Shotokan's gets better kicks with the plan of no planning

[Shotokan]

Not much in the way of working out except for katas. Getting adjusted to the new job and getting up between 5-5:30 each day is draining me and I seem to be fighting some type of bug. 

[Kishi]

God invented 5-5:30 for sleeping. Not for waking. Clearly, this is the problem.

[Shotokan]

God invented 5-5:30 for sleeping. Not for waking. Clearly, this is the problem.

That is so true!!!  This work stuff is hard work!!

[Shotokan]

I decided that feeling tired or blaming some bug was not something that a good nerd should use as an excuse so on Wednesday, I did a full Karate class at home along with a bunch of Shotokan and Iaido katas. Getting a good sweat going made me feel good but working out before bed was not the wisest choice.

 

On Thursday, I did Cheechoes hip routine and about 90 seconds of v-up moves for the lower abs along with some kata.

 

Not going to do much except for some kata today since I didn't go to teach and am skipping Iaido because this week was too mentally draining. 

[Kishi]

Yeah, that tonic effect from training certainly makes it difficult to sleep afterward.

[Shotokan]

It's been pretty hectic for the last few days and I still haven't adjusted to the new sleeping or waking hours but I did get in some really good kata training on Sunday.  Not much else unless moving a couch and some furniture is considered a workout.

[Taijibum]

Congrats on the new job! Hey, um..... I'm not one to criticize a black belt, but..... you shouldn't practice Iaido with a real sword. 

[Kishi]

Depends on the mover and the furniture.

[Shotokan]

Congrats on the new job! Hey, um..... I'm not one to criticize a black belt, but..... you shouldn't practice Iaido with a real sword. 

Thanks.  

 

Why no real sword?  I call what I train Iaido but it's actually Iai-Tate Do which is a more combative form. It blends the meditative art of Iaido with the combative art of Iai-jistu. Is that why you mentioned about the sharp sword?

[Shotokan]

I took it easy on Monday but Tuesday, I was back to teaching and then had an extremely hard Karate class. Loads of kicks and tons of kata. Today was more kicks and more kata at home.

 

I have been looking at a minimalist workout, has anyone else done anything similar? 

 

http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-conditioning/minimalist-training-20-the-how-and-why

 

I'm looking more at the strength template not the conditioning part.

[Shotokan]

Last nights workout was pretty good. I spent about 20 minutes kicking the wave master.  Front snap kicks, roundhouse kicks, side thrust kicks, hook kicks and spinning back kicks were all taking place. I have to thank Cheechoe again for giving me a side thrust kick! This is the first time that I kicked something hard with my side thrust kick and needless to say the 270 pound wave master didn't have a chance. I call my wave master BOB and needless to say, he got his ass kicked last night.

 

I also did some lower ab work but I could hardly hold my v-sit for more than 45 seconds before my abs gave out after all the kicks.  After that came some kata which felt pretty good too.

 

I am still adjusting to working a full day and only sleeping 6 to 7 hours but it's getting better.  I need to get back to the point where I am sleeping 6 hours or less but it is going to take some time.

[Taijibum]

I have whats called an "Iaito" and thats a perfectly balanced practice katana that is not sharp. I practice with it. I also have the wood katana for beater practice.

[Shotokan]

I have whats called an "Iaito" and thats a perfectly balanced practice katana that is not sharp. I practice with it. I also have the wood katana for beater practice.

I also have an iaito but after using that for a few years, I was allowed to use the sharp katana. In order to get the rank of Shodan in my club, we need to cut a soaked tatami at a perfect 45 degree angle. I passed that part of my exam at the beginning of the year but I have been training with the sharp sword for almost 18 months now.

[Shotokan]

Today's workout was different. I tried out the minimalist workout with 3 sets of 5 reps for rack deadlifts (145lbs), Bench presses (145lbs) and barbell curls (65lbs). After that, a minute of planks and them some Shotokan and Iaido katas.  I have been doing some dynamic stretching before all my more intense workouts too.

[Teirin]

Good luck with adjusting back to a work schedule :-)  Sounds like you're still doing everything!

[Shotokan]

Good luck with adjusting back to a work schedule :-)  Sounds like you're still doing everything!

Thanks.  I am still a little off but I am adjusting to less sleep with each day. Right now, if I can get 6 hours, I feel pretty good. I was able to make it for 21 hours yesterday and still feel okay today with 6 hours sleep.

[Kishi]

Hmm. That training concept looks interesting. It sounds similar in a lot of ways to what I do now with Simple and Sinister, but more periodized, and with a wider range of stimulus.

 

The low rep stuff makes sense too: it's strength-as-a-skill, with low reps to build a better nervous connection and to increase myofibrillar hypertrophy. The 2RM idea really stands out and reminds me of the work of Bret Contreras, whom you've pointed out to me before. 

 

And a lot of what he says does make sense. Working a lot of movement patterns over the week is totally doable, and changing them up month to month makes a lot of sense to me in theory. These days I tend to lean a lot more toward results, but if his claim about being able to run a Spartan Super on this kind of regimen holds up, then it's probably good enough for a martial artist.

 

In looking at it, it sounds awfully similar to some of the stuff I'm doing now, and... well, I'm seeing results. I can unequivocally say I am seeing results.

 

I guess it comes down to whether you think you'd enjoy it and if it's something you could do long term. If you can say yes to both of those things, then why not give it a try?

[Shotokan]

I haven't found a balance of work and working out yet. I was able to teach and take Karate class on Tuesday but I haven't done much more than some kata and some side thrust kicks in the bathroom at work over the last few days. I'm hoping to get in some workouts over the long weekend though.

[Teirin]

Might take a while.  Lot more time commitments on your hands now. 

 

Heh, I'm picturing you keeping a wary eye on the bathroom door at work while sneaking kicks in :-)

[Kishi]

Well of course he keeps a wary eye on the door. He's practicing against the ninjas who are waiting on the other side. Clearly.

[Shotokan]

I guess this challenge didn't go the way I wanted it to go but I knew when I started working again, it was going to impact my workouts for a while. I don't think I regressed but I certainly didn't move forward like I had planned.  There is always the next challenge, right?

[Kishi]

Honestly, it sounds more like a lateral move. That's not a bad thing.

 

And meanwhile, you had to endure a huge shift in terms of how much time you have to work with, because of job and stuff. That's a completely legit excuse, and honestly it doesn't make sense to prioritize your training over the way in which you make a living.

 

There's always the reset button, and there's always next challenge. See you there!