It is a really good feeling when you can put it all together to have success outside of a training scenario.
That’s the sauce right there, if your number ever gets called off of the mats. That’s not said to diminish the x-guard or ankle attack you got it done with, but to highlight your demonstrated competence in ass-whooping.
Be proud of not being a guard puller!
So many replies - thanks all!
Elbow is still angry but better this morning (post that deep arm bar). Back to almost full range of motion, should be ok for training tomorrow am. Throat is still a bit croaky too but coming good day by day. Neck muscles feeling it but they’ll be all good in a day or so.
@burien_top_team appreciate the vids and tips thus far on my bjj journey. Plenty of inspiration from your log too mate! Getting caught up in the legs and the resultant triangle is something I defo need to work on avoiding/getting thru!
@TrainForPain forgot to mention in my earlier summary, there were nerves, and a few nervous #2’s before heading to the tournament. Thanks!
Appreciate the kind words there @shaneinga @Friedrich @TM79 interestingly given all my matches were submissions they all flew by quickly. Other than the first match which went 4mins ish all the others were over well inside the 5mins so my cardio didn’t seem to take much of a hit. Or adrenaline blurred the lines… 
@dchris it really seemed like all my opponents (and many others on the day) were happy to stand back and look for grappling openings. Pretty sure you mentioned earlier to have a plan going in? I figured leg shot takedowns were my best bet so went with it.
High praise there @T3hPwnisher thanks and loved that ‘fear’ comment, very happy with my first outing in any kind of martial arts.
Yeah there’s no fun in just pulling guard I concur there @twojarslave , at my size though, and as per our goon thread discussions, I’d prefer to bolt in such situations outside the mat. But in saying that I’ve learnt so much in these past 6months-ish of training.
Forgot to mention, the guy I lost to with via the crucifex went on the win the group, so he was pretty good.
It’s probably best to hold off on starting your first barfight until you get your blue belt, at which point you’re basically invincible.
Ya, starting out strong is huge. Akin to ‘everyone knows how to fight until they’re punched in the face’. Similarly, when your leg is grabbed and you’re falling on your back out of nowhere it’s a giant shock to the system. The single X to ankle lock was textbook.
Got the itch for more?
BJJ
06.11.2024 (6am morning session)
BJJ 1hr, training (all levels class).
-Early discussion was on the comp, and the Coach was happy to run through the crucifix (or half version?) escape method. Then reviewed the arm triangle as my grips on it were totally wrong in match 4 (despite getting the submission).
-Then some challenging rolls as I was on the total defensive looking after the neck AND elbow. Copped a few light chokes (and early taps) which angered the throat again, bah! But dominated N again in our roll. Then played around with improving his mount escape technique.
-Good cardio in those rolls today.
-no bar fights planned at all @twojarslave but I like the invincible tag - that may be a number of years away!
-yep keen for more @dchris - there’s another comp coming up in Feb I think, I can see myself being a regular at these comps. Great fun and testing the skillsets! The Feb one has fewer weight brackets, lowest bracket is under 75kg (up to 165lb ish), so I’ll be giving up almost 20lbs there. Thanks on the leg x comment too, still chuffed on that one 
That’s okay, you can actually plan your opening move just before you start the fight. The most important thing is to have the right mindset.
That a blue belt is practically a black belt?
Lol that one can actually depend on the school, but the right mindset for bar fight glory is one of unwavering belief in your ability to both manufacture conflict and prevail in that conflict.
Just saw this, seems like a great experience, makes me want to get on the mat one day.
Arms (mini work gym)
07.10.2024 (12noon pre lunch session)
BPA’s various angles x 40ish
Dead hang
2.5kg DB’s curls x 10, 15
5kg DB curls x 8, 8
Lat pulldowns x 35kg x 15, 15
-ss-
DB Row 15kg x 10, 10
Rope tri ext x 15, 15
-Super light bit of lunch movement in business clothes.
-Just testing the arm/elbow out. Plenty of bruising coming through , all ok to 95% extension. Light pain when fully locked straight. So on the improve.
-Throat still hoarse, sore. Limiting talking where I can in the office.
Defo a worthwhile experience @heretolog would recommend it!
BJJ
08.11.2024 (6am morning session)
BJJ 1hr, training (all levels class).
-working wrestling up from the ground, grabbing the ankles to sweep opponent down. Awkward as to start with but with more practice I started to get the feel of it.
-rolls after but taking things easy, asked all my opponents to not go for any chokes, so I copped a heap of armbars instead… ha.
-worked some triangle techniques after too, ok session, nice to get some movement in as these nagging sore spots/injuries heal. Plan to rest up now till wed am next week, surely throat and elbow will be all good by then…
-restingHR58
Speedy recovery mate. Quick question - what are BPA’s?
Band Pull Aparts (done at various angles for me usually)
Good weekend here. Plenty of Yardio on Sunday. Relaxing Saturday, family time, and nice weather for it too.
Elbow’s bruising still there but starting to fade. Throat slowly improving.
Looking all ok for squats today though.
Squats (work gym)
11.11.2024 (1pm pre lunch session)
Mobility, warmup
Ankle mobility
Hip aeroplanes
Squats
Bar x 10
40kg x 8
60 x 5, 8, 8, 8
-ss-
Knees to chest x 10, 10, 10
Nordic leg curls (slight improve here, longer negative TUT, but plenty on the push back up)
x 10, 10, 10, 10
-ss-
Leg press
1.5 PPS x 10, 10, 10
-resting HR58
-family member on saturday asked ‘have you lost weight?’ but no real change. Composition might be improving though. Slightly less volume and more rest days… who knew!? (sfa alcohol defo helps)
Catching up on logs.
Great work at the comp man! That “something unpleasant” from your first match was a Buggy Choke. you did a great job defending and staying calm in a bad situation.
Head taps are annoying. They really are to make you over react and give the the op an opening they can exploit. Again, you did a really great job not over reacting and keeping cool.
Great work!
La’
@redsol1 Great to read you’re back on the logs! That buggy choke was definately unpleasant. He had pressure building in my right ear but not enough to make me tap. Coach said he’s seen plenty tap at that point. Wished I’d tapped a bit sooner on the two losses though. Elbow still sore at end of tricep from a deep armbar. Throat also still croaky almost 10days after that hard choke.
Appreciate the tips above too thanks!
The random question or unexpected compliment is always nice. 
Shoulders/Arms
12.11.2024 (12noon pre lunch session)
BPA’s various angles x 40ish
Dead hang - stretching out the elbow
Banded curls x 6, 8, 8
Lateral raises
5kg DB’s x 15, 7.5kg DB’s x 10, 10, 8+6, 8
-ss-
Lat pulldowns
35kg x 15
40 x 12, 8, 8, 8+8, 6
Rear delts
7.5 kg DB’s x 12, 15, 15, 10+6, 8
-ss-
DB Row
15kg DB x 15
20kg DB x 12, 20, 18
Rope tri ext x 15, 15, 15
Wrist curls x 15, 10, 10, 8
-ss-
Elbow prehab routine 4kg DB’s 3 x 3 x 10-12r
-working around the sore elbow. Seems fine on tricep work, but straightening it fully angers it… thus no DL’s for a bit.
-defo take the compliments @burien_top_team thanks mate!
BJJ
13.11.2024 (6am morning session)
BJJ 1hr, training (all levels class).
-Coach couldn’t make it, but T coached today (she’d be purple belt and small in stature (my size ish), which is great, as I got a new perspective on training.
-Worked on flower sweep into armbar. Loved this, keeping that pressure on the crossed arm. I’ve had sfa training on armbars so this really was a great learning session. I’d always go triangle when I get up near the shoulders but this is a great move I need to continue to practice on.
-Mini rolls starting from closed guard thereafter trying to nail the flower into armbar. Elbow improving slightly each day, but keen for it to be fully healed now! Neck/throat also very slowly improving.
BJJ
15.11.2024 (6am morning session)
BJJ 1hr, training (all levels class).
-was onsite yest so no gym
-shoulder locks today into armbars (from butterfly). Enjoyable and more learning!
-good rolls today thereafter, bigger class so I got to roll with more bigger guys and was essentially on the defence for much of the time. A few taps but good cardio and more learning to pace myself in there. Elbow almost healed up, throat fairly good now.
Latest new toy at work, it was shiny a few days ago!
