As always it’s been another good week of training. I’ve got a few good runs in this week too on top of everything else and today I really began to notice the benefit. With me and I think it’s safe to assume it’s the same with you, I find that fight  training and the endless running attached go hand in hand and compliment each other quite well.

It’s a given for me with Muay Thai (and I guess it’s the same with any type of combat sport or otherwise) that if I want to succeed when it counts the most (in this respect in the ring) I need to make sure that I can go the distance. That I’ve got the stamina.

So this week I’ve spent a lot of time working on that push, finishing yesterday with a good bit of bag work in the morning and a 6k run in the afternoon. Training officially finished for the week with another 6.5k run this afternoon. Granted, I know that technique, drills and everything else attached are equally as important, but for me it’s just as important to know that I can finish in a stronger position than when I started. To know that no matter how tough it gets that there’s still something left in the tank.

There’s been a few fights when I’ve been glad my fitness has been there for me when I needed it the most, and one of the things I’ve learnt about myself as a fighter is that I’m resilient and tough as old boots. And to be fair to myself, I give as good as I get. (most of the time.)  But that’s just me I guess. No matter what I get hit with I’ve got the will to keep going. I’m a firm believer that you need to be strong inside mentally just as much as you need to be physically when it comes to fighting. Developing that toughness for me is an ongoing process.

I’ve found that if you train hard enough you will always have enough ‘fuel in the tank’ to see you through a fight. I’m also of the viewpoint that if you ‘gas’ out in a fight it’s the mind that gives up first, the body will usually follow soon after.

You see the thing is, despite me having the occasional ‘tired’ day (lazy day)   I was taught from a very early stage in training that it’s absolutely essential that you don’t give up. I think back then I began to learn how to push through the barriers we all hit and that’s not to say it gets any easier.  I’ve learnt that fight training and fighting in general makes a strong will become a way, and I think that’s how winning is done.

So  this week, sparring I kept the pressure on. The walking forward, unrelenting kind of pressure that I know I can use to win fights (I’m still into my catches too and I need more sweeps in my life. )  and although these days I do my best to think a little smarter and I’m a little faster and stronger than I used to be, it’s good to know that I can still dig deep when I need to. And there was a couple of occasions this week where all I wanted to do was push myself and treat the last round of sparring like the last round of a fight. (minus the power.)

So if this week has been all about the stamina then next week I guess really is about  getting back to the simple things in life and working on what I know I can use and what works when the pressure’s on. I’m sure along the way I’ll learn a lot more too, but  I want to make sure I’ve got my tools in good working order before the end of the month.  One of my trainers said to us earlier in the week ‘make sure you know what you want from each session ‘ so I’ve set my goals accordingly.

I thought I’d leave you this week with a video of one of my favourite fighters, you guessed it Pornsanae Sitmonchai. Relentless, determined and he never ever gives up. Have a good week and I’ll see you on that road.

“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them. A desire, a dream a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill!”  – Muhammad Ali