COACH MARTINS AND THE 10 MINUTE TRAINER

So I decided to work out again this year for 60 days prior to the first practice in preparation for the season and in solidarity with the girls who have committed to the off-season workout (and that should be all of them!)

In 2011, I did the Insanity workout series with Sean T from Beachbody.com and it killed me for the first week or so. I mean, this 40+y.o.body was out of shape in June of 2011 and it hurt really bad that first week. To be honest, I puked the first 2 days. I almost quit but my wife was so committed to this thing and was kicking my butt so badly in these workouts that I just couldn't take the verbal abuse if I had quit. I also was working under my self created standard that I couldn't expect my team to do that I myself found impossible to do. In a sense, I started a pre-season ritual of my own that I both dreaded and looked forward to in 2012.

So I got Tony Horton's 10 minute trainer series this year and I started it back in the early spring. It was going well, I was completing 20-30 minutes (2-3 workouts a day) for the first 2 weeks. And then, I broke my big toe. Six weeks and half of a new toenail later, I began the workouts again. The pain, ahhh, well, the pain... It hurt week 1 going up stairs, down stairs, lifting my coffee mug, typing... Seriously, I was sore and in a little pain but after 2 solid weeks of training (2 days of a 10 minute, 2 days of a 20 and 2 of a 30) I can actually say that I am feeling pretty well! I am doing the exercises better, I am pushing the speed on some others and, the best part of all, I can't wear the swimming trunks from last year because they are too loose on me!

I have also cut out or minimized a lot of bad food and snacks out of my diet since I am a horrible eater during the summer and I consume a ridiculous amount of food and drink during July and August. I can feel the difference in my knees and my lower back, not that I need those things for volleyball or anything. I have also begun to feel my core just get stronger, allowing me to stand straighter and not see my belly overhang my cargo shorts. I know, great visual.

So if you are one of my players reading this, get to WORK! If you are just a parent/family member or recruit checking this out, get moving! Do it for your health! Do it for the endorphins! JUST DO IT!

It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.    Paul "Bear" Bryant