2 Years Training

Going from being THIS guy

To being THIS guy

They say time flies when you're having fun, and I've been having some fun. 2 years ago today I stepped onto the mat @ Easton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the first time. It's been an interesting journey thus far. I've learned a lot about myself, and the benefits of learning and practicing a martial art.
Some things that have changed noticably, for instance my weight- I was 210lbs on my first day on the mat. This morning I weighed in at 175lbs. It is interesting to walk around sans the weight of 2 bowling balls. I'm pretty happy to have gotten much leaner while getting stronger. This has also contributed to my activities. After 2 years in BJJ my "life" is hardly recognizable. I used to go out to the bar at least once a week and drink beer and eat chicken wings. Now I'm vegetarian, and drink about a 6 pack a month. I couldn't run a single lap around a highschool track back then. Last weekend I ran 14 miles, and tackled 29 obstacles at a Tough Mudder (my 2nd TM event). I didn't just jog it either- I kept pace with a couple Marines and kicked some ass.  Had I never made that decision to step onto the mat, none of this would have happened. I had to believe I could do it, and that confidence is one of the many things that BJJ has given to me.


Practicing BJJ may be training to fight, but it is also training to think. How to solve problems, and how to train your instincts. There are a lot of metaphors for life that can be drawn from BJJ- understanding the problem, applying the solution, being flexible and adaptable to the challenges you are confronted with, thinking through the problem before reacting. Understanding risk and consequence. This is all part of the "mental game" that is the Gentle Art.

BJJ has lead to a lot of friendships as well. I recall when I lived in Chicago and I felt lost in the crowd. I couldn't figure out a way to make new friends outside of work because my interests were so narrow. BJJ has enriched my life with a common interest that has allowed me to meet a wide variety of great people. It's a friendship built on mutual respect and I'm very grateful for that.

So where do I go from here?  I've decided not to set a final destination. I think the best plan is to just keep going, wherever this journey takes me will be the best place with the best result. In the mean time I'll continue to focus on my training, expand my skill set, and I'll keep looking for opportunities to enrich my life even further. Thanks for reading.

Tradesman Opportunity. Can a Mud Runner Get Some Wheels?

If you have been reading you may already know that Jiu Jitsu isn't my only hobby. I'm also a pretty avid runner, with a focus on Adventure Racing. Having competed in several events in 2011, I have double that number scheduled in 2012. I'll be starting with the January (Brrr) TX Coast Tough Mudder next week. You may not know that the world of cycling has an equivalent to these runs, and that is a sport called Cyclocross. Cyclocross or "Cross" as it is known is run on a mixed media style course, made up of combinations of paved of road, grass, snow and mud with obstacles that require rider skill to negotiate. The courses include climbs, and descents on loose and most times muddy surfaces. There are also hurdles that require dismount, and remount of the bicycle while on the run. The course is typically a  closed loop over a fixed distance, and the object is to lap the course as many times as possible in a fixed time period. It requires a combination of bike handling skill, endurance, and speed not found in other bicycle mounted sports. I've been fascinated by 'Cross since the first time I witnessed a race. The riders were hardy, tough people with considerable control, and skill. The observers in the crowd were rowdy cowbell ringing types who love to watch the riders test their medal, and drink beer. Everyone loves drinking beer (me too). Since my first experience I have wanted to ride 'Cross to be a part of the action. Riding requires equipment, and that is where I fall short. I just don't have the dough to drop on a good steed for this purpose. I have saved money to buy a bike, but every time I get close something seems to come up- a new transmission or tires for the truck, repairs to the house, or medical bills for my wife. Each time this happens I say "next year is the year" and I start saving again. Now I've figured out a way that I may be able to make this happen in the near-er future. Foundry Cycles is offering a "Tradesman" position, this position comes with a Foundry Brand bicycle. Foundry builds the Auger which looks to be a first class 'cross tool well beyond my means as a consumer. It's an exchange. I'd have to earn the bike by spreading the word about the brand all around Colorado, and here on my blog as well as other social medias. Foundry is a brand new bicycle brand, building carbon bikes that have a work-horse ethos about them. It appears they are looking for people like me who will not only torture test their equipment, but also evangelize for the new brand in environments where their market cross section would flock- places like oh say- Mud Runs. I honestly think events like Snow-Dash, Warrior Dash, Rugged Maniac, Spartan Challenge and Tough Mudder are like gateway drugs into a more rugged cross section of the population.  These are people who push themselves, and their gear to the outer limits of durability. These are the kind of people Foundry is looking for to consume their products. Why would I be a good Tradesman? I'm outgoing, and technically knowledgeable since I worked in a bike shop in High school and continue to follow trends in cycle technology. I'm "in the know" enough about the industry to have been following Foundry's brand development for well over a year. As has been proven with my experiences with other brands I have supported, I know how to do rep a product without being phoney. I'm already at the center of a market cross section. I have no less than 5 events scheduled for 2012, and if provided the means (an Auger) I'd enter regional 'Cross races as a means to demo the bike, meet with like minded individuals, and film for the planned upcoming web series "Phil Vs." which will be broadcast on YouTube. Think Man vs. Food without the calorie count. We actually plan to have me undertake a variety of challenges (cycling from Denver to Vail for instance) and film them under the auspices of "Here is an average guy doing things you wouldn't try- but maybe you could or should" The Auger would be prominently featured in the cycling episodes of the web show, as well as the Rocky style training montage we plan to include in every webisode.  I have already secured an editor to put together the episodes from raw footage to be shot via GoPro, and hand held cam. 2012 aims to be a big year for getting out amongst my fellow mud enthusiasts. I hope Foundry chooses to be a part of it.

Sick

So I'm not feeling well at all- definitely don't want to spread this to the school, so I'm staying off the mats for now. Still training for Tough Mudder at the end of the month though- running seems to suppress my symptoms, and a good sweat afterwards in the sauna clears my congestion.

Saturday we got started on the Jiu Jitsu room at my friends place. We have been talking about this ever since he closed on his new house, and now it is coming to reality. We will be using the Gracie Garage Mat Making Method that I linked here last year. Saturday was primer day and we got the room sufficiently coated. In the mean time, the closed cell foam, and vinyl mat cover are on order.
Here are some progress pics. The closets will have a place to hang Gis, and there will be an entertainment system housed in the cubbies so that we can film, and also stream tutorials to a wall mounted flatscreen.

It really should be an ultimate man-cave layout. The idea will be to use the space to work on drills, flow rolling, and also some comp rolling. Looking forward to having this available for training in the weeks to come.

42 BJJ Half Guard Bottom Techniques in Just 6 Minutes - Jason Scully

More great stuff from Jason Scully

Monday night intermediate Gi training with Peter Straub

I originally set out to take the black belt Gi class last night, but then got there plenty early and decided to start out with the intermediate group. We were working from half guard, and this is an area where i need a lot of work so I decided to stay with the intermediate class rather than switch out when the black belt class assembled.
Coach Peter has a really good way of breaking down technique. Not only does he go through the motions, but he also makes a point of explaining the "why" of the motion. ex: when you go from an underhook to a pummel your palm should be facing away from an opponents back- why? It has to do with how the arm bends. If you have palm down, it is easy for your opponent to clamp down with his elbow and render your pummel ineffective- but if you have palm up it makes the arm rigid against the opponents elbow and allows you to maintain leverage, and is more difficult to defeat. I've been training for nearly 2 years now, and I never understood that. It's the little things that change the game.

I feel like I am at a bit of a crossroads right now, like I need to do something differently than I have been for the past few months. I'm thinking that has to be getting my ass into the Black Belt classes again. Starting this week I am committing to at least one black belt class per week. Come februaray I will have been training for 2 full years, so at that point it will be about getting to 2 Black belt classes per week. i'll need to consult with Shannon as to how I can do that, but I feel like it needs to be done.

38 Closed Guard BJJ Combinations Everyone Should Know in 4 Minutes - Jas...

Wednesday Morning No Gi training with Coach John Boyle- No Gi Gear review

No Gi training this week is still drilling the pendulum sweep, but rather than transitioning to the armbar we transitioned to the omoplata with a under-roll where I ended up in mount. This was pretty slick, but risky unless it happens very quickly, and the omoplata is pretty secure- in other words- not for a novice like me. At least not yet.

The Tux from The BJJ Life $39.95
In the spirit of sharing, I also added another piece of gear to my Gi Bag a few months back. Its about time i posted a review of my Tuxedo Shirt Rash Guard which I purchased from The BJJ Life. I like it for the good time reaction it gets from my training partners. Everyone gets a laugh when I come out of the locker room ready to party, but still be formal. Style wise, it is exactly what it sounds like it is- a tuxedo print on a rash guard. It is well constructed with heavy stitching at the seams, and the print has been washed several times without cracking or coming loose from the fabric. I never dry it, but just leave it to air dry, this could be the reason the print is holding up so well. It is a screened on vinyl material, and I imagine dryer heat would damage it pretty quickly. I like the thing, but it isn't all sunshine- the collar is a little too restrictive. I really wish it had the more t-shirt like lay-flat collar of my other new rash guard which I'll review below. The collar feels a bit like a very weak midget is trying to put a rear naked choke on me, and the reinforces seams don't seem to be allowing any stretch to cure it.

Nike iD Pro Combat Core Compression T-shirt $40.00

I picked this up as sort of an afterthought. a buddy of mine was having his birthday, and very generously gave me a ticket to UFC 135 here in Denver. I wanted to thank him so I ordered up one of these customized Nike iD rash guards for him as a birthday gift. While I was creating his shirt I decided:Why the hell not get one of my own? So I designed one using a nickname / forum username, and some other little easter eggs from my life. What I got is what you see to the left. I chose white as the primary color, with blue details signifying my rank. I initially went with white as I also wear it under my Gi, and I didn't want the color to rub off on the inside of my Gi. After use and abuse I see now that there was no need for concern. The shirt is a Nike- and as much as I claim not to be a fan boi of labels, I still trust big names. Nike hasn't let me down here. Stitched together in Mexico, the shirt is well put together and tough. I've been wearing it for about 2 months now and just took the photos for the blog today. The prints are sublimated into the fabric- which is like they dye the design into the fabric instead of sticking the design onto the fabric. This is pretty nice considering how much wear and tear a rashguard gets- friction against the inside of my gi, or against the mats in no gi class. The designs are completely unaffected, and the shirt itself is standing up to my abuse very well. there are a few pills around the shoulders, but i think that is from that metallic liner in my Shoyoroll ComPadre rubbing against it.
I wear a large, and the fit is great. The collar is pretty much t-shirt perfect, while still laying comfortably flat. The material feels very light, and breaths, and wicks away moisture really well allowing me to sweat without becoming all soggy and gross feeling. I do regret not going for the long sleeved version, but that is easily remedied in my next order. The price seemed quite reasonable considering that the garment is a custom one off. I am a bit curious how they turn these orders around so quickly- I had my shirt within 10 days of placing the order which was pretty impressive to me, but then this IS Nike, it's not like they don't have the cash-flow to pick up some advanced manufacturing techniques. So I'm pretty impressed with the shirt as a rashguard, and I will definitely be ordering another in the not to distant future.
Next on my wish list are some actual grappling shorts- possibly Forty Thieves, or Jaco. I'm also interested in Scramble grappling tights for No Gi training. I've seen the size of the new gym, and it's gonna be nippy training in the mornings in winter.