Sunday June 12, 2011

Welcome to my blog. You might think by its title that my sole purpose and goal is to tap Wes Glassmeyer, but it really isn't. The goal of my blog is to document the journey of a 39 year old, married, father of two trying to get into better shape and advance in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Although, some of my benchmarks to improving will be submitting bigger, stronger and more advanced people like Wes! Everyone at Relson Gracie Jiu-jitsu is technically awesome, fit and works super hard, so I know my journey is going to be hard, but I also know I am working with the best. I am also using this as a way to stay motivated and hopefully in the process motivate others. I don't want to be the guy who achieves blue belt and stops training forever, I want to get better, stronger and more in shape than I've ever been. Please help.

So yesterday was a good day. I rolled for about an hour and a half or so and did so with a bunch of guys - Seth, Wes, Victor and Dusty. I was beaten up and submitted in a ton of different ways. I was swept, mounted, had my back taken, turtled and many more. I got leg locked, foot locked, anaconda choked (Wes), arm barred, triangle choked and lastly, smothered (Dusty's patented shoulder over the nose and mouth, although I think it was Curtis' originally). I am thankful for each one of those awful experiences. I almost pulled off a bow and arrow choke that we learned last Wednesday, but didn't quite master one part of the technique (plus one unnamed training partner has a gigantic nearly un-submittable neck).

I did some things well, though. I got into some good positions offensively and held and escaped a number of defensive positions. I learned that I need that one last part of a full technique to finish the bow and arrow, which I will remember next time. I reinforced in myself that no part of any technique is unnecessary. I thought more about my grips and how they impact what my opponent is going to be able to do. I learned several new minor changes to approaching passing the half guard effectively. All of these things I hope to be able to build into my game in order to minimize my mistakes in the future.

I also stretched, did push ups, pull ups, squats and crunches because I am so out of shape. I am a total physical mess even though I am only 160 lbs. I will get stronger all around on my journey and have the gas to be able to compete effectively and not crap out after the first fight.

Should you like to inquire about your status on my goals list of people to tap, please send me a post here or to scottshore@yahoo.com. Don't feel bad if you are not Wes, he is not alone. I hope that you all continue to submit me with the flare and grace I have come to expect of each and every one of you. Lastly, I will only count my submissions if it is an arm attack or choke, no leg or ankle locks. I hope this blog doesn't get boring. If it does tell me and I'll submit.