Taking you up on your offer

[Jim Tinney]

I am looking to get kick started back on CST, and I have my digital pictures. Having looked at them now, I should probably take them every six weeks anyway, just for the honest assessment and to push myself to make progess. Unfortunately, the camera doesn't lie about that roll around my midsection.

Anyway, I have to run to jiujitsu practice for now, but I'll be back. What type of information do I need to provide, etc.?

I have two fifteen pound clubbells. I just came off an endurance cycle, having run a marathon two weeks ago. I am getting back into my jiujitsu practice, which will be twice a week in the evenings on monday and wednesday. I am 27 years old, 5'10'', 175 lbs.

I am looking for a guiding hand to get jump started back into CST, having dropped off during my last cycle and wanting to create an obligation to train for which I will be responsible.

I'll be back tonight after practice and tomorrow to see if I need to provide any more info. I am thinking I'd like to kick this off next week if possible.


(See, I told you I'd take you up on the offer)
Jim

[Scott Sonnon]

Jim,

Just a few prelim Qs:
1. What's your available training time?
2. What's your current physical training load?
3. Does your work incur any physical effort?
4. What is your meal and nutritional structure?
5. What would you like to accomplish in 3 weeks?

[Jim Tinney]

1. What's your available training time?

I have a pretty flexible schedule. I could probably devote 30-45 minutes in the morning and/or 1 1/2 hours in the evenings. I am wide open on the weekends. I am trying to get back into grappling, which runs from 7:00-8:30 on Monday and Wednesday.


2. What's your current physical training load?

I am coming off three and a half months of running three to four times a week, with one weekly long run 15-20 miles. During that period of time, I would also randomly do some light traditional weightlifting or do a couple of expiramental combination routines with my clubbells, but mostly for fun. I also randomly work exercises from some of the tapes. Prior to the marathon training, I was consistently going to practice twice a week, and working with the clubbells 1-2 times a week.


3. Does your work incur any physical effort?

No. I mostly sit at my desk and write. I do this from my home office. Hence, my schedule flexibility.


4. What is your meal and nutritional structure?

I think I could make improvements here. Over the last several months I have made a lot of progress. I cut a 6-8 cup of coffee habit to no coffee, and I have cut down my hefty soda habit to 1-2 every couple of days. I usually have a quick granola bar for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, I just go on instinct, although the three months I have tried to add more veggies and fruit into the picture. We only buy wheat bread now. We had been avoiding dairy on advice from the running coach. I just bought the Sugar Adicts Total Recovery Plan and started reading it. Clearly, skipping breakfast is an area I could improve.


5. What would you like to accomplish in 3 weeks?

Basically, I want to get started out on the right foot for serious training. I have alot of the materials, but have not applied myself in a systematic way. I have just grabbed a few of the exercises here and there, doing them with no set goal. I figured having a clear plan and the obligation of sending in the photos would motivate me to be directed.

After last night's practice, I think one area I need to work on is getting my grappling cardio/strength endurance back up to par to last through practices without fatigue being a major issue. The last cycle of running brought my blood pressure and pulse down, but didn't translate into improved performance on the mat. However, I think it could come back pretty quick. I was surprised at how smooth I did feel. I thought my technique would be rusty.

I am hoping in three weeks to create a habit of systematic training, so that I can work towards making consistent improvement a habit, instead of an afterthought. (Which isn't working too well, by the way). Having the obligation of the marathon got me on a system, and I saw how far I made it in a few short months. We had guidance for that training, though. I think with a little guidance and an obligation, I can set myself off on the right path to keep focused, instead of constantly getting distracted or not applying the knowledge I have in front of me.

[Jim Tinney]

In the meantime, I have been trying to put step one of SATRP into practice. Here is what I've been up to the last week. I am still taking it a little easy to recover from the marathon.

6/16/04

return to BJJ - 1hour drills (easy) + 1/2 hour sparring (difficult)

6/17/04

Breakfast - 2 pieces whole wheat toast with tuna salad + water and multivitamin

Lunch - 1/2 fallafel sandwich + 1 tuna salad sandwich on whole wheat + pretzels + water

Dinner - Roast beef and mashed potatoes w/gravy + salad + water

PM - Warrior Wellness - Beginner program - still having some ITB tightness from the marathon, so working this out

6/18/04

Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs + 2 pieces whole wheat toast w/ strawberry spread + water + vitamin

AM - Warrior Wellness Beginner Program

Lunch - Pita + Tuna Salad + Salad + Water

Dinner - Thai Chicken, Rice, Pad Thai Noodles, spring roll + 1 Sprite

6/19/04

Breakfast - Waffle with strawberries + whipped topping + bacon + milk

AM - Warrior Wellness Beginner Program

Snack at the movies - 1/2 of a small movie popcorn + 1 sprite

Dinner - Portobello Mushroom Ravioli + Pita and Hummus + 1 glass of wine

6/20/04

Breakfast - Cinnamon Roll + Protein Shake (Yogurt, Banana, Stawberries, wheat germ, protein powder, milk)

Lunch - 2 pieces of fried chicken, potatoes, green beens, fruit, salad and 1 coke

Dinner - 1 piece left over chicken, green beens, fruit and water

PM - Spine and hips portion of Warrior Wellness Beginner program

6/21/04

Breakfast - Protein Crunch Cereal + milk

AM - Warrior Wellness Beginner Program

Lunch - 2 pieces fried chicken (leftover) + 1 tuna salad sandwich on whole wheat, pretzels and water

PM - BJJ practice - 1 hour drills - 1/2 hour sparring (moderate)

Dinner - Rice with Lentils, onions, and garlic + Protein Shake for desert (as above)

6/22/04

Breakfast - Protein Crunch Cereal + Milk + OJ

AM Warrior Wellness Beginner Program

Lunch - Tuna Salad Sandwich on Whole Wheat (finally finished the tuna off) + Veggie Chips, + Protein Shake

Dinner - 10 ounce strip steak and baked potatoe + salad + Protein Shake

6/23/04

Breakfast - Protein Crunch Cereal + Milk + Banana + OJ

Tonight I am doing WW and have BJJ practice.

Sorry its not in the reporting format, but just wanted to update what I am doing in this transitional period.