Hey, guys. So, I had a bit of a confidence-shaking moment today. And, as with most things about fighting that force introspection I like to talk it out with the bullies.
In September I made my amateur MMA debut. I did it because I had something to prove to myself and I always kind of felt left out that everyone I trained with got to compete and I didn't.
I don't have any illusions about turning pro and thought it would be a one and done. But, I had a grand old time in the whole process and thought I might do it again. Then in October I herniated a disk in my cervical spine pretty badly.
Four months, a good orthopedist, and a lot of physical therapy later, and I'm finally feeling well enough to spar. Actually, this week I felt great. A lot of experienced fighters happened to come back and things fell into place pretty nicely. And, I'm thinking that some time in the next year or two I definitely want to fight again.
Tonight I was sparring and, again, felt great. Of course I hadn't been sparring or even working terribly hard for four months while I was on the mend so my timing was terribly off and I got tired faster than I should have, but I was sparring like I'd never been hurt. My concerns were about form and footwork and closing distance and never about taking it easy on this or not getting hit there.
Then I take a stiff punch that snaps my head back. Not a knockout blow or even one that would do serious damage. Just a little "hello, you've been hit" punch. I had taken three or four of them during that set of rounds and worse earlier in the evening. But this hit jarred my neck in just such a way that my left arm went completely numb for about 30 seconds.
Now, as I'm proud as hell so as soon as feeling returned I jumped back in. But, all I could think of once class was over is "I can't have that **** happen in a fight." So, now I'm starting to get a little panicky on the idea of getting back into the cage.
Am I just overreacting or what?
In September I made my amateur MMA debut. I did it because I had something to prove to myself and I always kind of felt left out that everyone I trained with got to compete and I didn't.
I don't have any illusions about turning pro and thought it would be a one and done. But, I had a grand old time in the whole process and thought I might do it again. Then in October I herniated a disk in my cervical spine pretty badly.
Four months, a good orthopedist, and a lot of physical therapy later, and I'm finally feeling well enough to spar. Actually, this week I felt great. A lot of experienced fighters happened to come back and things fell into place pretty nicely. And, I'm thinking that some time in the next year or two I definitely want to fight again.
Tonight I was sparring and, again, felt great. Of course I hadn't been sparring or even working terribly hard for four months while I was on the mend so my timing was terribly off and I got tired faster than I should have, but I was sparring like I'd never been hurt. My concerns were about form and footwork and closing distance and never about taking it easy on this or not getting hit there.
Then I take a stiff punch that snaps my head back. Not a knockout blow or even one that would do serious damage. Just a little "hello, you've been hit" punch. I had taken three or four of them during that set of rounds and worse earlier in the evening. But this hit jarred my neck in just such a way that my left arm went completely numb for about 30 seconds.
Now, as I'm proud as hell so as soon as feeling returned I jumped back in. But, all I could think of once class was over is "I can't have that **** happen in a fight." So, now I'm starting to get a little panicky on the idea of getting back into the cage.
Am I just overreacting or what?