MMA sparring
Recently, while MMA sparring, I injured my ribs and was unable to train for nearly six weeks. I went from training 12+ hours a week to training zero hours per week. I have had all kinds of minor injuries that required a week or two off but nothing over a month. I know that in the scheme of things six weeks really is not a long time but try to tell me that while i am unable to train in MMA.
At first i thought that i would get fat and forget how to fight during my six week vacation but i quickly realized that was not going happen. I definitely missed training and MMA sparring but not as much as i first thought i would. The thing that i really missed was the interaction with all the people i train with, both in MMA and other martial arts systems such as Muay Thai kickboxing.
There were 2 important things i learned from this time off the mat and out of MMA sparring. The first is i realized how important my relationships are with my training partners and students. The second is that i need to listen to my body and quit at the first sign that something is not right. If i had taken time off from training and MMA sparring when my rib first started hurting and not continued to train for three more days i would have only been out for two weeks! So learn from my mistake and listen to your body!
Robert Richardson (AKA Bobby Rich)
Elite Training Center
1628 South Pacific Coast Highway,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 543-1600
www.elitetrainingcenter.net
