Promoted To Blue Belt

I took the test on Saturday, and ran the gauntlet on Monday evening class.  Frankly, a bit nervous, first I have to , or do my best to step up to the next level.  Rolling with Joey Collins, a blue belt, that is harder than some purple belts, and he always dominates me.  I have been trying to figure out what I been doing wrong, I think its just going to be more mat time for me to get an understanding how to roll with that kind of body type.  Then I rolled with Ian McPherson , and two others.

Zae said something to me a few days before,  when you are regular training against world champions, remind yourself you are rolling against world champions.  It puts things in prospective.  I am a hobbiest, do this for health, enjoyment, and its 100x better than drinking and going out all the time.  At least I do something productive.

On related news, apparently, if you bring a friend to alliance you get a free private.  Anyone want to get me a free private can help me take me up on this offer. allianceatlanta.blogspot.com or http://www.alliancebjj.com

I want to mention a "shout out" to Edward, he got his blue the other day, and he worked VERY VERY hard for it.  It makes me happy to see him get that.  Congrats Edward.

Time On Mat

Does a year go by fast or what?!  What a glorious experience it is.  From first class, to now, its been a little bit of pain, pleasure, fun, joy, relief, sadness, and a wide degree of emotion.  The officially the log says I reached 100+ classes, unofficially, I am close to 140-200 classes, I do privates and more than third of the time , I did not bother to swipe.

Where I was, Where I am, Where I want to be...

Where I was, I very little skill and also any type of speed, strength and agility.  I remember rolling with bart for the first time ever, He kicked my butt 500 different ways....  Only later did I learn that nearly everyone that happens to.

Where I am.... last month I been only averaging about 2 classes a week,  life, weather, and just the feeling of being burned out gets to me.  I am not a professional athlete of any sorts, I have a career.  Last week I went back to 3-4 classes,  I started weight training and that is helping a lot, I just want to be in better health so I can enjoy my life more.  

Where I want to be,  I want to lose the last 40 lbs.  This next year, is going all be about just improving my bjj overall.  I have a lot to learn, but now I have a better chance than I had when I first started.  I want to make my guard great.  Its what I pull people to, just to practice, it does get passed often, but I take the guard position just to learn more about it.   I often try new things from guard to force myself to learn.

In other news,  I will be testing for blue belt this week.  It will be 2 1/2 years total as a white belt ( 1 1/2 years under a different style of jiu jitsu) ... Its been a long time.   Very nervous about the test! Wish me luck!