Lessons Learned

Unfortunately, I was unable to blog on Sunday, due to being out of town for work (I essentially got paid to hike and camp, while learning and practicing numerous skill sets. It was awesome!). However, the things I learned and developed through my work related excursion are invaluable and will assist me for a life time. With the exercise, I was observing the roles and methodologies of my superiors as they conducted their leadership duties. It was interesting to note and discuss different styles of leading, and how these different styles are effective given the type of situation. I noticed that leaders who respected  their subordinates and lead from "the side" (that is, not belittling their subordinates and valuing their input and opinions, while providing correction and some control at key times) sustained a high degree of morale and thus performance from their subordinates. Leaders who constantly belittled and barked at their subordinates created an atmosphere of tension and frustration, which seemed to lead to decreased morale and performance. However, in a large group with multiple hierarchies, both methods of leadership seem to be required to maintain a dynamic and effective cohesion within the group (if that makes sense).

I also developed my patience and discipline. Laying in the prone for about 2-3 hours at night not moving, with mosquitoes and light rain definitely helps develop that.

Also, my back feels great! It seems counter-intuitive, considering I was walking long distances with a moderately hefty pack on my back and carrying other gear. However...it feels not bad! *knock on wood*. With that, I am definitely going to focus on core strength and mobility work, and being more careful and ensuring I do not re injure it. So, I'll still post the rehab related blog posts (with the first hopefully being later this week).

Cheers!

An Idea

Saturday I attended the I Ho Chuan meeting...but I apologize to my team members for slipping out early (my shift started at 1:30...once 1:20 rolled around I figured it was best if I left ASAP).

With that, I need to blog on a consistent basis (now decided to be every Sunday, or Monday if I am out of town). My previous blogging habits were consistent with a shotgun blast, with a blog being posted on Thursday...then the following Tuesday...then the following Friday or Saturday and et cetera. Now, I also had an idea for blogging for the next several weeks. I recently re-injured my lower back while grappling at the pandamonium (partially due to rolling with an overzealous grappling partner). With that, this injury is a fantastic goldmine of opportunity in several areas. First, it will force me to develop myself in different areas while allowing my lower back to heal. Not only can I train the bench press and upper body more, but my mental and spiritual side can also be developed. Second, it will force me to research therapeutic and rehabilitation methodologies, and force me to design a rehabilitation/training program for myself. The primary goals will be to allow the back to heal, and to strengthen the core (both abdominal muscles and lower back and spinal muscles), so that the chance of reinjury will be lower. Third, this injury is allowing me to develop my patience, and to use reason and to progress wisely with my training. Instead of jumping back into training right away, it is forcing me to take my time, and to progress wisely.

So, I think the next several blogs will be me detailing the program and training I develop for myself, along with my thoughts for each week. I think it'll be an interesting topic, and also hold me accountable to researching and developing a decent training routine (that incorporates some back rehab and pre-hab), instead of letting it fall by the wayside.

Cheers!

Joe

And back to the grind!

Last Friday I attended the I Ho Chuan class, and I definitely benefited from it. Starting at the beginning of April, my focus switched from being on both Kung Fu and Powerlifting, to predominately Powerlifting (as I geared up for nationals). After Nationals, my focus switched to studying for exams, and ensuring that I did well and finished strong in this semester. Now, with no national competitions and exams, I began to switch my focus back to where it's required now: Kung Fu (and powerlifting still).

Attending the I Ho Chuan class definitely switched my focus and passion back onto Kung Fu (along with providing a nice hour long interlude to my work shift). I'll admit that I was embarrassed and a little ashamed at forgetting portions of Mlong Kuen, and I felt that my technique was horrible. However, along with that, I am also excited, as it has given me a little "checkpoint/waypoint," and now I'm able to conduct training at a more committed and stronger pace. I'm also excited with this weather, as I'll be more mobile (i.e. not getting stuck in my driveway) and also able to train more often with my spear.

Insert Title Here

Not much to say this week, other than I'm looking forward to getting back into the Kwoon and the gym and training hard. I've unfortunately missed the last I Ho Chuan class and the meeting due to work, as we're pretty short staffed. Nonetheless, everything requires a balance, and sometimes one must sacrifice something in order to give attention to another aspect of their life. It is what it is, and I simply will roll with it and carry on.

Anyways, here's a video I found. It's a powerful video, and I greatly enjoy it:

http://vimeo.com/27933991


Enjoy!

Nationals

Lil' sore....lil' tired. But, definitely happy with how nationals went, and at the level of skill and experience I had the opportunity of seeing. This was my first National level competition (definitely not the last), and I am definitely glad I went. The back injury flared up, impeding my deadlift....but, overall, the meet went well for me. Unfortunately I have no pictures...my camera seemed quite content with my lackluster memory and with chilling in my gym bag. Whoops!

With that competition over, I'll be switching my main focus back to Kung Fu (along with regular powerlifting training), and to training hard and progressing forward with Martial Arts.

Cheers,

Joe Harrigan

Pumped!

My goodness, time sure flies when you are having fun and enjoying life.

Last week (which, admittedly, I failed to blog in time), I realized exactly how soon Powerlifting Nationals are. I lift on April 11 in the morning. Up until this weekend, the thought and goal was always in the back of my mind, but I was engaged in my training (both powerlifting and Kung Fu), and focused on each day.

Once I took a step back and thought about it in more depth over the weekend, the topic of Nationals came surging to the forefront of my mind. Now, I'm becoming more and more focused. With that, I'm becoming more and more nervous. This is good; I get worried if I'm not a little nervous for competitions. I always get nervous before training, and before competitions (especially before competitions). Even before class, I am always slightly nervous. I find this natural and completely normal, as I see it as becoming focused and concentrated on the task at hand. Getting nervous and visualizing yourself training and competing at 110% of your ability helps you not only get concentrated, but also amps up the intensity.

I'm pumped. I'm going to smash through my old personal records and give it my all. I intend on breaking past my old limits...as well as finish the meet with a few burst capillaries in the ol' face and eyes.

Thankful

One common theme that seems to be recurring over the past few weeks is the idea of being thankful and humble for what we have. Injuries that I have sustained are a painful and acute reminder that, although I have worked hard over years to be where I am at in the present, it can all be taken away in one fell swoop. I'm back to training hard, but my back and elbow injuries are constant reminders to be thankful and humble for what I have accomplished. These injuries are also reminders to not slack off, and to not take any talent, skill, or experience for granted. Negative situations and experiences that have occurred in the past few weeks are also reminders to be constantly aware of and thankful for what I have in life. Again, one thing that has been hammered into my mind is to never take something for granted, lest it withers away into a distant and painful memory.

That's all I have to say for right now, but I have a funny feeling that another blog post will be following quite soon.