D1 distance runner to MMA fighter

Well Chuck Norris picked up martial arts as an adult. Just try it

I think it would be a great idea. With that speed you clearly have some fast twitch fibers necessary for MMA. Here’s how you do it:

1. Get some tattoos

2. Get used to grabbing men by their pelvis (aka 2 legged takedown) and wrapping your legs tightly around them (aka full guard)

3. Learn Jiu-jitsu and Judo

4. Learn Muay-Thai kickboxing

5. Participate in a local MMA event against a townie with more tattoos than you who dropped out of high school. Try not to contract hepatitis (go for a KO rather than trying to grapple)

Once you have completed these steps, you are ready for the UFC.

This will definitely solve your problems with repetitive running injuries, those will be a thing of the past. You will get entirely different types of acute injuries instead.

I was in your shoes back in June. I didn’t have the passion to run in college anymore after training seriously and barely taking time off for 4 years among other things. I was also a big fan of MMA. When I was still debating on if I was going to quit I took the train to MSG for a Bellator PPV and just happened to sit next to a guy who helped train Chris Weidman (former UFC middleweight champion) and works as a BJJ instructor for Matt Serra (former UFC welterweight champ). We were talking for a bit and he suggested I give BJJ a try. Went to a class and immediately knew afterwords I was done running competitively.

It’s a lot of fun and a refreshing change of pace from running. The people I’ve met are all very nice and very helpful. The gyms I’ve been to all offered free trial classes and it’s pretty common for places that teach BJJ to also teach Muay Thai kickboxing. I never got injured while running so I’m not sure how that will go for you. Most BJJ injuries are in your joints. A handful of pro UFC fighters were college athletes that got their start in college or right after.

Give it a shot and see how it goes. It was the best decision I ever made and I’m much happier then when I was running.

Thanks for sharing!

Sorry kinda late to the party here, but curious to see how it went for you. I'm in the same boat, got bored running D1 and felt I wasn't improving, decided to switch to boxing and MMA with no fight experience at all. Been doing it 4 months and love it. Hopefully having my first amateur fight in 1 month here.

I train 2-3 hours 5 days a week on boxing and MMA as of now, although I focus more on boxing. I fluctuate between 185 and 195 pounds, 6'0 height.

Running PR's:

400: 50.25

800: 1:57

1500: 4:02

3200: 9:37

5k: 16:20

I hated 8k haha, I think it was in the mid 27 range.

Your cardio will be there from the start - that's a good thing. Good luck.