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.