Hello Dear Readers,
Well, this is it…this is what all the hard work and sacrifice were for. I am finally in Fight Camp.
While everyone else was enjoying the last of the long weekend and dreading the inevitable return to work, I was in the gym with my five fellow fight campers.
We started the evening with a 30 minute meeting, during which our Kru explained the rules and his expectations. He also discussed what exercises we’d be doing, and as he talked, I felt my nerves dissipate. While there is more at stake now, the workout itself was familiar–all moves I’ve grown accustomed to over the past two years: boxing tabatas, a parry drill, a footwork drill, push ups and squats. The only thing that threw me was the running.
Our kru wanted us to set benchmarks for running and burpees, so we’ll be able to look back at various points and see how much we’ve improved. As we walked out to the pockmarked alley behind the club for our six minute run, I knew this wasn’t going to be good for my knee. And I was right.
Halfway through the exercise, that poor, overworked joint decided it just wasn’t going to take the abuse anymore. I ended the day with an ice pack and a tensor bandage. Clearly, I have a lot of work to do to build up that leg, but I expected that. I have a lot of work to do, period.
Today is my first day back on the training diet. I’m actually looking forward to eating healthy meals and drinking more water again, but it isn’t going to easy. I’ve already passed up an invitation for a sushi lunch and given away my strawberry pop tarts. But it will all be easier in time, and when I step into the ring on November 5th, I’ll be so glad that I made the sacrifice.
I find this video very inspiring. The star of it is a football player, but I think his message can be applied to any goal. How much do you really want to be successful? I especially related to the part about sleep–thinking about that helps get me up to train in the morning. And the part where he says, “You’re already in pain…why not have something to show for it?” Indeed.
Congrats on getting into fight camp! It sounds like the training is going to be brutal, but it’ll all be worth it when the time comes to fight. The harder the training, the easier the fight. I know you’re going to give it your all and kick some butt when the time comes!
I’d be curious to know how the fight camp experience turns out to be different from earlier training you’ve done, now that there’s a group dynamic.
Wow, passing on a sushi lunch now that hurts! I guess it is only 2 months out of your life right? You can sushi it up after that 🙂
I look forward to reading your blogs. I agree with Chris…the training will be the hard part.
Thanks for your comments and encouragement!
@ Chris – the training *is* brutal. I’m very sore, but so far, I’m loving it. It’s a lot easier to give every drill your all when everyone is training at the same intensity, with the same expectations. You don’t have to constantly be asking “is the power okay? Am I hitting too hard?”
@ V – I will be missing sushi like crazy in two months! Guess it depends on how the diet goes. I really want to hit 130-135 for the fight, so if I make that target easily, a weekly cheat meal should be okay.
Thanks so much for your help yesterday. It was great to train with you again.