I guess it is fitting that I get to do the 100th, especially after the day I have had.  (Though Smurf really does deserve this prestigious spot, as she has nearly double the posts I do.) 

Well, to my day.  I got up this morning WAY early, I mean, 8:00am the day after the 4th of July. (Yilkes)  I did this so I could be ready for the 1st day of a SAMBO seminar run by Igor Kurranoy.  I expected a rough time, and it met every expectation I had.  The first 2.5 hrs were all Jacket throws, and not soft pansy throws.  Every throw was a bone jarring, rib cracking, body bruising, concussive slam to the ground.  (I think I was thrown 300+ times today)  Now, had I worked with anyone else, I may have gotten off easier, as a poorly executed throw can hurt, but a perfectly executed one is guaranteed to.  So, I spent the entire day working with Serge Gerlach, the guy who is currently teaching me SAMBO.  (Yeah, he is real good, and he doesn’t botch a throw often)

The second half of the day (2 more hrs) was modifying the all the throws we did before lunch to fit a situation where no one is wearing something you can grab. And yes, they were just as brutal as when you had a nice jacket to get a great grip on.  Fun!

So this is the kind of day I love, very physical, lots of new things to learn, and a lot of contact.  (granted I am sore, and bruised, well, EVERYWHERE) Oh, and I am going back to do it all again tomorrow.   Nice thing about tomorrow is, it will be completely dedicated to ground fighting.  (New techniques, new ways to hurt people, weeeee!)  And I get to do it super sore!  (I hope my P90X recovery drink works wonders today!)

Now a bit about Igor, aside from all the awards he has won, he seems to be a really nice guy.  (Not sure he knows how strong he really is though, or maybe we Americans practice SAMBO like wimps)  First off, I thought, he seemed bigger on TV.  Then I learned we are about the same age.  Now, I understand that I am not a professional fighter like him, but I think I am in damn good shape.  Not next to Igor.  Damn, he may be the strongest person I have ever met in my life.  While showing me a throw, I got to feel how strong he is, and not being creepy, but he has the hardest body on a human being I have ever felt.  His arms are like steel, and when he drove his shoulder into mine, it was like hitting a concrete wall.  This guy is the real deal, and I would never want to be his bad side.  WOW. 

He also has an adaptive training video.  (I want it)  This video comes with a program that after a series of tests will tell you your strengths and weaknesses, then build a workout program for you.  You get tested every 90 days, and your workout gets adjusted to maximize your results.  Bad assed!  (as a P90X advocate, this may be the next step.  Sorry Tony, but Igor may have you on this one.  I can’t wait to check it out!)

Well, I have finished my recovery drink, and I need to refuel my body.  Time for me to end this, but will update again after tomorrows session.

-Rob