BEASTMODE

This is my first post after the end of last season in September. After reading back over some of my posts I was a little disappointed in the depth of my reports. This is especially true on the topic of my performances. I would usually write something like "I pitched well." But what does that mean? My bad

Basically I don't like to toot my own horn and I think humility is part of having good character. I think that is why I didn't go into great detail. Fact is I did pitch well...pretty damn good. I really rode a wave of confidence towards the middle/end of last year. I have continued to be very confident over the off season and into spring training. Right now I feel like a beast physically and I must say I am extremely confident. It seems like an oxymoron but right now I have an aura of almost arrogance while residing to remain humble and give all the glory to God.

As for my off season it was great. My training meant waking up at 530am and training at 6am at SBCC mainly because otherwise it was too crowded in there. Then in December or January I went back to P3 to train. I really progressed physically this off season, I guess I say that every year but this year I feel better than ever. I feel super strong and explosive. I did things I was even surprised at in my training. Its funny everyone is surprised I am a pitcher. Some Seattle Mariners front office guys came into P3 and they asked Marcus Elliot (P3 owner) what I play, shortstop? centerfield? strong safety? Also I am more mobile than ever before, super loose and fresh. All this is summarized as me being in beastmode...yup i said it. beastmode.



As for baseball this off season I eased into it more than normal. I started playing catch after 2 months but instead of blowing it out and throwing 6 days a week, I knocked it down to 3-4 days a week all off season. I feel fresh and not burned out, plus my arm strength is great. One day I threw longtoss 125 yards threw the field goal post and beyond. I also started earlier with bullpens and added in some live pitching at SBCC. I did this because the past few years I have got off to slow starts and get better as the season goes on. So I decided to start earlier with the mound work, I think it will really pay off.

I drove into AZ on Sunday, the rain pretty much followed me here the whole way so the drive was a little slower than normal...especially when a semi-truck crashed and the trailer broke open and all kinds of cargo was all over the freeway. whoops.

So I got settled into the Comfort Suites and its a legit hotel. Mainly because there is a good sized fridge and microwave in the room. So last night after getting in I went to Sprouts Farmers Market (grocery store) and loaded up on food. Got some sando material (turkey, swiss, avocado, spinach, whole-grain bread), I also got some premade meals like salmon and talapia, I got broccoli too...the MVP of vegetables haha. All this to go along with my multi-grain oatmeal, quinoa, sweet potatoes, apples, tangerines, goji berries, blueberries, and almonds that I brought from home.

Im wacko yes

Want more wacko? I went to home improvement right now and bought a long dowell to stretch plus a PVC pipe to use as a foam roller. For those of you who don't know a foam roller is for self massage basically. Usually its done with foam but I'm at the point where I'm really loose and I kneed something harder. So you lay down on this rock hard PVC pipe with whatever muscle is tight and let the good times roll. pun intended

Yesterday woke up at 615 hoped on the bus to the field and had a physical that took like 2 hours. Its a pretty thorough process. Piss test, blood drawn, tetanus shot, skin sample, grip test, body fat, wingspan, orthopedics, and the topper is the classic turn your head and cough. When I got strapped up to the EKG I couldn't help thinking we were all kind of robot warrior going out to do battle.

Then since the fields were wet we waited around another 2 -3 hours and then I threw my bullpen. It went really well, I hit all my spots except 2 times so that went really really well.

Then I did my 4 leg circuit test and lifted and ran. The leg circuits are 20 speed squats, 20 lunges, 20 get ups, and 10 squat jumps. We have to do it 4 times straight no stopping...piece of cake. I admit my quads are sore today.

Ill describe the stadium, facility, and whats going on more later, this has been a long post, but there was lots to cover

WORDS OF WISDOM

don't listen to your GPS or you might end up in a lake...i learned this from michael in the office.

my friends gave me hard time about listening to my TomTom a weak ago and fittingly this episode was on last night.