Day 86: Balancing Fatigue Learning and Discipline

Morning A Strange Return to Routine

Day 86 was a Sunday and also the second day back at school. The return felt strange and slightly disconnected from the usual rhythm. I woke up early, took a cold shower, grabbed some food, and headed out to work. Even though I stayed consistent with most of my routine, I completely forgot to do the breathing exercises. I usually do them on the bus, but this time I skipped them without even realizing it.

The day at work was lighter than usual in terms of teaching hours, which was a relief. I did have supervision duty, but overall it was not an intense workday. Later on, when I finally remembered, I did the breathing exercises late in the day. It was not ideal, but better than skipping them entirely.

With breakfast, I took my Omega 3 along with the D3 K2 vitamins. Once I got home later, I had a very good meal. Despite feeling tired, I could not wait to train. That anticipation kept my energy up.

Afternoon Recovery and Mental Preparation

After eating, I took a well deserved nap. The fatigue from the previous days was still present, especially in my legs. My left knee had been bothering me, and my calves felt tight, but mentally I was eager to get back on the mat.

Once I woke up, it was time to head to training. I arrived on time for the MMA and wrestling session, but the class had not officially started yet. Instead of waiting around, I began warming up on my own. I started running, loosening my body, and gradually building heat until the others arrived.

Training Warm Up and New Faces

The session was initially led by a student. There were many new students, and most of the usual regulars were absent. Many of them had just finished competing in a tournament, so they were resting or busy. The atmosphere felt different, but still positive.

The warm up was intense and thorough. We did jumping jacks, running, jumps, crawls, crab walks, and then full body stretching. We worked on the neck, hands, arms, legs, and hips. It was demanding, especially after the fatigue I was already carrying.

After the warm up, the coach took over. Since there were many new students, the focus was more on fundamentals and controlled movement.

Partner Work Teaching and Learning

We partnered up, and I was paired with a new student. I immediately shifted my mindset toward helping him learn. Teaching is one of the best ways to reinforce your own understanding. He asked me where he could get gloves and a shin guard, so I explained that the gym provides equipment for beginners. Once he geared up, we started slowly.

We worked on very light and simple combinations. Jab jab cross. Jab cross. Small sections of movement. We also practiced stepping back, creating space, then closing the distance and attempting a takedown. Everything was kept controlled and technical.

I focused on guiding him, correcting small details, and keeping the pace manageable. It was his first day ever, so fatigue came quickly, which is completely normal. Despite that, he stayed engaged and tried his best.

Ground Work Pain and Listening to the Body

After the striking work, we removed the equipment and moved into closed guard drills. This is where my left knee started to become a serious issue again. I tried to be gentle and avoid sudden pressure, but even with caution, the pain returned.

I still showed him a few basic movements from Jiu Jitsu that I had learned recently. He was tired, but he kept going with what little power he had left. Unfortunately, during one of the movements, I landed awkwardly again on my left knee. The pain increased, and shortly after that, my right calf cramped up.

At that point, I knew it was time to stop. Both legs were signaling that enough was enough. I rested for about ten minutes and then decided to sit out and observe. Sometimes the smartest decision is knowing when to stop.

The session continued with combinations and more closed guard work. In total, the training lasted around two and a half hours, which is a long session, especially under fatigue.

Recovery and Reflection

After training, I had my whey protein and creatine shake. Before training, I had taken L citrulline as usual. Despite the pain and exhaustion, I was glad I showed up and contributed, especially by helping a new student.

Getting home was tough with how my legs felt, but once I arrived, I took another cold shower. It was freezing, but I endured it. After that, I had a good meal and went straight to sleep.

Day 86 was demanding physically and mentally. It reminded me that progress is not only about pushing harder, but also about respecting limits, helping others, and staying consistent even when conditions are not perfect.

Day 86 Lesson

Today reinforced the importance of balance. Teaching others deepens understanding, but ignoring pain only delays progress. Consistency means showing up, but wisdom means knowing when to step back.

Day 86 complete. The grid continues and recovery now becomes part of the training.

👉 How do you decide when to push through discomfort and when to stop to avoid injury?