Observations

Just wanted to get some thoughts down on some observations about training based on what a fellow krav instructor wrote about the Brother factor. I wont go into what that means here other than to say it has to do with testing ones assumptions. In training that means testing what we think we know, are we teaching how to be a compliant partner or are we training for real. I say for the most part schools teach compliant partners because otherwise students wouldnt stick around for long.
Every instructor should have someone they trust to test the assumption of their techniques. If training partner comes at me with a training knife do they always attack the same was with the same rhythm, slow speed, plenty of distance and one slash or thrust at a time?
I enjoy training with this one chinese friend of mine, he's young, a bit tall and lanky. His movements are choppy and erratic, including his footwork. It's throws my timing off. I can usually tell what someone is going to do with the knife by the way they position their body but not with him, it forces me to have to wait until his fully commits to the attack before I react. Good training for me! I also prefer training with bigger and stronger opponents, it allows me to ramp up and go close to all out without hurting my training partner. Women I have a tendency to go easy on, I find they dont allow themselves to let go, they hold themselves back. Maybe this is early conditioning, i dont know, but for the most part they dont give themselves permission to slip the lease so to speak. The women that work in law enforcement and similar professions are a little better but not much.
My other chinese friend, the brother of the first one, is good at wing chun and has a wicked chain punch. He seems to sometimes have a problem with controlling his power and speed and rhythm but for the most part gives me problems with his straight blast but his weakness is he doesnt see the hook punch. Something we discover we both need to work on.

Health

I call this one Health because my focus lately has been on my health - which affects my performance. Recent health issues with bronchitis and my back have forced me to reevaluate some of my training as well as consider cutting back on some of the things I've been doing.

I still train with the UST group as my core group, Bob's school recently became a Gracie Combatives shop which I've begun training Sat mornings, so training UST on Weds and GCBJJ on Sat. mornings.

I stopped going to Modern Arnis, mostly because no one shows up anymore, including Divinci, so I'll be training with the newly formed FCS group in Orlando. Although I like Steve's Judo classes I just dont have the time or money anymore.

I also picked up the study of Kyudo which Lisa Lietl heads up in the newly formed Central Florida Kyudo group we started, which we hope to have a building for through ACAS.

I took a Muay Thai seminar through a meetup this past Sunday, 3 hrs non-stop, killer workout. Not sure I want to do that again, just too much for me, Im surpised im not more sore than I am today.

I started taking a nitric oxide powder to help out with training/oxygen consumption in the help it will enhance my endurance/performance. The jury is still out on that one.
My chiropractor recommended i take magnesium suppliments for muscle tightness, cramps, headaches. Ive just started taking these along with the forslean for asthma. Also taking a multivitamin and mixing in metamucil with my bottled water for high triclyceride levels.

Im starting my own exercise program with kombatas, weights, Martial Arts, pullups, etc along with back maintenance with the roller the chiro sold me and my inversion table and stretches.

Im also considering yoga to help with my flexibility and stiffness I've been feeling to counteract the hard training ive been doing.

Good news is I've lost quite a bit of weight. Will see over time if these methods work.