Training and state of mind - Advice needed

[A. Orstrom]

Hello fellow budoka.

I have heard stories about runners that had to run every so often, or they would become cranky, irritable and antagonistic but I have never really believed it applied to athletes that were not full-time, elite sportsmen.

And then it happened to me.

I am usually active in my dojo, taking the 4½ hours regular training and the optional 2 hours kumite training available to me during the week; but the last two weeks I have been unable to train for more than one 1½ hr. session a week, and that has brought a rather distinct change in my behaviour. I have been moody, irritable and short-tempered these two weeks, something that both my girlfriend and I have noticed. I wondered what brought on this change, and after training yesterday it dawned on me; I simply needed to train. After training my mood improved drastically, I was calm, happy and had a sense of overall well-being.

The more I think about it, the more alarmed I become; I do not want to be impossible to be around just because my schedule is too full.

Do you experience the same when you do not train for a while? If you do, what do you do to alleviate the stress and irritability when you just don't have the time or possibility to train?

[italian_guy]

When I train I feel a lot better but when I don't (like now, in August in Italy is too hot to train) I do not feel so irritable I just look forward to train again. That'a all.

[Anbu Alex]

man if I dont train i get really ANGERY AND U WOULDNT LIKE ME ANGERY.

espcially after school i need something to focus on a letoff agression

[Nick_sam]

i normally feel better after a session. sort of exhilirated, i guess.

[Enviroman]

man if I dont train i get really ANGERY AND U WOULDNT LIKE ME ANGERY.

espcially after school i need something to focus on a letoff agression

Stay in school, it can only help you...

[y2_sub]

I have experienced the same case lately , not being able to train regularly due to stress at work , so , i became moody and short tempered , just like you !!!!!!!!!!! guess it's common between kyokushin guys , lol .

One thing else , when i am not training , i get tired at work quickly !!!!!

[Manabimasho1]

Well we train till you have muscle failure if your black belt or higher in our dojo. Those of whom don't know what that is let me give an example. I had to take flip falls for 4 hours straight, I would throw a punch and another student would block PP hit me and throw me anyway they wanted but so long as it was a Flip Fall technique for me. After that day I felt great and sore. The next day I couldn't stand at all I was on a cane. 2 days later I was barely walking and we went to Ponderosa to eat dinner.

While I had a plate of food and was starving I walked back to my seat and WAM my legs went out and the food went everywhere I fell and was so embaresed my arms and legs didn't react to taking a side fall correctly which is how you're suppose to fall and everything went totaly limp. I finaly was able to get up and the resterant thought I slipped on water so they freaked out because I hit hard and they gave me a free dinner ticket. I took it but I explained to them what really happened, and the manager said that the others who saw me fall would be upset if I didn't accept it. So I did.

But about your question, when I train I never get cranky, I am tired and want to go home and vomit and sleep. Usualy in most cases people who come in the dojo are tired and cranky but when they leave they are very relaxed, sore, and ready for nap time. I have went to the dojo and worked out when I had the flu and was extremely sick and everytime I started to feel better.

Dojo + me sick = Feeling better

In most cases anyways.

[Aodhan]

Do you experience the same when you do not train for a while? If you do, what do you do to alleviate the stress and irritability when you just don't have the time or possibility to train?

I do, although about once every 8 or 9 weeks I'll take almost a full week off.

Basically, it's endorphins, or those things that cause "runners high", and other exercise induced euphoria. Your body gets used to it, almost like an addiction, and when it is reduced or withdrawn, you get moody and cranky. (In most cases, anyway.)

When I can't train, I'll do other activities if possible, or something to take my mind off things such as read, play a game, etc.

Aodhan

[ninjanurse]

OH!!! A post that really hits home!!!!!

I have been miserable and cranky and just downright unhappy since having knee surgery in April!!! I haven't been able to run or train for 4 months now and I can't stand it. It takes a mental and physical toll (being over 40 regular exercise is a must to stave off weight gain!!!!) and can be downright depressing. The only thing that has saved me is teaching class one day a week and being exposed to the students and their good spirits! I can't wait until I can train again!!

[CagedWarrior]

I usually just get antsy or bored if I'm not training for a while... or lazy. I used to get the same way with weights when that was all I did.