“This Wednesday was by far the most stressful day I’ve had in memory, but I felt I ticked the boxes and thought it a success. A lot of stuff went wrong; at home, at work and for my daughter, but I sorted it all out.
I went home, showered and changed and then spent some time, just relaxing talking to my housemate.
I then went to bed and fell into a half sleep.
Only to be awoken by thoughts racing through my mind and my heart accelerating at an amazing pace. I had what now appears to be an anxiety attack;
which is not cool really.
I did not enjoy it.”
There are days like that for everyone. Try to use a few standard phrases like : Am I being shot at? or dying of cancer? Am I going blind in the middle of a firefight? Is my ex-wife taking me back to court? :))) Think of something truely off the wall, it will give you a “mental break” and put things into perspective.
On a serious note, you train and work hard,that is clear from reading your log ,if you need to seek advise, dont let your ego stand in your way. True anxiety attacks are nothing to fuck around with.
[quote]idaho wrote:
There are days like that for everyone. Try to use a few standard phrases like : Am I being shot at? or dying of cancer? Am I going blind in the middle of a firefight? Is my ex-wife taking me back to court? :))) Think of something truely off the wall, it will give you a “mental break” and put things into perspective.
On a serious note, you train and work hard,that is clear from reading your log ,if you need to seek advise, dont let your ego stand in your way. True anxiety attacks are nothing to fuck around with.[/quote]
You would have imagined if anything I should’ve been feeling good that I dealt with things.
It was remarkable; obviously it wasn’t pleasant, but it was astounding that the mind could manifest such a powerful physical experience.
I spoke to my girlfriend about it and she pointed out that I have additional workload and have cut the nutrition dramatically. I’m sure this couldn’t have helped cortisol levels.
Anyhow, thank you for the advice Idaho. I don’t know if you were speaking from experience, but thanks (y)
[quote]idaho wrote:
There are days like that for everyone. Try to use a few standard phrases like : Am I being shot at? or dying of cancer? Am I going blind in the middle of a firefight? Is my ex-wife taking me back to court? :))) Think of something truely off the wall, it will give you a “mental break” and put things into perspective.
On a serious note, you train and work hard,that is clear from reading your log ,if you need to seek advise, dont let your ego stand in your way. True anxiety attacks are nothing to fuck around with.[/quote]
You would have imagined if anything I should’ve been feeling good that I dealt with things.
It was remarkable; obviously it wasn’t pleasant, but it was astounding that the mind could manifest such a powerful physical experience.
I spoke to my girlfriend about it and she pointed out that I have additional workload and have cut the nutrition dramatically. I’m sure this couldn’t have helped cortisol levels.
Anyhow, thank you for the advice Idaho. I don’t know if you were speaking from experience, but thanks (y)[/quote]
Shit man, sorry to hear this. Not got much advice other than to echo Idaho, and say don’t hesitate to talk to someone about it if you need to - even if it’s just a true friend. I don’t need to tell you this, but don’t be afraid to scale back on the commitments either. I’m up to my ears in it with work and stress at the moment, and I’ve not had any choice but to be out of the gym for a while. Honestly, as much as I love it all, it’s been a massive relief, and has given me the breathing space to focus on the bare essentials. You’re juggling a pretty serious training schedule there, on top of a lot of outside commitments. Even strong men can only do so much.
[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
Shit man, sorry to hear this. Not got much advice other than to echo Idaho, and say don’t hesitate to talk to someone about it if you need to - even if it’s just a true friend. I don’t need to tell you this, but don’t be afraid to scale back on the commitments either. I’m up to my ears in it with work and stress at the moment, and I’ve not had any choice but to be out of the gym for a while. Honestly, as much as I love it all, it’s been a massive relief, and has given me the breathing space to focus on the bare essentials. You’re juggling a pretty serious training schedule there, on top of a lot of outside commitments. Even strong men can only do so much. [/quote]
Thanks for the words London.
Yeah, I understand what you mean about breathing space.
Boxing can be an ungrateful companion; it doesn’t always give back what you put in.
London, you’re in one of the oldest capitals of the sport.
You know Boxing; its not really a sport; Its a lifestyle and you can’t really do it for recreation.
Physically you will get roughed up and psychologically it can make you a victim or a hero; hyperion to a satyr in 3 minutes or less.
Its unfortunate that its impossible to make a living in Ireland from this sport at this given time. The promoters are completely inactive outside of the North.
I would love to do it full time again.
[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
Shit man, sorry to hear this. Not got much advice other than to echo Idaho, and say don’t hesitate to talk to someone about it if you need to - even if it’s just a true friend. I don’t need to tell you this, but don’t be afraid to scale back on the commitments either. I’m up to my ears in it with work and stress at the moment, and I’ve not had any choice but to be out of the gym for a while. Honestly, as much as I love it all, it’s been a massive relief, and has given me the breathing space to focus on the bare essentials. You’re juggling a pretty serious training schedule there, on top of a lot of outside commitments. Even strong men can only do so much. [/quote]
Thanks for the words London.
Yeah, I understand what you mean about breathing space.
Boxing can be an ungrateful companion; it doesn’t always give back what you put in.
London, you’re in one of the oldest capitals of the sport.
You know Boxing; its not really a sport; Its a lifestyle and you can’t really do it for recreation.
Physically you will get roughed up and psychologically it can make you a victim or a hero; hyperion to a satyr in 3 minutes or less.
Its unfortunate that its impossible to make a living in Ireland from this sport at this given time. The promoters are completely inactive outside of the North.
I would love to do it full time again. [/quote]
No, there are times where it feels like it could take everything, and still ask for more. The highs are like nothing else, and a fighter’s pride is hard to fathom for an outsider. It also happens that the lows are as gut wrenching as anything you could experience. The bad side of boxing is bad enough to make a good man hide his eyes and pretend he saw nothing.
It’s a crying shame that the situation in the south of Ireland is as bad as it is for boxers - although you only have to look at a lad like Rendal Munroe to see that even the top level guys can have a hard graft outside the limelight.
[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
No, there are times where it feels like it could take everything, and still ask for more. The highs are like nothing else, and a fighter’s pride is hard to fathom for an outsider. It also happens that the lows are as gut wrenching as anything you could experience. The bad side of boxing is bad enough to make a good man hide his eyes and pretend he saw nothing.
It’s a crying shame that the situation in the south of Ireland is as bad as it is for boxers - although you only have to look at a lad like Rendal Munroe to see that even the top level guys can have a hard graft outside the limelight.
[/quote]
Thats the truth.
Ah- I have my own opinions too. I think there’s an unnecessary rivalry between managers/promoters here. Perhaps they can follow the example of Hatton/McGuigan/Maloney and Warren and cooperate a bit more.
Regardless. I’ll just try stay in shape and hope another opportunity comes.
Ye it’s disgraceful. I’ve seen a lot of talented lads struggling to get the fights they need to move forwards, almost always due to politics and bullshit rather than lack of suitable opponents. It’s the sad side of our sport, in the pros at least, that good guys with real class get lost in the ether.
July you’re here at least. Sit down, make yourself comfortable… because I am going to kick your ass!
Arm/wrist/hand is feeling good, I’ve seriously upped the intake of fish oils and have enjoyed the benefits already.
Also hitting the gym pretty hard again, so here’s a glimpse of this morning. Strength only.
Mobility;
Overhead broom handle Squats 3x10s
Broom handle shoulder dislocates 3x10s (very happy; have come a long way here.)
Side Lunges 3x10 each side (in honesty, I found myself tight which was highly unusual.)
Box Squat
dropped these to sets of 3s and worked up to 100kg for 5 working sets.
Not a bad start it would seem, but I will be a sore and sorry boy tomorrow.
Military Press
Haven’t overhead pressed much ever, but felt comfortable in position and definitely can do more work to add strength.
Reverse Bench Row
5 sets of 10s. This row is certainly one of my favourites as the ROM makes me feel I’m actively repairing any boxing related maladies.
Nice brief session and happier for it.
July- lets send this fucker home haha
Let this slip, so time for a well overdue catch up.
Mixing up training unti9l I get a call, so had a great blend last night. (It was actually the hottest day of the year here, but enjoyed it.)
Finished work at 5.30 and scoffed a bowl of cereal and nuts, a banana and a pear.
I knew I’d need the carbs!
6.30pm Muay Thai
I visited the local gym and was pleasentlky surprised to see a few familiar faces.
10 minute aerobic warmup just getting ther juices flowing.
Then 3 x 2s padwork, just warming up.
Punches, knees, kicks.
Switched over after to hold for 3 x 2s.
Next was shadow boxing and 3 x 2’s.
I was lucky enough for the coach (a guy with some serious game) to come over and go through some of the finer points of the knees and elbows with me.
On to 3 x 2s bags. I found it all to easy to slip into letting ripo with the hands, but got plenty done withy the legs too. I was pleasently surprised withy the muscle memory too. I can kick stuff!
3 x 3s pads; I really like the way the coach had us perform “reps” one combination repeats. this allowed the analysis and correction of each students technique. Brilliant. Then returned the favour holding for 3 x 3s.
Hopped in the ring then for sparring. Just moved around for 2 x 5s. Stance and footwork had to be altered, but I felt the boss, so was delighted.
As everyone cooled down, the coach grabbed me for some pads on my kicking- My legs are sl;ow, but good flexibility and ok technique; excited to be back working them.
8.30pm - Boxing
Went straight back to my natural habitat and into a sweltering 32 degree celsius gym.
6 x 3s sparring with a gymmate.
I had some areas that I wasnt thrilled about and I definitely must work on escalating the pace, but I really enjoyed this sparring.
Time to lean out now and add to the conditioning. May return to sample some jitz tomorrow.
19.07.13
Been back home and traioning there a lot. Highlights including a LOT of running, swimming and weights with my brother.
Had a nice amount of sparring too- real technical stuff, so I feel really positive at the minute.
Have added a lot of muscle mass in recent weeks and all my joints feel healthier as a result (though I extended my elbow a little too much last evening.)
Timr to trim down now and hopefully grab a fight as soon as I can!
NOTE; Once again felt some tightness in my groin. This would not be usual, so looking forward to training PM and performing a little
Plyos;
Box Jumps (Lo) Maybe 20 inches? - nice fast and landing controlled
5 5 5 5
Med ball woodchop
10s 10s 10s
Reflex Jumps
4 4 4 4
Strength
Squat
5 x 3s working sets. Didn’t load to high and concentrated on posture. Very pleased.
Military Press
4 x 8 working sets. Lifting light, but trying to keep technique right. Will keep the reps where they are and add weight next session.
Rev. Bench Row
4 x 10s. Added nice weight here and felt terrific release of tension.
Had been using the bar quite low in reloation to the chest, but finding a much nicer feeling in the traps when going a little higher- much less pull from the arms here.
Took off then on the reclined back. Great cooldown/sweat.
off to work now with more energy than I have most days. Have my food cooked for the day too, so stress free.
Cleared my desk at work too and the pressure is majorly off; sleep has been much better as a result
Falling seriously behind on this; back to 2 a days and work has me busier than usual. This has proven to be a positive thing thus far with much improved sleep.
The evenings session was simple.
Warmed up all joinmts and muscles
2 x 3s on the bags.
6 x 3s sparring.
I was really enthused by this sparring. My partner was a good amateur here at home- quite a few kilos heavier, but I just used the head and made it a ni ce easy spar for myself. Defintely felt my strength gains too. Very Happy.
Food’s have been good now for some time and can feel myself leaning out slowly. This suits me as the focus remains developing my strength and athleticism in the gym to supplement my boxing.
A nice warmup on the Arc trainer loosened out the hips, which were relatively intact after the previous days squatting.
I then proceeded to ten mins foam rolling, kneading out any knots in my Quads, back, Groin, ITBs and calves. The ITBs were sensitive, but all relatively ok. Too much of a coward to roll the glutes with a hard med ball.
Core Circuit; 3 rotations of this circuit.
Renegade Row 10 each side with 10kg.
Russian Twist 20/20 with 10kg plate & feet elevated.
Elevated Side planks 30s/30s also weighted with 5 kg
Captains Chair 10
Ball Hypers 12
NOTE; I wasn’t happy with a few areas of this and there will be changes. I added reps of traditional crunches later to compensate. Im not a fan of flexion, but for taking abuse to the body you need to put in work.
Standing Calf Raise 4 x 6s; heavy as possible
Tricep Pushdown 4 x 10s; 60kg and loading each time
NOTE; This was a substitute for dips as the dips resulted in a pinch in the shoulder.
Face Pulls 4 x 10s
Cooldown.
Quite a mediocre session, but had real eureka moments with the calve raises and face pulls.
Felt the exact senssations I required in each set and hope that these will add toward long term injury prevention.
Back in the gym for 6.00pm and after a long days work I might have been lacking energy.
Food has been pretty severe too, so I’ll have to check this out.
Had the pleasure of training alongside one of my coaches. He was an international amateur and very competitive on the European scene, so it was high paced.
Warmup; just all joints and muscles.
3 x 3s bagwork
3 x 3s padwork
3 x 3s bagwork
3 x 3s shadowboxing
Lacking some explosiveness, but got through it handily enough!
Bit of a struggle to get out of bed yesterday morning- the nervous system had taken a bit of a pounding, but evantually hauled myself out of bed and got my gear together. in the gym for 7am.
Mobility;
Leg Swings
Hump n’ Hollows
Shoulder dislocates
Power Snatch 6 x 2’s
NOTE; once I warmed up with some light sets these really began to flow and although I was taking plenty rest I felt great.
Strength;
Benchpress 5 x 6’s @ 80kg
NOTE: I usually keep BP in the lower Rep ranges to avoid hypertrophy, but withy no confirmed competition I allowed myself out to 6’s.
They were meant to be heavy 6’s, but this was all I could manage today!
Chinups; 6 x 6s b/w
Seated Row 4 x 10s
Great ROM through the scaps; felt like heaven
Cooled down and was left more energetic than when I went in. Good day.
Unfortunately, work and life got in the way and I missed my evening boxing session.
I was not amused at all.
Now this morning was a struggle. Went to the cinema the night before with some of the lads from work and saw The worlds end with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Real schoolboy comedy- exactly what I needed after a tough day. The cornetto trilogy will live long in my dvd collection when it is released,
More relevantly the cinema meant a late night by my standards; 23.54 in bed.
Anytime I visit home my parents make fun of me- even when I was a teen I liked early nights, so I knew there would be a knock on effect, but wasn’t prepared for the result.
At 5.50 I woke up as normal, but started whining and procrastinating. I turned over and set my alarm for 7.30- so I would wake for work! I tried to nod off, but started giving myself a hard time, chastising myself for my lack of discipline… to the point that at 6.10 I shuffled out the door f’ing and swearing revenge on everyone I’d encounter for the day.
aaaaaaaanyway…
5 minutes stationery bike.
10 mins foam rolling, mostly legs.
Core Circuit;
Alternating leg ball planks 10 10 10
Landmines 10 10 10
Side Plank 30/30 30/30 30/30
Cable crunch 12 12 12
Back Extension 10 10 10
Preacher Curls 4 x 10s ; increasing weight
NOTE; when boxing I occasionally hyper extend the elbow when I get reckless. This relieves all pain; because the bicep acts deccelerator to the motion of a punch I reckon.
Seated Calf Raises. 4 x 10s
Lateral Raises ; 4 x 12s
NOTE; haven’t had any pain since the Tricep dips tuesday, but I’ll keep blood flowing through the area in case.
At 6pm arrived to a spruced up gym - new ring ropes, new canvas, new bags, floor to ceilings, wall mounted punch pads… heaps of stuff. Looks to me like a big season planned for the ams.
This meant the return of the A squad to the gym too. It was cool to see them arriving back after their 4 weeks off and most of them in good shape too. I reckon the more time we spend in the gym now when its a pressure oven the easier training will be throughout the winter.
Warmup; Coachews just ordered a DIY warmup - whatever we needed ourselves to get ready.
I just rocked through a usual little mobility circuit.
12 x 3s
I alternated 3 bags, 3 shadowboxing all the way through.
Honestly because of the guys back in the gym I got through these easier and at a much higher intensity than I did the 10 tuesday.
Technique wasn’t too bad, front hand might be straying a little low, but not severely.
The little refreshers to my stance a few weeks back seem to have given me back a bit of fluidity, but I can always improve on this.
One area I ned to work on is my head movement -
Always my strong point I need to counter immediately after I defend this way.
Additionally, I need to remove my big block of a head from the area after I land a combination.
I have a feeling this might be a lesson I need to learn the hard way!
Ok once again I had a late night. Its not ideal, but I said I wouldnt neglect my friends again until I’ve a fight date.
It wasn’t exactly damaging- kicking back at the girls house, talking and the strongest thing I drink is tea so I should be ok.
Woke up this morning far easier than the previous morning.
I have been watching the nutrition closely, but this morning I was unsure… A big deadlift session… if I eat to heavy I’ll be sick… to light I’ll be faint…
So I tried an experiment. 3 generous spoons of peanut butter… I’m not looking into the macros or the science of this. I just wanted to feel good for this session! In the door to kick of at 7am.
Mobilitty;
Toe Touch Squat 10, 10
Humpn’Hollow 10, 10
Lunges 10, 10
NOTE: Really happy with the mobility here. Hips feel better than Monday and the back is arching very well. Happy.
Strength;
Deadlift Warmups 2 x 3s, Loading3 x3 s, Working 5 x 3s
NOTE; This is my best lift, so the one I push hardest on. I was very happy with my form and pulled 150 for 3s for the working sets.
Satisfied with that. Technique beats brute force - fact.
DB bench press
5 x 8s with 25kg Dumbells.
NOTE; I am a girl when it comes to pressing. Why, Like why?!
Hex Bar Rows
4 x 8s
I only loaded these to 50 kg.
I wasn’t satisfied that I was getting enough of a pull in the mid back, it was mostly a lateral feeling. We’ll see if I have a good ache in the morning.
At 6pm arrived to a spruced up gym - new ring ropes, new canvas, new bags, floor to ceilings, wall mounted punch pads… heaps of stuff. Looks to me like a big season planned for the ams.
This meant the return of the A squad to the gym too. It was cool to see them arriving back after their 4 weeks off and most of them in good shape too. I reckon the more time we spend in the gym now when its a pressure oven the easier training will be throughout the winter.
Warmup; Coachews just ordered a DIY warmup - whatever we needed ourselves to get ready.
I just rocked through a usual little mobility circuit.
12 x 3s
I alternated 3 bags, 3 shadowboxing all the way through.
Honestly because of the guys back in the gym I got through these easier and at a much higher intensity than I did the 10 tuesday.
Technique wasn’t too bad, front hand might be straying a little low, but not severely.
The little refreshers to my stance a few weeks back seem to have given me back a bit of fluidity, but I can always improve on this.
One area I ned to work on is my head movement -
Always my strong point I need to counter immediately after I defend this way.
Additionally, I need to remove my big block of a head from the area after I land a combination.
I have a feeling this might be a lesson I need to learn the hard way!
Very nice. New kit and investment can be a real motivation for a young fighter, so it’s great to hear that your gym’s done it. I’m sure you guys will have a good season on the back of it.
[quote]LondonBoxer123 wrote:
Very nice. New kit and investment can be a real motivation for a young fighter, so it’s great to hear that your gym’s done it. I’m sure you guys will have a good season on the back of it. [/quote]
Heya London.
Yeah, it loooks the business and I just know when the kids come back they’ll be a bit envigorated.
The new ropes are a bit too clean for my liking, but the bags and all will be good.
We had one 17 year; just text me, crazy to get back to the gym.
What a great sign.
