5/7/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 30
Great Friday morning training session. Ryan showed us three different basics on passing from half guard. This is elementary to most, but incredibly useful for me to see. I am so enjoying the process of this journey. In a way, I think it’s good that I didn’t start BJJ until I was 36 years old. Compared to my early 20s, I am much more patient and can see the big picture much better. I am very process-driven and am really taking the long view on learning BJJ. Hopefully it’s something I can practice for decades to come. Onward and upward.
5/6/21 - Front Squats, Swings, Presses
Really awesome training session this morning. I felt like a million bucks after some good rest in my own bed.
Front Squats - 195 x 3 x 3
Two-Handed KB Swings - 48 x 10 x 6 (EMOM)
Double KB OHP - 20s x 5, 24s x 3, 28s x 3, 32s x 2
Feeling strong and excited for jiu jitsu tomorrow.
5/3/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 29
Great no-gi class on a Monday morning. I was grateful to get this class in before having to drive to Connecticut for work. Awesome group of training partners. My plan is to rest up Tuesday, Wednesday, and maybe even Thursday. Onward and upward.
5/2/21 - Squats, Dips, Rows
I wasn’t sure if I should lift today but I got on with it and felt good.
Squats - 250 x 3 x 5 - The weight felt fine but my shoulders felt like shit.
Dips - BW x 3 x 5 superset with
Blast Strap Rows - BW x 3 x 6
I’m glad I got this in.
5/1/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 28
This was a great Saturday class with some wonderful people. I feel like I’m starting to “get” a couple things. Hopefully I can keep improving and having fun. Onward and upward.
4/30/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 27
Really awesome class this morning with three top notch instructors. Not only was this a great workout, but I got to see a bunch of belt promotions including three white to blue. This was important for me to see, because I roll with these guys all the time. Yes, they are all much better than me, but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that I will get there one day. I am really loving BJJ, the culture, and the people. Onward and upward.
4/29/21 - Rounds of 6 on a Beautiful Morning
It's finally starting to warm up around here so I took advantage of a beautiful morning and got after it out in front of the house. I started at 0500 and it was already 65 F.
Six Rounds of Six - EMOM
Press - 28 x 2 x (5, 3, 2)
Chins - 5, 3, 5, 3, 5, 3 - 5s were neutral grip, 3s were regular pronated
Quad Mace - 360s for 10, 10, 15, 15; 10-2s for 20, 20
Push-Ups - 6, 10, 8, 8, 8, 8
Farmer Carries - 32s to Chase’s driveway down and back
Goblet Squats - 44 kg x 6 x 5
This was a fun workout and a perfect way to start the day. It felt great to do some basic movements and get a sweat going.
4/28/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 26
Really awesome 0530 class today. Just a great group of people with excellent instruction. I worked hard and enjoyed every minute. Onward and upward.
4/26/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 25
Awesome no-gi class this morning. I’m really starting to learn from the instructor Ryan and the other guys in class. I’m really loving BJJ. Onward and upward.
4/25/21 - Sumo Deads and Swiss Bench
Basement training this morning. My legs were a little tired from yesterday’s bike ride but still felt strong.
Sumo DL - 275 x 3, 295 x 3, 315 x 3 - wore straps but no belt - I could tell it had been a while since I’ve done these.
Swiss Bench - 160 x 5, 180 x 3, 200 x 5, 160 x 3 x 6 - felt solid and smooth
Rear Delt Flyes - 5 kg x 3 x 12
This was a fun time and left me feeling good.
4/24/21 - First Bike Ride of the Season
It was a beautiful Saturday and my bike was tuned up so I hit the Perkiomen trail for a roughly 20.75 mile ride in ~1:30:00. I was definitely not in top form but it felt great to be out in the sunshine turning some pedals. Hopefully many more to come this summer.
4/23/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 24 - 1st Stripe
Another fantastic day of BJJ training. Class started with some flow rolling to warm up, and then the instructors stopped to hand out some stripes. Surprisingly enough, I was awarded my first stripe. I’m really grateful to be able to train and learn with some great people. I’ll keep pushing. Onward and upward.
4/22/21 - KB Cleans and Thrusters
Didn’t really have any great plan for training this morning other than to move some kettlebells and not overdo it. It was cool in the garage but I still got a good little session in.
One-Arm KB Clean + Thruster - worked up to 32 x 5/5 and 36 x 5/5 - I was happy I could do a 5/5 with the 36. This ended up being lots of not very heavy squats.
Double KB OHP - 24s x 3 x 5
Everything felt good and solid.
4/21/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 23
Great great great class this morning. Really nice group of people that taught me a lot and pushed me. Despite my lack of skill, I really love jiu-jitsu. Onward and upward.
4/19/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 22
No-gi class today with some great folks. We kept working on this diamond spur and shield technique that we started last Friday. It seems so basic and intuitive, but it is super effective. I got tapped out many many times today, but it was a great workout and I feel like I learned some things. Onward and upward.
4/18/21 - Swiss Bench and KB Rows
Today is my 37th birthday. I guess I’ll just keep hammering.
Swiss Bench - 140 x 5, 160 x 5, 180 x 7, 140 x 3 x 10
KB Rows - 32 x 3 x 10
Short and sweet session.
4/17/21 - Box Squats and KB Swings
Fun session in the basement this morning. Arvid helped out by rolling a lacrosse ball under my right foot when I was reracking the bar after a set of squats. He also took a giant pee at the bottom of the stairs between my second and third sets. Good times.
SSB Box (16”) Squats with 50 lbs chains - 170 x 5 x 5 - Haven’t done these in a while but they felt great.
10 minutes EMOM swings - Right ring finger was tearing so after six sets I dropped the weight and switched to one-handed. Problem solved.
Two-handed - 40 kg x 6 x 10
One-handed - 32 kg x 4 x 10
Followed all this up with a hike at Green Lane Park and a trip to the dog park. Cali was up in Saratoga Springs, NY, doing some work stuff but the boys sure had fun.
4/16/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 21
Really fun class this morning. Ryan taught us some spur and shield techniques. Simple basics for the win. These moves feel intuitive also, which I love. Onward and upward.
4/14/21 - Jiu-Jitsu Day 20
Really fun class this morning with some great people. Blue belt Jared was incredibly helpful. Last Saturday was kind of a rough day so this was good to get me back on center. Onward and upward.
4/13/21 - Grad Workout and Chins
Good early morning session in the garage. This kind of kicked my butt.
Grad Workout with double 28s - (2 cleans, 1 press, 3 front squat) EMOM x 11 - did one for Iron Mountain
Chins - various grips - (2, 3, 5) x 3
I’ve intentionally dropped a few pounds of bodyweight in the last month. I’m feeling good, lean, and strong.