So after announcing my unretirement last week, I have begun training again. Now I have owned a gym and a karate studio since November of 2023 and we opend our doors in Feburary of 24. So its not exactly like I am going from coach to competition. I have been training pretty solidly since we opened.
But as per usual I always want more. As a coach and as a man I strive for relevance, I think I always have. I want to be important not just to my family but I want to die feeling like I made a difference. And so I gain accolades and prestige the only way I really know how, and that is by winning martial arts tournaments.
Now I am not under any cimcumstances a great fighter. Most of my titles come from Kata competition. which is a fancy way of saying I am a dancer. But I plan on winning some sparring divisions as well.
But training is going pretty well I feel. I consistently hit my workout goals. In fact I could probably increase the intensity and duration. I havent felt like this since I was 20. And being an older athlete we all know what I am talking about when I say I feel good. Not just that the workouts make me feel like a million bucks, but I can feel the return to my old self. I can see that young man in the mirror again. And he doesnt seem so far ahead of me any more. I feel like I can catch and even surpass him!
Training consisits of a lot of skill work, practicing my katas, running, running drills, a lot of zone 2 cardio and of course strength training. Strength training is something that I feel a lot of martial artisits lack. I mean if you really want to be the best you need to train everything! But my favorite way to train right now is to run sparring drills. It is the most fun for me at the moment. I usually run 15-17 rounds at 2 and half minutes with a 30 second break. I don't really spar unless there are folks in my 7 pm class which is pretty consistent these days.
I do wish I had a fighter that could push me. I really miss my old sparring partner Manny. But our lives have led us down different paths. But from what I have read sparring is becoming a thing of the past. Good fighters are increasing their longevity in the ring with skill training versus sparring.
And so I will continue to strive for excellence. I will continue to try and inspire others to do the same. And I will compete and leave it all on the mat and in the end I will hope that my legacy of good sportmanship positivity and a relentless persuit of discipline is something others can come to admire and emulate.
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