I did!!
This week has been amazing and eye opening for me. I pushed my body to places I thought it could never go. Ifinally realized I CAN do anything I set my mind to.
This week I managed to log about 21 miles on the pavement as well as 6 hours of rolling. In my lifetime I have never done this much for myself and it feels good. Okay, I lied...my knees are a little sore but for all the wear and tear I put on my body, I'm pleased that my knees are the only things sore.
To this point I havent had a goal for myself; no competitions to get ready for so it was very easy for me to just follow the course I was on, doing the same things over and over. I decided for the new year that I am going to push those boundaries a little bit more than I did in 2010. I signed up for the Tallahassee Half Marathon (1st one), and I am going to have "the talk" with Felipe about competing in the Pan Ams or Mundials...for some reason, the words "World Cahmpion" sound good before my name.
For me it all boils down to a simple principal of putting it out there in the Universe and seeing what the Universe gives back. The Universes' only job is to take what we give it and multiply it ten or one hundred-fold (I forget) and give it back to us. Ultimately its up to us to decide what to do with whatever the Universe has given back.
The Universe told me nothing is impossible so I've decided to roll with that logic and make any dreams I have come true. For clarity, here are a few things I'm asking the Universe for:
- Complete Tallahasse Half Marathon
- Pan Ams or Mundial Champ
- Lasting friendships that mean as much to my friends as they do to me
- Physical Therapy License
- Exorcising of my demons (I realize this takes more than laying on a bed with my head spinning 360 degrees)
- Physical, emotional and spirtual health
- Comfort
If you ask me this is not a difficult list, however, i recognize that everything I've listed requires a good deal of work. I am hoping this is work I'm prepared to do.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
As If I Needed Another Physical Challenge...
Just as the title points out, I have decided to embark on another physical challenge. I'm not quite sure why I keep getting myself involved in these things but the thought of pushing my body to limits it has not experienced does something for me. I can't explain what exactly.
So for the next physical challenge...I decided to run the Tallahassee Half Marathon on February 6, 2011. I know, I know...I have alot of time to get ready for this. I am pretty nonplussed about the training that I am going to have to endure though I am not looking forward to all the "cold" Tallahassee miles I'm gonna need to run to get ready.
Today marked the begining of my journey. I decided to take my dog, Lola out with me for company. She did well despite having several run-ins with other dogs and a few squirrels. I did even better on this 45 minute run, I think. Now a couple of Ibuprofen and a warm shower later, I am ready to sit down with the wife for dinner and continue reading The Joy Luck Club.
I failed to mention that I am not Facebooking or watching any TV this month which is probably where the impulse to register came from. Pray for me, I REALLY miss TV. And since I'm not on Facebook for a minute, I'm a little sad that no one is going to read this until December.
Until then, I'll keep you posted on my progress.
So for the next physical challenge...I decided to run the Tallahassee Half Marathon on February 6, 2011. I know, I know...I have alot of time to get ready for this. I am pretty nonplussed about the training that I am going to have to endure though I am not looking forward to all the "cold" Tallahassee miles I'm gonna need to run to get ready.
Today marked the begining of my journey. I decided to take my dog, Lola out with me for company. She did well despite having several run-ins with other dogs and a few squirrels. I did even better on this 45 minute run, I think. Now a couple of Ibuprofen and a warm shower later, I am ready to sit down with the wife for dinner and continue reading The Joy Luck Club.
I failed to mention that I am not Facebooking or watching any TV this month which is probably where the impulse to register came from. Pray for me, I REALLY miss TV. And since I'm not on Facebook for a minute, I'm a little sad that no one is going to read this until December.
Until then, I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Riding The Pan Am High
No, I did not compete in the 2010 Pan Ams this year but I sure do feel like I did. My team, Alliance, won the team trophy and I am content to ride out the buzz from the Pan Am high.
Since the Pan Ams I have noticed a few things around Alliance Tallahassee:
1. Our instructor, Felipe seems very excited about the Alliance Family, our future (immediate and distant) and our academy and he is teaching with what seems like "new life"
2. My teammates are bringing it everyday harder than ever before...they too must be riding the Pan Am high.
3. I can't get BJJ off my brain for even a few seconds...others may be experiencing the same thing
The intensity around our gym is palpable to the point that if you breathe, you cannot help but be excited to be there. We show up weary, broken, beaten but most important, we show up hungry...almost bloodthirsty and it shows in our performance. We are all improving whether we think so or not. From the wayward BJJer to the competition ready one, we come to Alliance determined to build on the the previous day, to improve one aspect, to add one wrinkle or detail that can make all the difference.
Just to drive the point home so I can get back to work, if the difference is in the details and we won by more than 100 points, how many details did the others miss?
Peace I'm Audi 5000!!
Since the Pan Ams I have noticed a few things around Alliance Tallahassee:
1. Our instructor, Felipe seems very excited about the Alliance Family, our future (immediate and distant) and our academy and he is teaching with what seems like "new life"
2. My teammates are bringing it everyday harder than ever before...they too must be riding the Pan Am high.
3. I can't get BJJ off my brain for even a few seconds...others may be experiencing the same thing
The intensity around our gym is palpable to the point that if you breathe, you cannot help but be excited to be there. We show up weary, broken, beaten but most important, we show up hungry...almost bloodthirsty and it shows in our performance. We are all improving whether we think so or not. From the wayward BJJer to the competition ready one, we come to Alliance determined to build on the the previous day, to improve one aspect, to add one wrinkle or detail that can make all the difference.
Just to drive the point home so I can get back to work, if the difference is in the details and we won by more than 100 points, how many details did the others miss?
Peace I'm Audi 5000!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Where Would I Be...?
I remember my 1st class like it was yesterday. I went into class, 240 pounds of ass and guts, stinking like Newports after eating a box of cookies, thinking I was hot stuff. Guess what? I got my ass handed to me by a girl. It was shameful. I couldn't even have pride...I was too tired for pride. I just wanted out of there.
Good thing I've never been much of a quitter otherwise I would have handed my gi in that day and said, "Screw you guys" (in my best Eric Cartman voice). Something else came to me as I was getting my butt kicked all over the mat. I realized if I didn't change, I would be dead, or a stroke victim, or a heart attack victim...you get what I'm saying. Furthermore, I realized quick that this ass whoopin' I was being handed was less about health and wellness and more about who I am psychologically, emotionally and more important, spiritually.
In one 8 minute sparring session I made one of the best decisions of my life...to come back tomorrow, take my lumps and like it. Tomorrow turned into 5 years. I am hoping 5 years turns into 10 and so on and so forth. The lumps lessen with time and like grows into love.
I originally set out in this post to write about how BJJ opened me up to other avenues to express life through movement but it seems like I'm on some other shit today. I may get to that another day.
Today I urge any newcomers to BJJ to make the decision to show up tomorrow, take your lumps and like it. It will eventually turn into love, passion, dedication, committment. It will enrich all your relationships. It will help you focus. It will keep you grounded. You will make friends all around the world without even knowing them. I'm not going to speak for everyone but that's powerful to me.
So where would I be...?
I'm not really sure but I'm loving where I am these days.
Good thing I've never been much of a quitter otherwise I would have handed my gi in that day and said, "Screw you guys" (in my best Eric Cartman voice). Something else came to me as I was getting my butt kicked all over the mat. I realized if I didn't change, I would be dead, or a stroke victim, or a heart attack victim...you get what I'm saying. Furthermore, I realized quick that this ass whoopin' I was being handed was less about health and wellness and more about who I am psychologically, emotionally and more important, spiritually.
In one 8 minute sparring session I made one of the best decisions of my life...to come back tomorrow, take my lumps and like it. Tomorrow turned into 5 years. I am hoping 5 years turns into 10 and so on and so forth. The lumps lessen with time and like grows into love.
I originally set out in this post to write about how BJJ opened me up to other avenues to express life through movement but it seems like I'm on some other shit today. I may get to that another day.
Today I urge any newcomers to BJJ to make the decision to show up tomorrow, take your lumps and like it. It will eventually turn into love, passion, dedication, committment. It will enrich all your relationships. It will help you focus. It will keep you grounded. You will make friends all around the world without even knowing them. I'm not going to speak for everyone but that's powerful to me.
So where would I be...?
I'm not really sure but I'm loving where I am these days.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Horrible Hip Syndrome (HHS)
I don't know if any of you fully know my story. Last year I had a disc replacement surgery in my low back and have spent the majority of my time since dedicated to getting back on the mat and retuning to form. It would be an understatment to say thus far its been difficult. I have made some strides with my cardio and technique and managed to lose about 30 pounds in the process but being my worst critic, it is impossible for me to look at anything I've done as a smashing success.
Perhaps BJJ came easy to me early on.
Perhaps my training partners were big ole softees.
Perhaps I'm not really making the progress I initially thought I made.
Nope...It's none of that. I suffer from a disease alot of grapplers with low back pain suffer from: Horrible Hip Syndrome aka HHS.
When I was a wee lad studying Physical Therapy, I had a professor once tell me, "everything in you body is connected to everything else". I understood physiologically that all your body's systems rely on one another but it never really rang true with me until I had this surgery and it makes even more sense whenever I am stuck under Felipe's side control.
HHS consists of the following symptoms:
1. inability to disassociate ones hips from their trunk
2. inability to create space for the escape
3. mild depression
4. (ASSITS)Acute Silent Stimulus Induced Tourette's Syndrome (usually charaterized by the uttering in ones mind "Fuck, not this shit again")
There are a few treatments out there for HHS:
1. a rigorus stretching routine focusing on spinal rotation and hip opening
2. improving ones guard defense
3. proaction over reaction
If you are suffering from this awful disease please see you local instructor for more tips on how to remedy this. What I have come to learn thus far is that HHS is very treatable but it will take alot of patience and dedication.
Perhaps BJJ came easy to me early on.
Perhaps my training partners were big ole softees.
Perhaps I'm not really making the progress I initially thought I made.
Nope...It's none of that. I suffer from a disease alot of grapplers with low back pain suffer from: Horrible Hip Syndrome aka HHS.
When I was a wee lad studying Physical Therapy, I had a professor once tell me, "everything in you body is connected to everything else". I understood physiologically that all your body's systems rely on one another but it never really rang true with me until I had this surgery and it makes even more sense whenever I am stuck under Felipe's side control.
HHS consists of the following symptoms:
1. inability to disassociate ones hips from their trunk
2. inability to create space for the escape
3. mild depression
4. (ASSITS)Acute Silent Stimulus Induced Tourette's Syndrome (usually charaterized by the uttering in ones mind "Fuck, not this shit again")
There are a few treatments out there for HHS:
1. a rigorus stretching routine focusing on spinal rotation and hip opening
2. improving ones guard defense
3. proaction over reaction
If you are suffering from this awful disease please see you local instructor for more tips on how to remedy this. What I have come to learn thus far is that HHS is very treatable but it will take alot of patience and dedication.
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