Ballad:Rockstar 05(41)

I make my way to the small gym I frequent. I have to keep training to be  in shape for my next fight. I usually take a little time to relax and  recoup between fights, but no taking it easy this time. I'm on a strict  schedule and have to get my body extremely conditioned.         

     



 

The opponent's skill increases with each fight. I want to be in the best  shape of my life when I finally make it to Vegas to fight. The dancing  last night, most likely helped keep my muscles from tightening up too  badly. The beer definitely didn't help, but I deserved it after another  win.

I was able to soak in a hot Epsom salt bath this morning for about  thirty minutes before my shower. It usually helps out with my sore and  bruised muscles. I'll soak in a hot tub later at the gym as well. The  heat and ice therapy tonight should kill the soreness quicker and reduce  my recovery time.

I have to concentrate and keep my priorities in order; fighting is  always first, and then comes anything else. I breeze over everything in  my mind as I drive. Doing a mental checklist every morning helps keep me  organized. I haven't always been as organized as I am now; I work extra  hard to stay on the path that I've planned for my life.

Back in the day, I never would have believed I'd be where I am in my  life now. With the road I was on, I could be doing time right about now.  Thank God, I saw that poster in the store that day advertising a week  free MMA training session at my gym. I thought it would help me become a  better criminal. Instead, it opened my eyes to a completely different  type of life and goals to set for myself. I haven't turned back  since-just firing ahead and becoming the best I possibly can.

After a short drive, I arrive at the gym and park in my usual spot. I  walk across the parking lot, and I'm greeted as soon as I step in the  door. Most have seen me here for hours at a time while I train, and I  see a lot of familiar faces. I've made a few friends, and they're  usually the guys I end up sparing with. We talk fighting, training, and  sometimes we have lunch together. It's refreshing to have friends that  have the same goals as mine to eat healthy, train, and become  successful, instead of plotting our next robbery or other criminal  activity to get money.

I place my plain black bag away in the locker room. It has around fifty  small lockers, a few showers, bathroom stalls, sinks, mirrors,  everything a guy needs when working out.

I love this gym and the fact that it's strictly MMA training only. It's  not as packed full as the regular gym next door. I do have a membership  to go over there also, if I ever feel the need to work out at crazy  hours. They stay open twenty-four hours a day. I'll occasionally pop  over to lift weights if I'm having a rough night sleeping or thinking  about my family. I prefer to just go for a run close to my apartment if  the weather's not too hot.

I head over to the jump ropes to start on my warm-ups and nod at a  couple of the fighters I'm cool with as I head over toward my trainer,  Sin.

"What's up, man?" I fist-bump my buddy and fellow fighter, Jaxson  "Adonis" Barker. Damn pretty boy-Even when he loses a fight, his face  never seems to get messed up.

"'Sup Jace-good job last night, man."

Jaxson sounds drained and looks a little worn out. He's one of the few  guys who actually works out as much as I do. He and I have done a lot of  the training classes together and when my buddy Gavin isn't here,  Jaxson and I will partner up if we can.

I grab one of the black jump ropes and set the timer for fifteen minutes  with fifteen second breaks. I know it's going to hurt like a  motherfucker, jumping with my tender muscles and fucked-up toe, but I'm  going to power through it reminding myself that pain is weakness leaving  the body.

"Yeah, thanks. Ford was a little cocky so I had to play with him for a  few before I hit him with my right." Not to mention he's a fucking prick  outside the cage, too. I can't stand fighters who have no honor and  morals outside the cage. The fight is inside, and that's where it should  be kept. We're all giving it our best try-no need to be a dick.

"Well, you did good man; we were all watching. I actually met a little  hottie there. I'm about to go meet her for lunch in a few." I smirk and  shake my head at him-fucking Jaxson and his women.

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

He nods and heads to the locker room, "I'll catch you later, man."

I give him a chin lift and keep jumping rope, "Cool, take it easy."

That dude lives up to his name "Adonis" with the way chicks flock to his  ass. I finish up my fifteen minutes of jump roping and then I really  get into my zone, turning up some "Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson. I  start with some light cardio before hitting the heavy bag and before my  trainer decides it's time to put me through an hour or two of hell.