Guest post by Donovan Brambila. Get stacking.
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TWFNM. TTBAMF. TOFTB.
Some people really need some serious time off after a season of playing. Not me. Yesterday was all about I could stand to stay away from training. This morning, after getting to bed early and allowing myself to sleep in again, I took off for the Base in Los Alamitos.
I have four months before I will be thrown back in the pool for full-time training… in whatever country that’ll be. For this period, I don’t need to be in great condition or break PR’s in my swim times. What I do need is to correct technique and get strong. Clayton, relax! Do nothing for a little bit and then come back. Nope. If I didn’t lift this morning, I’d be stressing mentally, telling myself I should have lifted today. Like I said, I’m not training 5 hours a day and I’m not taxing my mind or body. If you couldn’t tell from previous posts, lifting is super fun for me. Also, my lifting only takes me an hour, including warm up, rolling, and stretching. If conditioning is what you need, give yourself 2/3 weeks and you can get in great shape. For strength, it takes time and planning. TWFNM.
I’m all set to return to Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1 program. Did military press this morning, with assistance exercises in pullups, cable rows, and TRX bicep curls, finishing with some farmers walks with weighted BB’s in either hand. Hopped in the water for about a half hour of easy swimming and legs. Felt great, and I wanted to do some sprints in the water… but that would be pushing it. Not that it would be bad for me, there’s just not much point to it right now. The focus of each lifting day is the main exercise. Today’s was military press. Sucks to see how much weaker I am now than from last summer, but you have to start somewhere. TTBAMF.
What makes me really happy these days to is getting so many notifications on FB and calls from friends and family. I never really got homesick this year, but I sure did miss my friends from home. FB and Skype can only satisfy so much. After all, my love language is quality time (so I think). Going to be bon fires, bbq’s, cafe post-ups, and bars. Brews n’ bros. TOFTB.
Yerp.
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SB, Genoa, resetting
Back in home. I’ve been around, to say the least, and Seal Beach remains my favorite place on earth. Funny though, as I had glorious weather through Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, and Italy… and I arrive in California to overcast skies… lol.
Italy was a GREAT time. Two days of rippin’ and tearin’ with JP. Wish I had more time, but we certainly made the most of it. Trained one evening with Quinto, got a good tour of the center in Genoa, had dinner with Jesse Smith, Chay Lapin, Andy Stevens, and our Pepperdine head coach Jack Kocur, who was there with the National Team (they moved their training from Partizan to Pro Recco), and had a couple solid club nights. Covo. 20 euro drinks. No thanks.
Though essentially the trip I just finished was a vacation in itself, it was draining. I would have liked to go and lift even this morning, but I had to cool myself down and just take a day to let my body reset. Definitely getting swole tomorrow.
Now that I’m back and have four months of summer to plan out, it’s time to hit the reset button. Again. Back to training, back to eating like an pro athlete, etc. Resetting is great, but if you’re having to reset every couple of weeks, there’s a flaw in the system. I get very motivated sometimes, and get very gung-ho about certain ideas. Alcohol isn’t good for athletes… I’m not drinking anymore! Then after some time, I’ll come to a night where the idea goes out the window and you can say I binge a bit. Temperance is a golden virtue… but when you put yourself to extremes, many times, you set yourself up to fail. Now, that’s not to say that extremes are bad – many people can do it and are happier for it. But instead of changing your habits and tendencies cold turkey, go step by step. I would like to be full paleo, for example. But when I try to go full paleo for a week or two, I lose my will and eventually binge on bread one afternoon. It’s not about losing or gaining weight, it’s just about health benefits. So this time, I’m going to try simply going gluten free for three weeks, and see what happens. I’ll note any changes on recovery and energy levels, and if I do well, I’ll try reintroducing gluten. If there are negative effects, I’ll know gluten free is better for me. If I notice little to no change, then whatever. Gimme a sandwich. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Posted in Level Up, Pepperdine, Quest, Travel, USA, Water Polo, Yeh
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Ya done good, kid
26 April, 2012
Train (Milan Airport > Milano Centrale), 7:04pm
A detail I left out earlier:
To begin my trip on April 16, I took a train from Budapest bound for Novi Sad. Six hour ride, but was stopped after three. Passport control. I found out from an officer that the document I had gave me legal extended residence in the European Union… but only if I stayed in the EU. I could go to France, Germany, Italy… but if I left the EU into, oh, let’s say Serbia, then I couldn’t legally re-enter the EU until the end of the annual period in which I first entered.
SO. I had a dilemma…
Don’t Cross the Border (Stay in Hungary)
Pros: Be safe about my passport, make sure that I could keep my originally booked flight home from Budapest. If I wanted, I could still see JP in Italy.
Cons: Miss out on an incredible adventure and self-marketing opportunity that could very well make or break my development in becoming an Olympian.
Cross the Border (Go to Novi Sad)
Pros: Go on an incredible adventure and self-marketing opportunity that could very well make or break my development in becoming an Olympian.
Cons: Possibility of being unable to re-enter EU via Italy as planned. Would have to forfeit flights and buy a new flight home from Belgrade ($$$). No idea what action customs in Milan would take of my trying to enter illegally (plane back to Belgrade, boat, jail??).
So what’s a Tron Man gonna do? He’s gonna do what he knows best.
He’s gonna yeh.
I went. There was too much effort put into planning and organizing this trip, and it was too great of an opportunity to miss out.
So today was the test after the test. Could I get through Milan and finish my trip as planned, and not have to throw serious money buying a new flight home?
Yeh.
No sweat. Show passport. Stamp. Move on. THAT’S HOW WINNING IS DONE.
So I’m now on my way to see JP in Bogliasco tonight, stay with him through Sunday morning, fly back to Budapest, the fly back to California Monday afternoon. Ora rimango tranquilo, mi diverto, e faccio tanto relax.
Oh, by the way, both Red Star (Beograd, Serbia) and Jadran (Herceg Novi, Montenegro) want me for next year. We’ll have to wait and see what the situations of the clubs are in June, but in essense… mission accomplished. :)
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Through and through with Montenengro
Written April 26.
And so concludes my Serb/Montenegrin tryout eacapade. On a plane now departing from Tivat, Montenegro headed for Beograd.
I landed in Tivat Monday evening, and took a cab directly to a training session for Primorac in Kotor. Well, not so much a training session as a 20 minute light swim. So much for a tryout there. Again, these teams are in their playoffs, so it’s my problem with timing, not theirs. I did befriend the coach, Vido, who took me to my room at a motel in the old town center. Beautiful location… old stone fortress harbor at the base of a mountain. I took a walk around with the camera, got some pizza, and hit the hay.
Next day, Tuesday, I got up early to get some daytime pics and took a hike up the mountain to a chapel with a great view of the city. Came down, got my stuff, had an espresso at the motel and caught a bus over to Herceg Novi. My (now very) good friend, who has been aiding me in my travels, picked me up and took me to train with Jadran at 11am. Did some swim drills that I had never done before that made me look quite foolish. (Hand paddles + a rubber band tying your ankles together. Try it sometime.) Other than that, the training went well enough. Grabbed some lunch from the club sponsor’s restaurant, nap, then I had to catch a bus back to Kotor to watch Cattara – Jadran and Primorac – Budva. Lose, season over. Win, play in the final. Games were something like 3-20 and 6-7, respectively. Laz joined me to catch the second game and we went out for a few drinks after… and some showcasing of my entertainment skills. Kareoke. Bohemian Rhapsody. Game over.
Came back to Herceg Novi that night for another training with Jadran in the morning. I stayed with some of the younger guys who were tasked with evaluating me. I passed. I also shot. :) Nah but really, I passed the eval. Went for a long stroll down the boardwalk, and man, Herceg Novi is gorgeous. After enjoying some chai tea at a cafe overlooking the sea, Laz met up with me and took me for an evening tour around the upper tiers of the city. Got some grub, bed time.
Had more touring this morning, as Laz took me up to a fortress at the top of the city. Pics galore. Had me try some burek (omnomnom), and drove to Tivat (ferry ride included) to catch my flight with some time to spare.
Touching down in Beograd now. I’ll be headed for Milan in a couple hours. While my tryouts are through, the obstacles of the adventure are not. I’ll keep you posted…
Posted in Professional, Quest, Training, Travel, Water Polo, Yeh
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To Herceg Novi
Written Tuesday, April 24.
On a bus again, this time headed to the coastal town of Herceg Novi. The team there is Jadran (Yah-drahn) and I will join their morning training when I arrive. There are games tonight in Kotor, so I’ll be coming back here tonight.
My knowledge and understanding of the water polo world continues to grow at a tremendous rate. Yes, I’ve been with premier clubs, but they’re not what they used to be. In Serbia most of the players were in their early 20′s. At Primorac, they were probably 18-21. The older and best players from the champion versions of these teams have left to seek better financial opportunities. That’s not to say they wanted higher salaries as it is they simply wanted to actually have a salary. As the years go on, the situation isn’t getting any better.
My training schedule for Montenegro is neither real training, nor scheduled. As I mentioned before, Montenegro is also in playoff mode, so trainings are merely some swimming with some passing and shooting. Last night with Primorac, we literally had a 20 minute light swim, and got out. Not ideal for showcasing myself, but it’s not the club’s fault for me visiting during playoffs… “Making the Best of It”. Heck, even the National Team was in for a surprise. Partizan is in taper mode for their last week of training, so USA will be traveling to Italy to train with Pro Recco. Funny, as I’m headed that way myself on Thursday.
Whatever goes my way or doesn’t on this trip, it’s an adventure, and I’m enjoying it as such.
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Szia Serbia
Written Monday, April 23.
One country down. For the short time I was there, I had a great experience in Serbia. The trip was bookended by rain with sunny skies in between. All the people I met had a great amount of friendliness and good hospitality. I got to try some of the best (not healthiest) foods. And of course, I got to meet and train with the best teams in Serbia. As far as opportunities in Serbia goes, it’s the same story – nobody can tell me anything until about June, when the elections for the Serbian government will be over. After that, it will be clear which coaches and players will stay, who needs what, and how much funding they have. So, the earliest I can hope for an answer is early June.
The USA Senior team came in yesterday for common training with Partizan. Before I caught my flight I managed to say ‘hi’ at their hotel. They were quite surprised, though pleasantly so.
I’m now on a flight at the moment to Tivat, Montenegro. I will have training right after I land, and will be staying with one of the players tonight. If Serbia was tight on time and training opportunities, Montenegro will be tizzight. So, tighter.
The most appropriate title for this trip would be “Making the Best of It”. I can hear my Mother now, “Oh! Oh! That’s good! Write the screenplay!”
In due time, Mother. In due time. Yeh.
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Final departure from Novi Sad
Written Saturday, April 21.
The bus seems to be the best time to write. I’m on one now heading back to Belgrade.
The Vojvodina-Red Star game was one-sided overall, but had quite an exciting finish. Red Star (Belgrade team), playing away, was predicted to lose, however they found themselves leading 2-7 late in the game. Vojvodina (Novi Sad team) would show up to play in the fourth period and close it 6-7. Novi Sad would see two chances to tie, but neither would follow through. Red Star will play Partizan in the final next week for the Serbian League Championship. So, by winning their semi-final, Red Star will place 2nd. (Partizan will win the final.)
The next few days are somewhat scheduled. Tonight I will have training with Partizan’s second team, and I’ll more than likely go out with some of the first team guys. Tomorrow, Sunday, at the moment is a free day. Monday morning I will probably have an audience with Red Star again, and then that evening… I’m off to Montenegro. I will train with Primorac in Kotor right after I land.
A big theme for me is gratitude, and while I don’t think there are “bad” times to be grateful, an experience like this is surely enganced by it. It may not be the most ideal situation for auditioning (even Montenegro is having playoffs), but I must be grateful for what opportunities I have and make the best of them.
Graditude – a quality of yeh.
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Friday in ‘Bia
No, no one calls it ‘Bia.
Coming out here was and still is a great idea and opportunity, but the timing is less than ideal. I have arrived in the middle of the semi-finals for the Serbian League, so the trainings are less than standard, and the coaches can’t give me too much attention. I had no choice in the matter, as April 16-29 were the only dates I could work with.
I arrived in Belgrade Wednesday evening, where Ivan Rackov picked me up. Ivan played for UC Berkeley, and now plays for Partizan, so I hit him up to see if we could meet up. He ended up hosting me for a couple days, and I can’t thank him enough for it. So later I watched his match against Student, a second club of Partizan, which they won with minimal effort. I then met with the club director who introduced me to the assistant coach who invited me to training Thursday night.
Red Star training the next morning went well, and I got to befriend some of the players and speak with the head coach a bit. A jolly man, he is. After, I got a tour with one of the players who took me all around the city center and got me some amazing grub. Serbia has by far the all-around heaviest food I’ve ever consumed… it’s also some of the most delicious. Don’t even get me started on the sweets.
I had Partizan training the next evening, which went well also, and I went to dinner with some of the guys. Ivan gave me an in-car tour around the city, and we called it a night as we were both tired from training/evening affairs and stuffed from dinner. Had another training with Partizan this morning, and am now on a bus headed back to Novi Sad to watch Game 3 of Vojvodina-Red Star. I’ll stay there tonight, sample the night life, and will be coming back to Belgrade tomorrow afternoon.
So far, I have nothing but good things to say about Serbia. Good, friendly, VERY hospitable people. Filling, delicious, cheap food. High quality, experienced water polo training. Yeh, yeh, yeh women. I could get used to this place…
Posted in Food, Professional, Quest, Training, Travel, Water Polo, Yeh
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15 Days
Having to schedule my second round trip from LAX to Budapest and back (for the second leg of the season), I had to find out what date it would be safe to return home. Book it too early, and it could run into playoffs, too late and I’ll be twiddling my thumbs waiting to come home. The date chosen was April 30. As the season was coming to a close, it became easier to see when our last possible game would actually be. That date was April 15. So, I had 15 days.
15 days. Initially I thought I would relax, perhaps spend some time at Lake Balaton or Budapest, do some lifting at the gym, play more Skyrim, and enjoy myself and say proper goodbyes to teammates. Then another idea came along. Italy! A grand plan brewed, and after talking with JP, I was ready to make a sweet trip. One week of living with JP and training with Quinto, seeing their game(s), then meeting up with my Sorico family at Lake Como for a few days, then come back to Budapest for my flight home. Then another idea hit…
Two years ago, after my senior season at Pepperdine, I began my search for a professional club team. JP and I had a Skype chat with a friend of a friend who had many friends. Yeah, one of those. Anyway, he understood our goal of making the National Team. The suggestion was that we simply get ourselves over to Europe, specifically to countries like Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro, train with a few teams, and hope for the best. At the time, it sounded crazy, and we found other means. Looking back, I think that was great advice.
15 days. I’m right next to these same countries that were suggested to train in two years before. Let’s see what we can make happen. I contact that same friend, and the ball doesn’t just start rolling – it’s careening. I’ll spare the details of how it came to be, but I eventually found myself lined up to meet with some of the best coaches and programs in the water polo realm.
As I write this, I’m on a bus from Novi Sad, where I met and trained with the coach of Vojvodina. I stayed with an Aussie bloke who plays for them, and got to travel with the team to their match against Red Star in Belgrade. I came back and went out with a few of the guys for a couple drinks. Now, I’m headed for Belgrade (Serbia) to meet with the club director of Partizan, one of the absolute top clubs in the world. Tomorrow morning I will train with Red Star.
This is an incredible opportunity to meet coaches, make friends, see more of the world, and essentially have an adventure. Of course there have been bumps already, and there will be more to come, but it’s part of the experience. Another skill from water polo applied to life: adaptability. If something unexpected happens, you must be able to adjust and reclaim control of the situation as fast and as best as you can.
Free time to write doesn’t appear much, but I’ll be trying for smaller, daily posts.
Just remember, if it ain’t ‘yeh,’ it ain’t worth it.
Posted in Level Up, Professional, Quest, Training, Travel, Water Polo, Yeh
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