My MT lesson last night was interesting, to say the least. It snowed yet again, and the roads were terrible. There were slideoffs, traffic jams, you name it.
Two people showed up for my advanced MT class. Usually we have 10 or 12. Eventually, later in the class, a third and fourth showed up. But until then, one other guy and myself had what was basically a private lesson with the instructor.
We are right now on a block of curriculum dealing with elbows.
The guy I was paired up with last night is on my gym's fight team - he does MMA. He gave me a lot of compliments on my form with my elbows and so did the instructor - they both noted that my footwork is better too, and I told them that I have been practicing it for a half hour a day at home in front of a mirror.
The instructor even said to me last night that "age is just a number, Dan". I am by far the oldest guy in the advanced classes - I would guestimate by about 12 years.
The guy I was paired up with asked me how old I was - I told him to guess. He said 30. Heh. He had a pretty shell-shocked look when I told him I am pushing 40. He is 25 and in the prime of his fighting career.
This is the second time in a couple of weeks that this has happened. Another guy randomly asked me how old I was and I went through the same routine - he guessed that I was 29!
I have a hunch that the instructor may be using me to motivate his fight team. Every class I give 150%, and lay it ALL on the line. At times others mail it in or don't give their all. It is just a hunch, but whatever. I love the compliments.
I took a look at my arms this morning and they are a wreck from all of the elbow work the past several weeks - bruises, cuts, scrapes and all the rest. But I love it. They will heal quickly as they always do.
Next up is pad holding certification. We have an intense six week course of learning all different ways to feed a fighter. As with anything, there is a right and wrong way to do this. I will be doing that at the same time as my regular lessons. It will be a busy March/April.
After that I will be a member of the fight team and be labeled an "assistant coach". Basically I will be memorizing pad holding drills for the fight team members. I can't really get into the ring at this age, but I can certainly live vicariously through my teammates and help them get into the best shape possible. My intent is to be the BEST training partner in the whole gym - I want to be the guy who people call to train with. I think it will be a great source of pride to see guys fight who I have helped train.
I am so thankful for my gym, the instructor and all of the friends I have made there. Muay Thai has really taken my level of physical fitness to a whole new dimension. Man I feel so bad for Nopstar, hope he turns the corner soon.
2 comments:
I thought of you and your MT training recently.
I was at the gym and had done a heavy leg day and wanted to finish off with plyometric box jumps ( steel frame cube). So I was pushing the speed and reps and obviously got tired or a little lazy and I mistimed it and smashed the living hell out of my shin on the edge of the platform.
As I was writhing in pain, I thought to myself " Gee...Dan from Madison would call this training !"
Zen! Welcome. Ouch, that sounds like a b1tch. But yes, there isn't a day that goes by that I have some sort of bruise, cut or other sort of swelling somewhere. My elbows are a pretty ghastly sight right now after a couple of weeks of hitting pads with them. But like you said, I love it, and it is training.
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