Day 62: Recognition at Work and a Powerful Night of Training

A Tired Start but Still Moving Forward

Day 62 began with some fatigue, especially in my calves after yesterday’s grueling training session, but I still managed to start my day with a brisk cold shower. Even on those weary mornings, the shock of the cold water wakes me up instantly and invigorates my spirit. I got ready, and then headed out to school. On the bus ride, I completed my breathing exercises, which helped me to relax and sharpen my focus for the day ahead. Taking a moment to breathe deeply reset my mind and prepared me for the challenges of the day.

The morning felt pleasantly normal and calm, just a regular teaching schedule unfolding before me. I was prepared for the day while also harboring a bit of anticipation for what was to come.

A Small Victory at School

There was one unexpected piece of news that brought a smile to my face. I found out that a project I worked on with my students caught positive attention from our school administration. It was a simple but creative balloon car made from an ordinary water bottle, powered by air. The school staff was impressed enough that they asked the students to present it again to a bigger audience, this time with more preparation. The joy of seeing something I helped create get recognized truly felt rewarding, a validation of the hard work and creativity we all put into it.

Fortunately, many students were picked up early today, which lightened the usual load. Thursdays are typically the hardest day of my week, filled with back-to-back classes and little time for respite, but this time the remaining students were fewer and more manageable. I organized small competitions for them, which turned out to be delightful and engaging. Surprisingly, the day transformed into one of the most enjoyable teaching days I have experienced in recent times, filled with laughter and learning.

During the day, I also worked on my blog. Sometimes it feels like I am writing only for myself, largely because I never promote it, but that is completely alright. I take great pleasure in documenting my journey as it unfolds, capturing the little victories and challenges I face along the way. It serves as a reminder of my progress and the steps I have taken towards my goals.

When work ultimately ended, I went home, indulged in a refreshing nap, savored a well-earned meal that I had prepared with care, and then took some time to mentally prepare for my evening training.

A Strong Night of Wrestling and MMA

I arrived early for the wrestling and MMA sessions, eager to dive into the training. At first, there were only around six of us, but that initial small group created an intimate atmosphere for practice. We began with a series of conditioning exercises, running, rotating our arms to loosen up, and doing sprawls, rolls, hand walks, crab walks, and knee slides. This was followed by a long, rewarding stretching session. As time passed, more enthusiastic students joined us, each adding to the energy in the room.

The boxing students were training on their own since their coach was still occupied at the tournament. Our wrestling warm-up was initially led by a capable student; however, the coach soon took over, fine-tuning our technique and ensuring we were ready for the rigorous drills ahead. We repeated sprawls, knee slides, shadow boxing, and conducted reaction drills where every time he clapped, we had to drop instantly, a drill that has become second nature to us.

My calves were still sore from the previous intense boxing session, but I pushed through the discomfort with determination. After all, resilience is one of the key lessons I've learned in training.

We partnered up and switched partners frequently, which adds an element of unpredictability to the training. Our first practice focused on movement and light touch reactions, honing our awareness and quickness. Then we geared up with shin guards and gloves to prepare for more intensive drills. One person would throw a punch while the other avoided it and shot for a single leg. We repeated the drill again, but this time we added a full takedown and back control, pushing our skill set further.

After the drills, we moved into sparring. This is where the session really got interesting. I managed to take down several partners close to my own weight class. A few were heavier, while others were lighter, but I held my ground firmly and was thrilled to even make multiple people tap out. However, there was a moment of unexpected pain, I got kneed in the face by accident during a takedown, causing a small cut inside my mouth, but thankfully, it wasn’t anything serious. I continued without stopping, refusing to let it sidetrack me.

We switched partners three or four times, providing new challenges with each round, and then moved to the groundwork techniques. Once again, I managed to control positions well during the matches, securing multiple submissions. Slowly but surely, the technique is beginning to click and make sense in my mind. I even had the opportunity to share some jiu jitsu concepts with other students while we practiced together, further deepening my understanding.

By the end of the groundwork segment, my leg cramped badly, a loud protest from my muscles. I rested for a moment, but the cramp returned during the final leg workout, making it increasingly difficult to continue. The coach noticed my struggle, told me to relax, and suggested I skip the last fifteen or twenty minutes of the session. I tried to do light pushups and crunches but the pain lingered. Still, overall, despite the discomfort, I felt proud of my performance and the progress I had made in my training.

Several students complimented me, saying I look much stronger than I appear. Hearing that after four consecutive days of intense training felt extremely encouraging and boosted my confidence significantly.

Eventually, I left the gym, did some late-night shopping to unwind, grabbed a quick bite to eat, went home for a refreshing cold shower, and ended the night peacefully, reflecting on the day’s events and the lessons learned.

Day Sixty Two Lesson

Day 62 showed me that progress is not just physical. The recognition at work, a sense of accomplishment during sparring, and my ability to push through fatigue all illuminated how far consistency has taken me. Even on tired legs and after difficult sessions, I can still perform, improve, and learn more about myself and my capabilities.

Day 62 complete. A small injury did not stop me. A long teaching week did not deter my efforts. Showing up again and again is slowly, but surely, shaping me into the person I want to be and aspire to become. The grind continues.

👉 Have you ever had a day where everything felt tiring at first but then transformed, unexpectedly, into one of your most productive and fulfilling days?