Posted June 30th, 2010 by Nerd of Steel
Even though I’m not under the stresses of camp, and I’m in great shape, dragging myself to the gym has become a dire chore. With each failed effort to get serious again I continually think back to when boxing was fun. The truth is I can barely remember that far back. But yet I don’t want to quit.
I need a break, but I don’t want to gain weight, lose my skills and be deprived of the rush of combat sports. I’m thinking of switching to a reputable MMA school a few minutes from where I just bought a house. I can keep sharp with some MMA, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu training, and come back to boxing when I’m mentally reset. This school does have a boxing program too, but I’m undecided on if I’ll go take advantage of it immediately.
Posted June 25th, 2010 by Nerd of Steel
I spent some time working out on my own at the new gym and letting the trainers see my skills before they try to sell private lessons to the new yuppie. This plan appears to be working, as two trainers approached me complimenting my skills and offering to train me for cut rates.
I started working with one of these trainers and have corrected issues with not rotating on my feet enough, which has made my right hand crisper and improved how long I maintain my punching power. I think I lost some of the foot twisting when I worked on recruiting more of my thighs and glutes into my punches. It’s kind of hard to describe but delivering the power is more efficient with the foot twist and uses less energy increasing my “power endurance.”
My conditioning is left up to me. If I can solve this mystery everything will come into place. I’m doing lots of intense lower/upper body intervals and for the first time in my boxing training, taking strategic rest days.
I occasionally feel discouraged as if at the age of 35 I’m battling Father Time in a futile attempt to build twenty-something-person stamina, but I’m not willing to give up. The thing is my endurance to do any given difficult activity (run, punch, etc.) for a long time is excellent, I’m just having difficulty maintaining speed, power and explosiveness during these periods.
Posted June 11th, 2010 by Nerd of Steel
A week and a half vacation, followed by an illness, then a long-weekend/wedding has mostly derailed my training.
Last night was the first night I’ve been at the gym in a while. I performed ok, but am now up 5-6 lbs weighing in at 181.5.
The next 3 days my goal is to ramp back into my routine. I’ll go to the boxing club tonight, run and lift tomorrow, then a light run Sunday. Monday morning I’m back in my normal routine.
