For the eighth time this year, it’s tournament time. Even though I’ve been competing so much this year, it’s always a little more exciting going to a larger event like the IBJJF Boston Summer Open. It’s even better when you have an eight-person vehicle completely filled up with teammates to make the trip.
However, I am a little disappointed that for the first time I will only have one other competitor in my division. Competition is competition, but having a deep bracket is always extra motivating. Still, I can’t wait until this Saturday.
Tournament Prep
This past week was a lot of hard rolling and getting ready for Boston. I got to test my conditioning with another great trip up to Harrisburg BJJ and Judo. There all we do is roll for about an hour and a half. In a room with over twenty BJJ practitioners, there is always a different look and feel to get with each roll.
Back at Tactical Combat Academy I am continuing to work on my guard passing. Right now I’m studying the Leandro Lo guard passing series with my coaches. His passing is similar to mine and is something I’m trying to work into my game.
This week I will be rolling very light, but mostly just a lot of drilling. I already have the hotel rooms and other travel arrangements taken care of, so all that’s left is to make sure I have all my food and water ready to take. This requires getting my lunches and dinners prepared as well as getting my oatmeal bars made on Thursday. There’s nothing worse than competing all day and running out of food or water in the middle of the day.
I just wrapped up week three of my fourteen-week strength and conditioning program. Since this program is for Masters Worlds in November, I will just have to make some minor adjustments this week for Boston. I will complete my Wednesday workout as normal with exception of deadlifts, but due to travel and time constraints this week I won’t complete my Saturday workout. Most likely I won’t make it up either, I will just miss it.
Training Log
Strength Phase
Bodyweight: 204lbs
Sunday – BJJ
Competition drilling, hard rolling
Monday – Strength and Conditioning
- Power Jerk (kg) 77.5×4, 80×4, 82.5×4, 85×4
- Squat 330×5, 335×5, 340×5, 345×5, 350×5
- Close Grip Bench Press 145x3x10
- Alternating Dumbbell Curls 40x3x10
- Core Work
Monday – BJJ
Drills technique, passing, rolling
Wednesday – Strength and Conditioning
- Deadlift 335×5, 340×5, 350×5, 355×5
- Dumbbell Step-Up 45x3x10
- Chin-Up 22, 15, 10
- Core Work
Wednesday – BJJ
Gi chokes, rolling
Friday – BJJ
Harrisburg BJJ and judo, marathon rolling
Saturday – Strength and Conditioning
- Hang Cleans (kg) 80×4, 82.5×4, 85×4, 90×4
- Dumbbell Incline Press 90x2x4, 95x3x4
- Farmers Walk 50 Yards x3, 110 pound dumbbell
- T-Bar Row 155x3x8
- Core Work
James Kearns is an active Brazilian jiu jitsu competitor and also trains and competes in Olympic weightlifting.Follow his journals here every week.
