It hit me today.  I was thinking about rolling (like usual).  I wondered what I would be without speed.  I imagined rolling with a high level blackbelt, would they use quickness against me?  Would they need to?  It occurred to me that better players don't need their quickness against me.  Sure, they may move fast at times.  Sure, they may need every ounce of speed against high level players, but certainly not against me.

When I strip away speed, what is left?  My technique.  What I know and can do mindlessly - what I have understood from teachers like Matt Thornton, Dave Camarillo, John Frankl, Roy Dean, Paul Schreiner and others.  I know none of them would ever need a bit of speed to wrap me in a pretzel.

With that in mind I rolled slowly tonight.  Deliberately.  I am not sure I did any better or worse, but I was thinking more.  There is something to a quiet mind.  I think I'll try that again...