Post Thailand: feeling like I'm not training hard enough

[Katie Bani]

This summer I was in Thailand. Trained there for 3.5 weeks and had my 1st fight in Thailand (3rd overall).

Next week I will have my fourth (amateur) fight.

I want to have this fight and I enjoy muay thai. However, ever since I returned, I dont feel as motivated to run and train alone, as I used to be before my trip to Thailand.

I feel like I'm not training hard enough when I train alone or that my cardio is bad. I know that my cardio is not bad but I cant stop comparing it to my cardio in Thailand.

The way I trained in Thailand was different than the way I train in my hometown, so no matter how much I run or kick the bag, it doesnt feel enough work.

 

Has any of you gone through something similar?

Any suggestions on how I could stop comparing my club to the one in Thailand?

 

- My club is small and there are group trainings only 2 times a week.

- I get to do 2 extra pad sessions per week

- People in my club train mainly for fitness, so there are no people to join me when I train alone.

- My coaches are aware that I feel this kind of emptiness and try to motivate me.

- This is the only club in the town

[Kaitlin Rose Young]

YES! I've felt that way, too. Is the gym open and there just aren't group practices? Would you feel comfortable asking a group to get together to practice more often? 

[radarjam]

Oh, I know what you mean! I've felt this way too. Generally I feel alone as I am the only female fighter in the gym, and sadly I don't have any other companion that I can constantly share the motivation with. So that's why I love training in Thailand as I can get the most out of it, and I can also have a fight arranged which is awesome.. :) The lifestyle and training regimen in Thailand is a whole lot different than back at home. 

Perhaps you can your friends/gym-mates that train there, to go out and have a session or so outside of class. Even if they're not as committed to fighting as you are, it doesn't hurt to ask them to practice together if they want. And even if they don't have the time to do so, there are other ways for you to train like going out for a run, doing some strength & conditioning workouts, cross-train, etc. 

Hope this helps, and good luck in your upcoming fight!!!