Day Twelve at the Gym: Wrestling, Fatigue, and the Battle with Stamina

A Lighter Day at Work

Today felt a little lighter compared to the past few days. I woke up early as usual, my body’s already used to it. Despite the hits and kicks from yesterday’s intense kickboxing session, I felt surprisingly okay. My protection gear helped a lot, providing me with the necessary support I needed to go through such a challenging session. I could tell that my body is slowly adapting to the routine of daily training, which inspires me to keep pushing forward.

At school, the workload was manageable, a nice change of pace. The pressure of exam season is still there, but it’s not as overwhelming as it felt last week. There are still revisions, corrections, and deadlines looming ahead before Thursday, but I’m pacing myself better this time around. The good thing about these busy days is that they’re becoming predictable. Busy, yes; but familiar, as my mind learns to navigate through this hectic season with more ease.

After work, I went home, had a healthy meal, and decided to take a much-needed nap. I slept deeply, maybe longer than I should have and as a result, briefly lost track of time. When I woke up, I realized I had missed most of the earlier gym sessions. The only one left for the night was wrestling at 9 p.m. And I knew I couldn’t miss it; the thought of skipping a session gnawed at me. I quickly gathered my things and headed out.

Wrestling at Night

By now, wrestling late at night has become a familiar routine, almost a ritual of sorts. I arrived at the gym around 9 p.m., a little tired but mentally ready. As usual, the warm-up, a crucial part of conditioning, was led by one of the senior students before the coach arrived. We started off with running drills, followed by squats, rolls, stretches, and basic conditioning exercises, which are always essential to prevent injuries and prepare us for what was coming next.

When the coach finally came in, the intensity increased instantly. He added sprawls and knee slides to the warm-up, pushing us harder than usual. I could feel the sweat dripping down my face before we even started the actual wrestling practice. The warm-up alone lasted nearly 40 minutes, and it was brutal, testing my endurance and willpower.

With the workout getting serious, the coach reminded us again that stamina is the key to surviving wrestling, that mastering the double leg takedown is only half the victory, but endurance is what makes you last in the ring. His words resonated deeply with me. Wrestling isn’t just about strength, it’s about breathing right, staying patient, and knowing exactly when to move. This understanding has become critical to my development as a wrestler.

After that, he divided us into pairs for sparring. There were more than twenty of us, so not everyone could start right away, creating a sense of anticipation in the air. I watched a few short matches before stepping in, learning from observing the techniques employed by others.

Four Rounds, Three Opponents

I had four short but intense sparring rounds with three different partners that night. The first match went well. I managed to apply some of the techniques we’ve been drilling over the past few sessions, feeling confident as I executed the moves. The second one pushed me even harder, but I held my ground, determined not to buckle under pressure. The third opponent was tall, strong, and clearly more experienced than I was. He gave me a real challenge, forcing me to think on my feet and adapt.

He caught me off guard with his speed and strength, and despite the training, I stayed composed. I tried to use the sprawl and knee slide more effectively than I had before, but my stamina was fading fast as the rounds went on. I could feel my energy drop near the end of that match, but I refused to give up early, driven by a desire to improve.

Even though I lost that round, I was proud that I stayed in it. I learned a few important things from him that night; how to control the distance between us, when to push aggressively, and when to reset my stance. Sometimes, losing teaches you more than simply winning matches, and this experience was no exception. It deepened my understanding of the sport.

Fatigue Hits Hard

After the sparring rounds, the coach made us continue with more sprawls and jumping drills. I was utterly exhausted. My breathing was heavy, and my body felt like it was shaking. I felt lightheaded, coughed a lot, and honestly thought I might throw up from the sheer effort exerted throughout the session.

Still, I pushed myself to finish about ninety percent of the workout before I had to slow down, knowing that every bit counts towards my progress. The coach kept reminding us, “If you want to be a wrestler, you must love exhaustion.” I understood what he meant; it’s about learning to live with discomfort and pushing through what feels unbearable.

We wrapped up the session around 10:40 p.m. As usual, we ended with seated squats against the wall; a brutal way to finish off the day. My legs were on fire as we completed the final round of squats. When the coach finally said “done,” I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I had made it through another challenging session.

Recovery and Reflection

I left the gym completely drained, but a sense of accomplishment lingered. When I reached home, I took a quick shower, ate something light, and went straight to bed. I could barely keep my eyes open after such an intense workout. My body was aching, but deep down, I felt proud of my efforts and the progress I was making.

Today reminded me that martial arts is not just physical; it’s mental as well. Every day you step on the mat, you make a choice: to improve, to push your limits, and to keep showing up no matter how tired you are. It’s a commitment that extends beyond just the mat; it applies to everything else in life as well.

I know what I need to improve next:

• Better stamina — I need to last longer during sparring to build my endurance effectively.

• More flexibility — especially in my left leg for higher kicks and smoother movement in techniques.

• Better sleep — to recover properly and stay sharp for both training and daily activities.

I can barely do a split now, but I’m getting closer with every practice session. And while my body aches, my spirit feels stronger each day. This lifestyle is not easy, but I know it’s worth every bit of effort, as it shapes not just my physical self but my mental resilience as well.

Day Twelve Lesson

Progress doesn’t always look like a perfect session. Sometimes it’s about fighting through exhaustion, learning from losses, and respecting your limits; recognizing that building strength takes time. Every step, even the setbacks, contributes to growth.

Day Twelve complete. The grind continues and, so does the learning.

👉 How do you balance pushing your limits without burning out completely? In the world of training and beyond, what strategies do you implement to maintain that balance?