saulo found me worthy for promotion the day after my loss.  This past Saturday was my first tournament at Purple Belt.  Had four fights at the Louisiana Open in New Orleans.  Scored over 50pts.  My opponents scored 0; not even an advantage.  I caught one guy in my division final (choke from back).

I got tapped by the Ultra Heavy champ in the Open final after being up either 3 or 5-0.  I was in top have and basically put my skull in a vice grip.  He's a very large, strong, southern boy.  He got a hold of my head in a modified head lock and started squeezing.  I wasn't choking but the pressure and pain was intense.  My neck felt threatened.  I calmly thought through my options.  Pain?  No problem.  I can put up with it.  But how long would I have to wait until he let go?  But what if instead of letting go he started cranking and twisting?  Good chance my neck would be jacked.  What if I tried to muscle out?  Good chance I'd hurt my neck.  So I tapped.

Overall I'm very pleased with my first performance at Purple Belt.  Looking forward to Grappling X in San Diego next month.  And the IBJJF Fall Open in December.

8 mats.  Packed house.  Great tournament.

Plenty of knee on belly this tourney.  Getting quite comfortable with sweeps and passes to knee on belly.  

Week in Review

Start weight:  201.8 lbs.

• Mon 10/15:     1hr strength/conditioning plus 3/4-mile open water swim.   

• Tues 10/16:    1.5hrs BJJ.  

• Wed 10/17:  1hr Sambo. 

• Thurs 10/18:  1.5hrs BJJ.  

• Fri 10/19:    Rest day.

• Sat 10/20:  Louisiana Open.  4 fights.  About 18mins.  

• Sun 10/21:  Rest day.    

Final weight:   No scale. 

A New Belt and a New Focus

Last week I had the great honor to be promoted to Faixa Roxa by Master Saulo Ribeiro.  I have to admit that I'd hoped to stay Blue a bit longer (I've only trained 2.5yrs), but have to trust in the good will of my instructor.

If I compare myself to others my age/size (when sparring) and consider my competition record, then I'm very comfortable with the promotion.  But my "game" is pretty narrow.  I have a real hard time with many positions that I would think should be basic for purple belts.  So after I get back from NOLA next week I have decided to focus on those weaknesses.  It's time to broaden my base and improve my overall game.

I plan to start with closed guard.  Instead of avoiding closed guard or opening my guard as soon as possible, I will fight to get to closed guard and keep it there as long as possible to work subs and sweeps.  Once I've developed something that resembles a competent closed guard game I'll move on to half guard.  That's my plan anyhow.

Here's a video of the promotion ceremony, including two Black Belts.  My highlights are at 10:45 (promotion) and 19:25 (gauntlet)

Week in Review

Start weight:  No scale.

• Mon 10/8:     6mins BJJ plus promotion ceremony.   

• Tues 10/9:    1.5hrs BJJ.  

• Wed 10/10:  1hr strength/conditioning. 

• Thurs 10/11:  Rest day.  

• Fri 10/12:    Rest day.

• Sat 10/13:  1.5 hrs strength (legs) and cardio.

• Sun 10/14:  Rest day.  ADCC and Metamoris.  

Final weight:   201.8 lbs 

Week in Review

Start weight:  201.4 lbs

• Mon 10/1:  5hrs laboring on the remodel.    

• Tues 10/2:   6hrs busting up and moving concrete.  

• Wed 10/3:  1hr BJJ. 

• Thurs 10/4:  4hrs laboring on the remodel.

• Fri 10/5:  Rest day.  Traveled to Long Beach.  

• Sat 10/6:  Rest day.

• Sun 10/7:   5mins BJJ at Master/Senior Worlds.  

Final weight:  No scale.  

Last Training before Worlds

Spent a brief hour on the mats tonight.  First time since Saturday and last time until Master/Senior Worlds on Sunday.  Overall, I feel great and ready to fight.  I'm determined to leave it all on the mats.  I'll fight with extreme aggression and tenacity.  I will not beat myself.  I wouldn't want to be standing across the mat from me on Sunday.  OSS.

Week in Review

Start weight:  199.2 lbs

• Mon 9/24:  2.75hrs BJJ plus 1.5hrs moving 20-40lb chunks of concrete.    

• Tues 9/25:   Rest day (Saulo's orders).  

• Wed 9/26:  3hrs BJJ (mostly seminar) plus 1hr strength. 

• Thurs 9/27:  Rest day (Saulo's orders).

• Fri 9/28:  2hrs moving 20-40lb chunks of concrete.  

• Sat 9/29:  1.5hrs BJJ.

• Sun 9/30:   18 holes of golf.  

Final weight:  201.4 lbs