I'm a horrible blogger ...

Yep, I'm horrible, and not because of my lack of original topics, my craptastic photography, or my 6th grader on a sugar rush focus. I can't seem to update regularly. So, the excuse d'jour, I have upped my training significantly. I'm doing BJJ 3 days a week, added a Thai boxing class one day a week, and am trying to shoot once a week. I also try and pickup an extra BJJ class when I can. By the time I get home my fingers barely function.

So, to break down my activities:

BJJ - I feel like I busted a plateau recently. I'm not sure when it happened, but the other day I realized I had been wrestling for 20 minutes. I was winded but could still go, and was even doing well. My submission defense has improved dramatically. I still get submitted, but it takes some work. Tonight I passed Phil's guard (a blue belt with a notorious guard), and even subbed him with a foot lock. Pretty cool.

Thai boxing - What a blast! A completely different workout then wrestling. I learned to wrap my hands correctly after a particularly nasty bruise over my right ring finger. I wish I had taken a picture, it was awesome. My right leg kicks are decent, my left leg kicks are pathetic. I'm confident I can overcome it though, I have been shadow boxing every night and initially the elbows were the same. I know I will continue for at least one more month, but it depends on the pricing. $130 for 4 classes is steep. Especially considering a local gym with both BJJ & Muay Thai would cost $80 (plus they are near my office so I could go workout at lunch).

Shooting - I have a confession. I suck at handgun shooting. I can make neat little clovers with a rifle, and have won some money shooting 5 stand (and in the field hunting), but I lack skills with the pistol. To that end, I found a Ruger MKII for cheap, and have been getting better. Hopefully it will translate. Now I just need to send my 1911 back to Colt to get it working 100%.

Weight wise I need to be better. I am always hungry. Always. I jumped up to 235 or so, then settled at around 230. Not a positive move. I hope to get more ink before too long, but can't until I get back down to at least 225.

That covers my training, I need to blog about our trip down to order boots. I have a new pair being made. Should be done by July. Sweet! Work sucks, but that is to be expected, and I at least have a job. Only thing that sucks worse would be unemployment.

Traveling and the jits

BJJ skills are perishable. If you take even a little time off you will notice some "mat rust". It might be your wind, it might be your sub defense is a little off, or it could be a simple lack of flow. One of the easiest way to keep up with it, is to train everyplace you can. This gives you the added benefit of rolling with people you have never rolled with before.

One thing I have found, is that most schools are cool about letting you join an open mat (provided that you are cool also). I will save the etiquette lesson for another post, but we can probably leave it at "Don't be an asshole" (which translates to alot of other things in life).

This weekend I had to go to Corpus Christi for a wedding. Because I had to miss class on Saturday, and the upcoming holiday I wanted to take every opportunity I had to roll. To that end, I contact the guys at Paragon BJJ. Aurelio Gallegos (BJJ Blackbelt under Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller), and he said they usually have open mats on Saturday and to come on out.

I grabbed my gi and hit the mats. As expected, attendance was light 5 days before Christmas, but he did have two guys alternating between working the bags and rolling in the cage. Aurelio and I rolled for roughly 3 15 minute rounds, and then called it a day. With warmup I got a good hour roll in (effectively lubricating the joints), and met some good guys.

If you are traveling to Corpus Christi, or looking for BJJ in the area I would give them a call.