2024 Training Log Part 11

On the stereo today- Afghan Whigs- 1969

I’m standing typing this as I’m adjusting my life a little with the news that I’ve got a back condition. We probably all have a low back issue to some degree, but we just put it down to being stiff or old. We never attend to it and don’t give it much thought. Why? Well the demands for most people in their 40s and beyond are so low. They go to work, they watch TV they go for a walk or some moderate exercise. If it bothers them it’s not to the degree that they worry about it, they just take a night off or have hot bath, maybe take a painkiller, and get on with it.

That’s obviously not me, and while I don’t want to train myself onto crutches like Ronnie Coleman, I also still want to train until I keel over, so I’m making a few changes to keep this disc issue at bay for as long as possible. First purchase, a standing desk. Second, an inversion table to traction my back each day. Third, a new drum throne with lumbar support. Seriously. Drumming is something I’ve rediscovered in the last few years and the seated position is notoriously bad if you’re tall.

As to training last week- there was none. My ears didn’t pop after the flight home from Spain, and then got worse and worse until by Wednesday I couldn’t hear much and felt pretty crap. I developed a sinus infection. It put me down for the week. So no sessions to talk about.

Let me tell you about something else instead.

I turned 46 today. And for the last few months I’ve been working on something to get beginners started in Jiu Jitsu. I have gone through about 10 iterations of this course, with more sessions added, then others taken off, then different drills put in or removed. At the end of it I pared it right down to a 20 session course. I think it’s good. It doesn’t just teach Jiu Jitsu techniques, it teaches people HOW to train, so that they can use those techniques in a progressive and safe manner as they begin.

Why am I telling you this here. Well first of all, I think it’s good. It’s a bit different from anything I’ve seen out there, and as I look at it now on my laptop, I’m pretty proud of the structure and the work I put in.

However, at 46, I’m still shitting it about putting it out there into the world. Honestly.

If I had done something that was the same as everyone else’s, like a list of techniques or whatever, or if I was copying someone who had done it before, I would be pretty happy and just forge ahead. But whenever you ,make a bold claim like “I think this is different and more effective”, you are inviting criticism. That’s the way of the world. Even with 2 decades experience and 2 Black Belts, I still think “What if I’m wrong and it’s crap”.

But you know what, if it’s genuine criticism, from a peer, from someone who’s done something, it’s fine. It’s the other fuckers who populate the internet that are the problem.

Anyway, that’s all. I was back in the gym this morning and I’m back on the mat tonight, so next week I’ll have training to report.

See you on the mat,

Barry