Still fried

I'm still having a hard time getting juiced about training. Been back from Turkey for over a week, but last night class just wasn't fun the way it normally is. I was cranky and irritable, and when people were trying to get moves on me during sparring, I took it personally rather than seeing it as a challenge and getting really into it. I didn't say or do anything to anyone, but I'm sure my demeanor wasn't my normal sweetness and light.

I guess it's not a surprise that I feel this way; when I mention it to people they say, "You think?" Meaning, I guess, that I trained hard for the Mundial and for the Turkey competition, so it's not surprising that I'd be a little burned out. I probably will take more time off; I just want to compete in the American National Jiu Jitsu Championship next Sunday, for two reasons. First, I want to redeem myself in a gi tournament after my Mundials performance. Not for anyone else, but for myself. Second, if I'm not mistaken, the American Nationals is the first tournament I did when I got to LA last year. And if so, it was the first tournament I had done in about 4 years. And it marked the beginning of a crazy, rewarding year. So I want to revisit the scene of the crime.

So I'll do that tournament and then really really rest.

Last night was great for one reason: Johnny gave my teammate Vince his purple belt! Vince has been kicking butt as a blue belt, culminating in his streak at the Mundial, where he submitted 6 opponents on the way to the final in his division, losing on points. It was an AMAZING performance, and he really deserves the promotion. Congrats to Vince!

Today we did Turkish getups in the conditioning class. A Turkish getup, for those of you who don't know, is a kettlebell or dumbbell exercise. Start lying on your back. Hold the dumbbell (in today's case) straight above you so your elbow is locked and your arm is perpendicular to the floor. If holding the dumbbell in your left hand, roll onto your right side, keeping your arm locked and your eyes on the dumbbell. Sit up to a lunge position and then get to your feet, all the while keeping your arm locked and your eyes on the dumbbell. Return to your back the same way.

As I mentioned to Andy and Becca, during the whole time I was in Turkey, I never saw anybody get up like this. So I don't know what's going on.

More pics from my trip eventually. Fortunately nothing else is going on in my life, so it's not like I'm falling behind.