2026 Training Log Part 25

On the Stereo today- The Frames. Who else?

I spent a good portion of my late teens and early twenties at Frames gigs, even one time accidentally seeing them in a bar in New York.

Not much to write home about this week.

Monday

Started the week with a bang… actually no, more of a pop in my chest.

1. 10 mins bike
2. Single arm bench. w/u to a heavy 5
3. Cable Press 3×10
4. Machine row 5×8
5. face Pulls 3×15
6. Side plank 3x60s each side
7. Plate Hammer Curls 3×15

Felt something go pop in my ribs in the last set of the presses. Had 40kgs in my hand, so not light, but I didn’t have to stop. However…

Evening Jiu Jitsu- Warmed up and felt very tight around the ribcage. By 4 rounds in I was very tight. I sat off for one but then popped back in for the last 2. Went to bed and woke up on Tuesday with a lot of tightness, so ducked out of training that night.

Wednesday

Skipped my morning session and just coached in the evening. Still tight.

Saturday

NoGi Sparring, 6 rounds

Now this is maturity, I thought to myself as I sat off after 6 rounds. I did the 6, and as soon as I felt my ribs get sore, I sat off immediately and, as Ken says, I banked the session. If I’d stuck it out for more rounds, I’d definitely have come out sore. As it was I got to walk away.

Maturity. And it only took 48 years to arrive.

Training Thoughts of the Week

If you want to train for a long time, learn when to walk away, mind your sparring partners, and pick your battles.

Non-Training Thoughts of the Week

I’ll tell you the Glen Hansard/The Frames story real quick.

About a bajillion years ago I was in a band. Actually I was in loads of bands. And we were all around a fairly buzzing music scene in Dublin. We went to see bands all the time, and The Frames, it seemed, were playing every week. I liked them. Dance the Devil is a great album, but I would never have called myself a massive fan like some of my friends. So I used to say “Jesus are we going to see the fucking Frames again?” Only half serious mind you. They were a great live band.

So we went away to New York. We were all 21 and having a good time. We went to Greenwich and were looking for something to do, and there was this sign that said LIVE MUSIC TONITE. My buddy Glenn said “Hey let’s go here.”, to which I replied, “As long as you’re not taking me to see The Frames again”, and we went in.

And it was The Frames.

See you on the mat,

Barry