Today I felt the weight of a lot of things that have pecked away at me for many years. I have never had a training camp last as long or be as intense as the one I am currently experiencing. The countless shark tank drills, rounds of hard sparring, and restricted diet I have been on for the last 8 weeks have left me physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. I am not surprised that I am often sore, tired, and short tempered (all of which are normal at this stage). However, between unexpected parking tickets, cauliflower ear, a filthy kitchen, and overall undesirable living conditions, this week has been especially draining. Something I had not planned on.           

Monday night after training I was happily surprised by my twin brother Brad (aka BUBS or ZOLA), we have been through a lot together in our 24 years on this planet, and although his visit was brief, it was much needed. He had stopped by to pick up my older brother Alan and roommate Clarkey, who have been letting me crash at their place for this training camp. He stayed the night and they all left the next afternoon for their annual week long fishing trip in Wawa, a small mining community up north. 

Me (left) and ZOLA (right), the bigger, stronger, crazier portion of the gene pool.

The writing on the back of ZOLA'S hat is pretty representative of my current situation. "Can't Stop"

This week was the 2nd last week of hardcore training before my fight, and the tempo was pushed to the point of almost being over trained. I am usually a very considerate, kind, and accommodating person. A lot of these characteristics change, or, can be changed relatively quickly during an intense camp when there are disruptions in my every day routine.

Over the past 8 weeks I have become accustomed to a very structured schedule and being in a clean living space with minor disruptions. I purposely chose to live with my brother so that I would be surrounded by people I am close to, people who know what may or may not make me 'tick' at a sensitive time like this. Looking back on it, I really feel that the high of seeing Brad, followed by the low of Alan and Clarkey leaving and having to endure the intensity of training alone led to my break down this morning in my brothers room. Every part of my being was telling me to run, to grab what little belongings I have and hit the road. Alan calmed me down and reassured me that it was time for a day off and treat myself.

One thing I have learned about myself is that I hate taking days off. Although my body and soul were screaming for a day of rest and relaxation (from training and diet), I still couldn't fathom the idea of treating myself without working for it. I knew I had put in more than enough work throughout the week to take the day off completely, but deep down I knew it wouldn't feel right. Winners aren't made in the ring in front of the fans and cameras, they are made in the gym, on the track, and when everyone else is willing to take a day off and they push out one more sprint, one more minute, one more mile.
    
Al and I went to the coin laundromat on Baldwin to drop off my training gear, it had started to smell pretty badly.

Then it was off to the track to do my sprints. I ended up doing 6 sprints from endzone to endzone with a 30 second rest, followed by 2 sprints with 15 seconds rest.

More sprinting.

After the sprints it was time for elevated push ups.

Lunging Knees. More for conditioning than technique.

Garbage can jumps.

Then on to the chin ups. I like doing them on the goal posts because its more like a wrist, works a good grip for grappling.

Follwed by hanging sit ups. Again, good for core and keeping a tight guard.

Then a little snooze before going back to switch the laundry and get some food.

I decided on Taco Bell - I got a Supreme Bean Burrito, this way I can keep my vegetarian diet and still enjoy 'junk' food.

And the final treat before the 26th was a Reese Peanut Butter Cup Sundae from Baskin Robins.

So... that is what my day of rest and last cheat meal look like, hopefully you can imagine how much more intense my training throughout the week is. Maybe I will ask someone to take some pictures in the gym if any of you would be interested in that. I doubt I will let myself completely relax again until after I earn my # 1 contender spot on the 26th.