This week I haven’t spent a lot of time at the gym. I haven’t trained at all bar a brief hour session yesterday morning on the bags and a short run this morning because of my shin. I have a feeling I am going to have to let it settle down before going anywhere near a ring again, but little by little it’s improving. Just like the rest of me.

Yesterday morning I still managed 100 knees on the bags about 100 teeps and practised some combinations and low kicks as well practising my left body kick. Having to watch my right leg has helped as it means I’ve been focusing on improving one of the best weapons I’ve got. It comes in a close second other than my knees, and you know how I feel about them.

I was meant to be boxing (just western boxing) next weekend but decided to pull out due to my injury. It’s the first time in over 4 years I have ever pulled out of a fight so it hasn’t sat too comfortably and it didn’t feel 150% right anyway, but hey life continues. When I step up next I know I’ll be fighting fit and my heart will be in it. And really that’s the most important thing.

I noticed yesterday morning that the extra Saturday sessions of bag work are paying off and I’m pushing myself a little more. I’m also pleased to note that my left kicks improving. The pivot on my foot is the first thing I’ve noticed for my left body kick  and I’m getting a good swing with my arm too to help with the twist. From time to time I get lazy with things and bad habits set in with me quick.Little by little I’m correcting them.

I’ve found that by visualizing myself getting better at something it can help. Just like with fighting too. It’s not perfect but I don’t think there is anyone out there who is ever really ‘perfect’ at what we do. I’m getting better. I can feel that I am. Still got a lot of work to do though.

I’m sticking to my guns with training 6 times a week, I really feel that it’s going to be the way to go now, but I’m going to build up to that from next week onwards. . As long as I’m ready to fight again by October/November time latest I will be a happy boy.

When it comes to fighting there’s been a lot to think about too. In terms of where I’m at now there’s a lot I still want to achieve and I’m determined to keep fighting and more importantly keep winning. I have a mental roadmap with competing and I know that I need to be in a gym that is going to encourage me and push me to go for my goals. When it gets to a point when I decide to have a rest and just train I want to look back and say ‘you know what? I did good.’ From my point of view there’s still a lot of work to do. 🙂

In the cold light of day, I’m very aware of who I am and what I can and I can’t do. I am just a fighter. Same as him. Same as her.Same as you. I believe in myself and I know that I’m better than I was, (fighting winning or losing equals experience)and I except that now I need to put in more work and get even better still  if I want to keep doing this because I cannot expect an easy fight. I’m still convinced that there is no such thing.

So I’ve decided to take a leaf out of Geoff Thompson’s book (I haven’t decided to become a night club doorman) and make sure I’m always training with guys and girls that are the best at what they do, or at the very least are always going to push me to be at my best. Really that’s what I need. I’m sure I’ll find them at my current gym and also when I make the effort to go out and look. On that note I’ve also found a Saturday session in Cheltenham  that could be worth it’s weight in gold.

I wish I was a little more mobile believe it or not I don’t drive at the moment (there’s that lazy thing again) although it’s something I’m in the process of sorting out, because Damien Trainor and K Star Legacy are just down the road (technically) and of course there’s that Welsh mob over in Cardiff who are pretty good too (Hi Lee)

In hindsight, I’m on a Muay Thai quest. I always have been and I always will be and it’s something that I’ve stuck with for many years and intend to keep as my foundation. It doesn’t always come easy, but I guess the best things never do. My old trainer in Bournemouth said to me once ‘if you have a good background in Thai you’ll go a long way.’ and I’m inclined to believe him. I’m sure in twenty years time I’ll still be in the gym making the heavy bag my friend.

So coming back to the here and now I know what I need to do next and really that’s just step the training up and make sure I get better. I’m in good shape and I have a lot of heart and you know what? I’ve never really been that bad a fighter anyway. Have a great week, train hard and fight easy. Just like always, I’ll see you on that road.