1/08/07 -

Over the holidays I saw the new Rocky movie. I was a big fan of Rocky growing-up. I was a poor athlete as a kid, but had a lot of energy that needed to be focused. The Rocky movies helped me believe that with an indomitable spirit and perseverance you could achieve anything. This philosophy served me well in those days and I went from be a bench warmer in soccer to a real leader of a champion team. I took this work ethic into martial arts, and although I strugggled to learn the moves, I never gave-up and practiced and practiced until igained a very high skill level.

At almost 39 years old, I saw many new things about Rocky that I had not thought about before. The obvious analogy was his come back at 60 years old! I could understand his yearning to fight and to continue to prove himself as well, but the most impressive part of the movie was how principle centered Rocky's character was. You could have an entire book entitled "What Would Rocky Do?" I found myself impressed with not only his determination, but his also his heart. I find myself wanting to tap into that kind of solid earth energy these days.

My first week of training this year was a great success. Now for week # 2

1/3/07 -

I thought about hobbies and other diversions over the break. Most people I know have some sorts of hobbies. For many people martial arts are a hobby. I think that a hobby may be an escape for some from the dealing with life's realities. It may might something that adds real value to our lives physically (a sport), mentally (reading), spiritually (volunteering to help others), emotionally (taking a walk with a friend. In balance all of these things are great. Martial arts may fall into any or all of these categories for you and me, but it may also become a "way of life" if you go beyond escaping life with it and enhancing your job, family, relationships, and spirit with it.

I have not had many hobbies in my life, but have tended to try to just doing a few things with all of my heart, mind and soul. I think that is the way I will continue in 2007. If I can live life with the honesty and courage that martial arts brings to our hearts I will have a great year.

12/29/06 -

Well, I am back! With the holiday running around I took off some time from this blog. Although my diet hasn't been so hot, I have managed to keep my work-out regimes going. I am doing my final year planning and am starting to work on my full work-out plan for 2007. My hip was really hurting this past week, and I could not tell if it was a few new things I did in my workout that really triggered it, or if getting out routine was the biggest cause, or even just all the walking at malls shopping for Christmas gifts.

Anyways,I am using the periodization
(you can refer to http://coaching.usolympicteam.com/coaching/kpub.nsf/v/2June04) to help me be optimal performance in July. The Fall was a transitional phase in which I started to get my body used to the routines and regimen I would be using. I was hoping to have my routines learned for the test, but since I do not have them yet, I have tried to practice an representation of what I might need to know.

I plan to start my first preparation phase a week from Monday. I am using Mark Verstegan's Core Performance book extensively as a guide for cardio and strength.