Adaptation

So, I went for my regular training at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts today. Did an hour of Muay Thai and an hour of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I've noticed that when you get tired in a fight or during pad and bagwork, it's not the same as tiring out during a run or any other cardio activity for that matter. When runners tire out they call it "hitting the wall". So they've got to grind and push through it to complete the race. I've done some running before and hitting the wall is a terrible feeling where you just want to stop and go home. In martial arts however, it's quite different. Especially in a real fight where backing out is not usually an option. When you get tired out on the heavy bag or the pads, your chest gets tighter and tighter and your muscles just seem to burn. Each breath gets harder and less substantial until the timer goes out. It's a feeling that is unique to someone training in martial arts. Runners and other athletes have their name for the physical barrier but for martial arts, I'd like to personally call it "The Swamp". A place where the air is fetid, the water is thick and muddy, making it hard to wade through and the fog is dense. That's the only way I can describe the feeling you get when you're gassed during training because it is very similar to being in such a taxing environment. Cardio has been a problem for me for as long as I can remember and I have been working alot on it recently. Though someone with top notch cardio conditioning definitely has an advantage over someone like me, I am pretty sure that everyone gets tired in a fight at some point but the outcome really depends on who can run at their limit for longer. That is, to survive in the swamp until you find your way out of it. I'm not going to be cliche and post a quote from Bruce Lee and his philosophies on human limitations (although those are truly awesome) but instead, I will give you a little quote from my secondary school track and field coach.

"It's all about adaptation" he said. Whether it's getting the technique of a discus throw right or training to endure a long distance race, the more you practice, the more you adapt to the conditions of the environment (physical or mental) you put yourself in. Human beings are dynamic and we will adapt to survive or even excel in most environments.

Though I didn't exactly agree that we'd be able to survive in most environments (I mean come on it's not like we're going to photosynthesize if we can't find food) his words really do make sense and I think they apply to martial arts as well. The more we practice the more we get used to it and find it less difficult in time. So while I currently find it terribly hard to keep my guard up when I gas my arms on the heavy bag, over time I'm sure I'll be able to survive and push on when I feel the burn. It's all about adaptation.