Keeping a Training Journal (Long)

Don Richardson · 04-27-2007, 08:17 AM

Has anyone tried to keep of journal of your training (MMA, BJJ, Boxing)? When I started MMA back in October, I decided I wanted to keep a daily journal to track my progression. I didn't actually start it until around my 4th week of training, but I decided to read it for the first time and was generally pleased with my progress in the past 6 months. I just wanted to share my very first and very last journal entries to show my progress. Hopefully, it's not too long:

Tuesday - November 7, 2006 – Kickboxing and Grappling. Kicks were much more powerful today from both sides. I felt I didn’t have to exert as much energy to generate power and my stamina held up very well. Punches felt about the same, but my arms were not fatigued this time. We had an exercise where we stood with our opponent and we each tried to reverse a stand-up clinch with are hands behind each others head. One younger guy who was a little bigger than me was very strong. I actually couldn’t break the grip from around my neck. He was definitely stronger and I could tell he had been doing this for a while. I have a lot to work on. In grappling, we learned a few escapes from the guard position. I’m now used to the physical contact and will start sparring more in the next few weeks. After practice, no pain or fatigue.

Monday – April 23, 2007 – MMA Training. I have to say that if I go back 6 months when I started training and think that I could be as good as I am now, I would have thought I was crazy. I have improved so much, especially in my grappling skills, that defending a submission attempt just comes natural now. I’ve been submitted only once in the last 2 months and that was an armbar by Eric. No one other than Instructors and Nate, who has 2 years jiu-jitsu experience has submitted me past my 1st two months of training.

We had a typical, crowded class today. I was paired up with Jeff and we went through our typical drills. It was a bit hot in the back room, so we got a little more winded than usual, but it’s good for our cardio. I felt pretty good, other than my hips still giving me problems. I’m having a hard time getting my kicks up because of my sore hip joints. I hope this is just a temporary thing because I don’t want to go into a fight not having the ability to kick effectively.

Near the end of MMA, we had 2-minute rolling sessions. I went up against Jeff first and was able to submit him with an arm triangle while he was in my guard. That’s the first time I ever got that sub from the bottom. Next I went up against Chris (Dana White look-a-like). He’s a pretty strong guy and he’s improved a lot in his grappling since we last went at each other. He had a side mount on me that I was able to reverse and then mount him, but I wasn’t able to get a sub on him. He did attempt a triangle on me, but I was able to break out of it. My instructor Keith mentioned that I shouldn’t get caught in that position with my arm so far in. He said if that was him, he would have submitted me, which he’s probably right. But unless the guy is very skilled, I’m too strong and too experienced now for him to submit me with a triangle. When Chris and I were grappling, I noticed just how heavily he was breathing and how little I was breathing. I’ve gotten very good at conserving energy and controlling my breathing. That’s a big asset to have.

Next, I went up against big Scott. At 240, he’s a big solid guy, but he still hasn’t got the ground game down pat and I was able to control him for the two minutes. I was able to mount him at one point and almost had an armbar, but he was able to power out. He was just too big and strong. I feel very confident in my ground game now. If my opponent decides he wants to try and take it to the ground, I’ll be more than happy to do that. I think I can submit him or at least dominate him with strength and positioning. My May 5th fight is definitely getting here too slow.

Jacob Coile · 04-27-2007, 08:27 AM

great training.

and to answer your question
Yes I have tried to keep training logs in the past (theres one here on sherdog that started great and then I abandon it) and am gonna start another one
all the others failed cause i'd wait too long to write in them, to me a log should be at least weekly or as you did is not bad , espececially when you show such progress.
keep training hard

Tom Hishon · 04-27-2007, 08:58 AM

I do for my jj setups and submissions. You should be linking and thinking of submissions in threes. So this has helped me immensely man....... I can't even begin to tell you. When I first started in bjj, my instructor made me keep a journal and write down every fricking technique, position and submission in detail. I call it my Book of Jiu Jitsu. I read it when I am work, sitting in front of the TV, stretching getting ready to roll and it is more of a visual thing for me but it has really really helped. I can't emphasize it enough...Good luck man.

Jacob Coile · 04-27-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Hishon

I do for my jj setups and submissions. You should be linking and thinking of submissions in threes. So this has helped me immensely man....... I can't even begin to tell you. When I first started in bjj, my instructor made me keep a journal and write down every fricking technique, position and submission in detail. I call it my Book of Jiu Jitsu. I read it when I am work, sitting in front of the TV, stretching getting ready to roll and it is more of a visual thing for me but it has really really helped. I can't emphasize it enough...Good luck man.

thats an awesome idea
thanks i'll be using that advice as well

Tom Hishon · 04-27-2007, 09:37 AM

Just get a 5"x7" three ring note pad. Everytime you learn a new submission, sweep or takedown, break it down into steps and write it out in detail. I am telling you man, it will help like you won't believe. Good luck.

Don Richardson · 04-27-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Hishon

Just get a 5"x7" three ring note pad. Everytime you learn a new submission, sweep or takedown, break it down into steps and write it out in detail. I am telling you man, it will help like you won't believe. Good luck.

Thanks. That is a very good idea. I think it will greatly add to my skills now, which I have noticed has become more instinct. Sometimes I perform a submission without even thinking about it. Lately, I've found myself getting my opponent in the crucifix and really wasn't thinking about doing it. That's probably why I wasn't really able to finish it. I will definitely try out your suggestion and hopefully become more efficient with my subs.

Braderlei · 04-27-2007, 05:05 PM

i wish i had done this. i actually recommended my friend who just started muay thai to keep a sort of weekly video log of himself shadowboxing and those sorts of things

good job keeping with it though

Spoonman7 · 04-28-2007, 11:42 AM

I have been keeping a detaled og since late october, they are great and realy help you pinpont your weaknesses.