This past Friday I was to lead my first class as a purple belt. I had it all planned out. What we would warm up with, what we would drill, technique I wanted to work on, extra stuff if there was time, and end it with some rolls. During the warm up drills (standing guard passing/not letting the standing pass), I jumped in and within 30 seconds, tore my right hip flexor. Damn that hurt! I managed to finish the lesson by having a senior blue belt demonstrate what I wanted to show. What a let down. Now I’m out for weeks! Argggggggg!!!!!
Last night, Grizzly Gym hosted mma pioneer Enson Inoue for a nogi grappling / mma seminar. I was unable to attend the first part. Stupid work. Professor Mike told me to attend when I could and to bring my gi along as well.
I got there around 7:00pm. It looked like everyone was having a great time. You can tell that a seminar is going well when the participants are smiling and chatting about the techniques as they are drilling. I met Enson last year when he came for a visit. Again, what a nice man. He remembered me (at least he said he did lol), and welcomed me even though I was late. I hate showing up late. I find it disrespectful, but again, professor Mike told me to come late.
The stuff that he shows really works. It nothing too fancy, but it’s all been proven effective. I remember last year someone asked Enson if he’d consider doing straight grappling matches like Metamoris or other super fights. He said that while he would love to, he thinks that the young grapplers today have passed him by with all the new school technique. He said he watches guys at his gyms and is in awe with what they can do. At the same time he said he might be open to matches with the older guys. He specifically mentioned a rematch with Randy Couture. I don’t know if his opinion has changed or not seeing as how he had an official retirement ceremony in Japan this last year.
After 2 1/2 hours, the seminar came to an end. Mike asked Sean and myself to put on our gis. Then this happened…
Thanks so much to Professor Mike for believing in me. Thanks to Sean, Wes, Josh, PJ, and all the other Grizzlies I’ve trained and learned with. And thanks to my awesome wife for putting up with the time at the gym, the injuries, and the shitty attitude from time to time (she’s started her BJJ journey recently). As much as I don’t believe I have the skill to wear a purple belt, it was a great honour. I’ll have to keep working hard to fell like I’ve really earned it.
Of course, Sean and I had to have our inaugural purple belt match immediately. All I’ll say is this is the first half. 😉
It must have been during rolling. It’s been a couple of weeks. I’ve still been rolling which seems to make it worse (makes sense). Has anyone had this injury before? How long did it take for you to get over it? I’ve been trying to avoid the pain by using the other side of my body as much as possible. Of course, that’s my weak side for technique. Let this be a lesson to all of you that only train technique on your dominant side. It sucks when you’re forced to do the other side!
Sonetimes I think patches look really good on a gi. Sometimes I think that they look awful. Is being a walking billboard really what Jiu Jitsu is about? That being said, I just sewed 3 patches on my Globetrotter travel gi that I’ve been meaning to get to for about a year. Using a sewing machine is friggin’ hard! Not the best job…
I’m going to try these for warm up tonight. Since I’m over 40 now, I realize that I need to spend more time getting my joints lubed and loose. What do you like to do to get your body moving?
Mountains to Mats 