2012 By The Numbers

I've had 161 classes so far this year.

• I was on class #212 at the start of 2012. 
• On November 1, I participated in my 373rd class (overall).

I've competed in 2 tournaments so far.

• January 28, 2012 Michigan Jiu Jitsu Championship
• September 15, 2012 Elite Federation of Grapplers
• There is a good chance that I'll do one more this year.

I've attended 3 seminars so far.

• February 18, 2012 Eddie Bravo/Scott Epstein Seminar
• May 12, 2012 Big Don BJJ Seminar at Holly
• June 14, 2012 Myles Jury BJJ/MMA Seminar at Mash
• I will do at least one more this year.

I've gotten 2 stripes on my blue belt.

• April 14, 2012 - first stripe
• August 27, 2012 second stripe

I've had at least 15 privates so far.

• I will do a more in 2012.
  

Not Scientific or a Strict Pattern

I'm not obsessing about belts, etc.  I'm very committed to the journey, etc.   I gladly accept the fact that it takes 10 plus years to get a black belt. Still, I'm curious about a quantitative approach to jiu jitsu rank progression.

10 years of training once a week is not the same as 10 years of daily training, etc.  Something that motivates me is calculating the next step in the path.  There are 20 steps to one's black belt (beginning at white and getting four stripes on it plus blue, purple, and brown).  I'm not sure how much will be required for stripes and belts.  Perhaps an average of 75 classes will be required between each step. (In most cases, stripes on white and blue belts come more quickly.)  This sets the bar at 1,500 hours (which is not scientific or a strict pattern).  

If one trains 3 hours a week (which boils down to a single class every other day), he will get about 150 classes per year (allowing for gym closures, vacations, sickness, etc.).  With 10 years of consistent training, one might be able to get his BJJ black belt.

I Gots Goals, Son!

With several days of eating what I want when I want and only stopping if I want, I decided to work on some goals for 2012.

1.  I want to compete in at least 3 tournaments.  One of these will be the Michigan Open (which is usually around October).  There are some tournaments happening in Ohio around March and April.  I hope to do a Judo tournament in Lodi in September.

2.   There are 52 weeks in the year; if I train 3 times per week, my total will be 156.  If I train 4 times per, my total would be 208.  I have to think conservatively here and allow for vacations and being busy or sick.  I hope to train a minimum of 160 times in 2012.  That's roughly ever other day.  (I honestly think I can beat this number, but attending 160 classes will be a challenge, so 160 it is.)

3.  I want to attend at least 2 seminars.  One will be a given at my home gym.  I've seen that Royce Gracie conducts seminars in neighboring states.  A true bucket list item would be to attend a seminar featuring da man.  Maybe 2012 will be the year.

4.  I keep thinking of doing 90x or some such program.  I'm not committing to it, but this may be the year I do it.

5.  I expect of myself to train consistently without injury and without injuring anyone.

6.  I also think it would be cool to train while on road.  :)