The Test Results…Not Exactly

So tonight didn’t turn out to be quiet the cardio test I imagined it would be. My plan was to get to the gym at 5:00pm and get a half hour in the back room before the 5:30 class began and I would be scooted out.

 

Unfortunately I read for a bit too long and didn’t make it to the gym until 5:30. I had a couple options at that point: try and blend in to the kids class that was in the back room I wanted to use or head over to the main room and take Dino Costeas’ (www.DinoCosteas.tv) beginner Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class. I hadn’t actually taken part in a BJJ class since last spring when I partially tore my acl, mcl and bruised three different areas of one of my knees sparring.  

 

I seriously considered option one since those students were more along my skill level and pace but ultimately decided on seeing what was going on in Coach Dino’s class. I already knew that I had enough mobility to drill certain techniques off of my back, but kneeling is out of the question because of the bone bruises.

 

I asked and sure enough Coach said that he planned to be teaching some basic (right up my alley) guard techniques. I gave it a go.

 

And boy did it feel good. There was nothing fancy, I just drilled some great techniques (escape from the knee on stomach position and an arm drag from inside your closed guard into an arm bar) with my excellent teammates, but being on the mat and moving step by step along maneuvers really was wonderful thing to experience again.

 

It’s a little hard to explain but essentially it comes down to the fact that I was again doing, in some capacity, one of the things I enjoy most in this world for the first time in a long while. Substitute in your mind whatever it is you enjoy doing and I’m sure you’ll be able to understand.

 

My partners were gentle, my knee held up and yes, I had enough energy for about a half hour of drilling from my raw/vegan meals. No question.

 

I still look forward to pushing my heart rate a little bit and seeing if my lungs will be clearer and more functional from the cheese ease of the last few days. Right now, the tentative plan is to head back to the gym tomorrow afternoon before the Sabbath (that would be Friday sunset until Saturday sunset for all you wondering what I mean).

 

I’ll try to remember to bring a camera and get some shots of the gym, any teammates milling around and hopefully not of me gasping for air in some corner of the mats.

More of my long-promised details soon to come as well.

 

This detox program I’m on involves four stages – one for each week- and since I have yet to, I’ll be sure to break down what stage one is made up of. For example, morning meditation is a part of it (I’ve been attempting to read and meditate on a different Bible verse each day. Today was Romans 8:28)

We just picked up our second “live box” (all our prepared food) of the week and I have my eye on the two pieces of “cheese” cake (carrot and chocolate. I’ve had them both and they are crazy good) as well as a lasagna.

 

By the way, before I forget: I spoke with the Chef and owner of Cousin’s IV (Chef Mehmet) tonight and asked him one of the most common questions I’ve been getting from all of you and I think you will like the answer…Cousin’s IV does overnight meals out of state.

 

I don’t know all the details, obviously there would be an extra shipping charge, but he said the thing for all those interested to do is simply call and ask about it. Head to www.Cousinsiv.com for their phone number and give them a ring!