Week Seven- Day Four

Breakfast- Organic Oatmeal
Snacks- 12 Raw Valencia Almonds, 2 dried mango pieces
Lunch- Chicken breast meat and steak chopped up with lettuce, tomatoe, guacamole and a couple of bites of beans
Snacks- 6 thinly sliced dried apples
Revery- Pure Pro
Dinner- 1/2 side salad with 1 strip of Mahi Mahi


Tonight I went to Rudy's boxing class. He was filling in for Bernard, the regular boxing coach. Some of you might know him from the Saturday workouts.

I was about 15 minutes late for the class because of traffic and coming from inland North County area.

When I arrived, I was surprised to find that there were only two other people in the class, Ava and a man whom I just met that night, named Ken. Ken, later on was invited to join the regular Rudy workout right after... I wonder what he thought about it.

I had spoken to Rudy prior to the class about borrowing some of his gloves, they were heavier than I am used to, 14 oz instead of 8 oz, so they helped to provide an even tougher workout.

I didn't want to be a bother by being late, so I just looked for the gloves and jumped right in. Rudy noticed me and told me I better shadow box for a bit to warm up before hitting the bag. Once I started hitting the bag, I was surprised at how quickly it became tiring. It is VERY different to hit something versus just air. It has been quite some time since I hit anything. After we worked the bag, we went through three station, three times. While one of us jumped rope, the other worked the heavy bag, and the other worked with Rudy and the focus mitts.

Jumping rope: As clumsy as I am and for as many times as I stopped jumping, due to missing a beat, I still felt pretty good about it.

Heavy bag: At first I had no idea what I was doing, then Rudy mentioned that I should watch my reflection in the window and watch to make sure my form was correct.

Two major things I was looking for: 1) That I keep my guard up when I throw a punch 2)That I fully extend with my jab and right cross, making sure that I have the proper distance.

Another thing that I tried to focus on was shifting my weight correctly for each punch and that the power comes from my legs and the twist of my body. It's a lot easier to do in slow motion on the heavy bag than with Rudy on the mitts.

Rudy and the Focus Mitts: This was really a great opportunity to have someone hold for me that actually knows what they are talking about. At White Dragon, we have other students hold for us and our knowledge is so limited as students, so yeah to have Rudy hold for me and call out directions and corrections and hold perfectly, it was great.

So he started with the one two; jab, cross. Two major things I need to correct are 1) Keeping my elbow out with my right cross- in Kung Fu, all our strikes were mostly with the elbow down, so I guess it's in my muscle memory and I need to correct that 2) I need to remember to twist my fist from vertical to horizontal to get that torque. I think when I was less tired, I did a better job because he actually asked Ken to take a look at my body twist when I threw the punches.

We also did hooks and uppercuts. It's so hard to use my body correctly when the pace is rapid fire. It feels so good though when you land a punch right and it make that nice popping sound and you cfeel everything just come together nicely. It's kind of like going to the driving range...or hitting tennis balls... you hit a ton, but only once in a while will you achieve that perfectly satisfying 'pop'.

One other cool thing was when he did the basic one, two, duck, cross. We did that in class a few times shadow boxing, but to have Rudy there, calling it out while you actually hit the mits, 'pop'-'pop', duck as he swings at you and then follow up another 'pop' with your right cross... it's fun!

So, the class both, taxed me and was a great time all at once. I am glad I took the opportunity for it.

I debated for a moment whether I should just call it a night or push through and also go to the regular 7pm class... with a little, "Why not? You're already here." from Rudy, I decided to test myself. Results were satisfactory. I didn't quite have the same oomfph that I usually have when warming up, but I did it! More shadowboxing, straightkicks (which really made my hipflexors sore this time), and running in place.

For the last 1/2 of the class, I did the handbike again (my arms are pleasingly much toner, but not exactly wher I want them yet), but this time, Rudy was on the bike next to me and Michelle to my other side.

I think the resistence was really tough this time and my hands were killing me I think from the punches. I have a minor injury from about a year ago when I last sparred and I guess it never relly healed. I have a tough time getting my right hand into a tight fist. In any case, the punching with Rudy aggravated it, so on the handbike, it translated to sever hand cramps. When resistence was high (Which was for most of the class) I had to put my full body weight into it to get the krank going. I was gong so slow, the wheel wasn't even a blur... and there I was, nest to Rudy. Hahaha. What a comparative sight for the bikers in front of us. It helped when Michelle might groan too, because then I didn't feel so alone! hahaha!

Well when things got to the end and we had to go for speed 30 seconds, rest, then speed 30 seconds, rest, then one last speed... I really gave it my all- did the whole mental psychology of having to go fast to save mylife or someone elses- and it was amazing to hear how hard Rudy works. I was totally groaning and all of a sudden, I hear Rudy and Michelle right there with me. It was kinda cool to work side by side and know we are going through the same thing. I'm usually so loud and the only one making lame noises, so that was great.

When it was all over, I was exhausted, yet grateful that I made it through. I think I will skip Friday and head to Moonlight on Saturday.

I haven't had a workout that lasted for two hours in a very long time and will consider getting there early at night to work a little beforehand. I stil have my belly, but it is getting better. I just can't believe how slowly you put it on and how much slower, it comes off! I usued to run down to my cafeteria at work everyday and grab a slice of pizza (huge thick slice) and think I was doing ok since it was a 'small meal'. I know so much better now and know I will never do things like that agian because I see the effects it has had on my body and what long road back it is.