http://roninsabum.xanga.com/699565563/training-phase-3/

 http://weblog.xanga.com/Roninsabum/682076556/my-2nd-training-entry-phase-ii.html

http://weblog.xanga.com/Roninsabum/669119161/time-for-a-taekwondo-entry.html

The first three phases of my training consist of first heavy lifting, then also including running, then also including endurance lifting.  As I anticipated, endurance lifting has been the most trying sector of my training.  Not only do my muscles fatigue and burn more thoroughly than with heavy lifting, but it also brutally tries my anaerobic cardiovascular endurance as well.  Nevertheless, I've been making good progress and plan to continue to do so.

There are two phases left in my 5-phase plan, and both of them are plyometric in nature.  One of them consists of classical plyometric training: high knees, butt kicks, various jumping and speed exercises, etc.  The other is to systematically begin training my taekwondo techniques.  Since the prospect of injury is always the major factor in how I decide which manner I will push my body to its extremes, I have decided to once again mess with my original intended order and make phase 4 technique training.  I must admit, however, that I'm also just tired of putting this off any longer.  The motions involved in technique training are as fast and sharp as possible, but since they do not involve the motion of my entire body weight I suspect these will be easier on my joints than the classical plyometric training.  The latter will involve motions such as vertical jumping, which puts the strain of my entire body weight on my knees and a change of momentum as quickly as possible; the former just deal with the weight of the limb itself moving through space while performing a technique.  So I'll continue to focus on strengthening joint tissue in a manner that will allow me to achieve maximum performance.

My approach to technique training will be very different from what I've seen other people do--I will be far more systematic.  When most people of my rank restart training, they will typically start by going straight to classes (or at least finding an open, quiet area where they can train alone) which tend to train in a haphazard manner.  No two classes tend to be exactly the same.  This is great when first learning a martial art to acquire the breadth required to progress and to not become bored with the training, but an entirely different approach is required when trying to push the extremes of human potential.  I will not approach technique training as "practice," rather my approach will be the same as with weight training--it's a muscle building exercise.  I will be systematically doing the same basic techniques, in order, and record the repetitions.  This will be about training my body (i.e. muscle and joint tissue) to be able to execute the techniques with increasing speed and power.

Further, an advanced rank will tend to be assigned advance techniques to work on in class, which are fun, challenging, and good training in their own right, but real fights are messy and brutal requiring expert and powerful usage of the most basic techniques.  I'm not training to win tournaments; I'm training to survive and conquor the worst of street attacks.

I have an ordered list of the techiques I will be training, starting with leg/knee kicks and working my way up.  I just made it though about half of the techniques in my list with only one set of 10 repetitions each (each leg/arm, of course) and my hamstrings are already badly cramping.  Progress will need to come gradually.  This is why I think the systematic approach is appropriate for achieving technique-power far beyond what the more casual martial artist will ever acheive.

Last year I had fun taking the Myer-Briggs personality test and found out that I am solidly INTJ (http://roninsabum.xanga.com/668596826/my-myers-briggs-personality-test-results/).  Basically, it means I'm an arrogant intellectual who doesn't like people--so true.

So now I take a facebook "What's your Personality Disorder" test for fun and scored "Oppositional Defiant Disorder."  Once again, remarkably accurate.

Putting them together, I'm a rebellious intellectual misanthropist loner--soon to have completed my Ph.D. in particle physics.  Perfect.

Symptoms of ODD may include:

• Throwing repeated temper tantrums
• Excessively arguing with adults
• Actively refusing to comply with requests and rules
• Deliberately trying to annoy or upset others, or being easily annoyed by others
• Blaming others for your mistakes
• Having frequent outbursts of anger and resentment
• Being spiteful and seeking revenge
• Swearing or using obscene language
• Saying mean and hateful things when upset

I don't have any great love for the mainstream dogmatic Democrats, but it's interesting to note that during the Bush years they usually complained about things that were actually happening. Republicans seems to have resigned themselves to making up fake shit, then complaining about that is if it were real just because it happened in their imagination.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/15/tea-party-photos-tax-day_n_186752.html