Peaks and valleys in training

[Code Fu]

Although I deeply love studying kung fu I often find it hard to make myself train. Now I get just as excited as the next guy; after my Sifu shows me some fantastic new technique my enthusiasm for training skyrockets. As everyone is aware its the keeping up that enthusiasm that’s difficult. It’s where the mental aspect of training becomes as hard as the physical.

Normally once I start my practice, once I leap past that first hurdle, my love for the art makes up for any lack of enthusiasm. Once I get past the mental block of ugh-I-don’t-feel-like-practicing-tonight it’s training as usual.

But tonight it was different. I didn’t want to practice, but I did anyway. The strange thing was that my normal rush of kung fu euphoria did not come. The muscle burn did not invigorate, the sweat did not cleanse. Defeated I ended my practice early.

Everyone’s training has ups and downs; I’m not having a crisis of faith, I’m not going to give up after falling from a training peak. But I would like to hear how everyone motivates themselves to train in their valleys.

[Vash]

I use my incredibly large ***** to dig trenches in the valleys. The upturned dirt, I fashion into mountains. The trenches, I push huge boulders (which almost rival my testicles for size) into them, then push them out again. Then, I drop h00j tractor tires in the trenches, and flip them biches out, too.

Want motivation? Here's some: Train your ass off. This whole "training" thing? That's a ****ing privilige. You have time to train, take ad-****in'-vantage of it. Your training not makin' you feel euphoric? Train smarter, train harder. If you have to, just run the bich on autopilot and get the feelin' on the next flight.

Want motivation? Here's some: Take a ****in' year and a half off, watch the skills and physical ability you had so carefully fashioned just fall away and turn to mush, then get back into it. Train smarter, train harder.

If you can think "this isn't as excuberating as it generally is" clearly, you're not analyzing your martial technique enough. If you can say "these deadlifts aren't making me feel like Superman today" then you're not hoisting enough weight and need to stop being such a ***** and put some ****ing plates on the bar. Train smarter, train harder.

I would apologize here for the rudeness of this response, but no apology is warranted. Training is a privilige. Training is an opportunity. If you're not taking advantage of it, if you're getting bored by it, if the simple fact of the training isn't motivation enough to ****ing get off on it, then something is not right, and you need to get smarter to figure out the problem, then utilizing this knowledge, train harder to stamp it out.

Training is a privilige. Training is an opportunity. Live it, love it, find your peace in it.

[KaiKhoon]

Everyone is different, at different times of the day, year, whatever. I havn't had much trouble being motivated lately because I've had a couple buddies to work out with and one that I can practice what I do know of kung fu.

In a different thread, someone mentioned keeping motivational items around where you 'train'. A picture of your favourite martial artist or something of the sort.

Try working out at different times during the day, and try different motivational techniques, you'll find something that will work I'm sure.

[IronFist]

Originally posted by Vash
I use my incredibly large ***** to dig trenches in the valleys.

Vash said "*****." :D

[FngSaiYuk]

Once in a while I lose the motivation to train. I posted a bit ago for recommendations. What worked for me was something simple that I used to do a long time ago when I spent a LOT of time training, but I had forgotten - VIDEOS!

Now if I don't feel all too up & up, I just queue up some of my fave vid clips to get me motivated to go at it at high intensity! I find the euphoria comes after excercising/training at HIGH intensity.

Perhaps you trained, but you did not build up the enthusiasm to up your intensity level? Perhaps your body has gotten used to some of the training and either requires even greater intensity or perhaps an increase in the difficulty?

Try getting yourself pumped up ( for me it's good videos ) and then adding some additional difficult to your training ( perhaps really focus on keeping stances low and perfect, every strike and block a brick breaker, every movement a counter against an opponent, etc.

Oh, also, it often helps to have a motivating partner that is around your level and intent on improving as well.

[Code Fu]

KaiKhoon, FngSaiYuk, thanks for your replies.

I know in weight lifting that you need to completly change your routine every couple of months to shock your body back into growth... but it hadn't occured to me to do the same with my kung fu. It’s so basic, but it never crossed my mind. But then I always find enlightenment in the basics.

This morning (normally I practice at night, so there’s one change) I skipped my qi gong and went straight into kicks, forms, that sort of thing. Also, my Sifu just started me on leopard style, so that was fun as well...

Excellent idea about the videos. I just got Hero on DVD, too. A little Nameless vs. Sky should do the trick...

[Toby]

**** Vash, that was awesome. Maybe the best post ever.

[Vash]

Thanks. Unfortunately, I can't take the credit. I usually get fired up after reading TCs and Chris Shugarts stuff at T-Mag. That is the stuff.

And people who ask for "motivation" make Vash "Smash Puny Humans" angry.

[Code Fu]

I pity you, Vash. Obviously you live with much anger in your heart. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be angered by a post in a forum. Especially by one that wasn’t inflammatory.

Saint Gregory the Great once said, “But to a mind that is drunk with fury every right thing that is said appears wrong.”

How you ever hope to find happiness or enlightenment in such a state is beyond me. In that I wish you luck.

[Vash]

I do not wish for enlightenment. I wish to chop wood and carry water.

[Code Fu]

I do not wish for enlightenment. I wish to chop wood and carry water.
-Vash

So should we all... But an angry mind will be unable to bear the very burdens for which you wish.

Still, it's a nice Wu Li quote...

[Vash]

And yet, I am not too worried. Today, I chopped would and carried water. I did the same yesterday. I will do the same tomorrow.

And every time I see someone ask for "motivation" for training, I'm going to rip them a new one.

[Vash]

As an aside, you may try in the future to distinguish more between anger and violence. My post was indeed angry, but it was written with violence.

[Code Fu]

You’re a funny guy, Vash. Allow me to quote another thread that I enjoyed, Liberate Yourself from Jeet Kune Do (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32379) :


And challenges are discouraged on this forum. Please keep that in mind.
-Vash

But this one is gold:


Discussion is one thing. Bashing is another. This forum isn't for bashing. If you dislike anyone, famous or no, don't just say so and then proceed to make an ass of yourself. All you have to do is state a few reasons why, and then discuss them in a logical, rational, and polite manner.
-Vash

Well, your comments in this thread were almost logical. As for rational and polite... I would be laughing, except that you hijacked a legitimate thread with your hypocrisy.

From this thread:


And yet, I am not too worried
-Vash

Yeah, neither am I. Let me know next time you’ll be at a tournament around Maryland. I'm very anxious to see what you have to teach me.

[Vash]

If you can become threatened to the point of feeling challenged on an internet forum, I seriously feel sorry for you.

As for being rational and nice and stuff: well, I am when the situation calls for it. Some dude feeling all sad 'cuz his training ain't makin' him feel the way it used to, thus affecting his "motivation," is not one of those situations.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get up and train.

[Code Fu]

You might want to check this out (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm) ... your posts are starting to make me wonder. You're either nuts or a hypocrite.

So do you think at all before you post? Maybe all that knee jerking is why you can’t spell…

To paraphrase this thread:

Code Fu: Hey, I’m having an off night. What do you guys do to re-motivate?

Vash: U sux d00d. I should kick ur ass for asking that. Oh, I got a big **** too.

Code Fu: Wow, you have some serious anger issues.

Vash: Not anger, violence! I squash n00bs like j00. Did I mention I have big phallus?

Code Fu: But, eh, didn’t you once post about inappropriate behavior and etiquette on these boards? I have some quotes…

Vash: Hah! I don’t practice what I preach. I can still kick ur ass.

This is a good board, with a lot of learned, experienced users. Behavior like yours, however, can (and did) ruin a potentially fruitful thread.

And for the record, you’re the one who said threat. I just want to learn. One would hope that someone who talks as much trash as you is seriously skilled.

[Vash]

I'm borderline bi-polar with a slight God complex, since you asked.

What I trashed was your need to "re-motivate." I cannot wrap my head around the concept of having an off training session being something to worry about or affecting my motivation.

But, since you asked, here's some helpful information:

==============================================

1) Write down the details of this evenings training; note everything: diet of the day, amount of water consumed, rest periods between performance of different forms/techniques/drills, the temperature of training area, how long you slept the previous night, what you were diong two hours previous to training, type of warmup exercises used (I generally run through all of my systems empty-hand forms, as well as a few weapons, then proceed to light, general stretching, then I go into my technical work), things of that nature.

2) Compare noted conditions to other training days wherein you did not feel "off." Through deductive reasoning, you might be able to see where you went "wrong."

3) Modify whichever influence threw off your training.

4) Train more, train smarter, train harder.

==============================================

Now, you have the tools to accurately record and examine any type of training endeavor: Martial skill, weight training, energy system activities, et al. Don't say I never gave you nothin'.

Now, to quote one of the more intelligent and knowledgeable posters on the forum . . .


[i]Originally posted by Toby
**** Vash, that was awesome. Maybe the best post ever.

You seem to be the only one bothered by the post and it's follow-ups. Get Over It. You said something stupid (hell, you mentioned motivation. If you reread my initial post, you'll see why needing external motivation is both sad and indicitive of a weak mind), I busted your ass on it. *Wipes single tear from cheek*

As for your "paraphrase" of the thread . . .

Code Fu: Hey, I’m having an off night. What do you guys do to re-motivate?

Vash: U sux d00d. I should kick ur ass for asking that. Oh, I got a big **** too.

Code Fu: Wow, you have some serious anger issues.

Vash: Not anger, violence! I squash n00bs like j00. Did I mention I have big phallus?

Code Fu: But, eh, didn’t you once post about inappropriate behavior and etiquette on these boards? I have some quotes…

Vash: Hah! I don’t practice what I preach. I can still kick ur ass.

Ne'er did I threaten to whip your ass (I'd never say kick. I'd say whip, being the country hick that I am). I called you a ***** and said get on with it. You seemed to be intelligent enough to pick up on the inherent wussitude associated with external motivation. Guess I was wrong (there's a first time for everything, I suppose).

[Vash]

Oh, and yes, my phallus is h00j. Again, see initial post.

[FngSaiYuk]

Originally posted by Vash
Oh, and yes, my phallus is h00j. Again, see initial post.

Oooh can I get the secret training to having a h00j one also? It's not deadly, is it?

[Vash]

Lesbian porn. It works wonders.

Just don't get caught. That will have the opposite effect.

[FngSaiYuk]

Originally posted by Vash
Lesbian porn. It works wonders.

Just don't get caught. That will have the opposite effect.

But what of the dangers of addiction!!!

[Vash]

I'm addicted, hasn't hurt me . . . much.

*Records Sealed by Arkansas State Department of Corrections*

[FngSaiYuk]

Originally posted by Vash
I'm addicted, hasn't hurt me . . . much.


Heh, I guess as long as you don't BREAK anything...

[Vash]

Break, bust, what's the difference?

[Toby]

Wow, chill out Code Fu. There was a lot in what Vash said, but don't take it too literally.

[IronFist]

Vash said ***** :D


Just don't get caught. That will have the opposite effect.

lol :D

[Vash]

Eat a beaver, save a tree.

[IronFist]

lol

also lol @ the double meaning :D