An Update

It's Christmas. WAHEY!
So, for an update. Firstly, here is a very up-to-date photo of my wonderful daughter. Yes, that is a very cheeky smile.

Secondly, I'm still in the fire service. Albeit, without the awesome firefightery jobs. I dunno, good or bad thing?

Lastly, in case you were not aware, it's December, and almost Christmas. For those of an athletic variety, remember, eat more, lift more =]

Fightwear

In more fighting news, I purchased some Jaco shorts over the summer, except the design started to peel after a couple of washes.

Right, time for some fight gear updates. I know I haven't done this in a while, BUT I feel I owe the respective manufacturers credit.

Over the Autumn, I purchased some Brown Jaco Resurgence MMA Fight Shorts.

For the price they were on offer, and the reputation Jaco has produced in such a short amount of time. Upon first glance, the shorts were a completely different material than any other shorts I have worn before. Almost like a thick Rash Guard material, which was initially strange, but very very comfortable. The only issue was the design started to peel within the first week.

Wondering what I had done wrong, I contacted Jaco personally, asking if there were any special washing instructions that I needed to be abiding by. Instead of responding with instructions, their EXCELLENT customer services sent me a brand new pair in the post, all the way from the USA. They didn't have any of the Brown shorts in stock, so instead they sent me a pair of the Jaco Resurgence MMA UK Fight Shorts.

After enjoying quite a few training sessions (and subsequent washes) the design has also started to peel on these shorts. Apart from the designs printed onto the gear, Jaco shorts are incredible and the customer service is beyond excellent. So, if you ever get the chance to deal with Jaco, I would highly recommend them and their products.

Fast forward to October, after being VERY impressed with their gear before, and hearing MANY positive reviews about their newest offering, I gave in and purchased a Rupture PTSi Rash Guard.

Now, I must admit, I have never owned a more brilliant fighting top. The fit, the construction, the design, the material, everything, is absolutely perfect. After over a month of HARD training, frequent washing, and one competition, it is still as fresh looking as when I first opened the packaging. The ONE issue is a scuff I picked up at the competition that has frayed the abdomen slightly. You can just about see it in the photo. Other than that, Rupture has found the formula for the perfect Rash Guard. It is easily on par, if not greater, than the Hayabusa and Manto Rash Guards that currently reside in my kit. Although they have suffered a hell of a lot longer than the Rupture, so let's see in the next year or so how it has withstood the test of time and training.

I'll give all the above gear a bit longer in the inventory before I write a proper review. They need a good thrashing first.

Ground Control NATIONALS

Last month was the Ground Control Nationals at the Kings Battleground in Nottingham. My lord it was fun. I had forgotten how much fun competing can be.

True, I didn't medal, but intermediate is where it's happening. I won my first and lost my second, to the guy who eventually got Gold, so not too bad. Compared to fighting in the beginner leagues, everyone is a lot more relaxed and technical, whilst the beginners are more violent and sketchy.

Bring on March in Manchester =]

My Daughter

Literally, Hell.

This years biggest competition is in 3 weeks and I've got about 3 kilos to lose to be in a comfortable weight. So I have devised some of the craziest cardio sessions to help me.

I've modified the trusty Hurricane system to try and help. Instead of 2 exercises per set (runs and weights), I've made it 3, and added a functional exercise. Something explosive and fast. So, this is the one I will be trying out tonight.

Round 1
30 Seconds @ 14.5kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Close Grip Chest Presses - 8 Bent Over Rows - 10 Med Ball Plyo Push Ups
30 Seconds @ 15.3kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Close Grip Chest Presses - 8 Bent Over Rows - 10 Med Ball Plyo Push Ups
30 Seconds @ 16.1kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Close Grip Chest Presses - 8 Bent Over Rows - 10 Med Ball Plyo Push Ups

1 Minute Rest

Round 2
25 Seconds @ 16.9kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Cleans - 10 Sprawls
25 Seconds @ 17.7kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Cleans - 10 Sprawls
25 Seconds @ 18.5kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Cleans - 10 Sprawls

1 Minute Rest

Round 3
20 Seconds @ 19.3kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Snatchs - 10 Sit Throughs
20 Seconds @ 20.9kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Snatchs - 10 Sit Throughs
20 Seconds @ 22.5kmh @ 10% Incline - 8 Sprawl Snatchs - 10 Sit Throughs

End


If that wasn't enough, I'm lucky in Stafford to have access to Stafford Castle. Stafford Castle sits upon a pretty mean hill. Obviously to give Staffordians the advantage in wars of old. Hopefully it'll do the same for me when I add some Hill Sprints to this work out. One of the sides of this hill is nigh on vertical, so it will be less sprint, more scramble. Perfect considering this sport involves me being on all 4s, using all of my body.
Expect a run down of the agony soon =]

Orlaith Dillian Paines

Born - 5th October 2010 @ 23:14
Weight - 7lbs 12oz


=]

Recurring Lower Back Injury

Damn grappling.

Born Great?

It might sound like a very random time to suddenly write a blog about this topic, but it'll become clear I can assure you.
Despite what some movies, literature and (unfair low blow?) some religions might say, no one is born great. Sure you can have a natural genetic inkling towards intelligence, or physical prowess, but no one is born great.
Every person who you can admire for what they accomplished worked to get there. How many times do you think a novelist sat there and wrote page after page of worthless shit before creating a best seller? How many times do you think that guy or girl semi naked on a magazine cover had to say "sorry guys, I can't have the double pizza stuffed with chicken and steak tonight, I'm on a diet" to get to that toned body? Or the Olympic athlete who was awake at 5 every morning to start training. Before becoming great all these people seemed like nutters to their friends and family because they didn't do the ordinary thing. They had a goal and were regular people with ambition. So they did what they had to do and now they are admired, as you sit their in your mountain of cushions, eating a fray bentos out of the tin.
Not everyone can go on to do great things, and great things don't have to be being a best selling Olympic model. Just think next time "do I really need this beer, or is there something more I can be doing?"
And on that note, I'm heading to the gym =]

Need a shout!

Ugh!

The Importance of Being Earnest

A study, due to be published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, looks at the effect of long periods of inactivity on muscles. The group it focuses on is Special Forces on Surveillance Missions.
Previous studies have shown that aerobic capacity can drop by a half within 4 weeks, but this latest study finds strength declines too. In the time frame of 8 days, maximal strength declined by 11%, power by 20% and jump height by 10%.
This may seem like rather pointless, we're not special forces. But say you are something similar, say a FireFighter? What if there is no training regime, no physical tests once basic training is over? What if a general malaise takes over and you lose that physical edge you once had?
What if after a month, 2 months, 6 months, the kind of physical speed, strength, and endurance that is expected of you is called upon... What then?
Doesn't this study emphasise the need for being constantly prepared? If so much can decline within a month, shouldn't physical training be a weekly, almost daily thing?
Even if it's not just for that one life saving moment, just in general it can be of benefit. For example, at 3am when you are completely lagging and end up working a long job, if you have previously endured hours in the gym doing very specific types of training, your muscles use energy more efficiently so you can last for longer. Also, strength means it will take more to exhaust you. If you were a very weak person, lifting bags of sugar for 30 minutes would exhaust you, while if you were a beef cake, it would be like lifting pencils. So, given the type of work we have to do, shouldn't there be a lot more emphasis on being a bit of a gym rat?
Maybe it's my cynical self talking, and my naivety to the job, but we'll see. I wonder if this theory is going to become important?

Gas Tank

I said I'd talk about Hurricanes, so here I am.
2 weeks ago I started Martin Rooney's Training for Warriors centrepiece. They are called Hurricanes, and are an endurance/cardio exercise regime for fighters. Now I thought I was at an OK level of fitness, but these have put me to shame.
They are split into 5 categories, just like a real Hurricane. Each one gets progressively worse until Cat5 where it is, from what I've read, practically hell on Earth.
I started the system 2 weeks ago, on Category 1. Category 1 is sprints on a treadmill, slowing down to a gentle walk till your heart rate hits 120bpm, then sprinting again. Rinse and repeat 10 times.
Category 2 replaces the rest down with body weight exercises. Today I attempted the Cat2 and wow, I love it. It is the closest thing I've felt in the gym that replicates an actual tournament fight. Being utterly exhausted but having to continue. No matter how much your legs are shaking or how high your heart is, because you know without complete focus, you'll be farted out of the back. Just like in a fight, any lapse and you'll be annihilated.
I cannot recommend the TFW system enough. It is exactly what I've been searching for, and for the next few weeks I know I am just going to be getting fitter and fitter.
PS, resting heart rate of 41bpm, hell yeah.

What a Difference, A Year Makes

Back when I started this blog, I hoped it would detail my rise from slightly chubby geek to chiselled athlete. It did become more than that, to the point where I forgot to really detail what I was actually doing. Well I've learnt a lot in the past year I've learnt new gym techniques, forgotten others. Who knows, this time next year things could be completely different. So, for future reference, here is a rough list of what I'm currently doing down the gym.

Strength
Chin Ups
Pull Ups w/ weight in between ankles
Reverse Crunches
Dragonflags
Chest Flies @ Various Inclines
Dumbbell Bench Presses
Barbell Bench Presses
Inverted Rows
Barbell Rows
Squats
Front Squats to Overhead Presses
Plate Halo's
Plate Bus Drivers
Plate Slashes
Plate Tricep Curls
Plate Shoulder Lifts
2 Plate Grips
Med Ball Figure 8s

Cardio
Cross Trainer
Hurricanes (moving onto Category 2 next week)
Road Work

Hello EPOC, where should I begin?

Today is the last day of Hurricane Category 1. Kind of excited for it really. I've been doing it 3 times a week for 2 weeks and I've already noticed HUGE differences in endurance.
The feeling it creates for the rest of the day is COMPLETELY different to regular jogging/cardio. Every now and then I take a deep breath, like a sigh. Read into EPOC, or Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption, and AMPK (there's a lot to explain).
Next week I start Category 2. I'll do a brief description soon, including how it feels once I've done my first day.
Also, really crushing on Coheed and Cambria - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3 XD

QFT - On The Loser's Mantra

Mia Hamm: "The person that said winning isn't everything, never won anything."

Welcome to competitive sports. My medals smell all medally.

Inspired by the fact I would have rather fallen asleep than tap out to Jakes triangle yesterday. Still turned it around and submitted him though =]

Bump

I love that little bump, and the girl who wears it so proudly =] Only 13 more weeks. 13 more weeks till I'm a Dad =]

Abrupt Review!

I use Shock Doctor Compression Shorts with Bioflex Cup and just took a blow to the plums. It moved. It didn't save them.

Evolution Revolution: My Manifesto

Evolution Revolution: My Manifesto

Blogging for future reference. A brilliant article =]

Kinda Saw That One Coming

I KNOWWWWWWW I said I wouldn't be going the gym today. But I lied. I lied to the internet. I won't be doing any weights or anything (these muscles aren't going to heal otherwise), so I'm going to spend my lunch doing cardio.
Reading those M.Rooney books, he talks about something called Hurricane training. So far, I've tried Category 1, and wow. Once I've stopped wheezing from that, I might move on to Category 2 =]

Backle Shmackle

I tried doing an exercises courtesy of somewhere or another (plate slasher), and pulled my lower back. OOPS.
Maybe I should just stick to those books. I could tell, with this smarter training regime over the past couple of months, it has improved my fitness so much. I rolled with one of the larger, tougher lads earlier, and still won the submission! Just proves I'm on the right path. Now, with those books, not only am I on the right path, I have a little scooter too.
Although, with the injuries (and lack of rest), tomorrow will be my day of rest, and a good time to re-evaluate what I want to do and how I'm going to accomplish it. Exciting!

Book Plug (lol)

Quickly, before I go to bed, I'm just going to plug Martin Rooney and his books, Training for Warriors, and Ultimate Warrior Workouts. I've just taken delivery of the latter, to add to my collection of the former. I tried the exercises down the gym earlier, and all I can say is wow. Obviously I'm not in this whole exercise thing for aesthetics. I'm in it to get a hell of a lot stronger and fitter, and become the best athlete and fighter I can. Training for Warriors separates all exercises into different body areas, whilst Ultimate Warrior Workouts has exercises for each individual martial art.
I'll go into more depth tomorrow, but wow. If you are trying to become a better fighter, you need these on your bed side table.

Take THAT Demons

And I don't mean a possessed version of the 90s boy band.
I mean I bit the bullet and went to the gym after work/before grappling. I might have felt like a bag of warmed up death, but that didn't stop me!
Also, I just read a brilliant quote in a magazine. Obsessed is just a word lazy people use to describe the dedicated.
Boom.

It's These

Moments that I hate, when motivation escapes me. I should go to the gym, but tiredness and lethargy have me in some sort of vice grip. I will see if I can overcome them before the days out.

iRant

Wow, it has been a busy old day for me! A very, very thoughtful day. I'll start with the one that's currently stuck in my brain like an iddy biddy thorn. I'm currently awake and watching Half Ton Dad, about a 74 stone man. 74 stone? My god!
Watching it, there are so many moments which made me irate. He says stuff like it's a disease like they deserve our pity. Or that it's not easy to not eat fast food. Perleaseeeee, it isn't like it crept up on you. You didn't wake up one day 60 stone heavier and unable to get out of bed. And cutting fast food isn't an absolute chore. Don't consider a diet, it's easier viewing it as a lifestyle change. If you think stuff like "this diet will be hard", you'll get to your chosen weight, stop dieting, and back you go to Obese World, fatty. His daugter unwittingly summed it up. She was a big girl anyway, but she said if she didn't think about gettin to her dads size, it wouldn't happen anyway. Well, enjoy a terribly ill life followed by an early death, idiot.
Secondly, England, England, England, England. You're useless. I love the fact that I don't follow football. So this loss doesn't effect me or make me feel any of that "passion" bar folk get and scream at the tv. It angers me by the sheer tenacity of the england players. It might not apply to other teams, but it seems playing this game, you can hide behind the team. Unlike in my sport, where the game is all down to you, so there is no hiding. You either fail or you win. You don't have to rely on anyone else, it's just you.
And don't even get me started on diving. Football is such a weak sport. They fall over due to a small breeze over their bollocks, unlike MMA where you "falling" would result in a grade 11 ass whooping. I think they should spend this summer break in ass kicking camp!

A 10k Update

I've set up 2, that's right, 2, Just Giving Pages. The reason being, blahdey blahdey blah, you can't have 2 charities on the same page due to GiftAid reasons. Because I want both the Fire Fighters Charity and PAPYRUS UK to benefit, I've done both. So if you feel generous and want to ensure a naive 23yr old runs 6 miles in full fire gear, then visit
www.justgiving.com/Chris-Paines0 and
www.justgiving.com/Chris-Paines1

Runner - Daft

I've decided, possibly against common sense and better judgement, to enter another road race. The Lichfield 10k. I know it's shorter than the half marathon back in March, so this time I'm doing it in full Fire PPE. Expect pictures soon :P

It's Kicking!

I've just felt my baby kick for the first time XD

Feeling It

Just got back from Grappling and I've got that post fight glow. That numbing feeling. The one where for the next few hours I'll be finding painful little niggles, but feel set for the evening. Relaxed. I guess it's why some people have a drink, just to take the edge off after work, except I go get the shit kicked out of me.

Why We, Why I

I was just walking through Tesco, as you do, and the new issue of Fighters Only magazine had come out. What caught my eye on the front was a bit of bold text advertising an inner article on "Why We Fight".

Obviously, I bought it =] But it did get me thinking, why the hell do I climb onto the mat, and risk my health and well being against someone who's one mission is to do me harm. My watch manager, in describing me to a new member of the watch, joked "he hunts and kills people for sport". To me, I couldn't think of anything more natural than having a good grapple. But to a lot of people it seems utterly bizarre.

So, trying to explain it to someone who doesn't do this, I climb on the mat because it tests every aspect of me. When I was a kid, I couldn't play any "normal" sports like football, anything that required skills with a ball basically, although I was very athletic. Team sports, I was rather terrible at, but sprinting, and sports that I had to rely on myself, I was fine. Therefore it was a natural progression to become a fighter. Being part of a team gave a safety net against failure (I did still play football and rugby etc, even though I wasn't very good). Where you falter, the team moulded around that. There isn't that barrier in single sports.

A sport where complete athletic ability is key. The mix of endurance, flexibility, strength, cardio and agility is what is needed in this game. Add onto that what can only be described as a "chess" mentality, and being able to improvise and rise up to the challenge at a moments notice. It's the sport that caught my eye.

It also made me want to improve myself, which can only be a good thing. I don't drink, I've never smoked, and my diet is the healthiest it has ever been. I overcame my inability to swim or run long distances. My exercise regime became all consuming to improve my physical shape and health.

It might take hours of hard, physical labour, and unbelievable self control, but it's all worth it when your hand is raised at the end of a gruelling fight. When you stand triumphant on the podium with a medal around your neck. There are those who never push themselves from their sofas. Who enter a life of mundane tediousness, and watch those who did make something of themselves from afar. That was me at one point, but this literally changed my life.

Fighting is one of the oldest forms of human nature. It's as old as eating, and as natural as breathing. Every person, when cornered, and if you push the right buttons, will fight back. There is not a single person who wouldn't. I just didn't deny this, and embraced it. It might be considered savage and brutal by "normal" folk, but when we are currently fighting wars and actually killing people, my hobby pales into comparison. At least in what I do, I meet my foe face to face instead of behind a button, trigger, or a blade. I don't intend to kill or destroy them, just beat them in a display of will and athleticism.

"It's not the winning that's important, it's the taking part that counts" is tripe. In single sports, winning is everything, otherwise we wouldn't put the hours and hours of blood, sweat and toil into it. Fighting is the ultimate sport, because when any other sport fails, it also descends into fighting. Hockey, football, all peppered with incidents of martial confrontation. If a fighter loses, there is no come back, there is no "re"-challenge. Just defeat.

So to anyone wondering why I train like I train. Why I do what I do. And why I fight. That's why, in a round about way, but it probably needs more pictures. I fight because it makes me more human, in every way.

Daytipper: Peppermint oil is a natural stimulant

Daytipper: Peppermint oil is a natural stimulant

I'm currently suffering the effects of a sleeping aid (hay fever purposes) and someone mentioned this. It's actually pretty good. I imagine it's like smelling salts.

Is My Body Too Oatalicious For Ya Babe

I've tried my hand at cookery. I KNOOOOWWW!
I thought I'd make myself a little healthy snack. So I thought "I wonder if there is any way of mixing my old protein shake with some oats." Turns out, there is.
Here's the ingredients list:

3 cups of rolled oats
3 scoops of chocolate protein powder
1 cup of skimmed milk
2 egg whites
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp of peppermint

The result, peppermint chocolate oat bars. The verdict. Ermmmmm, there was a reason I'd left that protein shake and moved on to banana. They are edible at least eh? And very good for me. No Added Sugar and Low Fat etc. High in fibre and VERY high in protein (at least 100g of protein in the batch, or a 16oz rump steak)

I think for the next batch its going to be with some apple and cinnamon. I'll have to buy some flavourless protein powder and just try and work that into the recipe. Hey ho eh.

I'M BACK! I'm Back in the Side Mount Againnnnnn...

Lol I've come over all Aerosmith. Apparently, according to the grapevine, that's going to be one of the last times they play in this country. Final pay cheque and all that.
Anyway, I could not resist when I got home Monday. Despite doing no training for 5 days, living off some of the worst food I've had in a very long time, and feeling very sleep deprived, I still went for a grapple. And my god did I need it. I wish I could stick it in a vial and shoot up with it regularly :P

For Future Reference and Giggles

This is more for future me so I can read back and remember some of the in jokes and stuff that happened at Donny.
Wednesday - "GET TO THE CHOPPER". Bacon sandwiches at 1am with Emma and Tiff. Tiff awaking at the word bacon. Setting my sandwich on fire and throwing it.

Thursday - Burning my toast and juggling it around the site. 3 thong men skipping through Gold Camp.

Friday - Scrambling over the mud hills. Emma disappearing behind a mound. Dropping the guitar in coheed.

Saturday - Roly Polys down the hill. Poo smeared toilets. Rock Sugar "quarter to NI EE IIINE". Coming out the toilet with my water carrier, and going "...ahhhhhhh" when I came out. "DID YOU SEE THAT NINJA?" "What ninja?" "Exactly"!

Sunday - The mud baths. People sliding through it with an air bed and tent. Bin bag clothing range. Stripping in the car park.

For Those Who Were There...

"MY SANDWICH IS ON FIRE!"

Festival Hints

This might be a grower ;)
For anyone thinking of camping at places like Download Festival, V Festival, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds etc etc. I'm going to try and compile whatever clever little ideas I have used/come across before in the attempt that one day, a festival newbie will find this and it might just add to their experience. So here goes.

1. Kleenex Packets. Instead of loading up on toilet roll and other large bulky bum wiping items, small packets of tissues pack easier, are a lot more discreet, and can be carried around the main arena rather easily. Bit simple, but worth knowing.

2. Hexamine. Apparently a lot of festivals are starting to ban any form of gas for cooking, and only allowing solid fuel or BBQs. In this case, Hexamine will be one of very few options. Firstly, the round tabs take a hell of a lot more to light than the square ones. You're looking at either 4 round or 2 square to heat a small kettle full of water, or a couple of tins. The gas given off though requires that you cover the food in some way shape or form. I personally took the lid off a tin, and placed a mess tin over the top.

2.5. BBQs. A good companion to the Hexamine cooker is a disposable BBQ. The metal base can be used to sit the Hex cooker to create a decent wind block. And the metal grill can be used on top to create a good base for balancing tins of food. You may also want to use firelighters in the Hex cooker if the tabs refuse to start. PS, it will leave one heck of a mess.

3. Tins. Tins tins tins are fab. They keep in the heat, come with ring pulls, and take no time at all to heat up. My favourite by a country mile is a tin of hot dogs. You can usually buy bread from the campsite shop. Toast the bread on the BBQ whilst you heat the tin, then you can have like 8 hot dogs wrapped in toasted bread. When you are cold and hungry, who wouldn't?

4. Cuppas. Since alcohol and soft drinks are damned expensive at festivals, and not everyone fancies being a drunkard, a cheap alternative is Tea/Coffee. Boiling a kettle at night takes no time at all, and it also gives you a way of keeping warm. That and in some supermarkets they now sell sachets of UHT milk, which you can keep in the tent for the whole weekend without worrying about it spoiling and stinking out the place.

5. Baby wipes. Simple really, keeps you relatively clean without having to head for the showers.

6. Tents. Always go at least 1 man bigger than how many people you intend to sleep in there. Don't just think "there are 2 of us, I'll get a 2 man tent". My personal favourite is also the pop up tent. Especially when the rain starts, or you need to get the hell out of dodge on the final night.

7. Chairs. Camping chairs are a god send. So take one, because sitting on the floor might sound fine before you go, but is a nightmare whilst you're there. If you intend on travelling light, a camping stool should be your weapon of choice.

8. Clothing. Plan for all weathers. Hoodies, rain coats, shorts/skirts, vests, hats, and everything in between. It might be sunny when you leave, but this is England, and since when has the weather been predictable?

9. Hayfever. Funnily enough, standing in a field all day can affect those who suffer from hayfever, who knew? So plan way ahead and take your pills/sprays in advance. Whilst your there, make sure you take them as often as the manufacturers allow. My hayfever is pretty terrible so I took Loratadine, Cetirizine, and Beconase Spray. One thing to consider, and please keep in mind I have no previous medical background, but Syndol tablets contain Doxylamine Succinate, one of the most powerful antihistamines there is. It is one of the original antihistamines, so it is one of those that can make you drowsy. But hey, you're at a festival, so you shouldn't be driving or operating heavy machinery anyway. Just be aware that Syndol is also paracetemol, so watch how much you take.

10. Jet lighters. Completely impervious to rain and wind, and WILL light that damn BBQ I tells ya.

11. Towels. You never know when you'll need a towel. Read the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

12. Radar Phone Apps. For some of the current wave of smartphones, there are apps that use GPS to "mark" where you are, and when you want to come back, they act like a Radar and point you back to where you were. The one I use is on Android and called CarDar. When you are parked at a festival, there can be another 100 000 patrons, so your car can easily be lost in the mist. Couple that with 5 days of partying, and people leaving, arriving, and general removal of landmarks, finding your car can be nigh on impossible. But using CarDar, I managed to return straight to my car, in the middle of the night, in a giant carpark. Brill :)

I'll add more as I think of them, but that's a good start isn't it? =]

What?

I think someones been throwing variety boxes of Oats and More at the house. There are 2 just lying there. I thought I had left the crazyness at Donington.

Helen Summed It Up Rather Well

With "do you feel more human yet?"
If you had seen me at 7:30 this morning, 3 hours after I'd returned home and gone to bed, I would have best been described as a warmed up bag of shit that showed some faint signs of life.
But now, after a little bit of sleep, some of my regular diet, a couple cups of coffee, and the best shower of my life, I actually do feel more me. But I think it's going to be a couple of days before I am, ME. Maybe a grapple tonight and stint in the gym tomorrow will fix me =]

That's All Folks

And that's it for another year. Massive thank yous to Rich, Tiff, Emma, Alfie, Ava, Tish and Nikki. This weekend would have sucked without you.
All that's left is to unpack the car, and wash my very ruined clothes. Got some serious work cut out for me to rectify the damage both to me and my property.
Now after the sun rise drive home I was wishing for, its time for sleep (for a couple hours at least).

The Final 3

Ok, maybe I wasn't the last man standing. Bit too premature on that one. Anyway, here are our final 3 contestants =]

Last... Man... Standing.

Fighting off terrible cold, flooding, quagmires, blistering heat, hunger, thirst, burns, I am the last man standing =]

It burnsss

Billy Idol

Is it me or is he a bit of a let down? I think I'll wonder over for Dillinger and Porcupine Tree. And hello rain.

Intensive Care

Is what's needed after a festival like this. I feel nothing like my regular self. I have painful, swollen eyes, and a nose that won't stop running. Just general groggyness. O well. Either way, Download.
First band we caught was Atreyu, which was a surprise cuz it seemed they'd swapped with Flyleaf, who we saw next. After that was a few minutes of Five Finger Death Punch, followed by a quick treck to see Cancer Bats. I then managed to persuade everyone to come to Rock Sugar, who were brillaint. Enter Sandman and Don't Stop Believing worked so well together.
Back to the main stage for Lamb of God and Megadeth. Deftones blew the crowd away after, and I crept away near the end to catch Breed 77. Finally Rage Against the Machine, who definitely live up to all the hype and more. Just, wow.
In other news, my FPOS came in handy on an unconscious girl, and some lunatic smeared faeces and on the roof of the portaloo just. This place is nuts.

Take THAT Mess Tin!

Or why you should always cover your tins while cooking them on a Hexi Burner w/ Fire Lighters.

Yeah, I'm Back in Black

And smelling rather funky. Day 1 is over and the bands have been great. 36 Crazyfists were astonishing, and I loved the duet with Howard on Elysium (like on the album). Killswitch were as brutal as always. Coheed were as talented as ever. Them crappy vultures, hmmm, they shouldn't have been anywhere near that good a slot. They were simply subheadliners on individual rep alone. But together, just bad. Finally, AC/DC acted like they'd never left. Time for at least some sleep before day 2. Eek

AC/DC? Donington?

Fuck yeah!

A Tale of Twin Stages

And Unearth have just opened the festival =]

Yup, Shoe String

Sorry for the lack of blogging. Yesterday was a tad, challenging. The overwhelming cold and wind, mixed with the difficulty of starting the fire meant yesterday was one of the harder moments of the festival. Today I find out how far £10 will get me. That's roughly one £4 burger, and two £2.20 drinks. Any spare change goes on tins, which are by the way, a life saver.
Bands for today. Unearth, 36 Crazyfists, Taylor Hawkins, Killswitch Engage, Coheed and Cambria, Them Crooked Vultures and AC/DC XD

1am Bacon

It started off with a campfire. A very warm campfire. Then after a simple mention of the word bacon, emma and tiff decide not to sleep, come out of there tents, and cook bacon on the campfire. Then toast. Then a brew. Hello Thursday, I've already had breakfast.

How to Hexi

How to and how not to cook at a festival. We found the bbq on its own wasn't that great. It worked originally, but not great. So we used the hexi, which too wasn't great. Finally, I put the hexi in the bbq and lined the inside with coal and tabs. It worked BRILLIANT. Mix of wind block and coal was fantastic.

Camped with a hint of rain

Everyone

We're heee reeeee

Download. Bust. And Something About ShoeStrings

It's become sort of an annual tradition. Second weekend in June, I disappear off to a field to live in squaller. I think it goes by the name of "Download Festival".
Either way, that time is now. Well....tomorrow.

Tomorrow, at roughly 8am, me and the convoy (ha, it's really just 2 cars) set off to East Midlands and Castle Donington. So right now I'm just starting to collect together everything I will/might need. This, of course, includes my TMobile G1. Can't exactly go sit in a field and not blog about it.

For those not in the know, Download Festival is the sort of reincarnation of Monsters of Rock, and this year the festival is more true to its roots than ever. Headliners, we have both AC/DC and Aerosmith! As well as a lot modern rock bands such as 30 Seconds to Mars.

Usually, Download is usually a way of getting a "med" tan without the flights or language barrier. But this year, ahhh this year, we have rain. Probably the first time in the 5 years I've been going, we actually have a forecast of complete dread. Time will tell of course, but I'm packing my Jack-In-A-Pack.

The biggest difference apart from the weather, is the extreme lack of funds. Normally I'll have enough cash to actually bring some home, but what with moving house and various car bills, this year looks a lot tighter than usual. Download, this year, will be on a shoe string.

As I go along I will probably post what works well, and what is a waste. Fresh from the fields.

Anyway, the next time you hear from me, I'll most likely be drenched and sitting in my tent. Toodles.

Goodness, I've Come Over All Jekyll and Hyde

So here I am, sleeping in the spare room =[ on the bright side though, I've finally moved out, and taken up residence with my Helen.
And it doesn't stop there. 2nd baby scan and our little baby is fine XD
All I need now is to cure this strange maladey

It's soooo hotttt

Where has this weather come from? Talk about a sudden miniature heat wave!
The icing on my melted cake was the fact the air con in my car had died over the winter, so my fans mocked me by just blowing hot air in my face. Coupled with a broken electric window and I was just dandy.
But today, today I had the air con fixed. Today I was rewarded with a cold, air conditioned, breeze from my micra's dash.
So, I park up at home and go for a 3.4 mile run in 24 degree heat. Swell. Although the ice bath after was like smut. Dirty, frosty, smut.
It felt so wrong, but it FELT SO RIGHT!

Must...Blog...Funny...Video...

Pop

For lunch, we dine, in hell!

Right, I've had my week of post-competition rest. Now it's time to get back in the saddle and turn up the hurt.
This lunch time I return to the gym, invigorated by the talent on show at the UMAs. I've been given set tasks to accomplish to be in the best physical shape I can be for my weight and size. If I get chance, I'll post up what these challenges are.
Either way, I feel strength is letting me down. That competition signified my last days as a beginner. I'm now being thrown face first into intermediate and advanced categories with full on crazy fighters. Can't be skimping out now.
Lower Fat + More Muscle = Athlete

Fine, I'll go to A&E

It's always a bit peculiar when you argue with someone whether you should go to Accident & Emergency.
I personally don't think I need to. Firstly, I was fighting so it wasn't exactly an accident, it comes with the territory.
Secondly, it's been 3 days, so it's not much of an emergency.
But, if I must, I'll go for xrays. Sheesh.

I could write a novel

On the injuries I've got from grappling. For example, since March last year I've picked up injuries like a broken ankle, broken nose, chipped teeth, bloodied up face, swollen knees, a wrist injury that the doctors can't figure out, and weekly muscular damage that will stop part of me from functioning. And do you know what?
I love it =]

Opinion. Broken?

Break Goddamit

This is going to be a quick blog, because I'm about to go camping.
I have returned from the UMA's, rather content as it happens. This is mostly down to the lovely bronze medal that is now hanging on my wall.
Out of the 4 fights I had, I won 3 and lost 1. To someone I befriended none the less!
Oh well, guess we can say I let him win =]
Anyway anyway, here are a few pictures.

Training Update

Since I left firefighter school I've been working and sweating and aching my way through gym training again. Long bike rides, exhausting runs, and hours on the benches. I feel better than I ever have. For example, I'm benching 105kg, which to me is insane.
Along with that I'm living off high fibre foods, fruit, chicken and raw fish.
It is pretty amazing how food and exercise can affect your mood so much XD

Saturday. Saturday. Ohhhhh Saturday.

Is the UMA No Gi Groundfighting 2010 event. Its been one year since I last entered. 1 year since I was beaten down. 1 year of waiting, and training. This time, I WILL be standing on that podium, no matter what. (Be positive, be positive, be positive).

Enjoying a bit of Muse - Uprising

I've been addicted to this song since I first heard it.

I Can See Why...

Neck cranks are banned in some competitions. On Wednesday I was on the receiving end of a can-opener from Guard, and within an hour my Trapezius had started to swell horribly.
Since then I have been living off painkillers and cold patches. The night of said injury I was apparently screaming in my sleep, although I can't remember it, obviously.
But yeah, wow, won't be doing THAT to people in the future. It's like taking a blow to the plums. Once you've felt it, you don't want to do it to anyone else ever again.

Pain Rating

Consider this my suggestion for any UK fighter unfortunate to find this blog, who is on an online hunt for pain remedies.
Solpadeine MAX, Solpadeine Migraine, and some DEEP FREEZE gel/pads/spray. Every time I grapple I manage to injure something, last night it was my upper back. Specifically what gives my neck/right shoulder movement. So I took the 4 tablets, put the pad on the affected area, and voila, no pain for the rest of the night, and a slight ache today.
If that doesn't help, try taking another dose of Solpadeine Migraine before bed (as long as it's 4 hours after the last, and you've eaten something), as well as a couple of Syndol tablets. Maybe a Sominex as well. Everytime I'm injured to high heaven, this ensures I get a good nights sleep.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a doctor, pharmacist, medicine man, faith healer, or voodoo practioner. I do not have any background in medicine and cannot be held responsible for you reading my review. Any effect you may suffer is your own and nothing to do with me. Regular use of painkillers can cause adverse side effects.

Weekends, my chocolatey mistress =[

It's becoming a routine now. Monday to Friday are torture and pain, whilst Weekends are laze and guilt. I eat what I shouldn't and try for 5 days to work it back off. Why do I feel so bad when it wasn't that long ago when it was all I ate? Ugh.

Ignore the Man Behind the Curtain

Because currently he's telling you that you DON'T need to be eating at least 5 fruit and veg a day.
In the news in the past couple of days we've had the shocking story that eating 5 portions of fruit and veg a day won't help against cancer, and any benefits are merely marginal. The way most news sites spun the article is that you just don't need the 5 portions anymore.
Personally, that is very scary, and I wouldn't be surprised if the study was sponsored by Big Pharma and Mc PizzaKing. People who have a stake in you being ill so they can earn, and not eating healthily so you may eat from their outlets, respectively.
The "5 a day" prompted the idea of living slightly healthier for those who do need to live better, even if it was through a subtle method of guilt.
For those who don't listen to the "5 a day" because fruit and veg are just lifestyle, I'm sure this won't effect them, because the benefits are easily verified.
You have the high fibre content, which aids in digestive transit and health. Various antioxidants that protect against free radicals. High vitamin and mineral contents. Unrefined sugars and slow release carbs. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Beta Glucan from oats, which is a competitor for statins. Etc etc.
Even if it doesn't completely protect against cancer, it does protect against pretty much everything else.
I used to live off, well, crap for want of a better word, and I always felt horrible. I didn't know how badly at the time, but when I embraced this new lifestyle, I could feel such a difference. More energy, more awake, more life. These days I am very rarely ill, compared to other people I know. I would suggest it to everyone and anyone how good the difference is.
So for those who read any of the news about this no longer needing the "5 a day", ignore, please, it WILL be detrimental to your health.

Election Fever!

Has hit us here in the UK. From initial gatherings, tax and public spending is one of the key issues. Obviously with the recession, the economy is the big thing.
SO, let's look at how we could fix it, in a non-corrupt and perfect world.
We currently spend a ridiculous amount on defence. Even that is a misnomer, since it's not defence when you invade a foreign country and commit genocide, anyway, I digress.
Let's say we pulled out of the middle east, altogether. All the money we could save on bullets, bombs, and other things to kill people in foreign lands. Now take that money and channel it into the rest of the public sector, saving an awful lot and perfecting every other part of the public sector. Better health care, better education, better policing.
Ah, but now we have thousands of bored troops. Thousands of skilled, bored troops. We'd still be paying them obviously, but what if they could channel their efforts during peace time into helping the country. Manufacturing, building, creating opportunites so others may find work. Inventing whole new industries.
So that's ended an unpopular war, limited raises in tax, improved public services, boosted the economy, and saved the potential lives of thousands of people.
Damn election fever, even I want to run.

Average

My worst nightmare.

FaceBuzzTwitSpace

OK, maybe not myspace. But the other 3 social communicators, yup I'm geek enough to try and merge them all in to one.

Knees knees the musical...

It's been over 2 weeks since the Half Marathon, and I haven't TOUCHED the road... till now.
To put it simply, I took painkillers before I ran to get over my Runners Knee, which meant all the damage I was doing, I couldn't feel XD
Till I got to about the 10th mile, where it was agonising, and for about a week following, stairs and slight hills were my greatest nemesis.
But, after careful rehabilitation on the cross trainer, I decided to take my chances and low and behold, 2 miles and I survived!
2 miles, compared to the 13 I did, I know is small, but I am going to work back up to 13 and over..... I hope

Daddy, Daddy Cool

I'm gonna be a DAD!!!
We, as in my lovely Helen and I are going to be parents.



This is Baby Paines on the first 12 week scan. I can't believe how happy she/he has made me. Personally, I think it's a she. Although Helen thinks it's a he, but we'll see. But yeah, BIG NEWSSSSSSSSS.

Feeling proud

My motivation is coming back. Don't know who or what to blame it on, but I was up by 6am to head to the gym. To what sorcery do I owe the honour? I'm also lifting heavier than at any point in my life *pretends to be the hulk, a scrawny scrawny hulk*.

Don't let the riots hit you on the way out!

It has only been in the past 7 years or so, well, since I left high school, that I have woken up and been more socially aware.
Back in high school, I was obviously shocked and appalled as to what happened on 9/11, and duped into thinking we were going to be attacked by Iraq at any point. I was even scared for my loved ones and how much I'd miss them if any of us were killed. My god I am ashamed as to how dumb I was.
Since then I have become conscious to this bull$hit. All of it. I have become aware to the crap NuLabour spurts out almost on a weekly basis.
9/11, 7/7, Fake Terrorism, WMDs, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Torture, Climate Change, Bird Flu, Swine Flu, SARS, Petrol Prices, Rising Taxes, ID Card, Dr David Kelly's murder, and a miriad of Nu Laws which have sent this country back to the stone age.
I don't think we can kick them out fast enough. All of them.
They lied about 9/11 and 7/7, and introduced a host of laws to keep us down. Since when has council bin sniffing been about terrorism?
The overhype and waste of money on Bird Flu/Swine Flu/SARS. Wow, they really were armageddon weren't they?
The lies that got us into Iraq and Afghanistan, and almost Iran. Found those WMDs/Terrorists yet? LOL
Israel and its blatant disregard for human life in Gaza and Lebanon and how MUCH our Government stopped it (LOL). How is Israel doing it to Gaza and Lebanon any different to Germany and France/Poland?
They have pretty much legalised torture, and have been completely complicit in the act, a war crime.
Then there's climate change, the new bug bear. It has become completely obvious that the whole thing has been a lie (why diddle the results otherwise?) just so they can get more money out of us.
Why should we trust Labour?

All change please.

End-to-End-or-Bust

One of my dear colleagues on Orange watch has put the idea past me that next year, round about Easter time, we should cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End. Funny I had that exact same idea recently. Better start training...

Half Marathon-Mania

I've done it! I've finally done it!
After months of training I've finished my first event with the word "marathon" in it.
From being the high school sprinter who would collapse at the meer mention of anything over 200m, to running 13.1 miles, I'm rather chuffed.
Here are some pictures =]







Now, a bit of pre event information. I've been training since about October/November for this race. Training was getting better and better till shock horror I was struck with an injury in February. Runners fricking Knee.

From that point on I would try and go for runs, but after 1 mile I was in too much agony to continue so would walk/hobble the route home. To ensure I could at least participate in this event I made sure to rest me knee, but also work it with muscular exercises, cycle trips, swimming and stretches.

It actually seemed to work when I left the starting line, or that could have been the Ibuprofen I took pre race. Hehe. Alas, by the 5th mile marker the pain was kicking back in. Despite this, I refused to stop running until the 10th mile marker, where both knees were now acting up and I could barely move. From then on it was a gracious mix of hobbling and short jogs. 2:26 from when I first crossed the start line (according to my memory), and I was back in the real world.

Since then my knees have been in excrutiating pain. 1 ice bath, numerous cold pads/gels, compression bandages and ibuprofen/codeine/paracetemol/bromelain tablets and here I am, whinging in bed. From all the varying pain relievers I've tried today, I must say the Bromelain has been brilliant. My regime has been Ibuprofen/Codeine during meals (lunch and dinner), and Bromelain in between. I've been taking the Bromelain in 2g doses and half an hour after, you wouldn't even know I was in pain. I'm up and down those stairs like a cat!

SO, I must advocate their use from my own personal experience, they are fantastic. Although the true test will be my healing time, which I will no doubt be reporting on. This research may come in handy for anyone else wishing to undertake such endurance runs in the future.

Alkaline Trio - Dead on the Floor

Absolutely loving this track right now!

Fun Old Ride

That there is 29.8 miles of Sunday adventure.

Cycle-wycle

I have taken ownership of the new bike and wow, it's...beautiful.



Today I took it out for a spin. Well, a 15 mile spin. Hopefully this will help me lose those final few pounds of fat, and give me inspiration for some future activites =]

Ok, here I am

Right, it's been a good start to the year.
Firstly, I'm still with Helen.... and more will follow on that in the coming weeks =]
Next, I'm now a fully fledged FireFighter with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. I'll be working retained at the new Rising Brook station in Stafford come August, as part of Orange Watch. But till then, I'm working occasional shifts at Stafford Station, which starts next week! Eep!
I'm still teaching Grappling on a Monday over at Fighting Fit, and still love choking people unconscious =]
In the next 2 weeks I'll be running Stafford Half Marathon (as long as this PFPS clears up).
It will be in aid of the FireFighters charity, which is also something I'm becoming more involved in. The old brains a fuzzing with ideas on how to raise money for the charity.
Anddddddd when this bike has arrived, I want to take up road cycling as a hobby, as well as fighting, the gym, swimming and running. Sheesh!

New bike new bike new bike XD

I've just been down for the fitting on my new bike XD. It's from a company called Henry Burtons in Stafford, and is one of their home grown customs.
I've managed to obtain it through the cycle scheme with the fire service, which is BRILLIANT!
I'll ensure to take lots of pictures when I pick it up tomorrow or Friday.

"Being a competitive athlete is fundamentally miserable"

While watching Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man last week, which I must say is absolutely sublime, that quote came up, and as weird as it seems, I kind of agree.
Maybe it's down to my personal choice of training alone that fuels this response, but it's quite a good starting point for a debate.
Why do we love it so much when we ache? Why do we push ourselves so hard when there is an easier way to exist?
Pride, sense of accomplishment, and self esteem are obviously big factors, but do we just love misery?

Where'd You Go?

It's been so long since I put something down here. I have been missing for a good couple of months, absorbed into fire service training. But hey, I'm back, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!