Even when I am over trained, injured, not performing to my full potential, or completely alienated from those closest to me, I have a hard time staying out of the gym. I was back at the club training Tuesday night after enduring a two and a half round war the previous Saturday. I couldn't imagine taking time off to relax, especially after a loss. There was too much work to be done, and I am a stubborn man.

The intensity was a little less than what I had endured during my training camp, and I was excited to start filling in the holes in my game. My leg was still causing me a little discomfort but I decided that I could train through it and neglected to mention anything to my trainers. Alin noticed a growth the size of a golfball beside my knee and sent me home. I was told not to come back for a week.

I could no longer ignore the fact that my leg had not gotten any better and booked an appointment with a sports medicine doctor in Kingston. This gave me a chance to rest, visit with my family, and catch up with number of friends I had lost contact with throughout the years.

Al and I arrived in Kingston early Thursday morning. I couldn't picture my leg getting any worse and dropped by Gladiator MMA that night to train (a local gym with a lot of talent and no egos), I recommend it to anyone in the Kingston area.

Doctor examining my leg.

I had an ultra sound booked for the following morning. After being examined by a number of knee experts it was determined that I had done no serious damage to any muscle, connective tissue, or ligaments in my knee (most of the damage in my leg was due to the fact that a large hematoma had burst and drained down my leg). I was told to take a few days off and that I could be back in the gym training full boar the following week.

Al and I traveled to Belleville, a small city just outside of Kingston to visit our brother Brad (BUBS). Bubs bought a house a few months ago and needed help with some renovations. We spent the weekend helping him put new floors in his place and playing X-BOX. Brad has always been there for me, I am pretty sure he has helped me in every way imaginable, he has employed me, lent me money, given me advice, and generally been a shoulder to lean on throughout my life. He also has the last words before I enter the ring, he truly is his "brothers keeper", words tattooed on all of our backs.

Al and Brad getting down to business.

Almost finished.

For the first time in months my mind was completely off training, I was overcome with an undeniable calm. I spent the rest of the weekend elevating my knee, eating junk food, enjoying the company of my family, friends, and local Kingston bars. It was a much needed break.

Brad also destroyed me in 21. I cant compete with that form.

The drive home really put things in perspective. With the long weekend coming to an end and the highway being backed up with traffic for as far as the eye could see, Al and I decided to make an adventure of this situation. We made an effort to explore back roads and rest stops we would normally pass without thinking twice, something I have not done in a long time.

Traffic.

Throughout my life I have never worn a watch, I feel that watches are distracting devices that are responsible for a lot of unnecessary stress. I enjoy getting lost in genuine moments and experiences without time restraints or deadlines. I strongly believe that this was part of the reason I had such a hard time in University. I like to do things on my own time. I am not cut out for the "real world", nor do I feel the need to be.

We stopped at the big apple. They forgot to mention JYD crossing.

My 140lbs frame supporting the Big Apple.

We took a detour along the water and stopped to do some exploring by the waters edge. The scenery was beautiful, it was as if this area had not been visited by anyone else before us. Then it caught my eye, a pale, rusted, algae covered lawn chair that someone had left behind. I was just about to voice my complaint to Al when something else caught my eye, three "smiley" faces made from stones on a remote section of the beach.

The culprit.

The cure.

I respect whoever created that strange balance between nature and humanity, a way of saying "we were here" without defacing or ruining a natural beauty. I never thought "smiley" faces could be so captivating. Amazing.

The break was much needed and I feel completelty re-energized and ready to get back to the grind. I am fighting September 13th in XMMA, and organization based out of Montreal, my hometown. I look forward to fighting in a bigger venue in front of my childhood friends and family.

There have been a lot of questions and comments regarding my 'entrance' music. It is Con Te Partiro by Andrea Bocelli, a moving song with a lot of meaning and importance to me. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXW30OwNzrM

Until next time.