Something greater... [a motivation blog]

[Arnie]

Hello!

Logging is a great way of keeping track of things and to see any sort of progression. I've logged for my leaving cert exams (although not consistently, it's better than not logging at all!), and have realised it was a great source of motivation on them rainy days. Honestly, keeping any sort of diary is really nice because you spend time typing about it and thus thinking about it.

Only starting college now, and it's quite difficult to inspire myself to stay on my toes and not to slack off on certain things. Wouldn't hurt to try logging my good habits over a period of a few weeks, and to see how much can a 18yr old engineering student really get done!

Also, for those who are new around these parts - I'm Arnie, and I've been training at Martial Arts Incorporated for a good few years (going to try dig up my yellow belt grading video! I know it's somewhere!!). You'd usually see me around on Saturdays and some other classes throughout the week.

Objectives:
-Train more smart (not aimlessly!), and train intensely (cardio).
-NO MORE COFFEE, NO MORE ARTIFICIAL SUGAR/ARTIFICIAL FLAVOURING.
-Stay on top of college assignments.
-Be more efficient, so clock less hours doing college work.

I've been running quite a lot. Actually went on a 5k yesterday and a 8k this morning, but need to keep the consistently going to be honest.

Tomorrow:
-6k Run (two inclines).
-Finally work on the maths notes.
(Have a long meeting so time restricted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Cya tomorrow.

EDIT: 3 weeks in and I'm ranting all over the place.

[R. Devane]

Fair play Arnie - not easy holding yourself accountable to everyone - best wishes with your goals and I can't wait to see how you get on

[Arnie]

Fairly busy day on campus!

DONE:
-Ran the 6k, didn't time it (not ready for that yet...)
-Finished an assignment and fixed a class issue with a lecturer.
-Sat on the council meeting for 3hrs.

THOUGHTS:
-While sitting on the council meeting, I've decided to actively pursue my next belt. The goal is for December. Unfortunately, this Sunday I can't make the syllabus but every Tuesday and Sunday after this weekend will be training day! Going to start refreshing the other syllabus on my own time.
-Feeling very tired (on campus from 10am to 9pm!), and my first day without coffee... drinking plenty of water though, nearly 4 litres! (that amount is probably harmful tbh).

TOMORROW:
-Run the 6k again.
-Go to 7pm and 8pm group (Declan Kidd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).
-Finish another assignment.
-Sort out calender until Christmas for college activities.

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Ran the 6k, same route.
-Went to 7pm Kickboxing.
-Made progress on two assignments.
-Didn't sort out calender or start the maths ...

THOUGHTS:
-My left leg feels a lot slower than usual, maybe because I was fatigued from running all week. Going to be more concious on the leg. Can't wait to train again on Friday! No running on Friday.
-Didn't push myself on the stretching, but we didn't do much kicks so I wasn't properly warmed up to stretch full capacity. Hopefully Friday I'll hit my limit.
-Felt very tired again today, need more carbs!

TOMORROW:
-Run 6k again, same route.
-Go wall climbing for 90minutes.
-Finish two assignments (which will leave my weekend free ).

[Arnie]

DONE:
-6K run.
-7pm kickboxing and 8pm sparring
-Finished Chem assignment.

thoughts:
-Need to spar more! Starting next week, Thursday and Sunday will be spent sparring (no more wall climbing :/) but I have priorities.
-my left leg is lacking flexibility.
-Never take a month off sparring #notetoself

tomorrow:
-6K
-Finish rest of assignments
-Torture 7pm and syllabus at 8pm.
(next Friday won't be this easy!)

Doing this on my phone so sorry for bad format.

[Arnie]

DONE:
-About 7.4k, manage to pop my newly formed blister doing a jumping spinning defensive side kick on the bag, lovely!
-7pm Kickboxing, great class, focused on wall drills and then combinations.
-Syllabus with Eddie!
-Finally finished the chemistry assignment!

THOUGHTS:
-NEED COFFEE...
-Started planning my routine for the next few weeks.

Tomorrow:
-Gonna easy myself into stretching throughout the morning, have a few privates to do.
-No running .
-Going to finish my maths assignment hopefully.
-Bike shopping!

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Nothing.......... although a little bit of sparring in one of my privates was refreshing.

THOUGHTS:
-Was experimenting throughout the week, next week will begin a more definite foundation. Have a better idea what I need to do (doing something is better than nothing...)! Already laid out my schedule and already denied a society meeting because it interfered with my training schedule (baby steps! >:l).
-Should be getting my new bike in three weeks. Never trained on a bike before so will spend about two weeks experimenting. Starting to gain interest in TRIATHLONS, especially adventure races. The guy in the bike shop talked about some 'adventure race' in Galway (Gael force?) where the racers have to swim, kayak, cycle (uphill and downhill) and run! Sounds epic to be honest. Wish I asked him more questions but I was still deprived from energy because of the sugar crash...
-Will post the BULLETPROOF EXCUSEPROOF training timetable on here on Monday (timetable starts Tuesday ).
-The timetable actually doesn't include running, so I'll be running on a leisurely basis, although I think on Saturdays I will implement some form of 15k programme (build to it, not actually do it in one go...).

TOMORROW:
-Have a halloween run tomorrow in Malahide Castle with friends. Not doing this competitively, just to have a bit of craic. NO TREATS FOR SURE!
-Attempt to start the maths assignment again (due Tuesday).

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Fun 5k event with my friends, was definitely worth it and got a nice training t-shirt . WOULDN'T RECOMMEND RUNNING THROUGH THORNS AND NETTLES.
-Went over material for the maths assignment, but haven't done any of the questions (so productive!).

THOUGHTS:
-Had a coffee today before we departed the comforts of the city centre (what was I thinking! I blame my friends who knew I was on an experimental no coffee diet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) - instant regrets, it wasn't even that good (sorry Butlers! no hate!).
-Would love to do more obstacle course runs. Planning to do Hell and Back JUNE and maybe Tough Mudder sometime spring. Emphasis on the planning, because them events are not cheap.
-Can't wait to do more training because I'm feeling a lot better (was it the coffee?).
-Might start timing my "off the books study" like I did during the leaving cert. Will motivate me to keep it consistent, although training will definitely restrict this, and demotivate me if I'm only doing 30min a day (better than nothing I suppose...). I could always go to college an hour early and do it that way, but I'll have to see. Maybe doing it at home will be good, but having two sisters doesn't exactly make a study-safe environment. I'm afraid I will fall behind and create a snowball effect. NEED TO MANAGE TIME.
-Looking at this log and my previous leaving cert log, 90% of the posts are just rants and brainstorming methods to motivate me (at least I'm thinking.)

TOMORROW:
-Entire day will be spent on college work and movies (horror ).

[Arnie]

Done:
-The dreaded maths assignment, took me just over four hours to do the questions (hopefully correctly!).
-Continued with the notes for maths, hopefully by next weekend I'll be caught up on material.
-Started new assignment.

THOUGHTS:
-CAN'T WAIT TO DO SOME TRAINING.
-Been thinking of running all day ....
-Head feels a lot better so tomorrow will be good.

TOMORROW:
-More maths notes (20 minutes at least!)
-Continue this new assignment, hopefully finish it Wednesday. (have a good 2hr break
-Training at 7pm and 8pm. Get warmed up and general class at 7pm and syllabus at 8pm! Going to run through half of the other belts after the 8pm class, and maybe a bit fitness mixed into it. (if my time in college goes well, I won't be stressing to get home fast to do more work ha, so need to concentrate and avoid procrastinating on campus!!)

My routine at the moment will go as follows:

Monday:
1.5hr gym: leg day plus rowing machine plus stretching.
Tuesday:
2.5hr kickboxing: general class and syllabus.
Wednesday
1.5 gym: Upper body and arms plus treadmill sprint intervals (did this before, good fun ...).
Thursday
2hr kickboxing: general class and sparring session.
Friday
1 - 1.5hr gym: Will add to this after talking to staff...
1hr kickboxing: syllabus me thinks!
Saturday
Planning to do a running programme, but will have to see how recovery goes from the other days before I do something.
Sunday
2.5hr kickboxing: sparring session and then syllabus. Need to warm up before sparring though.

I've had to scrap wall climbing for two reasons:
a) awkward times (two hours after my last lecture).
b) too many people, have to wait awhile before I can climb again.

As for the gym sessions, I'm still testing how to use things and how the body mechanics work (staff are very helpful ... I must be annoying!). My goal for the next few weeks in the gym is to get a good base for technique and to understand how the thing works. Too dangerous to do anything too heavy now, because my joints are quite weak (yay for genetics) and after using the gym a few times over the last five weeks - my flexibility doesn't feel the same! I'm going to log how every session goes, and outline the exercises I did and the weights I used. I'M NOT TRACKING MY WEIGHT AT THE MOMENT BUT AM ON A BULK SO DIET WISE, I'M EATING MORE (no fast food etc of course!).

Kickboxing wise, my priority is syllabus at the moment and sparring. Been feeling like my sparring has been off for awhile. Going to ask for more feedback off my partners after our fights, hopefully they will point some things our that I haven't realised. Although on the bright side, I have felt my general guard and blocking ability has improved, but during engagements (with heavier people) I seem to cover up too much and 'frail' away (I feel like its an instinct for me, no idea how to get psychologically around this 'panic blocking?'), like my forearms are feathers and the hits go through ... this might relate to the problem that I need to be a little heavier for my demographic . Although for points fights, I'm not having the same problem obviously. Just need to concentrate on transitioning and shuffling my kicks a little faster. Will definitely be wary on that when the instructors bring up any shuffles during the general classes. Also need to pick a southpaw or orthodox stance because if I'm not confident with this, only will I be ready for any fight?! At the moment, feel like orthodox will do since my left leg is faster on the shuffles and not bad flexibility.

Confident this will be an awesome week like always.

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Did about 40 minutes of maths notes, really great way to start the day!!!!!!!!!
-Started two new assignments, and finished the assignment I started yesterday.
-Starting phase two of the course hoodies, the design process. Me and the other class reps have decided to announce a design competition for this phase.
-Went kickboxing, great 7pm class - felt really fluid with my kicks and punches, but that's maybe because I had a really good partner (Yzeir). Got plenty done in syllabus, I saw all my sets and pretty sure I've manage to memorise them as well. Now to fine tune them to 2nd brown standard! Also coincidently Derek did some blocks, and I'm quite happy that my guard was well kept because me and Yzeir kept it realistic to a sparring standard (move around, bouncing, some random shots etc).

THOUGHTS:
-Really good day!
-I feel like my flexibility has stagnated because I'm doing the same old drills and exercises. Going to spend my next kickboxing days experimenting different ways to help flexibility (my sister is a dancer, hopefully some tips!). My goal with this is to a 180 degree kick (like on youtube ), but I know this is a good long way ahead, I just need to keep advancing.

TOMORROW:
-Finish maths assignment.
-Finish A3 assignment.
-Review ardiuno sketches.
-Another 20min on maths notes.
-Gym!

[Arnie]

DONE:
-About 20 minutes of maths notes and finished the maths assignment (no thanks to the tutorial >.>).
-Great gym session.
-Productive class rep meeting.

GYM ROUTINE:
-Wanted to try out a dumbbell circuit because the barbells are usually always occupied.
Treadmill 2km at 18.5km/hr pace
Dumbbell press 5kg/10kg/14kg 7 reps per set. 2 sets
Dumbbell bent over row 5kg/20kg/24kg 7 reps per set per arm. 2 sets
Dumbbell curl and press 5kg/10kg/12kg 7 reps per set. 2 sets
Dumbbell tricep extensions with decline star push ups 8kg, 5 reps per exercise, 3 sets.
Dips 5/4/3/2/1
Dips with L-sit 3/2/1
Bench press (found a free barbell so wanted to practice!) 0kg/5kg/10kg/20kg 5 reps per weight.
Treadmill 2km at 16 km/hr pace and 2:00 incline
Abs- plank 1min/leg extensions 1min/plank 1min/russian cross overs 1min/jack knives 1min/isolated planche push ups 20 sec (tough ).

Overall pretty happy but pretty boring as well. For rests, I've taken rests when appropriate, although I'd admit in between reps (especially the heavier weights), I had to stop and regain energy, but the goal was to do the number of reps I planned, so for example, the tricep extensions and push ups probably took forever because I did presses before hand, so I literally did five push ups and then rest 2 minutes . Still experimenting with the whole system... also I've realised I should of probably mixed the exercises around so I'm not doing the same muscle groups for 3 exercises in a row.... (I feel like I'm not making sense!)

Treadmill and the dips were by the far the most exciting.

THOUGHTS:
-Good day, did plenty, wish I didn't waste time socialising though (regrets ahhh).
-Urges to go running ...
-Haven't had coffee since Sunday, but started drinking Fruit juices again ... should stop ...

TOMORROW:
-Finish all assignments so I can have reading week (next week) free! I'm very optimistic, but I'm giving myself time on Friday as well to achieve this (imagine having the weekend free from college activities ... )
-Organise course activities for EMS Day (16th November).
-Training 7 - 9pm.

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Caught up with maths, spent like 40 minutes with the remaining notes!
-Finished two assignments, have another assignment due next week, will try get that done this Friday/Saturday.
-Went wall climbing and small gym session (treadmill and rowing machine).

THOUGHTS:
-Wanted to go sparring but promised I'd go wall climbing with someone because their first time...
-Talked myself into signing up for a wall climbing license (for this particular wall), so doing an exam maybe next week for my license! They'll examine my belaying skills and my knot tying skills.
-Very productive day in general... also had great fun meeting some people, awesome people in college especially when you meet someone with similar ideas and visions.


TOMORROW:
-Start next assignment (last one thankfully!).
-Syllabus and training at Martial Arts Inc!
-Go to bed early, need sleep.

Tomorrow will be awesome!

[Arnie]

DONE:
-A lot of syllabus with Eddie (thanks! ).
-7pm group class- really good!

THOUGHTS:
-Feel more confident over today's run through syllabus.
-Decided to do a 90 day creativity challenge, so expect pictures on my facebook and instagram! It's important to force myself to look out for the small things (or the big things) that make the world around us more enlightening while adding depth to our lives. I'm actually quite excited. Going to try stay more alert and look for these things on the spur of the moment.
-Feeling stronger than last week for sure! Flexibility was on point today as well, but I haven't had time to research more advanced stretching. Going to research tomorrow and try some on Sunday.

TOMORROW:
-Might go to the gym (hell no, I should go! I could also get a head start on my next assignment while on campus ...).
-Meet some friends.

[R. Devane]

Jeepers that's a lot you're trying to do. I read all of it so far. 1. Don't be so hard on yourself 2. Focus on one or two things at a time. You're definitely an over achiever but make sure you do actually enjoy the processes. Down time and socialising isn't a waste of productive time especially if it helps recharge the batteries. Hopefully see you this week for Sparring p.s. If I give you a dig you better not write about me here

[Arnie]

Nov 5, 2016 0:10:22 GMT R. Devane said:

make sure you do actually enjoy the processes

Thanks Rob, it's an internal struggle with myself but you're right for sure, very important to enjoy the processes!

DONE:
-Nothing related to college and training, rest day!

THOUGHTS:
-Feeling very stiff from training yesterday. Tomorrow I'm going to try a few new stretches before and after sparring. Going to bring my belt in and use it to help me do a few wall drills - I remember specifically Declan doing a few many moons ago in his classes. My ground flexibility is decent, but I want to be able to kick higher, need to somehow maybe train resistance? Need to research more. Wonder if incorporating light weights (1-2kg) would help, them ankle weights might be worth getting.
-Also want to focus more on axe kick transitions.
-Effort of doing college work tomorrow. I'll start again on Monday.
-Also want to spend an hour a week doing my own kickboxing training (the purpose will be revealed later), so gonna have to try schedule that in somehow.

TOMORROW:
-Sparring, syllabus and stretching!

zzz

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Sparring and syllabus.

THOUGHTS:
-Sparring went a lot better than two weeks ago (half asleep zzzz). Guard was more tight and blue belt continuous 4 came in handy a few times during boxing confrontations. Tried a few side kicks, definitely need to work on the speed of the shuffles. Happy out!
-A lot of stretching. I'm able to get into deeper stretches with less warm up, so that must be some sign of progress! I couldn't find my brown belt so couldn't try the wall stretches, but hopefully on Tuesday.

TOMORROW:
-Start Chemistry notes.
-Finish Chemistry lab report.
-Start L4 assignment.
-Gym.

Doing nothing else today, just going to nap and watch some movies/play games!

[Arnie]

DONE:
-More work on chem lab report.
-Some notes, about 30min on chemistry.
-Did in fact start the L4, got a good bit done but the heavy stuff starts tomorrow.
-7pm Kickboxing.

THOUGHTS:
-7pm kickboxing was really good - got some stretching done and discovered a new way to deflect jabs. Was actually very handy when practicing on the pads, but gonna try remind myself to use it on Thursday sparring (I know a few people like to keep me at bay by jabbing). Sets up the cross nicely but we'll see.
-Didn't go gym because I FIGURED it'll be better to do my college work at home ... but that was me making excuses not to go gym. WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY will happen.
-I'm having fun instagramming so make sure to follow me on my adventure of self-enlightenment (?) @arnknee_

TOMORROW:
-Finish this lab report!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Create a notes routine.
-Continue notes for chemistry.
-Attend a council meeting.
-Syllabus and kickboxing at MAI!

Gonna go on campus for 10am, and finish 4pm. Really regret not doing to the gym for leg day... what was I thinking ...

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Finished chem lab report (finally! Had an epiphany last minute ha).
-Almost finished the L4 assignment.
-Spent a good hour on the chemistry notes, almost done, surprisingly easy (to root learn!).

THOUGHTS:
-Didn't get a chance to go training today because the meeting took an hour longer than expected (first meeting of the year so always the longest). Was a bit overwhelming but insightful. Already have a task to do until the next meeting, so going to be busy running around.
-Don't think I'll go campus tomorrow (so no gym) because there's no point, until Thursday at least (project work). Going to go on a run and syllabus with Eddie.
-Spent a lot of time organising the trip in February for the JFs in the faculty.

TOMORROW:
-Syllabus (go over previous belts).
-Run (relaxing 10k - have a nice route I used to do).
-Start the marketing campaign for the trip, will start with the survey and talk to other reps.

Starting to notice that I'm falling off my fitness routine already (maybe because it's not worth going to college only for the gym eh). Priorities are important. Need to organise myself more but things keep popping up. For sure, this grading is the most important at the moment.

Might have to miss next week Tuesday syllabus due to a meeting, but I'm going to compensate this on Monday or Wednesday.

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Kickboxing and syllabus.
-More organisation, more emails, more ideas (class rep stuffs).
-10km, took me about 43min.

THOUGHTS:
-Today was really an eye opener. While practising my syllabus alone in a corner before the kickboxing class, I've come to a spontaneous conclusion. I'm trying to do so much in so little time in so little space (physically, little space to breathe!). I know this is obvious to other people (like Rob has pointed out in an above post) - I'm doing a billion things just in time for tea. Let it be with the grading and focusing on improving flexibility and cardio to organising events and the small things in college. This way, I've become so flustered and doing bits of everything, like running through a bakery and reaching my hand out at random points, trying to grab as much as I can. Now - I know it's not my routine or my goals that are causing this mentality, but the expectations and quotas I put on myself. I'm starting the week with expectations to get x,z and y done - and throughout the week I'm constantly chasing after people or time (for training and to do assignments) in order to meet these expectations I've set for myself.

-It's really hard to explain what I mean by this. I feel like thinking about this log (the longer pieces take a good 20 minutes to think about how I felt) has helped me reach this conclusion. I always write these logs before I go bed.

-My bearing are a bit out of sync with the leaving cert me, I'm still adjusting to the college routine (although college is very random ... yet I like to be organised ...). Instead of lashing out daily goals and objectives, I'm going to set my plan for the week every Monday log. Now, this plan isn't to tick the boxes and to track my progress, but to ensure I'm not sinking. As for training, I'm trying to do too much at once, but training mindlessly won't help.

-I'm going to resume my old style of training for the moment (this grading is really taking up time! ). I'll attend the classes I've always attended, and when free time crops out - it wouldn't hurt to walk down the road to do another hour of kickboxing. Training will be kept intense, and I'll be stretching to my maximum. Basically, try my best and keep everything sparring standard (especially the boxing on pads), I shouldn't rush things, but keep my shots clean and it realistic. I'll love to continue attending the gym, but I'm still new to the whole thing. I think I'm going to do two general weight workouts a week, instead of targeting specific muscle groups for each session. This way I always have time to build on my form and technique from the previous session. I'm probably best giving my self a 3 day break in-between sessions for recovery. In conclusion, my cardio and fitness will be maintained.

-As for the college - I feel healthy with the method I'm using to do my assignments. I'm staying on top and at the moment I'm maintaining a first average (+70%) which is great and more than enough. My only concern is not to miss the deadlines (blackbelt at doing things last second!).

-Being a class rep is taking so much time, because I have to attend these big meetings called Council twice every month. There's one next Tuesday, so I'll be missing syllabus (maybe ). I also have jobs to do. I think I will allocate like 30minutes or an hour every day to class rep stuff, so I restrict myself to an hour to emails and chasing people, and then (try) forget about it until the next day! Uhm, I'm gonna have to turn off notifications on my email then.

-I know I'm over thinking about this, and I'll probably wake up tomorrow morning stressed again (typing all this is making me feel better . Going to set my objectives until Monday.

-THUS, I'm not going to post my training days and gym sessions - because they happen on a daily basis. These weekly objectives are for more 'not normal' things for example the grading and the hoodies for my course. Training is normal because I always do it (one could question that ha!), so no point logging what times and days I do. You'll see me at the club at the times you normally see me (Tuesday Eve, Thursday Eve, Friday Eve, Sat Morn, Sun Morn).

WEEKLY GOALS
-Learn the theory for syllabus and repeat all syllabus three times (once Friday, once Saturday, once Sunday).
-Having pricing for Eng hoodies sorted (phone call tomorrow, meeting Friday, announcement Sunday).
-Have all assignments done and prepare A4 (sunday).

P.S What am I doing.

[Arnie]

DONE:
-Got the price on the hoodies! (€300 more than I expected, will try sort something out tomorrow at meeting with colleagues).
-Training was great, some syllabus on the punch bag, 7pm general class and then sparring.
-Finished L4 assignment.

THOUGHTS:
-Feeling really good, like I have a better idea on what I have to do.
-Sparring was fantastic. Great rounds with the guys - got to practice that deflection for the jab, worked a few times hehe. Happy with how my boxing went especially against the taller guys.
-Meeting should be good tomorrow.
-No gym sessions this week.