my Arte Suave

Rough stretch..

These past few months have been pretty rough on me physically. Since the end of the November, beginning December I’d say, until now have been rough. I remember being sick and missing training bjj somewhat. Then a week later I wrecked my knee and got bad news from my MRI. And so I completely couldnt lift weights anymore, and had to take it easy during training. And I am a guy who likes to go hard always, so its just been so tough. I wouldnt call this even remotely close to being a ow point in my life, but it just sucks. 

I had tournaments in mind to do, and I wont be able to do em, because now Docs talking about surgery. *SIGH*

I think though, I still will do the Pan Ams, Worlds, and New York open at the very least. Even if I have to tie a million wraps around my knee to do it, I will.

Happy New Year to everyone. I just had to vent a little. I stil train everyday, BJJ, I just cant squat, and do snatches and clean and jerks like i love to build my programs around.. 

Loove PRs

Main site CF wanted 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2 of Front Squat I am also sort of following the Oly Lift WODS at MikesGym.org

1) Power snatch + Overheads: work up to 80% of best ps and do 1 power snatch + 2 ohs x 5 sets.

95#, 115#, 135#, 135#, 135#

I am still working technique on my Snatches and OverHeads. The sn and oh’s feel really really good, next week I will go heavier. The goal is 205# on my sn and ohs. I remember I couldn’t do them. But I have been working really hard on stability techniques and shoulder strengthening and overall flexibility thanks to Kelly Starrett ‘s MWOD.

2) Mainsite WOD Front Squat 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2

135#, 185#, 225#, 235# (NEW PR), 245# (NEW PR), 255# (NEW PR for a single), 245#, 235#

before today I had the most torrid time with 225, and never did it more then 3 times!! I would constantly be forced to just do 195# and 205#..and honestly ever since I’ve been doing the Kelly stuff, I just believe his stuff has helped tremendously. 3 PRs in one session. This 255 didn’t even feel heavy. Had to stop at 8 rounds because I was running late and had to do my assistance work for lower body and had to go an hour away to teach Jiu-Jitsu.

3) The following to be done in less then 15 minutes

Single leg presses 3x6

45#, 70#, 80# (idk how much the machine weighs def more then the #s suggested, but I only counted the Plates.

GHD raises 25 total

10, 10, 5

I think I only want to post my workouts when I PR.

MyBlog: IBJJF FTFL!! and training.

It has been a while I think, since an update on my self. If you know me, you know I really do not like this time of the year much, because there is not much to fight for. Sure you have your NAGA’s and Grappler’s Quest, honestly, I do not care at all for those events, no offense of course. There was actually events I wanted to do, like the Boston Open and Montreal Open, which I could not do because of politics.

Apparantly, IBJJF has made many rule changes, like my coach has to have a black belt card and have the school registered in order for me to compete. $75 bucks total. There is no incentive for my coach or myself, at least that I see, in paying IBJJF MORE MONEY. At least in USA Judo, the athlete is insured, but at IBJJF, these guys, at least to me, are just looking to line their pockets off of hardwork, dedicated athletes (such as myself, i train everyday, pay for flights, and hotels, food, etc). And we the athletes and coaches have no choice in the matter, its rape if you ask me, because they host the Worlds, Pans, Opens, etc. This thing is a complete fail, my coach has to call and talk to Carlos Machado, Carlos then has to register, but oh wait, Carlos M and Carlos Gracie Jr dont get along professionaly (Long story), so my coach has to register under another black belt who he’s been a black belt longer then, in order for me to compete a few times a year? How can I support this? I think the remedy now is to sign up under someone else’s team.

On a brighter note:

My training is still going off withonly minor hick ups. I finally got an MRI on my knees, to which I dont know the outcome of the test yet. I have been crossfitting and at a normal weightlifting gym. I have been improving my strength and cardio continuously. 

My goals were to Deadlift 405lbs which I did for three, Overhead press 205 (my body weight) to which I am currently at 175lbs for a couple, bench 225lbs (done and done), I want 225lbs for reps like the NFL Combine. And I want 245lbs for a Front squat. Setting modest goals. And I am much leaner then before, which is cool, I wanted to maintain my weight while losing fat.

Jiu-Jitsu has been really fun. I have been sharpening up for the coming year, I feel I have definitely improved in a lot of areas, but know that there is a tremendous amount of work to be done if I am going to be in that upper echelon of bjj athletes (at least consistently). Right now I am looking at nogi pan ams at least and this local FreeStyle  Grappling Open in October where ill have a chance to fight black belts =)

Thiings will get a little more complicated when I start school back up next Wednesday!

Train hard, Train more, TRAIN ALWAYS!