Training Journal, 5.12.08

Back in action, baby.

Annnd getting my ass whooped.

I switched up my morning workout schedule to try and emphasize grip strength and core work. Today was one of the grip days – towel-grip pull-ups (the kind where you roll the towel around the bar), towel-grip dips, towel-grip bodyweight rows, some lunges (more for variety than anything else), isometric towel-grip-pull-up-hold (just hang at the top of a pullup), and a good stretch to finish things off. It’s felt like my strength workouts have plateaued lately, and rather than keep adding reps I’ve decided to make the most of the equipment I have access to, especially since BJJ puts a premium on flexibility, core strength, and grip strength. Hell, I probably should have done this earlier.

Evening training went well. It was good to get back into kickboxing, though I took a kick to the hip that’s still kind of bugging me. BJJ practice saw me roll with plenty of good guys and get submitted by almost all of them. A newish white belt tapped me today with the same gi-choke from back-mount that I’ve lost to in two tournament matches. I need to be more careful about that. Coach says I should work on butterfly guard next, and I agree, though there’s still a little more playing around I want to do with the triangle, too. I think I play less Jiu Jitsu and more Triangle-Jitsu. Trigonometry. Or something.

My next order from Bodybuilding.com should come in soon. The last one introduced me to the world of ON 100% Whey Protein and fish oil supplements, this one will bring me those plus 1kg of creatine monohydrate. I’m interested to see what it does for me. Oh, I’ve been trying out contrast showers lately, too – well, I fill the bath up with cold water, run the shower with hot water, and alternate between the two. Feels good, hopefully speeds up recovery a bit (every little bit helps!) and I guess it’s good for my skin, too.

pat m.