Dog Days

Training
282

11.04.14 PM

So I just arrived back to my parents house from a sparring session. My face is a little marked up and I’m tired- but I had some very encouraging points.

I sparred 6 hot rounds. 3 partners- 2 rounds each.
My first two I boxed as an aggressive counter puncher, using wide arcs to keep out of trouble and looking to set up my counter attacks from head movement. This worked ok, but timing was slightly off.
My second two rounds, I boxed aggressively on the inside. I was startled how well this worked for me. I put on tremendous pressure and really did a lot of damage. If I’m guilty of one thing it was not forcing the pace and letting my partner work before reacting and capitalising.
I have the fitness and ability to another guys her and I should use this as a weapon.
My final two rounds were much more “straight boxing”
I looked to box more conventionally, with long straight shots before cranking in the power shots at close range.
I had some delightful counters and the fitness was good all the way through.

More rounds needed to be sharp, but taking shots to the body no sweat and definitely very strong.

283

Funny looking at my previous post there are some contradictions in there; but I guess thats me being critical of my performance against my targets.

Conditioning session Saturday was exceptional- really performing well at the moment.
(Kettlebells pissed me off at the end though haha)
Checked the weight. This week will whittle a lot from me, happy where we’re at!

284

480×640 60.6 KB

One of a twin set…
Serves me right for not filing them down before use the kbells.

285

732×402 59.7 KB

15.04.14
Woke up this morning at about 4.00am.
I couldn’t get back to sleep so I took the dog for a walk. Walked an hour fasted and really enjoyed the fresh air and solitude.
I was glad too, as I had to drop my housemate to the train for 6.50 and he only woke at 6.15.
So, after my nice invigorating walk, I had a highly illegal barrel run to the train station and then zipped into work.

Got my strength in during break as in the spreadsheet.
Felt strong and my only real complaint was that my grip was compromised by the torn out calluses…

My personal life is always comical-
Ex GF is missing me, two girls want to be my girlfriend and I can’t keep my eyes off the one girl I have zero chance with :smiley:

286

14.04.14 PM

Into the boxing gym for 6.00pm. It was our first day of really nice weather and the gym was hot as a result. I knew it would be a good session.

Warmup;
Joints and Muscle Groups
5 Minutes skipping

4 x 3s Bagwork
I felt decidedly unimpressive on the bag, so I tried to go textbook. My trainers weren’t getting me any traction on the floor - at all - I need to find where I left the boots I use for training.

4 x 3s Shadowboxing
Cutting the ring and “go-forward” combinations. I enjoyed this.

3x3s Technique
Miscellany of defensive movement, counters from head movement… active rest really!

5x3s Padwork
Terrific padwork again. Huge volume of punches, but I’m already wising up to the combinations. Great workout here.

1x3 Cooldown exercise
30 second alternates of aerobic exercises, cooling down.

287

15.04.14 AM

I got into bed late last night.
Late is a relative term. 11.00 is now an unseen hour for me.
I woke at 5.30, which was later than I would have liked.
I chomped down some blueberries and hit the road.

At the gym there were 3 condemned to the session.
I was half asleep and I did the first circuit unkown to myself! 4 laps in all!

(i) Box Jumps
(ii) Battling Ropes
(iii) Situp lever throws
(iv) Hanging Leg Raises
(v) Russian Twist
(vi) Standing Ball Slam
(vii) TRX Tricep Extension
(viii) Inverted Rows
(ix) Split Jumps
(x) Suspended Pushups
(xi) Jump Squats
(xii) Bulgarian Bag Get-ups*

I don’t know what the time was adjusted to today; but this wasn’t easy. I gave it loads and my performance is definitely improving.
My weak areas today were the Inverted Rows and suspended pushups.
The Inverted rows I can forgive as I had compromised grip. But my press strength must grow in future.

*On a positive note- my boogey-man exercise is now not only within my scope- but an exercise I enjoy. I look forward to pushing the reps more in future.

288

Looks good! Thanks for the break down of the 1-2-1 and keep the posts coming!

289

Looks good! Thanks for the break down of the 1-2-1 and keep the posts coming!

290

Unfortunately my synopsis of last nights training failed to submit.
Which is good- as in truth it degenerated into a foul mouthed tirrade toward the end!

Got 12 rounds in.
Was really pissed off afterwards, so I took the dog for another 1 hours walk.

291

16.04.14 AM

Lunchtime session. A little different from past sessions, but I like sessions like this on the run in to a fight.

Concept 2 Rower - 4 x 3 minute rounds.

Plate abdominal Raises 3 x 10
Foot alternating Plank 3 x 10 (on gym ball.)
Elevated Side Plank 3 x 30s (12.5kg on Hip)
Paloff Press 3 x 12s

Easy as pie

292

16.04.14 PM

CNS was shot this evening. Tired, tired, tired.
Worked through 12 rounds in the boxing gym and went home.

Checked the weight- surprising drop.
Ate and went to bed.

17.04.14 AM

Allowed myself a sleep in. Still woke very tired.
will up caloric intake as calories burned are obviously exceeding what I thought!

293

What kind of foods are you eating before a fight?

294

How did your training go over the easter weekend?

295

[quote]Beershoes wrote:
What kind of foods are you eating before a fight?[/quote]
Well its all a run up.

Generally I will weigh in at 1.00 to 2.00pm on the Friday.
first thing that will hit my stomach is a shake with plenty of carbs and protein.
I will then rehydrate using dioralyte, sipping on a glass every 1-2 hours for the remainder of that day.

At about 4.00pm the day of the weigh in I will have a good meal.
This will be an “ordinary” meal; it usually will have meat, some starchy carbs and some fats. This is just a meal to enjoy.

I will have some casein and zma before bed and sleep as well as i can.

The day of the fight- thats basically the same as a day’s training.

Protein for breakfast.
A good sized clean dinner in the middle of the day.
Carbs & Protein before exercise.
Keeping hydrated the entire day with water or dioralyte if necessary.

[quote]Beershoes wrote:
How did your training go over the easter weekend?[/quote]
Some of the hardest training I have ever done. Without a doubt.

296

Long weekend training away. Feel the benefit of it and I’ll try and outline as best I can;

17.04.14 AM
Did some drilling on break. Drilled my footwork and some defensive headmovment.
Used a weighted vest while drilling the movement drills. Enjoyed the experience.

17.04.14 PM
Conditioning Session.
Thursday evenings again- they are competitive sessions. The time limit is set and we compete to finish.
I finished third on this day.
I blame the weightloss as the two that finished ahead of me were worn out while I was fresh.
I just lacked acceleration through the exercises. I know there was only 30 seconds in the time difference, but I was frustrated.

18.04.14 PM
Good Friday - everything closed over here!
I grabbed an hour at the gym and got a 531 squat session in.
I took my time with the rest periods and lifted just fine.

Boxing that evening was very light; shadowboxing etc.

19.04.14 AM
Conditioning Session at home.
Warmup
5 x 5 minute Bodyweight rounds
20 Minutes kettlebell drills.

19.04.14 PM
Long drive south to spar with one of the countries leading professinals.
8 x 3s Sparring.
1 & 2;
difficulty warming up. Timing off. Not settling in.
3 through 8;
Abandoned original plan and went inside. Worked hard. Defense inside good. strength & endurance good.
May have felt the effect of the travel after the earlier session. Still valuable rounds and was taken out of my comfort zone as my usual strategy just was not happening.

20.04.14AM
Sick daughter - nothing happening.

21.04.14AM
Another drive south on the bank holiday. Weather was amazing!
Got into Limerick for a technical session; had some corrospondence with my old coach, let him know where I felkt I was lacking and he got a great session together. 1 hour drilling and I have to say I learned some new things.
Worked Bags, shadowboxing, school sparring and bags.
Great session.

21.04.14 PM
Returned home and had to do something!
Gave my cousin a call and we hooked up for a quick session.
Started of with a 20 minute steady state run.
My breathing took a long time to adjust. I’m good at running - but I hate it.
By lap 4/5 the breathing calmed down and I was running strong.

Back to my place after and we drilled;
Slipping out
Slipping In
Rolling out
Rolling in
Sidestep L/R
Pull Counters

Schooled inside work
3 x 3s School sparring (high, high pace)

*Had a scalding epsom salts bath after this session.

22.04.14 AM
Up at 5am again. I did sleep well, but I was tired.
Obviously didnt drink enough after the bath - gravelly mouth!

4 Circuits.
-Landmine
-Battling Ropes
-Sit-up w/ med ball throw
-Knee Raises
-Med Ball Slam with Jump
-Russian Twist
-TRX Tricep Extension
-Inverted Row
-Single Arm rotational throw
-SQuat Jumps
-Bulgarian Bag Get-ups
-T-Ball Slams

As I said- I was definitely a bit dehydrated and this was a tough session. But I handled the four rounds and recovered very well.

297

Getting some awesome training in! Glad to see that you’re putting in hard work, as it encourages me to keep putting in hard work to reach my goals! Thank you for the info on how to eat leading up to a fight, I’m going to use that soon enough. Only two questions this time: 1) When is the fight? 2) What is School sparring? (Just sparring with regular club members?)

298

[quote]Beershoes wrote:
Getting some awesome training in! Glad to see that you’re putting in hard work, as it encourages me to keep putting in hard work to reach my goals! Thank you for the info on how to eat leading up to a fight, I’m going to use that soon enough. Only two questions this time: 1) When is the fight? 2) What is School sparring? (Just sparring with regular club members?)[/quote]
Yeah, got some good stuff in. Feel the sharpness coming now.

  1. The fight is May the 10th. 2 weeks from Saturday.

  2. School or conditional sparring or conditinal sparring is a spar with agreed terms beforehand.
    Most commonly the agreed term is to remove power from the equation and spar with just technique and speed.
    However, in periods of frustration or deficiency you canb set the conditions to; just use the jab, just use body shots, you on defence/me on offence. Its a useful tool to force you to do things not in your first plan.

299

Awesome! Again, great information that’s helping me get ready for my fight in June!

300


I don’t know whats uglier; my face or the bloodwork.

301

28.04.14 PM

So… what to do, what to do.
There are two fights on my schedule. May 10th and June 26th.
My manager is still pushing for me to box May 10th.
I will see a doctor before I decide, But i don’t see this as an intelligible choice.

June 26th - 8 weeks away. 8 weeks more sacrifice.

I don’t like sympathy. But if you guys would like to suggest some things i can add to my boxing or strength training, it’d be great to hear some suggestions.