3/29/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 15

Really fun no-gi class this morning. There were only five of us including the instructor so I got lots of individual practice and instruction. I left the gym feeling great and ready to start the week.

3/28/21 - Deadlifts, Bench, and Goblet Squats

Made it to the 5/3/1+ week and had a good session in the basement.

• Trap Bar Deadlift - 275 x 5, 315 x 3, 350 x 5

• Swiss Bench - 155 x 5, 175 x 3, 195 x 6, 155 x 3 x 8

• Goblet Squats - 40 kg x 5, 48 x 2 x 5

Short and sweet. The deadlifts felt heavier than they should but benching felt great. Onward and upward.

3/27/21 - Green Lane Park Hike

To call this a hike is a gross exaggeration, but Arvid and I got out in the woods on a beautiful morning and covered a few miles.

Cali was in York killing it at her powerlifting meet. She squatted 205, benched 145, and deadlifted 280, all lifetime PRs. I’m so proud of her.

3/26/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 14

Another productive and fun day of learning some BJJ. Slowing things down has made this a completely different experience. I learned a couple new techniques and got a great workout. Onward and upward.

3/25/21 - KB Snatches

Quick snatch session at lunch.

• Snatches with 24 kg - 2 rounds of:

  • 3+3

  • 7+7

  • 5+5

  • Rest three minutes

Followed this up with a stroll around the neighborhood. Pretty damn good Thursday.

3/24/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 13

I’ll admit, when my alarm went off at 0400 today I was laying in bed making excuses on why I should stay in bed and just go to the Friday class instead. Fortunately, I got my ass up and got to the gym. It was fucking amazing.

Slowing things down has completely changed my outlook on how things go. I’m doing better and feeling so much better. I told Mark how much I appreciated his help and feedback. It makes me really want to stick with BJJ.

3/23/21 - KB Snatches and Presses

Cali and I were heading back to PA today so I got up early and trained out on the front sidewalk of Broc and Lauren’s house. It was a beautiful 52 F morning.

• Snatches with 24 kg - 3 rounds of:

  • 3+3

  • 7+7

  • 5+5

  • Rest three minutes

• One-arm KB OHP - 24 x 3 x 8

Good little session before a long car ride. We had a great visit to Whitmore Lake. Highlights were definitely getting to go to BJJ with Broc and drinking whiskey and watching March Madness all afternoon with Lauren’s dad Frank.

3/22/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 12 at 313 Detroit

I had the opportunity to join Broc at his gym, 313 Jiu-Jitsu in Detroit, for the Monday morning class. This was a great time with some wonderful people. I really liked the warm-up which consisted of lots of tumbling and rolling.

Today was the first day I got to implement Mark’s advice on not just trying to use my strength. In my head, I was thinking, “Half speed,” and it made a world of difference. I was far more effective and far less tired than usual. I didn’t feel like I had been in five car crashes by the end of class. Onward and upward.

3/21/21 - Leisurely Hike in Ann Arbor

Cali, Arvid, Broc, Lauren, Jagger, and I went for a roughly four mile hike at the Ann Arbor Arboretum. This was a nice spot with lots of different hiking trails criss-crossing all over the place. The weather was beautiful and lots of people were taking advantage.

3/20/21 - KB Snatches

Cali and I were getting on the road at 0700 to go visit Broc and Lauren in Ann Arbor. I did these snatches out front in ~30 F weather.

• Snatches with 24 kg - 3 rounds of:

  • 3+3

  • 7+7

  • 5+5

  • Rest three minutes

Felt good to move a bit before a nine hour car ride.

3/19/21 - Bench and Deadlift

Solid training session on this fine Friday.

• Trap Bar Deadlift (no belt) - 240 x 5, 275 x 5, 315 x 5

• Swiss Bench - 135 x 5, 155 x 5, 175 x 5, 135 x 3 x 10

• Chins - BW x 5, 5, 5, 4 (various grips)

Short and sweet.

3/18/21 - Swingin’

Quick morning session. This was all I wanted or needed today.

• One-Handed Swings with 36 kg - 4 rounds of:

  • 3+3

  • 7+7

  • 5+5

  • Rest three minutes

3/17/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 11

Great class this morning. I got my ass kicked but I feel like I learned a lot.

Mark took me aside after class and we worked on me not being so tight/max effort/100% at all times. I think this will really help me a lot going forward.

3/15/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 10

Really solid no-gi class this morning. Worked on takedown techniques and got in four good live rolling sessions. I was completely gassed by the end. Onward and upward.

3/14/21 - KB Snatches, Presses, and Mace Work

Trained out front this morning. It wasn’t warm but not freezing either.

• Snatches with 24 kg - 2 rounds of:

  • 3+3

  • 7+7

  • 5+5

  • Rest three minutes

• Double KB OHP - 24s x 3 x 5

• Quad Mace - 360s x 4 x 10

Good short session. I haven’t snatched in a while and it showed. Everything felt strong though.

3/13/21 - Valley Forge Hike with Friends

Cali, Arvid, and I met Pete, Liz, and Scotty for a hike this morning. We walked the five-mile Joseph Plumb Martin Trail. It was a beautiful sunny day. Cali thought it could’ve been warmer, but isn’t that always the case? Cali and I brought some gifts for Pete (12-pack of Guinness) and Liz (wine and a small plant) to congratulate them on their engagement. I’m very happy for them and wish them all the best.

3/12/21 - Swiss Bench and Trap Bar Deadlift

Trained in the basement this morning.

• Trap Bar Deadlift - 260 x 3, 295 x 3, 330 x 5

• Swiss Bench - 145 x 3, 165 x 3, 185 x 5, 145 x 3 x 8

• Landmine Rows - 45 x 12, 70 x 4 x 12

This was a good solid session. I know some people don’t like the trap bar, but using it with the high handles feels like a great body position. Onward and upward.

3/11/21 - Swings and Presses

Lunchtime training out in the beautiful sunshine today.

• One-Handed Swings with 36 kg - 4 rounds of:

  • 3+3

  • 7+7

  • 5+5

  • Rest three minutes

• One-Arm KB OHP - 2 rounds of:

  • 24 x 3

  • 28 x 3

  • 32 x 3 - Surprisingly easy.

The sunshine was wonderful. Bring on summer!

3/10/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 9

Really fun class this morning. Worked on some basics that I’ve actually seen before and learned a couple new things. I got my butt kicked during live rolling but I’m learning all the time. Body felt good and strong. Onward and upward.

3/8/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 8

Made it to the 0530 class for my first day of training no-gi. This was a lot of fun, harder in some ways and easier in others. I felt terrible at the end because I inadvertently shouldered a guy in the lips and he was bleeding a bit. He was cool about it, but still. I don’t want to be the big dumb white belt who no one wants to roll with because he’s hurting people. I’m going to do my best to move on but I’m sure it’ll be on my mind the next few days. Onward and upward.