This week I’ve got back up to speed with my training. I’ve even managed a couple of runs and things appear to slowly be winding their way back in the right direction. It’s a good feeling to put in the amount of time I feel that I should be to my training, when I’m not  it just feels that I’m missing out. I’ve always seen martial arts as an investment in myself and I don’t think that is ever going to change. The more you put in, the more you get out and all that PMA type stuff.

My fitness is just as good as it always has been and at points I’m very happy I inhabit a strong body that let’s me push myself when I need to. Mental toughness to me is just as important as physical toughness, so that little battle I was talking about a few weeks ago? well I’m pleased to say that I’m winning and I’m still feeding the good wolf. That’s really the way I think it should be.

Some of my training this week has focused on understanding why we’re doing what we’re doing other than just using techniques for the sake of them ( I used to find that a really easy trap to fall into sometimes especially when  under pressure, so these days I try to focus a little more on finding my shots rather than just firing them off willy nilly) and of course we’ve spent a lot of time drilling techniques too.

A couple  of my classes has us usually practising some nice hand and low kick/body kick combinations that will usually lead into a more complex drill as it progresses. From my point of view it gets you thinking and it keeps you sharp. And there’s a couple of combinations I like that I’ve used before and no doubt will use again.

A week after next I’ll take the bold step of kicking with my right leg again (it’s improving and has been healing for about a month now) but I’m pleased I’ve been focusing on my left low kick and body kick simply because I’ve not really had the choice and most importantly, that’s where my power is. I’m determined to get it back to being a battle axe for fighting, and so I’ve made the heavy bag my friend in Saturday morning bag work sessions. The technique is sharpening up I just need to make sure the speed is there too.

Speaking of my Saturday morning session that’s not a bad use of my time. Yesterday I got 200 hundred knees in and about 150 teeps and I always make a point of working combinations again, on the heavy bag. Like with everything else Muay Thai its all about repetition, but I want to make sure I’m responding rather than just reacting under pressure so getting the simple things in life rooted in my sub concious is more than worth the time.

I’ve finished this week feeling very positive about training and of course about fighting. I’ve still got that mental roadmap  laid out in front of me, and although I know that ultimately there’s a lot of work to do I’m enjoying the learning and feel that I’m starting to make progress again. I’m really pleased that I’ve also got the opportunity to train at a Team Tieu gym on a Saturday morning, and also an MSA gym  (Grandmaster Sken’s camp ) too as well with my usual trainers. It’s funny because I was talking about progression again a couple of weeks back. I guess it’s true that you can sometimes attract the right circumstances and people.

So in terms of fighting I’m thinking about the next few months ahead in a positive light, and although it’s not going to get any easier it’s again more than worth my time. I hope that one day I get to a point where I am good enough to be able to teach people what I know. That was kind of a goal of mine when I first started training, and for me fighting is part of the journey. Part of my Muay Thai quest if you will.

I think it’s important to set ongoing goals with what you do and it feels like what I’m doing right now is just part of a much bigger picture. In the meantime, I’m focusing on becoming a better fighter.I’m sure in 10 years time I’ll look back and all my memories will be good ones. I guess when something is your passion they always are.

So next week onwards I’m back at the gym, and all being well I’ll keep the training momentum up. It doesn’t come easy so I know that I need to put in the work. Really I wouldn’t have it any other way.. and ok after this week, you know what? It feels like I’m winning. Have a great week, train hard and I’ll see you on that road.

“which wolf will win?.. the one that you feed.” – Two Wolves – Native American Cherokee wisdom