Hit the weights

Into the Gym again. That makes four straight. I also did another 5et of 5uicides (five times through, five cones, like in a gym). I'm pretty exhausted. I think I'm going to try Jake's suggestion and only eat meat and vegetables for the next week. At least try to. I doubt I'll make it. It's just so hard to keep laser-like focus on both ultimate and training, and schoolwork and grades.

We have a winter workout spreadsheet that the whole team will be able to access and record what they're doing. People are going to think I'm lying. I want them to.

Alumni

I lifted weights today, but refrained from doing any sprinting or running so I'm relatively fresh for practice. Fortunately that mentality will end after today, which is our last practice before the break. The girls had a beer practice today, which I encouraged the team not to go to. I took a lot of flack from alumni for that one, but I stand by my choice. Like Jake said, a lot of these guys are just geezers sitting on their porches reminiscing about the glory days.

The alumni are great, and I hope they stay a part of this team, but they are more vocal than the current team. I think being an alumni means walking the line between staying involved and trying to make a team too much like you were, and not letting them be themselves. I also think they are too stuck in their ways. It's like when I asked Shy last year why we didn't have track workouts starting in the fall, and he said, "because that's just not how the Brain's have done things in the past," and I mentally replied, "right, and how many times have we gone to nationals?"

None. We have never gone. Things need to change, we have to take this more seriously, and the alumni have to realize that some of the things that they enjoyed about the team will fade, but in return we will get the fun and the glory that comes with winning and being a feared team.

I'm not here to play hippy bullshit. Winning is fun, and most of the alumni have never had that opportunity (really). What kills me is that after being hospitalized before So Cal Warm-up (despite the fact that we had decided not to take it seriously), I sound like a big hypocrite. Fortunately, that experienced has allowed me to step back and see that the team does too much drinking to be good, and that I do too much drinking to be the captain of a great team. I haven't drunk since then, and from now on it will be rarely and moderately. I have more fun winning tournaments than I do in ten nights out drinking.

Let the winter workout begin...

Well...suicides fucking suck. In a good way. I had my last workout with Panos of the fall yesterday, though I don't know if I'll go back because as it turns out, he's training me to be a weightlifter, a strategy that helps flexibility and injury prevention, which is good, but not the kind of explosive strength and ability that I need for ultimate. Today I went to the gym for about an hour and worked mostly on pull-ups and two third back squats. I also got in some inclined dumbell bench press, and some situps. Then I went over to the basketball gym and did five full suicides (five turning points). That was the hardest workout I've done since maybe one with Tom this summer...maybe much longer than that. Suicides are unbelievably hard.

Progress

Wow, one month since my last post. I won't spend time lamenting that, but rather try to catch up.

Reed has mono and Carl dislocated his shoulder. So we're a tad pressed for handlers at the moment. Other than that we're coming a long fine. We declared the Fall Team, which is looking really good, even without those two. Next weekend is Sean Ryan, which will be the first test of our newfound ability and teammanship.

I've been working with Panos. We aren't to terribly hard exercises yet, because I'm still learning them. It will be good though.

I don't feel like writing much.

Camping Trip

We had the camping trip this weekend. The sophomores almost didn't go, but at the last minute, Markham convinced us all that it would be bad for team dynamics if we didn't. He was right, and it ended up being really fun. Better than last year actually. We showed up when the party was already started, drank and socialized, shotgunned texas style over the fire...it was a good night.

Then today we had an x/y scrimmage. My team, Dragon Army, got pretty rocked by the Knights, or whatever they were called. But the level of play was really pretty good. Everyone played great, except for some minor mistakes. I think we're going to be phenomenal this year. Plus we got the "boom cube" to give us a soundtrack.

I'm meeting with Panos Prokos for the first time on Tuesday. We'll see how it goes.

Getting Serious (Again)

Well, during a relaxing weekend at home, I was educated by my father and brother in the art of becoming an excellent athlete. Basically, I need to focus on my weaknesses, eat 290 grams of protein per day, and start olympic lifting. That means working on my hamstrings and butt, as well as my calves and quads. In order to get better at ultimate in a real way, I need to gain serious muscle in my legs. This will make me faster/stronger/quicker/higher-jumping, and more injury resistant. And that will make me great.

I did squats today, but light. I will call Panos Prokos or whatever his name is tomorrow in order to set up some olympic training.

In other news, I've decided to put together a 6 week plan for ultimate, which should take us to our first tournament. During that time we'll decide an A-team, and learn all of the necessary skills. I'm going to send it out to the council of elders so that they can review it and let me know what they want to change or emphasize, so that we can me more coherent and united at practices. It's a big job, but it's what I love doing.

Injuries and Laying Out

Well, I tried to work out today, but I could only make it four laps around the soccer field, and I couldn't do plyos. I went to the gym, but it's so frustrating to be injured. I don't even know what to do about this anymore.

We worked on laying out at practice today, and it actually went better than I expected. Some people were reluctant to work on it at first, like Tommy, but I think I turned them, because a lot of the new kids were getting into it, and laying out during the scrimmage. Maybe I know what I'm doing after all...

302 Goes Public

Well, the tip blog that Markham and I started went public after Carl hinted at it on the forum, and we had to reveal ourselves to save his good name. We have three posts each, which should be enough to tide people over and convince them to keep reading. We should be able to keep it up for a long time, eventually interspersing halo tips and guest appearances.

Today I couldn't get myself up at 7:30am, so I worked out at 10:30pm. My hamstring is doing okay. I'm trying to set up physical therapy appointments, but it is turning out to be harder than I expected. I need insurance information and a doctor's approval. It still feels more like a very tired section of muscle than a reaggravation of the same injury. Fingers crossed.

Hamstring

Yesterday was fun. We played Cal State Long Beach in two split x/y games (my team won both), and then crushed them in a showcase game 11-4. Our offense never turned it over. We were looking really good. There was a barbecue afterward, and then a party at Atwood. It was lots of fun, and a great bonding experience. I especially enjoyed hanging out with Junior, China Sam, and Peter.

But, of course, there was a downside. I forgot to stretch after the games. Maybe it wouldn't have made a huge difference, but anyway, this morning my hamstring was very painful, and remains so. I've been icing and taking ibuprofen, but it isn't really improving. I'm very much hoping it's just a result of weak muscles getting sore, and not another injury. I'm leaning toward the former, as I didn't feel any discomfort while playing, only today.

Hopefully I can get to the gym tomorrow morning. I've been a bit lax this weekend, not having worked out since...ooh...Wednesday. I ran three miles on Thursday, took Friday off, played lots of ultimate yesterday, and neglected to hit the gym today. Like I said...slacking.

Back to the grind, baby.

Integrity

Play with it. Cliche, I know, but too many people can't control themselves on the field. It's about the win, but it's also about holding your head high so that no matter what happens, you can come back next time and wipe the floor with your opponents.

I'm almost delirious at this point. I ran three miles today in 95 degree heat. Partly because it builds endurance, partly because it builds mental toughness, and partly because I'm crazy and I know that no one else is doing it. I train better by myself, when I can pit myself against the rest of the world, even against my own team.

Today when talking about universe lines with Prude, he said, "We've both got to hit the weights." The implication being that neither of us would play universe points. Despite the fact that I think I would play universe offense, the comment really goaded me. I don't want to have to sit for universe offense. I don't want to have to sit for universe defense. I don't want to be one of those handlers that thinks he's too good to be fit. If I'm at the heart of this team I want to BE the heart of this team. Hence all of the workouts. Keep it up.

At practice we worked on throwing and marking. Practice is too short.

Back to the Grind

Woke up today at 7:30 and lifted legs and chest with a little core. Mondays and Wednesdays are too crowded at the gym in the afternoons and the soccer team uses the track, so I've got to get up early to get in a workout. I'm pretty sore today, so we'll see how tomorrow's workout goes.

There's a scrimmage against Cal State Long Beach on Saturday that will serve as a showcase game of sorts. While I won't alter my training to participate, I would love to play well there. I'm also thinking about not drinking until New York, just to really get in shape. We'll see if I make it through the Ultimate party this weekend.

Practice Working Out

I decided to kick the funk I've been in these last few days and err on the side of working out too much. I went to the track and ran a mile, then did some basic plyos and stretched. I biked over to the gym around 3:25, only to find that some n00b gym class had it reserved until 3:45. Partly in order to get a good workout, and partly out of vindictive frustration, I rode back to the track and ran two more miles before returning to the gym and getting a nice upper body workout focusing on core and shoulders.

I also found some sweet new pump up songs: 'Till I Collapse -- Eminem, and The Second Coming -- Juelz Santana + Just Blaze. They join Lose Yourself and Remember the Name as my set of theme songs. In an athletic sense at least. In my own head.

In terms of practices, I'm tired of doing real general practices. I'm ready to start MoHo focus on skills that will make people noticeably better. For this first practice, we're going to start real basic and work on cutting form and technique.

1. Cut to a point and back drill -- focus on getting low, chopping your steps, pushing off and stepping over with your point foot; cutting form.
2. Cut to a person standing still and break right/left -- getting used to the idea of driving at someone's chest and rocking them back on their hips; technique.
3. Triple cut drill -- every time you change direction you gain a step on your man; how bad do you want it?
4. Start ahead and seal drill -- get them on your shoulder, proactively prevent the d.
5. One-on-one cutting drill -- put it all together and get open.

We'll see how that is recieved and implimented.

Back in the Swing

It has been too long. Time to start recording everything that I'm doing. On the macro, we started practices - hour and a half night practices on tuesday and thursday and a two hour practice on sunday - and have a really solid group of newcomers.

On the micro, I've been refraining from sprinting, trying to build up a base in my legs so that I don't get injured. I've been lifting weights every couple of days, and Brett and I went and got that protein powder that looks really jockey and lame.

No time to elaborate now, got to go see Tokyo Police Club.

Going back to school

I went through quite the lull in athletic interest there for a while. It is just so hard to stay motivated and interested for so much time. Worlds was awesome, but a little bit lonely because Milo, Casey, and Sam had to be with the team the entire time I was there. Coaching middle school camp is fun, easy money, and surprisingly good practice for leading Claremont this year. I'm nervous about the logistical stuff that I'm probably going to have to organize. Practices? No problem, I was born to run practice. But getting fields...scares me.

I am looking forward to the team, though. If we get all of our returners, then pick up Chris from Rockhurst, Carl from Hopkins, Tommy Li from worlds, a couple of decent freshmen that we can develop, convince Jake to play...we might actually be good next year. I don't think that it would be unreasonable to go to nationals next year. I predict that Black Tide and UCSD will be our biggest contenders for the second spot to go, behind Mamabird.

The girls team will also get better. Kat will have a bigger role, which will be nice, Erika Baken seems cool, and there is another girl coming that seems into frisbee and fun. I am very much looking forward to meeting a whole other class of people.

Evolution

It's funny how frisbee is still undergoing radical changes in terms of strategy and common approach to the game. A few years ago, everyone ran vert stack, now ho is the way to play. Japanese Zone is sweeping those elite enough to have played against it, and new and different plays are constantly being introduced and subsequently countered.

I think that this atmosphere provides Claremont with an advantage over many other teams that we play. Obviously frisbee isn't the most heady of things, but we are theoretically smarter than most schools we play. If we can use this to stay one step ahead of our competition, we'll be able to dominate our region. With the possible exception of Colorado.

Stepping up your game

The response I got from the email I sent out was somewhat heartening.  Shy and I had a bit of a disagreement, Gerber posted the article on training from The Huddle, and Markham reiterated his standing offer for ten dollars to whomever can dunk, and twenty to grab rim and do twenty pull-ups.  In terms of money, that was foolish on his part, because dunking would be a stretch for me.  Not unreachable, but a stretch.  I will be severely disappointed in myself, however, if I am unable to grab rim and do the pull-ups in a year or two.

The best comment was from CGU Rob, who expects me to be huge when I return.  I believe "seriously mammoth" were his exact words.  I respect Rob tremendously for many things, but now for his ability to hold a leader accountable for his words, and to hold me to the same standards I strive to instill in my team.  I have been working out, true, but I can do more.  I can push myself harder and become bigger and faster.  I need to work on finesse and skill as well.  Batman isn't just a thug.  (I just watched the first one, seeing the new one tomorrow).

So the next time someone starts handing out weaponized hallucinogens, I think I'll politely decline, drop to the floor, and start cranking out push-ups.

Time Off

sucks. I hadn't played ultimate since Potlatch two weeks ago, and I wrecked myself at YCC yesterday. Today I worked out with Tom at the WAC and did one-legged squats where you pick up weighted balls, squat jumps, and lunges. It was difficult. I spent twenty minutes or so afterwards stretching and foam rollering and I'm still very sore today.

Tom is an excellent trainer though, and when I explained the necessity of getting my team large and strong, he said he would put together some workouts that I could give to the team. That will be hugely helpful, so instead of telling people to go workout, I can hand them a workout that they have to do. It is way easier to be motivated to do specifics than to figure it out yourself.

In other news, we cut the wood and fitted the bottom circle for the giant salsa bowl that will hold the chip-shaped glider we fly off of a thirty foot pier at Redbull Flugtag in Portland in two weeks.

Dominant Athletes

I went to YCC practice today with Casey and Milo, and got coached by Moses, Will Henry, and Alex Nord. They are all smart guys who have thought about the game immensely. I think of myself as being very knowledgeable about ultimate, but I clearly have a lot to learn.

The biggest thing that I learned today, actually didn't have anything to do with the coaching. I found out that Jake Coates and Kelly van Arsdale are both going to Colorado next year, and will be playing for Mamabird. Now Jake and Kelly are each well over six feet tall and good athletes. I'm sure they will excel at Colorado. But what does that mean for Claremont. Well...

Colorado is already stacked with huge athletes, and now they're getting two more. With all other teams losing substantial parts of their roster, I feel comfortable saying that Mamabird will be our primary rival over the next three years. What I realized today is that we may be better with the disc, and be way smarter than the Colorado guys, but it doesn't matter if we can't hang with them athletically. At this point, we have no one who can guard Hylke, much less a line of jacked six footers. If we are going to have a shot against these guys, we need some of our own people to really step up and become dominantly athletic. So that we can lock down star players and make the other team dither when marking up on us. Average athleticism just isn't going to cut it.

So...

Tonight I played for a few hours with the YCC team, then did five sets of twenty push-ups, thirty sit-ups, and a few minutes stretching. It isn't much, but I have a work out tomorrow at 11 o'clock.

Time is ticking, and Colorado isn't getting any weaker.