Where did this week Go?

Well it's Saturday afternoon and I really don't know where this week has gone! The First Aid Instructors course that Matt and I did this week has literally thrown everything out of the window. Hardly any training nothing in the way of marketing and no college. 

I made it once more to the gym this week but my mind wasn't right and so it was a very light session. However did do Dozers grading this afternoon and did a couple of miles with him followed by about an hour of sparring. From the side lines it might of looked like i was bullying poor Dozer, but nothing could be further from the truth. I did go hard on him but at the level he now is that is how every fight is going to be. After the session I used my legendary tact and diplomacy to tell him that he'd never be a points fighter in a million years, however he could if he applied himself become quite a proficient continuos fighter (in my opinion a WAKO BRITISH VET title is not beyond his reach). Hopefully he will heed this advice and train accordingly.

The new style grading went well last night, and I am looking forward to the presentation evening tonight. Even though I can't really drink as Steve and I are off to Mansfield to train with Zara Phythian tomorrow.

Weekend of Gluttony

Didn't write about anything this weekend as my feet didn't touch the ground. Basically took class Saturday morning then got on the bus to Wales. Thats where all the problems started, after stopping off to get a sociable can of light ale to drink on the way down I then proceeded to down 10 cans of the wonder stuff before we even arrived. By the end of the night I must have done at least 20. Night was ace though and most of the fighters did really well putting in some good personal performances, the camaraderie of the group also shone through and away matches is defiantly something I would like to do more of this year.

Suffice to say after Saturday Nights escapades Sunday was a total write off, the only exercise I did was trying to lift my head off the pillow (with little success)

This morning was a time for me to get back on the wagon got a busy week ahead so hit the gym nice and early after team training, Did 30 min progressive on the cross trainer from level 14 to 21 (still struggling) then 3 sets of 50 pokers. Took all classes this evening and worked them on kicking and power shots. Joined in and was quite impressed with my legs very quick and sharp for saying I hadn't kicked in a week or so.

Brain Training Galore

Had a really good day yesterday first off I had a visit from my friend Nash from the sport nottingham Arena, Just a catch up really but we did speak about some possible exciting future projects. I also have one of my fighters taking part in one of his shows next week. In the afternoon I went for my monthly meeting with Gerrard Turvey at NEST Management. I really look forward to these sessions, every time I spend time with him I come away buzzed up and excited, not because he has taught me anything new, just the fact that he reiterates what I already know and empowers me to do it. I look upon him not only as a good friend but as my closest advisor and mentor. 

On to todays training! we were up for squad training at 6.30 as usual, numbers seem to be dwindling, I think most people have stayed away due to us going away to compete tomorrow. However this just is not playing for the team and these people will be dropped from the squad until they prove to me that they want it. It was only a real light session today anyway.

7.30 Back in the Gym (can't wait till we get our own) really went for it on the cross trainer this morning 40 min incremental from level 14 to max 25, I also varied between arms and leg, legs only and arms only as well as going backwards. This session hurt! finished of with 3 sets of 50 pokers (they Hurt too) I weighed myself at the end off the session as I plan on doing every Friday and I've dropped 2.5 KG not bad in a week, I'm not looking to go ballistic and loose it all quickly again. I want to maintain a steady drop of between 2-3kg per week until I hit my target of 100KG then we'll look ant putting 5-10 kg back on in lean muscle mass, but until then light weights only.

Big Fun

Took a little walk with Matt and Kieran this afternoon and got about 300 leaflets out in about 25 min Yeah that was quick probably walked about 1 mile in total. 

As I wasn't taking classes this evening I thought I'd take advantage of in between classes and go for a little jog did 3 laps of the Stealth Circuit (1.5  Miles) Then had a play with a little Full contact with the Krav boys, For big guys they do not like getting hit, think I shocked Ash by just how hard I can hit lol. was about 20 min before I saw the red mist and I recognise I had to stop before one of them got hurt, even now after all these years as gentle as I am, when I get going it just comes over me, luckily I've always been quite a non-aggressive type and always know when to walk away.

Back in training

I didn't write anything yesterday, because I didn't train. but after reflecting on the day I realised that I probably did by best Training of the week so far my brain! I attended a Business seminar over at Rolls Royce. I went thinking "what are the going to try and sell me" but was pleasantly surprised. The two Speakers Mr Stephen Megson and MR John Copeman from Quiet Storm were excellent, really motivational. After 3 hours listening to them it totally reiterated what I already knew about positive thinking, but sometimes don't always live by the rules. I left wearing my "10 Coat" as my freind and mentor Gerrard Turvey would say.

New day and no excuses, I actually felt gilty about not exercising yesterday, I passed over the Instructor training session to Matt so that I could finish of an article for the local paper. Then it was down to the gym. I decided to go for it today. not brilliant for podge pounding but a hardcore session lifts me. I did 15 min at level 14 on the cross trainer (I really like these, brilliant for people with chocolate knees like me) then onto a 3 set Poker sit up routine. Back on the Cross trainer and 30 min endurance at between levels 14 and 21 (like walking through sludge) I kept the rpm at between 120 and 14 (Quite fast considering the resistance). Then on to weights, shoulders again today, i'm really trying to get my left shoulder to strengthen up, just in case I do fight again.

Well thats it for this morning but I will be training this evening as well as I don't teach on a Wednesday.

Rest Day

After four days straight , I decided to have a rest day today, well sort of. I went for a mile run this morning at 6.30 and followed it up with a shoulder and chest dumbell set, lasting about 30 min. topped it all off with 3 sets of 50 crunches.

Sunday morning blues

I did have all intentions of getting up early and going to the gym, however I didn't get up till 8.30. Still I sorted myself out and got to the gym by ten only to find that it was heaving with "springies". I wasn't prepared to wait to use the equipment so undeterred I went to Stealth and set about planning what to do. I have noticed that already I am becoming quite obsessive about my training, a good sign, but I am conscious I don't repeat of the 2000 training regime, it's easy to get carried away and put everything to one side. I'm not prepared to do it again.

To start off with I decided to do the bleep test, I wasn't expecting miracles since yesterdays run was my first since November. To be honest I was a little disappointed with the level 9-10 I achieved however I am looking at it as a starting block from which to build.

Next (still heavily out of breath) I decided to create a strength/low intensity fat burning circuit. It compromised using A Box, A Heavy Kettle Bell, 2 x Kettle balls, A pad and A med ball. (see accompanying photo's) I started with Military push ups (hands shoulder width, chest touching the pad each time). i did 25 followed a two min run around the dojo (slow pace) then 20 and a 2 min run then 15 and a 2 min run and finally 10 with a 2 min run. so here I had designed my circuit, for every exercise I did it would be followed by a 2 min run, each ex decreased on each round. Next i did crunches (feet over box) then Angels (with kettle balls) then med ball press and finally Shoulder kettle lifts.

I enjoyed the workout and throughout I was thinking how I could adapt it for classes for the first part of the week, so far I have come up with about 6 different variants, all of which i intend to go through with the instructors in tomorrow mornings staff training.

Early Bird freezes his balls off

Well after reading something yesterday that was an obvious personal attack on me by an old mentor, probably designed to try and belittle me, it has in fact had quite the opposite effect and strengthened my resolve towards my new regime. To be honest as much as I dislike the way he now conducts himself and his delusions of grandure, part of what he wrote doe's ring true. So If he should ever read this, I thank him for the kick up the arse! and for some reason that I haven't got a clue why, given the way I have been treated by him I still like the twat! I did feel a real bond with this guy, and in the years we were together he did help re-shape my future, and for that I will always be grateful. 

6.30am and well bellow freezing I was to be found jogging around the Stealth Black Belt Academy grading circuit. I am still training well within my comfort zone but the next few weeks are designed to be fat burning sessions. In the weeks to come once the podge starts to shift I intend to be pushing myself to the limit! but for now it's one step at a time. After the 1.5 mile Jog I went into the Dojo to use some light weights. I did 3 sets of 10kg dumbell fly/press supersets at 12 reps per ex. Next came the daily 25 Military push ups. Time flew and it was time to start the business training session with guy's but just before I had a little play with Dozer and made him tap in about 20 seconds flat.

Well day one started in earnest. up at 6.00am to train the squad fighters, quite a poor turn out this morning. No doubt I will get the usual when I don't select people to go away, but i will reply "you gotta be in it to win it. It always amazes me that the Naturally talented are always the ones that only put in half the effort and it's the not so natural that have the burn in their bellies.

I planned the class the evening before to be a seriously tough session. My reasoning behind this was that I wanted the fighters to understand that being a squad fighter is not about having the latest uniform or traveling around the world, it's about having the burning desire to succeed no matter how physically demanding the session is. The one's that want it the most are the ones that find that extra bit no matter how empty their tanks are. The session was a simple one, each fighter was given the brief of "use your favorite 3 techniques and work them" a brief that through fatigue not one of them followed. 4 cones were layed out and the fighters began to jog around it, only stopping to take part in a 2 minute bout in the centre of the cones, once the 2 minutes were up back to the running. This continued for over 30 min.

7.30 am It was my turn to train, I prefer to train in private, namely so that I don't get lazy and take the easy option of slipping into instructor mode. I went down to the gym where I did 30 min on the cross trainer at level 14. This was the first time back since my illness, and boy was it hard going, i was sweating that much you could have made a pan of chips. Next was a light shoulder set using 10kg weights I did 3 sets of angels (designed to strengthen up my weak left shoulder)

This was just a light session to get me back slowly into training. I weighed in at 123kg. I have set my target weight at 100kg and intend to achieve this by june 2009 (note to self cut out beer)

Jeet Kune Do Seminar

Although my training officially started today Stealth Black Belt Academy was host to a Jeet Kune Do seminar, taught by Kwoklyn Wan on Saturday past. Throughout the seminar he taught various JKD techniques that included trapping and foot work.

The Start of my 4th Dan training

This is the first entry in what i'm sure will be many of my online training log. I've decided that now is the time to expand my Martial Arts knowledge and take the step towards training for my next Dan grade.

The easy option of course would be to speak to one of my friends in the Martial Arts world and accept a honorary Dan grade, as there is no requirement for me to grade anymore. However I have decided to write my own grading criteria and present it to Sensei Jason Charlesworth , a martial artist whom I have great respect for, and upon me completing it hopefully impressing him enough to warrant rank promotion.

I have decided that in order to better understand Martial Arts I am going to spend six months training with as many different instructors as I possibly can. Not just instructors from my own style of Sport Karate but every style I can gain access to. I truly believe that every instructor has something to offer and intend to share my experiences by harvesting the best of these teachings and not only pass them on to my own students but record and document them into a unique syllabus that I can publish in a DVD format for anyone that is interested. This final DVD will also be submitted towards my HND in Interactive Media that I am currently studying at the Stephenson College in Coalville.