Blocking and jabbing

Hey
Not had much time to write blog in the last week, but I am now back and ready for the eight full weeks before the actual fight.

Last Tuesday, was the last white collar session, I actually did, due to a stag weekend (not mine) and my Birthday, both of which I had made plans for before the White collar boxing was finalised.
Although before setting off for the weekend, I did extra training on Wednesday and some hard pad work and conditioning session on the Thursday.

This, you maybe thinking is not ideal preparation, but it actually worked out really well. The fact I knew it was coming up, meant I could push myself a little bit more (more sessions, less rest) than I normally would.
So the weekend, which involved some alcohol (tiny amount, as you can imagine !!!) but also some kayaking and coasteering, which helped, rather than being just a full on weekend of 48 hour drinking.
So I have in actual fact, came back ready to get stuck into these 8 weeks coming up.

I took my Tuesday spin class this morning, which helped sweat out the weekends damage and get me going again.

So was really looking forward to tonights session.

Once there, Ben took us for a warm up, then some team sprints, which looked easy, but certainly got everyone looking very exhausted in a short time.

Then we headed back inside and got the gloves on.
Myself and Paul (a fellow white collar participant) who had missed the weekend, got a chance to go over what we missed, while the other guys worked on the bags.

Blocking and jabbing were the main components of tonights sessions, which involved one of us throwing a jab, while the other one blocked it, so we didn't get hit in the face (allegedly !)
This started promisingly, I threw 5 jabs, Paul blocked, Paul threw 5, I blocked, easy peasy !

Then we had to step it up, and the words, 'it maybe wise to put your gum shield in if you have one' came flowing out of Alan's mouth !
That doesn't sound good I thought.

So next 2 minute round, involved 1 minute of blocking and 1 minute of jabbing, not knowing when a punch is coming, certainly adds to the fun and gets your concentration levels up.

After a hesitant start, we both seemed to be getting better at both elements.
Then we changed partners and went into blocking and jabbing sparring, both people can throw jabs, during the 2 minute rounds.
I teamed up with Simon, a guy I know from the gym and off we went.

This is the time when myself and I'm sure a few others actually were hitting someone that was actually going to hit us back, not just hold pads.
Within 10-15seconds Simon had sent his jab straight through my 'defence' and caught me on the cheekbone, although we were wearing big gloves (16oz) and holding back a bit, its still very strange receiving that first blow to your face, but as I have played sports and been hit in the face with footballs etc, it wasn't too much of a shock.

Right, concentrate I thought to myself (and throw a punch back) this is starting to get 'boxing like'.
Both of us, were a wee bit tentative, although Simon seemed to be throwing more than me, 2, 2 minute  rounds of this and Simon had caught me at least 4 or 5 good shots, with me landing maybe 2 on him, which didn't really disappoint me as it was my first time and highlighted, things I need to work on, rather than starting well and thinking I'm Rocky.

May even have my first black eye tomorrow, will keep you posted on that.

So a very good session and a huge eye opener (nearly an eye closer !) and good to be moving towards actual boxing, which is a little scary, but exciting.

Back on the Elimination Diet today, which will make a huge difference to my energy, weight and probably my speed. So I'm expecting big leaps forward, from not only me, but all the guys, who all still seem to be really focused on task ahead.


Craig :-)