Dog Days

Training
446

11.09.14 PM

Getting a bit retrospective here…
Last Thursday evening i went to the small amateur club.
I arrived and there were 2 high level amateurs in to spar - but the light heavy they were due to box didn’t show.

The session turned into a school spar session.
Extensive work on angles, set pieces and counters. It was a good session.
The sparring opened up towards the end.

One of the outside amateurs is national champion had given me a very good spar six weeks ago.
On this night I boxed him at pace and just wore him down. He did land some nice shots, but it was clearly man vs. boy.
I have only started to feel that this year. My athleticism is improving.

I had a planned break Friday through Sunday.
I was away for a close friends wedding, which I enjoyed. I ate a huge amount, but never really put on much.

15.09.14 PM BOXING
A welcome return to training.
My hands were still lighting from kettlebells Thursday - I destroyed a callus on my right hand and lost a chunk of meat that would have served my protein requirements for the day. Hitting was very uncomfortable as a result, so I adjusted.

Warmup - Joints Muscles & Cardio

20 Minutes Skipping
5 x 3’s Bagwork
5 x 3’s Shadowboxing
3 x 3’s Technique Drilling (Bssic Defense)
15 Minutes Abwork (w/ med ball.)
Cooldown.

447

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
She must have been pretty impresssed too because I am a boyfriend now.
Girlfriend is a juvenille term for someone who has worked so hard to be my best friend and training partner through good days and bad; but as long as it lets people know I’m all hers, that makes me happy.
[/quote]

I think I follow you, and your head is on right.

I get the “you mean so very much more than what that term conveys” part of your reservation, but the utility of conveying “exclusive” to the world is huge. It is pretty much the reason language is a thing.

To put it another way:

If she is half as amazing as you say she is, than I am sure she would be in my “Let me buy you a drink, tell you how interesting you are, and try to make you laugh/smile” category.

I can tell you that my responses to “Well, there is this guy. No, he isn’t my boyfriend. But we spend a lot of time together.” and “I have a boyfriend.” are different.

So wear the title with pride. Not because of the title, but who awarded it. Also, fuck french cuisine. I dislike their constant attempts to stack shit vertically while paying no attention to serving temperatures. The are the swiss machinists of food. Complexity for complexity’s sake.

Regards,

Robert A

448

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
This usually wouldn’t bother me; but drawing closer to the fight something clicked and it was like reading a script from James Toney. [/quote]

Just don’t imitate Toney’s conditioning or diet practices.

449

[quote]Robert A wrote:
I think I follow you, and your head is on right.

I get the “you mean so very much more than what that term conveys” part of your reservation, but the utility of conveying “exclusive” to the world is huge. It is pretty much the reason language is a thing.

To put it another way:

If she is half as amazing as you say she is, than I am sure she would be in my “Let me buy you a drink, tell you how interesting you are, and try to make you laugh/smile” category.

I can tell you that my responses to “Well, there is this guy. No, he isn’t my boyfriend. But we spend a lot of time together.” and “I have a boyfriend.” are different.

So wear the title with pride. Not because of the title, but who awarded it. Also, fuck french cuisine. I dislike their constant attempts to stack shit vertically while paying no attention to serving temperatures. The are the swiss machinists of food. Complexity for complexity’s sake.

Regards,

Robert A [/quote]
Massive agreement here.
The mantle is a responsibility and a privilege earned by both parties. Either the position is maintained and cultivated, or eventually it will wilt and cease to be.

French food has caught my attention.
But you’re right- presentation shouldn’t be required if the food is cooked correctly and the quality is good.

Any particular cuisine you recommend Robert?

450

16.09.14

AM CONDITIONING
Out of bed relatively ok at 5.00am.
I got a whey shake, a teaspoon of almond butter, some Beta-Alanine and Glutamine in.
On the floor for 6.00am.

5 x Rotations of a 10 Station circuit.
I kept the pace high throughout. My strength seems to have waned slightly, so pace is going to be my key.
I can set a pace now that will drown a lot of guys.

PM BOXING
Just a bad session…
I abandoned it half-way through to help coaching. Absolutely no benefit to myself, at all.

But… I got an interesting call. The university in my city would like me to come on as their coach.
Time-wise this could be difficult, but then again it could be a terrific opportunity.

17.09.14 AM STRENGTH

Bound into Box Jumps 4x5’s
Single arm Rotational Throw 4x5’s

Deadlift 5’s 100, 110, 125
Mil Press 36.5, 42.5, 47.5

Chins (5s)@ 5kg, 7.5kg, 10kg, 12.5kg, 15kg.

DB Rows (s/s) 10s@ 40, 40, 40.
EZ Curls (s/s) 12s@ 25, 25, 25.

PM BOXING

Warmup - Joints & Muscles

5 x 3’s Bagwork
All work, Identifying a huge reliance on the slip to the right. Will rectify. Hands feeling improved.

5 x 3’s Shadowboxing
At pace. Constantly pressing.

5 x 3’s Sparring
With a lighter guy - all power was dispensed and I concentrated on establishing my range.
When I was on the back foot I had no trouble tagging him, but on the attack his speed frustrated me. He made me miss at times, which annoyed me and made me realise that i can’t “half-throw” my straight shots. If I try pull them I’m slow.
I moved inside and was very satisfied with my uppercut and defensive work

Some light abdomen work and a cooldown.

18.09.14 AM CONDITIONING

Up at 5.20am. I was tired getting up, but the fluids for breakfast did help.
Whey, Beta-Alanine, Glutamine and 1 teaspoon of Almond Butter.
I was on the floor for 5.55am and ready for a kettlebell based session.

Warmup
10 Wall Squats
Groin Dynamic Stretches
Heli’s

5 x 10 KB Swings @ 24kg

Double Bells;
5 x 5’s Squats @ 2 x 24gs
5 x 5’s Cleans @ 2 x 24kg
5 x 5’s Press @ 2 x 24kg

(5x)
10 Kettlebell Swings.
5 Berpies.

Single Bells;
5 sets of 10 1 arm elevated pushups.

(3 x)
Snatch (30sec30sec)
Cleans (30sec30sec)
Swings(30sec30sec)

RPE; 7

Good session, felt good, hands only bothering me occasionally. Condition definitely good.

After this session I had some yoghurt, granola and some nuts.
Nuts I was caught badly and had to go for chilli peanuts. Tasted f’ing fantastic, but not the most responsible nutrition choice.

At 10.30 I had a LOT of berries, more Beta-Alanine and some carbs…
Wow, in retrospect this has been a bad day food wise.
I’ll work extra hard at boxing later and the weight gets checked tonight.

451

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
Any particular cuisine you recommend Robert?
[/quote]

In fairness I most frequently patronize places that serve “food” as opposed to actual “cuisine”(fine dining/rated establishments) going by the George Carlin Scale of Eats vs Food vs Cuisine.

I tend to favor med(Greek, Italian-well American Italian often), Asian (Chinese-again Americanized, Japanese, or East Indian), or Mexican (this is usually authentic enough).

As long as it isn’t poison I am in favor of eating what you like. IF dining out the company makes such a big difference that if SHE likes French than go for it, even though the only thing the French do great are scrambled eggs (double boiler for the win).

I also don’t think cooking something half assed acceptable at home is wizardry either, so if you want to cook for her that is a suggestion.

Regards,

Robert A

EDTA:
Not the bit I was thinking of but on point

452

18.09.14 PM BOXING

Playing catch-up again…
Last Thursday was eventful. Some decent technique drills and all, but the sparring got my bloods up.
I was fouled 3 times and I got angry. The heavyweight just pissed me off so I bullied him. Every time I cranked it up he fouled me, so after beating him up for 3 rounds I walked out. I was seething with anger and had enough.
I went home and got in an epsom salts bath to try and clear my mind, but the bad temper was residual in my mind for a long while after.

19.09.14 PM BOXING

Travelled to the amateur club I first joined at 11 years of age for a spar.
One guy from the club competes at a high level and is a fine boxer.

To open I boxed 4 rounds with him.
Immediately I knew something was amiss; my movement sluggish, my punches slow and my reflexes nullified.
I was having trouble setting him up and took the single most flush right hand of my life straight down the pike.
I shook it off just fine and proceeded to spoil all his work for the remainder of the round. I was completely recovered the next round and we just boxed. The 4 rounds were easy, but I know that something was wrong… My mind/muscle connection was in shit and I wasn’t getting off as I willed myself to do.

I boxed 4 rounds with another boxer there. Less physically gifted, but more technical this was good, but really made me appreciate how dulled my mental edge was this evening.

I finished with one mega round on the body bag. If I did this on the street it would have been assault.

20.09.14
I took the weekend off. I woke Saturday at 79kg. This was a LOT lower than I wanted or anticipated.
Sure enough the flu-like symptoms presented themselves around 12.00.
Ever the opportunist I contacted my family and organised a huge dinner at my place.
I got a couple of kilos on over the weekend before resuming training Monday.

453

22.09.14 PM BOXING

Got back training yesterday, rested and refueled after the weekend.
I had some spars travel to box with me.

Thye first was the 80kg professional I train with regulary.
4 rounds… 2 very very gentle. 1 round I turned it up just a little.

I mixed six rounds with two national level 91kg boxers.
One I boxed and one I fought.
I was shocked how I could control things on the inside. I hadn’t thought I had advanced that much!

After sparring I had cabin fever so I got out for a 5 mile run. I loved it.

454

23.09.14 CONDITIONING

mY last conditioning session.
I completed this with an ease and aggression I wouldn’t have thought possible a few months ago.
I can do things now I couldn’t before.
All that is left to do is sharpen the boxing skills and attenuate my aggression into some focus.

There is a terrible flu going around, so I am wrapping up and trying to keep well rested and healthy.
The weight is drifting down again, I’m trying to keep it slow…
I’m unaccustomed to trying to keep the weight UP at this stage. It’s weird, but not a bad complaint I guess.

455

24.09.14 PM BOXING

My flu-like symptoms have been bothering me since the weekend.
This day’s training was marred by just feeling down and out. The entire day my mood was on the floor.
I forced myself to train hard.

Warmup;
Joints

456

Good to be back :slight_smile:

457

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
Good to be back :slight_smile:

Absolute class, as a bloke and as a fighter. Good man for coming back harder than ever. You put in tremendous work, and could have smashed an opponent twice as good had he been put in front of you. I hope you can stay busy and kick on with your career and get to where your talent deserves. I’ll catch this one on youtube once it’s up.

Don’t get the chance to post much, if at all, these days, but I lurk when I can. Keep smashing it mate, I’ll be following along.

458

[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
Absolute class, as a bloke and as a fighter. Good man for coming back harder than ever. You put in tremendous work, and could have smashed an opponent twice as good had he been put in front of you. I hope you can stay busy and kick on with your career and get to where your talent deserves. I’ll catch this one on youtube once it’s up.

Don’t get the chance to post much, if at all, these days, but I lurk when I can. Keep smashing it mate, I’ll be following along.[/quote]
Thanks so much for your generous praise mate.

It was good to exorcise the demons; but I have to admit I didn’t expect to return quite that comfortably.

I got back training yesterday and had a fantastic spar with the National Cruiserweight champion. Hopefully he’ll be up for more rounds Wednesday and we’re 7 weeks out from the next one :slight_smile:

459

09.10.14

My first conditioning session back this morning. Heavy kettlebell session, very enjoyable.

This Saturday will give me six weeks to prepare for my next contest.
Six weeks… Just over 80 sessions. I have a lot to learn and work on between now and then.

I’m reviewing the fight from last Saturday. I’ve watched it a few times.
Some areas I performed well, other areas I was disappointed.

I’m going to identify some clear objectives before my next fight and form a plan to complete those.

I’m not sure if the interest is here right now, but if people like I will continue to log my training

460

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
Good to be back :slight_smile:
[/quote]

Huge congratulations. You earned that win a hundred times in training.

Next one comes when?

Regards,

Robert A

461

[quote]Robert A wrote:

[quote]donnydarkoirl wrote:
Good to be back :slight_smile:
[/quote]

Huge congratulations. You earned that win a hundred times in training.

I see you are already at work for the next fight. That is a great object lesson for anyone following this log.

Regards,

Robert A[/quote]

462

[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
Absolute class, as a bloke and as a fighter. Good man for coming back harder than ever. You put in tremendous work, and could have smashed an opponent twice as good had he been put in front of you. I hope you can stay busy and kick on with your career and get to where your talent deserves. I’ll catch this one on youtube once it’s up.

Don’t get the chance to post much, if at all, these days, but I lurk when I can. Keep smashing it mate, I’ll be following along.[/quote]

Agree.

LondonBoxer123,

If you see this I hope you are well and not having the chances to post are do to good things. It is a stronger board with you here though.

Regards,

Robert A

463

[quote]Robert A wrote:

[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
Absolute class, as a bloke and as a fighter. Good man for coming back harder than ever. You put in tremendous work, and could have smashed an opponent twice as good had he been put in front of you. I hope you can stay busy and kick on with your career and get to where your talent deserves. I’ll catch this one on youtube once it’s up.

Don’t get the chance to post much, if at all, these days, but I lurk when I can. Keep smashing it mate, I’ll be following along.[/quote]

Agree.

LondonBoxer123,

If you see this I hope you are well and not having the chances to post are do to good things. It is a stronger board with you here though.

Regards,

Robert A[/quote]

Robert,

Thank you. I have applied to do something that requires me to have developed vetting done ((on me?) I would be grateful for any input on how to structure that statement more elegantly). You hear all sorts of stories about how far the powers that be might dig, and although I’m not becoming a spook, I would not like for any online activity to provide grounds for failing me. There may be some here (Idaho?) who can clear up just how worried I ought to be (Brazzers membership and gold level Vaseline loyalty scheme aside), and it may be that I’m being over cautious, but until I’m cleared, I’m trying to maintain a fairly mundane internet profile, particularly when the sum of my contributions tends to be, ‘smack that muthafucka when he be talking shit’.

Apologies for hijacking Donnie’s thread.

464

[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:

[quote]Robert A wrote:

[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
Absolute class, as a bloke and as a fighter. Good man for coming back harder than ever. You put in tremendous work, and could have smashed an opponent twice as good had he been put in front of you. I hope you can stay busy and kick on with your career and get to where your talent deserves. I’ll catch this one on youtube once it’s up.

Don’t get the chance to post much, if at all, these days, but I lurk when I can. Keep smashing it mate, I’ll be following along.[/quote]

Agree.

LondonBoxer123,

If you see this I hope you are well and not having the chances to post are do to good things. It is a stronger board with you here though.

Regards,

Robert A[/quote]

Robert,

Thank you. I have applied to do something that requires me to have developed vetting done ((on me?) I would be grateful for any input on how to structure that statement more elegantly). You hear all sorts of stories about how far the powers that be might dig, and although I’m not becoming a spook, I would not like for any online activity to provide grounds for failing me. There may be some here (Idaho?) who can clear up just how worried I ought to be (Brazzers membership and gold level Vaseline loyalty scheme aside), and it may be that I’m being over cautious, but until I’m cleared, I’m trying to maintain a fairly mundane internet profile, particularly when the sum of my contributions tends to be, ‘smack that muthafucka when he be talking shit’.

Apologies for hijacking Donnie’s thread.[/quote]

LondonBoxer,
Really good to see you back. I dont want to clutter up Donny’s excellent training log, so click on “Bad Ideas” thread and I will try to help.

465

[quote]idaho wrote:

[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:

[quote]Robert A wrote:

[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
Absolute class, as a bloke and as a fighter. Good man for coming back harder than ever. You put in tremendous work, and could have smashed an opponent twice as good had he been put in front of you. I hope you can stay busy and kick on with your career and get to where your talent deserves. I’ll catch this one on youtube once it’s up.

Don’t get the chance to post much, if at all, these days, but I lurk when I can. Keep smashing it mate, I’ll be following along.[/quote]

Agree.

LondonBoxer123,

If you see this I hope you are well and not having the chances to post are do to good things. It is a stronger board with you here though.

Regards,

Robert A[/quote]

Robert,

Thank you. I have applied to do something that requires me to have developed vetting done ((on me?) I would be grateful for any input on how to structure that statement more elegantly). You hear all sorts of stories about how far the powers that be might dig, and although I’m not becoming a spook, I would not like for any online activity to provide grounds for failing me. There may be some here (Idaho?) who can clear up just how worried I ought to be (Brazzers membership and gold level Vaseline loyalty scheme aside), and it may be that I’m being over cautious, but until I’m cleared, I’m trying to maintain a fairly mundane internet profile, particularly when the sum of my contributions tends to be, ‘smack that muthafucka when he be talking shit’.

Apologies for hijacking Donnie’s thread.[/quote]

LondonBoxer,
Really good to see you back. I dont want to clutter up Donny’s excellent training log, so click on “Bad Ideas” thread and I will try to help.
[/quote]
LondonBoxer,
I was thinking that idaho already gave some general advice to batman in the Bad Ideas thread and that would be worth reading if you could. I would certainly try to see your way there.

In the interest of comedy:
Donny’s Irish.

He should be used to a man from London showing up and acting like he owns the place.

What?

Too soon?

Regards,

Robert A