Workout Recap - Week of April 7, 2024
Sadly less sparring or head-to-head work in the classes this week. Hopefully the last couple of weeks don't end up being an aberration, because I had enjoyed that approach.
Monday
Muay Thai class
This was a head-to-head defense day, after opening with a couple rounds of light sparring. I achieved both of my goals (starting at least three offensive engagements per round with different feints and having my midsection braced against every body shot), so that was a nice start. We followed that by practicing blocking (or eating) and returning various round kicks, with which I had a couple of personal high points. First, I did a couple of round with two of the hardest kickers in the gym today (with both of whom I confirmed that I was fine tanking their kicks after they got surprised the first time that I didn't block intentionally). Second, one of the competitive fighters asked me to go lighter on my mid-level rear round kicks because I was apparently beating the crap out of their arm. Granted that that person is someone who gets criticized often for being afraid of getting hit and is someone who I've hurt in these sorts of drills before with my low kicks, so it wasn't the highest bar to clear, but I think that still speaks well for my potential to hurt an untrained assailant.
Tuesday
Muay Thai class
This was a stamina-grinding padwork burn-out day. That said, it honestly didn't grind my stamina as much as it should've since I was working in a trio, though there was a round where the kru kept calling out punch combos in between sprawls where my general slowness was a hindrance. For some reason, this was also the third time in the last four classes where someone felt compelled to check if I was ok afterwards, which is getting annoying. Maybe it's just a coincidence, maybe it's a sign that I'm putting less effort into faking being social, but whatever the reason may be, I wish it would stop.
Wednesday
Muay Thai class
This class was about defending punches and countering. I partnered with one of the younger competitive fighters who has a reputation for being a bit wild and reckless, so I tried to be ready for anything, but it was really a non-issue. We even had a fun time mixing in some extra defense checks on each other, and this one of the few times where I parried a front kick on reaction instead of my usual response of trying to close the target area with my forearms and ride back the impact. All in all, it was a nice time.
Thursday
Muay Thai class
This was a day for long offensive sequences. In other words, it was high energy, was high effort, and featured lots of chaining multiple power shots between punches and kicks. We did some practice on level-changing as well, so I got to have fun sinking my fist through my partner when they wore the belly pad. I probably enjoy that too much, but it just feels so good to get that clear feedback that I'm hitting with good impact.
