Sunday, May 11, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Come on Down
After healing up from the surprisingly grueling tryout session I got back to schedule this week with upper body on Mon and lower body tonight. Feeling better and and am looking forward to the next tryout session this weekend.
I'm even feeling pretty confident about my throws right now. I know if Amy were here she would roll her eyes and say 'there was never anything wrong with your throws' and even though she was probably right there was definitely something in my head that was preventing me from really performing on that part of my game (she would also say 'of course it's all in your head'). But this year I made an effort to go out a couple mornings with a couple discs and just throw for a while by myself, working on just throwing and seeing the disc move. Also I've been playing goaltimate this spring which is awesome for getting a lot of touches and working on quick throws and breaks.
Think I'm going to change this site up a little bit and include some more personal info because it's that time again where with some significant changes in my life sometimes I just want a place to document some of my thoughts.
Going to see Iron Man with Amy tommorow, skipping the track work out to do this and I'm happy to do it. Lord knows I've made her wait so many times, just a small gesture here that comes a tad bit too late.
I'm even feeling pretty confident about my throws right now. I know if Amy were here she would roll her eyes and say 'there was never anything wrong with your throws' and even though she was probably right there was definitely something in my head that was preventing me from really performing on that part of my game (she would also say 'of course it's all in your head'). But this year I made an effort to go out a couple mornings with a couple discs and just throw for a while by myself, working on just throwing and seeing the disc move. Also I've been playing goaltimate this spring which is awesome for getting a lot of touches and working on quick throws and breaks.
Think I'm going to change this site up a little bit and include some more personal info because it's that time again where with some significant changes in my life sometimes I just want a place to document some of my thoughts.
Going to see Iron Man with Amy tommorow, skipping the track work out to do this and I'm happy to do it. Lord knows I've made her wait so many times, just a small gesture here that comes a tad bit too late.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Something to Prove
Writing this in my car right now as I wait for Amy's wet spring league game to finish up. Had the first tryout session last weekend which was just a couple scrimmages.
I felt ok but did not play spectacular. Solid work on defence and cutting but couldn't pull the trigger on a couple layouts and throws. Biggest dissappointment was how much my hamstrings hurt the day after. After putting in so much time in the gym it was a bad feeling to think maybe I didn't do enough or target the right area. Regardless of those feelings I know have two weeks to address those issues before the next practice.
Probably just focusing on the negatives but looking to get back on that field.
I felt ok but did not play spectacular. Solid work on defence and cutting but couldn't pull the trigger on a couple layouts and throws. Biggest dissappointment was how much my hamstrings hurt the day after. After putting in so much time in the gym it was a bad feeling to think maybe I didn't do enough or target the right area. Regardless of those feelings I know have two weeks to address those issues before the next practice.
Probably just focusing on the negatives but looking to get back on that field.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Update - 4/24/2008
Took a mini break this past weekend and Monday and Tues because of Patriots day festivities and having tickets to the Sox game on Tues night. It was a good time to rest up and let the body heal as we have the first tryout scrimmage this Sat.
Yesterday went out in the morning and threw 50 long backhands and forehand hucks. Then various shorter throws working on hitting some spots. In the afternoon did some abs, rehab stuff for the groin and ran 1.5 in 14. The weather was so nice I hit up Mag beach pickup for about an hour trying to get the disc and work on some throws.
This morning lifting upper body with a tabata interval (bike, kettlebell, speedbox, mt climbers). This afternoon will be goaltimate action. Feeling pretty good, trying to stay stretched out and rolled out.
I always feel like I should of done more as I get closer to tryouts but I've got to work with what I have now.
Yesterday went out in the morning and threw 50 long backhands and forehand hucks. Then various shorter throws working on hitting some spots. In the afternoon did some abs, rehab stuff for the groin and ran 1.5 in 14. The weather was so nice I hit up Mag beach pickup for about an hour trying to get the disc and work on some throws.
This morning lifting upper body with a tabata interval (bike, kettlebell, speedbox, mt climbers). This afternoon will be goaltimate action. Feeling pretty good, trying to stay stretched out and rolled out.
I always feel like I should of done more as I get closer to tryouts but I've got to work with what I have now.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Training Update 4/2/2008
Well I fell into another 2 months of being busy and too lazy to update this thing. There were some important things that happened so wanted to outline them out now before 6 months went by and then it would of been too late.
First I winter league has come and gone and out team 'Texas Breakside Massacre' finished out 2nd place in the league, losing in the finals 15-16. It was a pretty good season playing with NGM and Arun; and I felt pretty good physically. Definitely felt a lot more explosive on my cuts and just continuing to work hard to get this going into tryouts.
Speaking of tryouts, it's been made official now that the 2 teams will be merging and there will be open tryouts for everyone currently on the team and anyone else new. So now there is kind of an unknown looking forward in the season but I think it's helped keep me motivated during training since there is possibility of not playing if I slack off. So the keys that I have personally going into this is to work as hard as I can before and leave it all on the field, and to stay healthy by doing as much work stretching and addressing my injuries as I do lifting weights or running.
I bought the 'The Ultimate Off-Season Training Manual' by E. Cressey and it was a great read. This thing won't give you new exercises to do or anything like that but it will get your mind set on what you should be trying to accomplish in a sport's off season. One the points that I took away was the fact that you should get away from your sport as much as possibly in the offseason. The quote from that is 'no one wins awards from being in game shape year round' and it is true, at least in my case. I've always felt like I underperformed at the end of the last couple seasons and as a result I've looked to play as much as possible in the off-season. Cressey points out that what you should be doing is hitting the weights hard and just raising your general athleticism. This will serve you better when the regular season hits.
Alright there were a couple other great points that I took out of the read but I've got to run to WIT's practice this afternoon. Looking forward I'm looking to provide weekly updates.
First I winter league has come and gone and out team 'Texas Breakside Massacre' finished out 2nd place in the league, losing in the finals 15-16. It was a pretty good season playing with NGM and Arun; and I felt pretty good physically. Definitely felt a lot more explosive on my cuts and just continuing to work hard to get this going into tryouts.
Speaking of tryouts, it's been made official now that the 2 teams will be merging and there will be open tryouts for everyone currently on the team and anyone else new. So now there is kind of an unknown looking forward in the season but I think it's helped keep me motivated during training since there is possibility of not playing if I slack off. So the keys that I have personally going into this is to work as hard as I can before and leave it all on the field, and to stay healthy by doing as much work stretching and addressing my injuries as I do lifting weights or running.
I bought the 'The Ultimate Off-Season Training Manual' by E. Cressey and it was a great read. This thing won't give you new exercises to do or anything like that but it will get your mind set on what you should be trying to accomplish in a sport's off season. One the points that I took away was the fact that you should get away from your sport as much as possibly in the offseason. The quote from that is 'no one wins awards from being in game shape year round' and it is true, at least in my case. I've always felt like I underperformed at the end of the last couple seasons and as a result I've looked to play as much as possible in the off-season. Cressey points out that what you should be doing is hitting the weights hard and just raising your general athleticism. This will serve you better when the regular season hits.
Alright there were a couple other great points that I took out of the read but I've got to run to WIT's practice this afternoon. Looking forward I'm looking to provide weekly updates.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Feb Update
Here is a post Vegas update before too many weeks go by. Indoor starting and we are currently 3-0 going into our bye week. The combo of me NGM and Arun is already pretty potent but add in a couple veteran women and other solid role players make us a pretty scary team as far as indoor goes. Had a monster game in week 2 but think I hurt my ribs with a deep bruise or fracture. Normal activities feel fine but breathing in deeply and lifting weights above my head give me some pain. Going to see the doctor after going to NYC next week so an x-ray will show whats wrong.
Training is going well in terms of increased strength, flexibility, and speed. One thing that I have noticed is that I still am unable to get that explosive energy that I feel at the beginning of games to last. The endurance work I've done so far has been mostly running a mile on the treadmill, biking, or jump-roping. Thinking about this, my theory is that this helps my standard endurance of being able to be active for a long time. But I'll need to do more tabata or sprint workouts to increase my explosive endurance.
Next week I'll be in NYC for business again from Tues-Fri. I've decided that I will take the week off from lifting and do some body weight work and lots of stretching and foam roller work. To this end I got a stretching rope and 1 foot travel roller that I can bring down.
In terms of my groin the PT has shown that losing up the muscles in the lower body: hamstring, IT, quads; have really helped. Things are going pretty well in terms of pain while cutting and training and we are working towards healing things up. I am going to have a reevaluation in about 2 weeks and we'll determine what the next steps are.
Next Fri I will be flying back to NYC instead of taking the train because we'll be having an important Noise meeting in which we'll hear what is going to make in the next season.
Keep working hard boys the summer is coming on fast.
Training is going well in terms of increased strength, flexibility, and speed. One thing that I have noticed is that I still am unable to get that explosive energy that I feel at the beginning of games to last. The endurance work I've done so far has been mostly running a mile on the treadmill, biking, or jump-roping. Thinking about this, my theory is that this helps my standard endurance of being able to be active for a long time. But I'll need to do more tabata or sprint workouts to increase my explosive endurance.
Next week I'll be in NYC for business again from Tues-Fri. I've decided that I will take the week off from lifting and do some body weight work and lots of stretching and foam roller work. To this end I got a stretching rope and 1 foot travel roller that I can bring down.
In terms of my groin the PT has shown that losing up the muscles in the lower body: hamstring, IT, quads; have really helped. Things are going pretty well in terms of pain while cutting and training and we are working towards healing things up. I am going to have a reevaluation in about 2 weeks and we'll determine what the next steps are.
Next Fri I will be flying back to NYC instead of taking the train because we'll be having an important Noise meeting in which we'll hear what is going to make in the next season.
Keep working hard boys the summer is coming on fast.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Vegas - First Thoughts
Got back from Vegas this morning after taking the red eye flight out at midnight Vegas time, 3 AM EST. I got in at 8 AM and headed to the office after dropping a teammate off. So needless to say I am pretty tired. But the day is almost over and I can finally go home get some dinner and pass out.
But first I wanted to record some initial thoughts from the weekend. Game re-caps and such will come at a later time. First I felt pretty good and my new cleats feel sick. It's been a long time since I've felt this fast and agile on the ultimate field. The only complaint I have is that there is definitely no ankle support and there were a couple times I tweaked it on the mark on just running around. Also the groin was sore but felt good after a weekend where I played 6 games and was trying hard individually. In perspective the week after tournaments this summer I could barely walk the abductors were hurting so much. I also have PT twice this week on Tues and Thurs so hopefully we'll get rolling on getting this thing solved once and for all.
One thing I found that I had problems with was picking up the disc as a primary handle and getting the first throw off. I seem to have a mental block or something as I turned it over multiple times to open in cuts. Something to work on when I can get outside for some throwing sessions.
But first I wanted to record some initial thoughts from the weekend. Game re-caps and such will come at a later time. First I felt pretty good and my new cleats feel sick. It's been a long time since I've felt this fast and agile on the ultimate field. The only complaint I have is that there is definitely no ankle support and there were a couple times I tweaked it on the mark on just running around. Also the groin was sore but felt good after a weekend where I played 6 games and was trying hard individually. In perspective the week after tournaments this summer I could barely walk the abductors were hurting so much. I also have PT twice this week on Tues and Thurs so hopefully we'll get rolling on getting this thing solved once and for all.
One thing I found that I had problems with was picking up the disc as a primary handle and getting the first throw off. I seem to have a mental block or something as I turned it over multiple times to open in cuts. Something to work on when I can get outside for some throwing sessions.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tight like a Tiger
Had my evaluation and basically found out that I was really tight... everywhere. I mentioned in an earlier post that I want to put a greater emphasis on stretching the whatnot this year but sounds like I should make it the main emphasis in this offseason. The PT this morning was pretty good as they noticed that my left IT band felt like a rock and that would have some impact on my groin. They massaged it a little bit and stretched out my left leg a bit.
Will be leaving for Trouble in Vegas tonight and am looking forward to it. Bringing my camera so hopefully I'll get some good pictures out there. Unfortunately I checked the weather last night for the weekend and found that it was going to be raining! In the desert!?! But what can you do, I packed up some cold and rain gear. Taking the red eye back on Sunday night and will be back in Boston at 6 AM.
Will be leaving for Trouble in Vegas tonight and am looking forward to it. Bringing my camera so hopefully I'll get some good pictures out there. Unfortunately I checked the weather last night for the weekend and found that it was going to be raining! In the desert!?! But what can you do, I packed up some cold and rain gear. Taking the red eye back on Sunday night and will be back in Boston at 6 AM.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Mild Beginnings
This week I started lifting again following the program at Core Performance. It's a 15 week training regiment which is designed for football skill position players. I did this training last year as well but was working out at home which limited me to what equipment I had access to. Also this year this workout will not be the only thing that I do, but will supplement other things in to work on my weaknesses. The verdict after week one is that I'm pretty tired and sore. It feels good though to get back to some serious training. I've been trying to run a mile a day for the past week and my legs and ankles feel like they are getting back into running form.
I just realized this past week that going to Trouble in Vegas is going to prevent me from attending the UPCC conference in Newton. I attended last year and thought it was pretty awesome for ultimate's first ever event of it's kind. I learned a lot and am trying to get someone from the Wentworth team to go in my stead. Last year the best presentation was definitely Ben Wiggins on Marking strategies at high level ultimate and Brian Woo's training and conditioning for the ultimate athlete. Both are slated to come back to do presentations so I will look to purchase the audio or video through ultivillage at some point.
I just realized this past week that going to Trouble in Vegas is going to prevent me from attending the UPCC conference in Newton. I attended last year and thought it was pretty awesome for ultimate's first ever event of it's kind. I learned a lot and am trying to get someone from the Wentworth team to go in my stead. Last year the best presentation was definitely Ben Wiggins on Marking strategies at high level ultimate and Brian Woo's training and conditioning for the ultimate athlete. Both are slated to come back to do presentations so I will look to purchase the audio or video through ultivillage at some point.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Back Home
Bleeh, had a great night of sleep last night after coming back from NYC but after I woke up spent the rest of the morning/afternoon hunched over with stomach pains. Not sure if it was something I ate last night or all the travel lately but it derailed my plans to hit up the gym before lunch time. Instead as I felt better around kickoff time of football's wildcard weekend I just did an abbreviated workout in my room. Tomorrows I will be hitting up some ultimate pickup at Danehy park which is pretty much in my back yard. Will be a good chance to try out my cleats if the field conditions look fine.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Big Apple Day One
Although I was pretty excited to be going on my first solo business outing it fell at an inopportune time. On the day after New Years having to wake up at 4:14 AM to catch a 6AM shuttle is not very fun. Especially if your body just got used to staying up until past 2AM in the morning. As I was watching the over hyped Hawaii vs Georgia game on TV I looked up and saw that it was already 12:30 AM. I quickly finished up packing and got ready for bed and hit the sack. Sleeping didn't last for long before I was back up showering. Dropped Amy off and high tailed it to Logan. The flight was pretty uneventful except for the air blower vent was blowing cold cold air at my head during the whole flight so I didn't get to get a good nap in. This was pretty annoying as I could not turn it off or redirect it. Took a cab into midtown and made a rookie mistake of not getting a receit, grrrr. Got a quick bite to eat and headed off to the client site and pretty much worked all day until 6:30 PM.
Got back to the hotel at 7 and was looking forward to getting a workout in. Plans almost got offtrack immediately as I looked further into the details and found that it was not free for hotel guests. Even with a $279/night charge for the room they wouldn't let us use the treadmills and weights unless we paid another $18. I wavered for about half an hour thinking up good excuses why I should save the money but then said fuck it and decided that if I was going to pay $18 bucks I'll get a full work out in. Turns out the gym is really really nice, all the bikes and treadmills have their own little mini TV's so I was able to catch some basketball/football while getting some cardio in. Also they had a ton of free weights/medicine balls/stability balls and lots of space for people to use them.
Run 1 mile
3x8 Stability Ball push ups
3x10 Stability Ball Pikes
3x8 Romanian Deadlifts 50lbs/60lbs/60lbs
3x10 Lateral Step ups Bodyweight/20lbs/30lbs
2xtwo-arm-1-leg hinge 40lbs/40lbs
2xsingle leg squats Bodyweight/Bodyweight
Bike 10 minutes
Full Stretch
I then ate dinner down at the bar and had the most expensive Guinness and Chicken Quesadillas ever. I'm exhausted now so I'm going to watch a little of the WV/Ohio game and drift off to sleep. Keep up the the good work boys.
Got back to the hotel at 7 and was looking forward to getting a workout in. Plans almost got offtrack immediately as I looked further into the details and found that it was not free for hotel guests. Even with a $279/night charge for the room they wouldn't let us use the treadmills and weights unless we paid another $18. I wavered for about half an hour thinking up good excuses why I should save the money but then said fuck it and decided that if I was going to pay $18 bucks I'll get a full work out in. Turns out the gym is really really nice, all the bikes and treadmills have their own little mini TV's so I was able to catch some basketball/football while getting some cardio in. Also they had a ton of free weights/medicine balls/stability balls and lots of space for people to use them.
Run 1 mile
3x8 Stability Ball push ups
3x10 Stability Ball Pikes
3x8 Romanian Deadlifts 50lbs/60lbs/60lbs
3x10 Lateral Step ups Bodyweight/20lbs/30lbs
2xtwo-arm-1-leg hinge 40lbs/40lbs
2xsingle leg squats Bodyweight/Bodyweight
Bike 10 minutes
Full Stretch
I then ate dinner down at the bar and had the most expensive Guinness and Chicken Quesadillas ever. I'm exhausted now so I'm going to watch a little of the WV/Ohio game and drift off to sleep. Keep up the the good work boys.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Welcome to 2008
Well I didn't get to get another post out before the new year but I guess we can start out the year on a good note anyways. So I did the usual for the night and hopped around a couple places before passing out late in the night. Overall a pretty uneventful night but now that we are in 2008 it's a personal reminder that the offseason is moving pretty fast and before you know it I'll be suiting up for another ultimate season.
On New Year's Eve I came back from a week off of rest during Christmas by doing the usual groin and ankle work, but at the end ran for the first time in months. This summer after my ankle and groin injuries I was sidelined to bike work except for playing so it felt pretty good to start up again, even if it was only on the treadmill. I only ran a mile but will be ramping up in the next couple weeks.
Tomorrow I will be heading to NYC for work and this will be the first time that I will be looking to workout when on the road. Staying at the Hilton in Midtown so hopefully there will be some decent facilities. The key is to work hard during the day at the client site, and then it's business time in the gym. A co-work once said on the ability to continue training on the road is that many times you will have the be the party pooper and just keep your mind on the ultimate goal.
After Christmas I stopped by Nike Town and picked up a new pair of Mercurial Talaria III FG's to try for next season. Going back to soccer cleats after reading good reviews of them my some ultimate players and from playing indoor soccer this winter. One of the best things that I like about them first off is that they weigh in at a tiny 8 oz. This is compared for the football cleats I had at the beginning of last season which were 20 oz and then my dependable Vapor TD's which are 12 oz. I'll test them out in winter ultimate as well as some soccer games but we'll see how the ankles fare in these slippers. Might have to get some ankle supports to wear in addition to shore up the support. I might use these for good weather/field conditions and keep my vapors for the rest.
On New Year's Eve I came back from a week off of rest during Christmas by doing the usual groin and ankle work, but at the end ran for the first time in months. This summer after my ankle and groin injuries I was sidelined to bike work except for playing so it felt pretty good to start up again, even if it was only on the treadmill. I only ran a mile but will be ramping up in the next couple weeks.
Tomorrow I will be heading to NYC for work and this will be the first time that I will be looking to workout when on the road. Staying at the Hilton in Midtown so hopefully there will be some decent facilities. The key is to work hard during the day at the client site, and then it's business time in the gym. A co-work once said on the ability to continue training on the road is that many times you will have the be the party pooper and just keep your mind on the ultimate goal.
After Christmas I stopped by Nike Town and picked up a new pair of Mercurial Talaria III FG's to try for next season. Going back to soccer cleats after reading good reviews of them my some ultimate players and from playing indoor soccer this winter. One of the best things that I like about them first off is that they weigh in at a tiny 8 oz. This is compared for the football cleats I had at the beginning of last season which were 20 oz and then my dependable Vapor TD's which are 12 oz. I'll test them out in winter ultimate as well as some soccer games but we'll see how the ankles fare in these slippers. Might have to get some ankle supports to wear in addition to shore up the support. I might use these for good weather/field conditions and keep my vapors for the rest.
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