SevenFootGeek has the eye of the tiger

[SevenFootGeek]

You know, sometimes you just need a training montage.

 

 

It may come from being a child of the 80s, but there is something that moves me about training montages set to awesome power ballads.  Of course, finding the right media to go along with it, you end up with a lot of same-y results.

 

I've gotten the heads-up from my master that it's time for me to be setting a date for my second degree black belt grading.  The timing is apropos as the challenge is just beginning and I need to get some semblance of order back into my life.  So lets do some order.

 

I also started typing this at 8 am this morning and it's now almost 2 pm.  I keep trying to find some interesting words and I need to accept that I'm letting me be the one to stop myself.  The thing about that is that I am also the one that can get myself moving.

 

Train for dat belt

 

I have directional joint locks, sword techniques and kicking techniques on my grading.  I have been kicking a lot and my legs have definitely shown the improvement.  I'll be investing some time in my locks and sword work over the next six weeks.  So we're back to a twice a week schedule.

 

Lift dat thing

 

Strong SFG is strong.  When I actually train, that is.  I love barbells, but I get derailed easily because of an inherent acceptance of the status quo.  And that is my problem.  I love lifting, but I too easily make excuses.  Given the craziness of the next month, I am going to aim for twice a week at the gym.

 

Eat dat food

 

Hey, how about that regular meal schedule?  Yeah, that hasn't been happening.  The very first thing that I fall off the wagon with is food when I'm in a bad place.  And I have a month of essentially living alone ahead of me.  My wife is working her already full schedule plus picking up shifts in another region for three days a week.  I need to eat my meals.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

Sleep in dat bed

 

Sleep, as we know, is critical for good recovery and overall health.  The second thing that breaks down when I am not doing well.  And I'm really not doing well, so my sleep schedule is waaaaaay off kilter.  My goal, then, is to be in bed by 11 for the first two weeks, 10:30 in weeks 3 and 4, and finally 10 o'clock in 5 and 6.

 

This is going to be one of those challenges that I really need to pay attention to myself.  I'm going to be alone for much of the next month and I do poorly under those conditions.  I will also have extremely limited access to a vehicle.  My exercise and training goals are going to require that I suck it up and do something about it to meet them.

 

Now let's get this going.  I've wasted enough time as it is.

[mitch_dee]

**follows dat giant**

[RisenPhoenix]

All I read in this is that I get to pester the fuck out of you fit this.

I approve.

[Haikoo]

Sounds like you're going to have a Koo bugging you to bed!

 

A good solid challenge. Yo Adrian!

[nightlight]

nice. *subbed*

[wildross]

In for the antics. Or multics

[starpuck]

Yay, 7FG!  

 

I'm ready to yell if I see someone floating around on fb too late!      Nice solid goals, and I know you can absolutely do this.

[QuothTheDragon]

I missed a lot of your challenge last time. NEVER AGAIN! <3

[raptron]

And with every shot, show a little improvement
To show it all would take to long
That’s called a montage (montage)
Girl we want montage (montage)

[Kishi]

It's Rock IV for me. That is my jam right there. A scrappy American punching communism in the face? Yes please.

 

Also, if you're doing quick, twice per week workouts involving barbells, you may want to check out Zach Even-Esh's Encyclopedia of Underground Strength and Conditioning. I know it sounds like it's trying too hard to be hardcore, but it's actually a holistic look at how training works and affects combat athletes. It presents as a story, but there's a lot of wisdom in it, and it's compelling to boot.

 

Just food for thought.

 

Consistency is king. Get it right, and you'll have your goals well in hand.

[Cheechoe]

i poke you too

 

 

[SevenFootGeek]

Well, goodness.  This hasn't happened in a while.  It's morning.  It's 8:30 in the morning, in fact.  And I've had breakfast, my coffee is next to me (only half full) and I have a plan for my day.

 

Last night's black belt class was awesome.  I may have mentioned that I need more practice with my sword techniques.  And so we spent the entire class working on sword techniques.  It was awesome.  I focused pretty heavily on my footwork.  I was quietly pleased that the senior black belt was focused on the other 1st dan and just let me work.  

 

I received a pretty big compliment from my master on the weekend.  During a private lesson, he interrupted the lesson to point out a series of arcs that were scribed into the mats.  Arcs that came from my toes as I was pivoting into my sword strikes.  He did so to mention specifically their consistency and smoothness.  And the fact that they were two days old and still deeply scored.  It was a nice feeling.  I often have difficulty accepting praise and even feeling good about it is unusual.  

 

I also had another epiphany last night after class.  I feel ready for this grading.  Literally every other grading I have ever done, I have felt unprepared and unsure of myself.  Right now?  I... don't.  I'm cognizant of my failings, but also recognize just how capable I actually am.  I teach at all levels.  Students show a preference to asking for my help over other black belts, even those more senior than me.  I guess this is what confidence feels like.  

[mitch_dee]

So much WIN in this update!!!!!!!!

I really am giddy for you right now and happy to see you in a good place...I've got so many things bouncing through my head to say and cheer you on but can't seem to calm my mind enough to type them coherently...so I'll just some it up like so:

[starpuck]

I'm with Mitch_dee on this one big time.    The update is just so full of confidence and positivity and ... and yeaaaaah!   I am so happy that you were able to accept the praise and have let yourself feel good about it.   That's so huge, I know!   

 

[Haikoo]

This update gives me happies! 

 

You have no idea how reading stuff like that carries me through my own day

 

[SevenFootGeek]

Okay, morning again.  Trying to keep these updates rolling.  It's 9:40 am, and I would have updated sooner, but I have a Mir visiting and chatting happened.  After she wakes up from her nap, we are going to lift heavy things and put them back down.  I also plan to teach her some kicking at the gym.

 

Yesterday was good for breakfast, but not a great lunch.  Since we have a Mir here, I made steak, baked sweet potato and brussel sprouts cooked in bacon fat.  With bacon.  That was a good dinner.

 

I did not get to sleep on time last night as my wife worked pretty late.  So after we tucked Mir in, I spent about 40 minutes massaging her shoulders.  The poor thing carries too much stress in her shoulders.  However, I did not let that ruin my day today, as I got up at 6:30, took the trash out, made bacon and eggs and did not follow suit with Mir and her nap.

 

I found out that I'm not going to be able to make it for a second class this week.  My usual Thursday is being thrown for a loop as my wife will be in another region covering for nurses on a strike action, and I have an appointment late in the day that will prevent me from being able to get to class on time.  I may be calling teaching Mir how to murder with hands and feet my teaching day...

 

And now I need to replenish my coffee supplies.  Breakfast represented the last of that and I need another coffee.

[starpuck]

I love these little morning updates.    Some people like a newspaper with their coffee.  I like a nice 7FG post with my coffee.    I think your notion of counting "teach Mir how to .... (wait for it) Mirder things with her hands and feet" is totally acceptable.  That's adapting to life's curveballs.   And that is a good thing to master!

[nightlight]

mmm coffee

[RisenPhoenix]

 I may be calling teaching Mir how to murder with hands and feet my teaching day...

 

 

That's totally teaching.  A bit terrifying.  But teaching.

 

 

(Also I can only imagine Mir also motorboating her victims afterwards.)

[sarakingdom]

*poke*

 

*poke* *poke*

 

*pokepokepokepokepokepokepokepokepoke*

 

 

Are you going to come flaunt your delicious, delicious coffee at me?

 

(Although, actually, I bought decaf especially so I could drink coffee if you did.  So we should have coffee sometime.)

[The Tin Man]

I love these little morning updates.    Some people like a newspaper with their coffee.  I like a nice 7FG post with my coffee.    I think your notion of counting "teach Mir how to .... (wait for it) Mirder things with her hands and feet" is totally acceptable.  That's adapting to life's curveballs.   And that is a good thing to master!

 

A "nice" 7FG? I don't understand what you mean.

[SevenFootGeek]

I finished my coffee already.  I've just been lax about posting this morning because I have an appointment that I have to keep this afternoon and it's stressing me out.

 

I didn't get to sleep properly last night.  It was my first night alone again and I was stressing myself out even more.  I have a food lined up for lunch, so I will eat that in an hour and then head out.

[starpuck]

A "nice" 7FG? I don't understand what you mean.

 

Ya know, like a nice hot cuppa joe.     A nice tall 7FG. 

As for the nice ... maybe he's nicer to us wee assassin types?   >.>

 

PS. I just saw this:

[sarakingdom]

Yo, Seven Foot Coffee Receptacle, I have a french press full of decaf and you're missing in action.  Get your moody butt back here and let us know you're still alive.  You live up in the frozen wastes, so god knows what's happened to you.

[sarakingdom]

It's 10am.  Do you know where your coffee is?