8/4/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 66 and Squats
Really fun morning class today working on more kimura techniques. I got some good rolls in and also got destroyed by a few different folks. I will stick with this as long as I am physically able. Onward and upward.
Got some squats in later in the day.
160 x 5, 185 x 5, 210 x 5, 175 x 3 x 6 - These all felt real solid.
8/3/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 65
Great morning class with some of my favorite people. I got my ass kicked by just about everyone today, but it was still a great workout and I got more practice with the kimura. Onward and upward.
8/2/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 64
Great no-gi class on a beautiful Monday morning. Worked on stand-up wrestling and takedown techniques. I really enjoy that aspect of jiu-jitsu even though I’m terrible at it. We’ve been getting some new guys on the morning crew and it’s great. I made it a point to tell Ryan how much I appreciate his instruction. Onward and upward.
8/1/21 - Deadlifts, Bench, and Rows
Good basement training session on a rainy Sunday morning.
Deadlift - 235 x 3, 265 x 3, 300 x 5, 235 x 3 x 6
Bench - 155 x 3, 175 x 3, 195 x 5, 155 x 3 x 6
DB Rows - 45 x 12, 55 x 12, 65 x 2 x 12
This whole workout felt really strong and solid. Grateful for my body and how I feel overall.
7/30/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 63, Overhead Press and Arms
Solid Friday morning class today. We worked on some more armbar positions from mount and s-mount and I got some good live rolls in. Ryan had us doing some different rolling drills as a warm-up. It was a lot of fun. I love movement like that because it makes me think about how useful it will be as I age. Onward and upward.
Got in a good bro session later in the day.
KB Press - 24 x 3 x (2, 3, 5)
Standing DB Curls x 3 sets superset with
Rolling DB Triceps Extensions x 3 sets
Seated Incline DB Curls x 3 sets
Great fucking day of training. This was all fun.
7/28/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 62 and Squats
Great morning class working on kimura attacks in the gi. This is going to be a very useful system going forward. Anthony is such a great instructor. Onward and upward.
Got a lift in later in the day.
Squats - 175 x 3, 200 x 3, 225 x 5, 175 x 3 x 6 - These felt great other than my left elbow.
One-Arm KB Cleans - Triples at 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, and 44. Not sure these did anything but they’re fun.
7/27/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 61
Amazing morning class today with some regulars and a few new folks. We worked on kimura and knee-on-belly. I told Anthony that I really value his classes and instruction, and I meant that from the bottom of my heart. I didn’t want the training session to end. Sweaty, breathing heavy, and loving life. Onward and upward.
7/26/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 60
So grateful to be back at the morning class today. I used the Iron Neck to warm up my neck and it held up fine during class. There were three new guys this morning and a few of the regulars so I got a good variety of rolls in. Worked on some s-mount arm bar techniques as well. Onward and upward.
7/21/21 - Squats and a Sore Neck
Got some early morning lifting in. Not what I wanted but happy for the work I was able to do.
Squats - 180 x 5, 200 x 3, 225 x 5, 235 x 3 x 3 (Joker sets)
I tried to do some overhead pressing after this but my neck was freaking killing me. I really hope I didn’t seriously fuck something up. Time to rest up and let things heal.
7/20/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 59
It was fun to see everyone but I probably should’ve stayed home because my neck is freaking killing me. It felt fine when I woke up this morning but once I got into live rolling it was hurting. Lesson learned. I may have to take a few days off here. Onward and upward.
7/18/21 - Deadlifts and Bench
Got some good training done in the basement this fine Sunday morning. I didn’t know if I’d be up to this after yesterday’s jiu-jitsu tournament, but the only things bugging me were my left elbow and neck so I pressed on.
Deadlifts - 240 x 5, 275 x 3, 305 x 5, 320 x 3 x 1 (Joker sets)
Bench - 160 x 5, 180 x 3, 200 x 5
DB Bench - 40 x 15, 45 x 15, 55 x 12 - Love the look and feel of the new dumbbells.
7/17/21 - Good Fight: Philly Challenge
This past Saturday I competed in my first ever jiu-jitsu tournament, Good Fight: Philly Challenge in Garnet Valley, PA. It was amazing spending the day surrounded by great people and getting to know some new people from my gym. This tournament was submission only with an overtime period consisting of back, arm bar, and triangle.
I went 1-1 in both gi and no gi, losing to the same guy twice in overtime. I had a really nervous stomach in the morning (as expected) but once I got to the venue I was more excited than anything. If I’m lucky enough to live another 50 years into a ripe old age, I will surely yearn for these days when my body is fit, my mind is racing, and my whole body is buzzing with anticipation of what’s to come. Some links and pictures are included below.
Cali came to watch and was looking 10/10 smoking hot.
7/16/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 58
Good morning crew on this fine July Friday. I didn’t do any live rolling because I want to rest up for tomorrow’s tournament, but the guys were gracious and let me work on some different things. I’m very excited and mildly nervous for tomorrow. Onward and upward.
7/14/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 57 and Squats and Press
Outstanding morning class with about 15 or so great folks. I got some really good encouragement for Saturday so we’ll see how it goes. I’m pretty excited and feeling like I’m one of the regulars at the gym. What a cool community I stumbled upon. Onward and upward.
Got a good lift in later in the morning.
Squats - 155 x 5, 180 x 5, 200 x 5, 165 x 3 x 6 - felt strong and fast (as they should)
Press - 85 x 5, 100 x 5, 115 x 5, 95 x 3 x 6 - shoulders didn’t feel great but happy to get the work in
7/13/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 56
Great morning class with some of my favorite people. We worked on some guard passing and top pressure.
The instructor told me I was moving well. It’s a small thing, but it means a lot to me on this uphill climb. I’m getting excited for Saturday. Onward and upward.
7/12/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 55
Outstanding morning class with some great folks. We worked on some different ankle locks and a toe hold. So happy to roll with these fine gentlemen. Onward and upward.
7/11/21 - Deadlift and Bench
Did some basement training this morning. Arvid helped me out.
Deadlift - 210 x 5, 240 x 5, 275 x 5, 225 x 3 x 6
Bench - 140 x 5, 160 x 5, 180 x 5, 150 x 3 x 6 - I brought my Fat Pad bench downstairs and this seems to have made a huge difference. I benched with the straight bar with zero shoulder pain or discomfort. Hell yeah.
7/10/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 54
This was a packed Saturday class/grand reopening that was taught by Mike Padilla. We went over oomaplatas and some sequences off of that. I got to roll with some different folks and had a lot of fun. I also talked logistics for the 7/17 tournament with Will and Ben. Onward and upward.
7/9/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 53
Small but good morning class. Worked on guard passing and shoulder pressure. My left pec is kind of bugging me but not enough to stop doing anything. Really grateful for the morning crew.
7/7/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 52 and Squats and Presses
Great morning class with six of us total. Worked on some stand-up and takedown techniques. I was a little tired and rough after getting back from vacation, but I’m so glad I went. Onward and upward.
Got a lift in this afternoon.
Squats - 165 x 3, 190 x 3, 215 x 5, 165 x 3 x 6
Press - 95 x 3, 105 x 3, 120 x 5, 95 x 3 x 6
The low-bar squats kind of wrecked my left shoulder. Not sure what’s going on with that. Groin feels good though.