So this week I’ve managed to get myself to the gym and it was awesome. Next week I’m going to be back at the gym again and I’m sure that will be awesome too. In fact I’m going to make a point of spending a reasonable amount of time getting back to where I need to be again. As always it’s a long road but it’s a good one and I’m glad I’m still here.

I realised just the other day that I’ve been training now for over 9 and a half years. Go me. I never thought I’d be able to stay  focused with anything for this long. Sometimes it’s surprising what you can achieve when you simply put your mind to it. I guess really it’s the same rule of thumb with anything that you enjoy and that gives you the slightest touch of inspiration. You stick with it and you don’t give up. At least, that’s the rule that I apply to myself anyway.

That’s not to say it’s not tough. I stay away from the word hard because I think ‘hard’ is only ever self imposed anyway. There’s a lot of things I’ve encountered in my life I could class as ‘hard’. Fighting, losing fights, getting back on the horse and turning things around in general was never meant to be easy.It was only ever meant to be a challenge. And challenges are only ever as tough as I let myself think they are

If I set a goal no matter what it is I make sure I stay focused with it and I won’t stop until it’s done. Some days I call it determined and tenacious. Other days I call it pig headed and stupid. It’s one of those things, but either way I don’t give up and either way no matter what I always believe in myself and what I’m doing. Besides when the training is hard, the fighting is easy. (At least that’s what they told me.)

Everyone has their own individual goals when it comes to training and when it comes to all things Thai not everyone wants to step into a ring and compete. There’s many things it gives back to you other than competitive skill. It’s given me focus and made me stronger inside. Tougher if you will.Some days I can feel that reflecting from my core outwards.

In general Muay Thai has taught me a lot about myself as well as learning to respect others, it’s reminded me that it’s important to stand up in life as well as in the ring and rise to the challenges I face on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. I’d say it’s fair to call that one a life lesson.

Training goals for me are ongoing, and I’ve successfully avoided the trap of achieving ‘this’ much and stopping. I realised a while ago that the journey is something that is always going to outweigh the destination, and although progress sometimes feels like a long road it’s a road that’s always worth travelling.

So looking at next week and beyond it’s really a case of making sure I spend as much time at the gym as I can. The balance I’ve been looking for seems to be asserting itself and things are moving in the right direction. It’s been a good summer so far and I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring later in the year. For now, and just like always.. I’ll see you on that road.