When I first started training BJJ, rolling was a lot more anaerobic -- lung burning, complete fatigue, gasping for air, etc. Now it's very chill for me, and to a certain degree that's true even in competition. In my case (and I think a lot of BJJ practitioners would say the same thing), it's not that my conditioning levels or attributes have changed all that much. I don't think I'm in any "better shape" than when I started BJJ. It's a psychological improvement. I'm just much more settled when I roll. I'm calmer, and there is no adrenalin dump. It's easier for me, because I've become much more efficient in my energy expenditure. Something I've noticed just in the last few weeks is that I roll with almost the same exertion whether I'm rolling with a female white belt half my size or getting dominated by a black belt. Either way, it's calm and steady. It's very cool to pass that psychological threshold. This has great effects on my training. Since I don't get smoked rolling, I can roll more rounds every day, so my skills are actually improving at a steeper curve than when I first started. Recovery is easier, so I can train more days every week. This is really a similar principle to Matty Perryman's "Squat Every Day" program.
I suspect that this carries over to most sports (life in general?): slow down, less is more, etc. etc.
Love the book, as well as the approach to TB and TBII. At almost 48, I have been through several shoulder, back and knee injuries that left me inactive for many years (about 20 to be exact). Couple that with work and family obligations, and my life turned very sedentary. I haven't gone for a run since the mid-90s! About 6 years ago I started lifting weights, at first for aesthetics but later powerlifting (and to relieve stress); cardio was mostly just walking. I put on about 25 pounds, not all muscle either. It re-aggravated old injuries and I was sidelined for a while. About 3 years ago, I started again, and this time mixing in boxing (light sparring, heavy bag, and drilling with mitts). This worked for a while (along with shoulder pre-hab/physical therapy) but my aerobic capacity was lacking. As I grew more and and more efficient with my punches, I was hitting much harder and my shoulders started to feel it.
My coach, an MMA guy, talked me into trying BJJ. I LOVE IT. What an incredible way to burn off stress. But, I am getting gassed out regularly. With boxing, I could take a "break" by jabbing and moving. Not so much in BJJ! I realize that a lot has to do with getting smashed by fighters who outweigh me by 60 lbs. and are 30 years younger, and I am still getting used to getting suffocated regularly as a spastic newbie. I attend 2-3 classes a week and still train privately with my coach (either boxing/kickboxing or BJJ technique) 2-3x/week.
Sorry for all the info, but I'm trying to paint a clearer picture. My goal is to build up my aerobic capacity by running BB and building up my strength again. Because I haven't run in years (which is something I used to enjoy), I am planning to go for walks in the morning and build up to running. Is BB based in trying to keep in a certain heart-rate zone? I'm not sure if this would be effective to build up aerobic capacity. Not all of my classes or sessions are maximum effort ALL the time. I push myself a little more each time, but back off to avoid injury.
How would I implement BB into my schedule? Any input would be most welcome.
(BTW: I absolutely LOVE the philosophical references in your writing. I was a philosophy major in undergrad. Reading some of your passages made me somewhat nostalgic!)
