Could I Have Made It?

Just a little checking in...

2008-03-16T22:23:00.000-07:00

So hi! Long time since I've updated this little blog. Just wanted to poke my head in and say hi.

Which is what I've done. SO... Uh... Seems I'm done here.

WAIT! No, I've got something else. I wanted to let you know what I've been up to and whatnot. Soooo... I've not been doing much in the way of specific football-related training, but I have been working out and training quite hard since December. On the advice of the offensive coordinator for the Georgia Force, I began a workout routine which focuses a bit less on long distance cardio and raw burst strength and instead began working interval training and higher rep, higher set count routines.

The results so far:

December 24, 2007:

March 11, 2008:

This picture absolutely blew my mind.

I look at myself in the mirror every morning when I shave my face and get dressed. I know on a fact-based level that I've had to cut three brand new notches in my belt and have gone down from a 44 to a 40 in pants (probably a 38, but I just don't have it in my wallet to go buy yet more new pants). But I don't know... It wasn't until one of the trainers at my gym snapped this photo and sent it to me that it hit me just how much work has been done.

He told me that often times, people don't realize what they've done until they see a picture. I guess the mirror doesn't hold in it the connotation that others can see the same image and pass judgment, whereas pictures have the distinct purpose of doing just that. So I guess there's something in the brain that triggers when one sees a picture of themselves... Who knows. I'm just a doofus with a blog and the desire to play some football.

Anyway, there's the update so far. I'll probably be hitting this space with more over the next few months, as things happen. I've also contemplated putting together a small video series on "the absolute beginner's guide to the gym" or something - I've received a good bit of feedback on my "about" section describing the exercises, so who knows... I've not really seen much out there that shows someone who's never done the bench press before how exactly they should do it.

Any opinion?

That's it for now

2007-12-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Whelp, that's it for this year. I've heard from folks on both teams, and both were very kind to contact me. The bottom line for both teams - I came out, I showed them something. They want me to continue working as hard as I have and come out in 2008 - they both said great things about my physical ability to perform, and both said I have a lot of rust in the gears when it comes to the actual football-playing techniques. I need to study, practice on specific read and position techniques, and just keep up the workout regemen.

I didn't feel like I was getting "thanks, but no thanks." Instead, I feel like they both took the time to tell me what I needed to work on because they honestly want to see me try again. After all, these are professional teams with professional staffs who don't have time to dilly-dally.

So, that's it for football tryouts for this year. But there's something else in the works as I speak (what, you thought I was just going to stop?). More on that when it launches, and I'll make sure to provide links from this blog to the new one.

And yes, I'll continue to update this blog when I train for football next year.

Some followup...

2007-10-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been two weeks, and I've heard from two AF2 (Arena Football League 2) teams, the Florida Firecats and the South Georga Wildcats. I've heard from three AIFA (American Indoor Football Association) teams, the Columbus Lions, The Augusta Spartans, and the Florida Stingrays.

Still nothing from the Storm or the Force.

I don't know what this means in regards to the AFL teams... Except not much of anything. As far as the AF2 and the AIFA teams, all 5 of them said that I showed great field awareness, athleticism, and knowledge of my position, and that they'd like me to come try out for their teams at a closed tryout. The problem...

All five are greater than 100 miles from my home, and the AF2 pays 200 dollars a week... The AIFL, even less.

I can't leave my home and go play for a team for $2400 a year. I mean... I love football. And if they were here in my city (or even close to me), I'd do it just to play. But I can't really afford to make a commitment that takes me away from my home for less than it costs to feed my cats and dogs each year (and take them to the vet... Our cats are fat, but not $2400.00 of Purina Cat Chow fat).

I heard from a few guys I met during the tryouts (there were 2 guys who were with me at both Tampa and Georgia, and we've kept in touch) that neither the Storm nor the Force have yet to contact them - and all three of us heard directly from the Offensive Coordinator of the Force that we'd hear back from them.

So for now, I'm just waiting. And I know that all three of the people reading this are waiting (hi mom and dad... And whoever you are, LostinAlbuquerque837...), so I thought I'd just check in with you and let you know how it's going (or more correctly, how it's not).

Day 53 - The Georgia Force Tryout

2007-10-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

I'll cut to the chase - I feel like I did very well. But I won't know anything for a few days.

The Force ran their tryouts differently than Tampa did theirs. First, they split out the "fast guys" and the "big guys" into two separate sessions, ours starting at 10:15 AM and ending at noon. Second, they didn't do any cuts today at all - instead, they videotaped the entire field during the entire tryout from four cameras, one on either stands' pressbox and one at each endzone. They will evaluate the tapes and get back to us for a 2nd workout if they want to see more.

There was a huge difference in today's tryout and the one I did in Tampa, and that came down to just pure confidence. In Tampa, I knew I'd worked hard but had NO IDEA what to expect at all - from how things would run to who I'd run against, to what the heck the coaches were looking for. Today, though, I had at least a rough idea of what they'd be looking for and how I needed to perform to stay viable.

So having said all of that - I cut nearly a full second off my time in the Short Shuttle today, I ran a 5.7 forty yard dash, and I kept my head up, my butt low and my hands right in the chest of every guy I went against. I hustled everywhere I was asked to go, volunteered and stepped up for every single drill, and overall just made sure they knew I wasn't there to waste time (or 80 bucks).

After the tryout, I went up to the offensive line coach and thanked him for the day, and he said "Hey, great job from you today - you had the best hands I saw all day (meaning I got my non-snapping hand out and locked my guy every single time... Oh yeah, if I didn't mention it before, I play Center). We'll be in touch."

I have no idea if that meant "hey, we're going to call you about the 2nd workout" or if that meant "bye, take care, we'll call you if we're interested!" But I'm hoping the first :)

So what now?

Well... I'm not going to stop working out. I'm not going to stop training. I'm going to treat this like I didn't get anything whatsoever from Tampa or Georgia, and that the real deal is in December. I'm going to keep updating this journal with my workouts and possibly make another video or two.

I'll probably find other things athletically that pique my interest, and if nothing comes from the pro team guys now or in December, I'll just jump on something new and make the best out of it. It's been, oh, 8 years since my last Judo tournament - maybe that'll be next?

Who knows. Overall... I'm just glad I didn't go out and look like a 30-year-old moron with Sunday Dreams and a lot of talk.

Day 52

2007-10-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

Well...

Tomorrow's the day. 53 days from the day I first strapped on my brand new cleats and ran around a field with a parachute.

I think I'm ready.

I realize there's probably another tryout coming in December, and I realize that if I don't get a call after the one I'm doing tomorrow, I can just do that one... So this isn't actually "the end" or whatever. But it is the day before the milestone - the purpose behind this whole journal. So, I feel it appropriate to thank you for reading all of this... For following the journey and sending your support.

I actually didn't realize I was going to get any readers of this thing. I've been keeping the log mostly for historical purposes, so when I finally write about the experience, I have a log to point back to and provide a day-by-day look at how I was feeling and what I went through. I put tiny links to it on my existing sites simply to establish it in Google, and to get a small glimpse at who pays attention to the tiny little northern parts of my webpages.

But I have to tell you, hearing from everyone who's been reading this thus far has been fantastic. And I really appreciate the support.

I'll let you know how tomorrow goes... Tomorrow :)

Day 50

2007-10-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

The power class felt really good tonight - I think it's finally 'broken' and I'm used to it - instead of being fatigued and feeling sore the next day, I feel appropriately tired, and tight the next day, but not like I damaged myself. And it's done HUGE things for my normal workouts - there's so much endurance built in to that class, I don't ever feel winded or tired while doing my circuits and stacked lifts.

Crazy... Something that works as advertised. What a rarity these days.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Evening Session (weights + aerobic stuff)

Insane Power class:
Squats - 30 @ 175lbs slow burn (2 / 3 secs down, 2/3 secs up)
Lunges - 25 each leg @ 150 lbs slow
Lateral Shoulder Raise - 30 @ 140 lbs
Military Press - 40 @ 140 lbs
Bent-over Rows - 30 @ 140 lbs
Chest Press - 30 @ 180 lbs
Tricep curl - 30 @ 70 lbs
Bicep curl - 30 @ 70 lbs (slow)
Abwork - Planks, crunches, situps, more planks, hip lifts... I STILL hate this part of the class.

HOW I FEEL:

Really good. I honestly feel like I'm as ready as I can be for Saturday - I didn't slack, and I trained hard. I know that with another few months, I'd stand an actual chance of making a real show at the tryout, but where I stand now and how I feel, I think I'm going to do as well as I can.

Day 49

2007-10-08T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

I don't really have too much to say, except that I'm really just ready for Saturday to get here. It's supposed to be 68 and sunny - perfect weather. Signups begin at 8:30 and go until 10:30, which is when testing begins. From what I can determine and what I've heard from some folks, the Force do tryouts differently than Tampa does - they don't just group everyone together and run everyone through the same drills, then break out. They actually break out at sign-up and test everyone by position.

Anyway.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Evening Session (weights):

Monday: Chest + Tricep day - heavy day

Bench Press - 4 sets: 1 set x 20 reps @ 135lbs, 3 sets x 10 reps @ 285lbs

Incline Bench Press - 3 sets x 12 reps @235 lbs
SUPERSET with: Tricep Extension (cable) - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 95 lbs

Decline Bench Press - 3 sets x 10 reps @ 285 lbs
SUPERSET with: Reverse Overhead Tricep Curl (cable) - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 87.5 lbs

Dumbbell Flys - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 50 lbs (per hand)
SUPERSET with: Skullcrushers - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 80 lbs (bar)

4 mile run (treadmill)

5 ULTRA super mega ultra stair sprint + 40 (YES FORTY) yard dash + touch and go (AKA OUCHES)

HOW I FEEL:

Not too shabby. It felt great to go up even more on the weight.

5 more days.

Day 48

2007-10-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

Well, I took the past 3 days off. I intended to take two off, and ended up taking the third just for safety's sake.

Now, I know it seems kinda wimpy to take that much time off for a twisted ankle, but the truth is, it's a bit more serious than I thought. Not much, but a bit. The area around the twisty bit is now all purple, indicating to me that I really gave it a good tweak. And when you get some damage like that, you really gotta rest the entire body.

Why? Well, I'm no doctor, so don't quote me - but I've been told about this a few times throughout my life, so I feel pretty confident in sharing it with you.

When you lift weights, essentially you're ripping your muscles, damaging them in small ways throughout the fiber groups. Your body heals those rips, which builds more muscle. So, even though I hurt an ankle and it would make sense to just not run or sprint on it, it's actually important that I took enough time for my body to focus only on that one spot for a few days. If I'd lifted during that time, it wouldn't do any direct damage to my ankle, sure... But my body would then have several areas to concentrate on for healing.

And tryouts are in a week.

I needed to make damn sure I'm okay for them. Which is why I spent today doing some slow-mo drills, then working my way into full speed. I did the long-style stair sprints with the touch-and-go added on, I did the drill that got me hurt in the first place (the lateral run over the reebok step things), and some in-and-out shuttle drills.

I think I'm ready.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

************

Morning + Evening Session (weights + drills):

Sunday: Back + Bicep Day

Upward Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs
Superset with Bicep Curl (bar) - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 75 lbs

Lower Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs
Superset with Dumbbell Curl - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 45lbs each hand

Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 280lbs
SUPERSET with Iso Lat Pulldown (super slow contstriction isolation)- 3 sets x 12 reps @ 150 lbs

HOW I FEEL:

Really, really good. I have REALLY missed the gym. It seems odd, but when you've been working out regularly, when you stop, your body actually craves the workout. I kept feeling like I was going to burst out of my office and go running down the street just to get some energy out.

Day 44

2007-10-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

So I met with Cris this morning. It was... Intense.

Dude is a total sadist. But thank god for that - I learned a lot.

We did a leg series, but it was different from what I've been doing lately. We started with a 10 minute jog to warm up, then did squats - and in between each set, i had to run 3 sets of stairs.

OUCH.

Anyway, the actual workout is below - but one thing I have to mention is that during the high-step cross run (a sideways run over the step platforms, one foot in, followed by the other foot, then one move to the next one - fast, with high knees), I thought I'd try to look all cool, like I knew what I was doing, so I raised my head and looked forward instead of watching my feet (what you're eventually supposed to be doing, but I wasn't used to the spacing and the size of these steps), and I tripped and twisted my left ankle.

So that hurt. And i looked silly.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (weights)

Wednesday: Leg Day + speed training

10 minute warmup jog

Squats - 3 sets x 20 reps @ 225lbs
SUPERSET with: Stair runs x 3 each set

Leg Press - 3 sets x 20 reps @405 lbs
SUPERSET with: Wall sits - 60 seconds each set

Leg Extension - 3 sets x 20 reps @ 125 lbs
SUPERSET with: Leg Curl - 3 sets x 20 reps @ 125 lbs

High Step Slow Run - cover minimal distance with high-knee steps - down and back (40 yards) x 4 sets

Carioccee hip twist run - down and back, down and back (40 yards) x 4

High-step bag drill (sideways) - down and back, down and back (7 steps / hurdles, about 15 yards) x 4

In-and-out shuffle-step drill - down and back (7 steps / hurdles, forward one, back the next, about 15 yards) x 4

30 minutes treadmill hill climb @ 2.5 mph, incline of 15

HOW I FEEL:

It was TOUGH, but good - I can definitely feel a much deeper ache (good pain) in the legs. Cris was very complimentary of my initial session, saying that there's a lot of work left to do, but that I'm on a good course. I think I'm going to hire him to work with me when I'm in town.

************

Evening Session (drills and whatnot):

Iced my ankle. That's it.

HOW I FEEL:

Blah. I hate it when I do this. Again, I really, really hate injuries. Especially knowing I have a week before the big show. I think I'll be fine - I'm mobile and direct pressure isn't hurting me. It's the side-to-side stuff that twinges, and that's the majority of what I'll be doing at the tryout.

Braces, bandages, ibuprofen, and the grace of God willing, I'll be okay.

Day 43

2007-10-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

I'm now doing the power class thing twice a week. I've been shifting from pure power weight training to a majority of endurance weight training, and I can tell the difference.

One week to go.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (weights + aerobic stuff)

Insane Power class:
Squats - 30 @ 175lbs slow burn (2 / 3 secs down, 2/3 secs up)
Lunges - 25 each leg @ 150 lbs slow
Lateral Shoulder Raise - 30 @ 140 lbs
Military Press - 40 @ 140 lbs
Bent-over Rows - 30 @ 140 lbs
Chest Press (somewhat like bench, but on one of those Reebok Step thingers) - 30 @ 220 lbs
Tricep curl - 30 @ 70 lbs
Bicep curl - 30 @ 70 lbs (slow)
Abwork - Planks, crunches, situps, more planks, hip lifts... I STILL hate this part of the class.

************

Evening Session:

Light run of about 1.5 miles

HOW I FEEL:

Not too bad. I dunno... Not a lot to say today.

Day 42

2007-10-01T23:19:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

Today was pretty intense. Lots of hectic crap going on in life in the morning, but I did manage to escape in the evening for a bit of gym work. And man, did I need it... Stress levels are high right now.

I went up in reps on the tricep extension and tricep curl, mostly because I can't go up on weight with them. It felt pretty good, until my arms started freezing in this crazy gorilla-guy locked out thing... I felt like I looked like those guys who wander the gym with their arms all poked out to look big.

I ran into one of the gym's trainers, Cris. He and I started chatting, and I told him about the tryouts in Tampa and how I was now working toward October 13 for the Ga. Force tryout. He offered to help me out with the quickness and agility on touch and gos in my drills, so Wednesday morning, I'm meeting him at 7 AM to see what he has in mind.

Finally, I am trying to work quick cuts and touching lines in lateral movements to my sprints and drills, mostly because that's where I suffered the most in my drills at the tryouts. Yes, it was a bit rainy and the grass was all torn up by the time I got on it, but on both the short shuttle and the L drill, I killed more time than I should have just stopping, touching the line with my hand, and starting again.

Quick cuts.

I was one of the fastest big guys out there, but I can't help feeling like I MUST do better. Tampa saw me making the cut, but I haven't heard anything about training camp or anything else... Come October 13, I want to make a serious showing. This will help.

I hope.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (lifting + cardio)

Didn't have time today to do anything like that, so I slammed everything into my evening session.

HOW I FEEL:

Lame, but hey, I worked hard in the evening.

************

Evening Session (weights):

Tuesday: Chest + Tricep day - heavy day

Bench Press - 4 sets: 1 set x 20 reps @ 135lbs, 3 sets x 10 reps @ 275lbs

Incline Bench Press - 3 sets x 12 reps @225 lbs
SUPERSET with: Tricep Extension (cable) - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 95 lbs

Decline Bench Press - 3 sets x 10 reps @ 275 lbs
SUPERSET with: Reverse Overhead Tricep Curl (cable) - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 87.5 lbs

Dumbbell Flys - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 45 lbs (per hand)
SUPERSET with: Skullcrushers - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 75 lbs (bar)

4 mile run (treadmill)

8 super mega ultra stair sprint + 20 yard dash + touch and go (there has GOT to be a shorter name for this...)

HOW I FEEL:

Day 40

2007-09-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

I really enjoy Saturday workout sessions.

I've never been one to go to classes at the gym and bound around with all the little fitness girls and boys clad in legwarmers and/or underarmor crap... But this "Power" class taught by the gym owner (James) and his wife (Susan) is actually really fantastic. I've noticed a huge increase in overall muscle endurance... PLUS MY RUMP IS LUSCIOUS

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (weights + aerobic stuff)

Insane Power class:
Squats - 30 @ 175lbs slow burn (2 / 3 secs down, 2/3 secs up)
Lunges - 25 each leg @ 150 lbs slow
Lateral Shoulder Raise - 30 @ 140 lbs
Military Press - 40 @ 140 lbs
Bent-over Rows - 30 @ 140 lbs
Chest Press (somewhat like bench, but on one of those Reebok Step thingers) - 30 @ 220 lbs
Tricep curl - 30 @ 70 lbs
Bicep curl - 30 @ 70 lbs (slow)
Abwork - Planks, crunches, situps, more planks, hip lifts... I STILL hate this part of the class.

************

Evening Session:

Cycling - 25 miles, interval mixed (supporting Andrea's marathon training run of 11 miles).

HOW I FEEL:

Fantastic. The weather was great, and I spent the majority of the day working out and hanging out with my wife... Except that she very intelligently chose to do about a mile of her run over a gravel road, and I was on a road bike with 1/2" tires.

I slid out twice.

Hate.

Day 39

2007-09-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

I. Hate. Leg. Day.

It is a hellish day. There's very little enjoyable about it, honestly... If it weren't for the fact that it's quite possibly the most vital day of all lifting days, I wouldn't do it. Because of the sports I choose to pursue (football, then wrestling, then judo, then cycling, then football again), leg strength is insanely important. Add to that the fact that the quads are the largest muscle group in the body, thus meaning that increasing their size and endurance increases your metabolism, and you have the ONLY TWO REASONS I even bother doing it.

Blah.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (weights)

Thursday: Leg Day + Shoulder Day

Squats - 3 sets x 10 reps @ 550lbs

Calf Press - 3 sets x 20 reps @455 lbs
SUPERSET with: Military Press - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 175 lbs

Leg Extension - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 175 lbs
SUPERSET with: Leg Curl - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 185 lbs

Cable Lateral Shoulder Raise - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 65 lbs
SUPERSET with: Cable Iso direct pull lift - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 35 lbs

Shoulder Shrugs - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 415 lbs
SUPERSET with: Neck work (3 sets front, back, left and right x 10 reps @ 55lbs)

HOW I FEEL:

Totally craptastic. I always end up with a headache on leg day, and I imagine it's due to the fact that my head hates me for dong all this. But it's over with for another 4 days, hallelujah.

************

Evening Session (drills and whatnot):

Didn't do anything this afternoon... Too much going on in life.

HOW I FEEL:

Blah.

Day 38

2007-09-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

Well, I had this whole thing planned out to talk about how it felt to work out today, and my talk with the owner of my gym, and how I am now focused solely on training the tryout exercises...

But then, the Tampa Bay Storm went and posted the results of the tryout this weekend, along with the spreadsheet of everyone's scores (pdf link).

I'm #179. And for those who watched the video of the tryout this weekend, I have a bit of an update...

My first 40 yard dash? 5.38".

I trimmed MORE than 1 second off my time from the practice. And you know how? The stance. A few of the super lean, ultra fast receiver guys gave me some tips - get low, stay low for the first 15 yards, THEN raise up and extend - super short strides at first, then elongate.

5.38.... Just... Wow.

Yeah, uh... I read the columns wrong. Sorry about that. Still, I broke 6 seconds, and that's all I care about. (thanks Nat)

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (drills)

10 x 40 yard dash
5 x L drill
10 x shuttle drill
20 x broad jump + deep squat
50 x hand-hit drill (on hit sled)

************

Evening Session (weights):

Thursday: Back + Bicep Day

Upward Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs

Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 280lbs
Superset with Bicep Curl (bar) - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 75 lbs

Lower Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs
Superset with Dumbbell Curl - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 45lbs each hand

SUPERSET with Iso Lat Pulldown (super slow contstriction isolation)- 3 sets x 12 reps @ 150 lbs

HOW I FEEL:

I cannot believe I did a 5.38" on my first 40 yard dash.

I'm seriously sitting here with my mouth open, stunned over that fact.

Now I really, really want to re-edit the video.

Special: Day 32 + 33: The Tampa Bay Storm Tryout

2007-09-26T00:13:00.000-07:00

You probably saw the pictures I posted on Saturday. And you probably wondered "Okay, what the heck?"

Well, on a whim last Thursday, Andrea and I decided that it would be a good idea for me to drive down to Tampa, FL to attend the Tampa Bay Storm's open tryout.

It had to be on a whim... Because if I'd had any time to think about it, I'd probably have backed out at the last minute.

So, we headed out Friday, I tried out Saturday, and we drove back Saturday night, bang boom pow. I took some video of the whole experience.

Here you go:

Day 36

2007-09-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

Wow... I was worn out after the tryout.

I took a few days and recovered... Ate some hearty food, played some Halo 3... You know. All that.

Today, I jumped back into working out.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (lifting + cardio)

Run: 3 miles (elliptical machine, 35 mins - the machine said 5 miles, but i don't trust that)
8 x super stair run + 20 yard sprint

HOW I FEEL:

************

Evening Session (weights):

Tuesday: Chest + Tricep day - much heavier day

Bench Press - 4 sets: 1 set x 20 reps @ 135lbs, 3 sets x 10 reps @ 275lbs

Incline Bench Press - 3 sets x 12 reps @225 lbs
SUPERSET with: Reverse Overhead Tricep Curl (cable) - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 87.5 lbs

Decline Bench Press - 3 sets x 10 reps @ 275 lbs
SUPERSET with: Tricep Extension (cable) - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 95 lbs

Dumbbell Flys - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 50 lbs (per hand)
SUPERSET with: Skullcrushers - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 75 lbs (bar)

HOW I FEEL:

Fantastic. The great feeling from the tryouts still permeates my being. I felt strong the whole session.

Day 33

2007-09-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

:-)

Video and full story coming soon.

HOW I FEEL:

Unbelievable. Just... Unbelievable.

Day 32

2007-09-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

The Georgia Force announced their first open tryout for the 2008 season today. To save you a click, It's October 13.

This gives me a little over 3 weeks to get ready for the big show.

In order to do that, I'm undergoing a super-secret training session this weekend. I will be able to explain better once it's done... I'm going to get a lot of it on video, so at least there'll be that :)

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (drills)

Super secret. Can't tell you yet.

HOW I FEEL:

Hmm... I can't really answer this right now. I am encouraged in some respects, disappointed in others. More will come out Sunday. :)

************

Evening Session (weights):

Not done yet. May not get to it tonight.

HOW I FEEL:

zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcba

Day 31

2007-09-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

Kinda flipped the script once again, did drills in the morning and weights in the evening. This is because I... Uh... Just wanted to. I really have no good reason for doing this. Just... Impulsive. Like most things I do... Like what I'm doing this weekend.

UT! I can't tell you what it is right now. It's a secret. But it's happening. And there'll possibly be video of it. So, I'll let you know when it's done.

Yes, it's football related. No, it does not involve my wife dressing as a cheerleader. Sicko.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (drills)

Cycling: 25 miles
High step Low hurdles (which really, really sucked after cycling): 10 sets of 5 hurdles each

HOW I FEEL:

Just plain sassy. It was a gorgeous day - 68 and Sunny... "Just like the dayyyy, oh, like the day I hearrrrrrrrrrrd..."

(if you don't get that reference, you didn't own a radio or watch MTV from 1991 until, oh, NOW, or you're under 18 years old. Or you're stupid.)

************

Evening Session (weights):

Thursday: Back + Bicep Day

Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 280lbs
SUPERSET with Iso Lat Pulldown - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 150 lbs

Upward Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs
Superset with Dumbbell Curl - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 45lbs each hand

Lower Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs
Superset with Bicep Curl (bar) - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 85 lbs

Lateral overhead dumbbell raise - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 75lbs

Run: 4 miles
NINE!! stair sprint + 20 yard dash

HOW I FEEL:

Today was fun. As I mentioned before, The Great Kali works out at my gym when he's home, and he came in tonight. I went up and introduced myself, and he was very very nice. His wife translated a bit for us, and I didn't want to take much of his time, but I did let him know my nephews were HUGE fans and that I was inspired by working out while the WWE champ was there.

A short while later, he was doing Military Press and needed a spot, as he wanted to go heavy. So his wife asked me of all people if I'd mind.

So yeah, I got to spot a pro wrestling world champion on an exercise. This will TOTALLY make me win the football tryout, cause it's 100% relevant to this football tryout journal, right?

I dunno. I just felt like I should mention it. It's kinda cool.

Day 30 (off day)

2007-09-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

I spent today getting a bit of rest and mainly being under-the-gun with work that's backlogged. But that didn't stop me from checking in, yet again, on the announcement of tryouts by the Georgia Force.

Nada. Not yet, anyway. But I did find this page which lists all of the tryouts for all of the teams this year, as they are announced. So that's cool.

I also did a bit of research on the tryouts from years previous. And judging from what I've seen, I think that I can at least walk into the tryout and not look like a total scab... I just don't know how I'm going to look compared to the actual athletes that are going to show up.

I also did a little research on the tryout process of various teams. For Tampa Bay's open tryout last year:

"In 2007 three players, John Capel, Hank Edwards and Khalid Naziruddin earned an invitation to training camp from the open tryouts. Naziruddin went on to earn Storm Rookie of the Year honors for the 2007 season."

That's kind of encouraging. As far as the Force goes, they have signed players from open tryout 3 of the past 5 years. That's pretty cool, too.

Day 29

2007-09-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

I got permission from the owner of the gym I workout at to bring a camera in and film my workout. So, I did that this morning.

I realize I look like a retard, and that's okay. At least it's different scenery.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (weights)

Thursday: Leg Day + Shoulder Day

Squats - 3 sets x 10 reps @ 505lbs

Calf Press - 3 sets x 20 reps @455 lbs
SUPERSET with: Military Press - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 175 lbs

Leg Extension - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 175 lbs
SUPERSET with: Leg Curl - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 185 lbs

Shoulder Shrugs - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 415 lbs
SUPERSET with: Cable Lateral Shoulder Raise - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 65 lbs

HOW I FEEL:

Stupid. I got a speeding ticket this morning on the way home. Genius.

************

Evening Session (drills and whatnot):

Not sure yet, updating later

HOW I FEEL:

XXXXXXXX

Day 28

2007-09-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

First honest day of two-a-days from now until tryouts. I am shifting my lifts to the morning, and in order to make sure I get them all in, I'm up at 5:30AM every day from now on.

Time to get serious.

I discovered yesterday that the hallway at the top of the stairs at the gym is only 20 yards of full running - I have to pull up for the final 5 or i'll slam into the wall. So I'm shifting the distance to 20 yards.

The weather today... Unbelievable. 58 degrees when i woke up, 65 when I left the gym... Very very motivating. It's always pleasant to run and work out in cool fallish weather.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (lifting + cardio)

Monday: Chest + Tricep day - light + more reps

Bench Press - 4 sets: 1 set x 20 reps @ 135lbs, 3 sets x 12 reps @ 245lbs

Incline Bench Press - 3 sets x 15 reps @215 lbs
SUPERSET with: Reverse Overhead Tricep Curl (cable) - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 87.5 lbs

Decline Bench Press - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 215 lbs
SUPERSET with: Tricep Extension (cable) - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 95 lbs

Dumbbell Flys - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 50 lbs (per hand)
SUPERSET with: Skullcrushers - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 75 lbs (bar)

Run: 3 miles (elliptical machine, 35 mins - the machine said 5 miles, but i don't trust that)
8 x super stair run + 20 yard sprint

HOW I FEEL:

Kinda weird, right now. I just stood on the digital scale in my bathroom (I rarely, if ever, use that one) - it said I weigh 313 lbs. The gym scale 3 weeks ago said I was about 290.

My pants are fitting looser now than they have in a while.

There is NO way I gained 23 lbs in 3 weeks. And there's definitely no way I gained 23 lbs of muscle in that time. So yeah... I think that scale is busted.

Other than that, it's great to get up and going early again. I did that for a bit... It didn't stick. But with my wife's new work schedule combined with the fact that, if I don't stick with this regimen until tryouts I have NO chance, I think I'll probably do okay with it now.

************

Evening Session (drills):

(coming after the session)

HOW I FEEL:

Dunno yet.

Day 27

2007-09-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

Fooooooooootball day. Usually, a day of sleeping in and then going and watching football all day. Today, however, I got up and went to the gym. I ended up staying a bit longer than usual... After all, it's Sunday - there's no one calling, no work due, no people around to ignore. Just me and time. My dad's supporting this whole training and tryout thing, which is a huge motivation - so I figured he wouldn't mind my being a bit late.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (drills)

Nada

************

Evening Session (weights):

Sunday: Back + Bicep Day

Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 280lbs
SUPERSET with Lateral overhead dumbbell raise - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 75lbs

Upward Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs
Superset with Bicep Curl (bar) - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 75 lbs

Lower Iso Row - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 270 lbs
Superset with Dumbbell Curl - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 45lbs each hand

Dumbbell Individual Shoulder Raise - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 20 lbs
SUPERSET with Iso Lat Pulldown - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 150 lbs

Run: 3 miles
8 stair sprint + 20 yard dash

Ab work - 20 situps, 20 crunches (i was tired)

HOW I FEEL:

Really great. I normally would just get up late, go over to my Dad's, and watch football all day while eating whatever unhealthy stuff my mom set up for us. Today, I let the workout take priority. I was an hour late for kickoff (they didn't mind) and I managed to avoid all the unhealthy chips and whatever.

Pushing the 3 miles and the 8 stair run + 20 yard dashes... That hurt. But it felt great.

Okay, back to watching the games.

Day 26

2007-09-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

Today's Notes:

This is the first Saturday in a long while where I didn't have some sort of ridiculous not-chosen-by-me housekeeping thing to do. And it ruled.

I went to that power class thing at the gym - it's pretty intense. I have always been adverse to group training in gyms due to the high level of cheerleader-instructor-annoyance mixed with the meat-market mentality of most people in gym classes. But this one is taught by the owner (James) and his wife (Susan) and is NO JOKE. They beat your ass. So the people who show up tend to be pretty intense as well.

I also got to break out the superbadass Orbea Onyx and take it around for a while (for those who don't keep up with cycling or care about it, it's a bicycle, and it's my baby). THAT felt good. Without getting into too much detail, last year my cycling training - something I find a lot of joy in - was cut short due to an endeavor I chose to undertake. That endeavor lead to probably the most unhealthy period I've had in my life in, oh, 7 years. So it felt good to revisit something I love dearly... Especially with this new endeavor of trying out for the Georgia Force, which is something I'm growing to love equally.

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (weights + aerobic stuff)

Insane Power class at the gym... It's pretty intense:
Squats - 30 @ 150lbs slow burn
Lunges - 25 each leg @ 150 lbs slow
Lateral Shoulder Raise - 30 @ 70 lbs
Military Press - 40 @ 150 lbs
Bent-over Rows - 30 @ 70 lbs
Chest Press (somewhat like bench, but on one of those Reebok Step thingers) - 30 @ 150 lbs
Tricep curl - 30 @ 70 lbs
Bicep curl - 50 @ 60 lbs (slow)
Abwork - Planks, crunches, situps, more planks, hip lifts... I hate this class.

************

Evening Session:

Cycling - 20 miles, interval mixed (supporting Andrea's marathon training run of 9 miles)
(the way I do this, I ride with her for a bit, then head down a side road and pound the pedals as hard as I can down and back. I get about double her distance when I do that).

HOW I FEEL:

Had a GREAT day today. It's always special when I get to spend an entire day with my wife doing stuff we like doing, instead of, say, cutting up trees and installing stoves and whatever.

It's been since October of 2006 since I was on my bike for any distance whatsoever... The weather plus the cycling was just plain inspiring. It felt GREAT to go 35 miles an hour with the wind and the cool breeze and the smell of the trees and grasses as I passed them. Plus it ruled to ride behind my wife and stare at her ass... I mean, uh... Support her. In her run. Yeah.

Day 24

2007-09-13T15:31:00.003-07:00

Today's Notes:

I'm ashamed.

I've skipped out of workouts two days in a row.

I might have gotten away with calling it a "rest day" if it was only one... But after the 2nd day, I had to call it what it really is - laziness. Slacktitude. Lame.

And the reasons why? Well, I could blame it on being busy, which I was... Or I could blame it on family, which required some of my attention... I could even blame some of it on a need to rest. But the truth is, I just got into a bit of a slump.

I allowed myself to slack on Tuesday, mostly because I figured I could go out Wednesday and get things done, work really hard, make up for it all... And then Wednesday came, and I slumped again.

I've been thinking a lot about a lot of things, and some of those things are getting in my head and affecting my outlook on this project. But I realized this afternoon that I needed a realignment of perception. I can't let the thoughts of others, or momentary lapses in reason, or small weak thoughts to get in my way.

The goal of this project was originally to take a shot, right? To answer the burning question, to make an effort... Originally, my mindset was that age-old bullcrap parents and teachers try to heap on you that "It doesn't matter if I make this team or not, so long as I try my best."

Well, it does matter. In fact, it matters a LOT. I'm invested in this, and I'm not just wasting my time with a project here - I really do want to make it, and I'm going to do whatever I have to do to make this thing happen. What is the point of picking up the rifle and taking aim at something if you don't intend to actually hit a bullseye? Shouldn't you aim for excellence and perfection regardless of your - or anyone's - opinion of the potential outcome?

If you don't line the damn sights up over the center, you DEFINITELY won't hit it, now will you?

Also, I fully intended to shoot more video this week, but because of the busy and because of the slumpage, I didn't. I'll try to get one together this weekend, and possibly another next week. I've been given permission to bring my camera into the gym to film a workout, so maybe I'll do that?

****************************************

The Workouts:
(You can read descriptions for all of these exercises here)

Morning Session (drills)

I am lame as hell for not doing anything this morning.

************

Evening Session (weights):

Thursday: Leg Day + Shoulder Day

Squats - 3 sets x 10 reps @ 520lbs

Calf Press - 3 sets x 20 reps @455 lbs
SUPERSET with: Military Press - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 205 lbs

Leg Extension - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 160 lbs
SUPERSET with: Leg Curl - 3 sets x 12 reps @ 175 lbs

Shoulder Shrugs - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 415 lbs
SUPERSET with: Cable Lateral Shoulder Raise - 3 sets x 15 reps @ 70 lbs
(OUCH AGAIN)

HOW I FEEL:

Kinda lame... I didn't do any running. The ankle is still bugging me, and I really should have done some stair sprints or something. But I want to make damn sure I don't go screwing it up worse than it is, so I got my heart pumping by stacking as much lifting as I could on top of other lifts.