4/22/09 (Post-op +20)

Woke up today and tested my resting heart rate. I had to move around bed a couple times before I got what I was looking for, but my RHR (resting heart rate) = 58 bpm. I want to start recording my RHR as soon as I wake up. A spike in RHR can show signs of overtraining and as I am big into training much harder than other people, this has been a problem in the past. I'm not a huge believer in overtraining, most of the time I think it is people who aren't willing to push themselves the hardest that is physically possible. Also, some overtraining isn't bad. I believe that the volume and intensity of the work performed has a direct correlation with the strength of the mind in competition. Plainly put... If a person works his ass off longer and harder than his opponent, he is less likely to give up or be beaten in direct competition. Have been experiencing some abdominal pain, more like when you haven't eaten or if you take a lot of caffeine on an empty stomach. Feels a bit like the lining is getting eaten away, so that could be from not eating enough, or not drinking enough water, or an energy drink, or a number of other causes, so I'm going to keep my eye on that...

Here is a great picture of back home in California done by my good friend, Peter Schweffel. HERE is a link to his photography. He told me he is working on it part-time, aside from his full-time job, trying to get his photography business going, so check it out and help support. ENJOY...

Session #1 (7:30 p.m.)

Got together with the guys on the team in the IPF (Indoor Practice Facility) and knocked the ball around. There were enough guys to play 7 v 7 with keepers. I was able to get a pretty good run in and even knocked a couple of longer balls and took some easy shots on goal. The mesh definitely felt tight as I was playing, but that's to be expected when you are 20 days after the doctors cutting your abdomen open. I have a sweet scar though, so it was definitely worth it haha. I was able to get up to about 90~95% for sprinting and my touch was surprisingly good for being a month (plus) without touching the ball regularly. This gave me motivation to keep working hard and getting ready for the upcoming PDL season down with the Mississippi Brilla. Played for about an hour and a half.