I thought I was surrounded !!

Hello again

We are now into week 4 and the sessions are coming round very quickly, had a very relaxing day after Sundays hard session, then did a short but intense workout yesterday, focusing on strength and speed work, using my multi yoke.

Today as always, starts with my spin class which I felt good taking, think my fitness must be going up now.

Also on the second day of my eating clean regime, based round the Elimination Diet and my training sessions.  Have slight sore head today, which will probably get worse tomorrow, this is due to my body starting to detox, which is not nice, but I know I will feel better for it in a couple of days.

So, onto tonights session, which to be honest I wasn't in the mood for when I left the house, but soon got into it, when I was there, which I know happens with a lot of people, but you should always make the effort if you had it planned, 95% of the time you will always be glad you did it.

First up was 3 x 2 minute rounds of shadow boxing, a good way to warm up and focus on your hands and feet positioning.
Then we moved onto 6 x 2 minute rounds on the bags, while a few of the guys headed to the ring for some sparring, was a little relieved not to be chosen, as I had done it on Sunday and wanted to focus on some of  my technique on the bags,  so pushed myself during the 6 rounds, which included some one to one padwork with Tony (who still hits me a lot) Sam (who doesn't, I like Sam) and Alan (who hits me, even when were not doing pads).
Just as we got to the fifth round, the sparring guys came back and finished off with us.

6 rounds done, sparring done, whats next I wondered ? Then I saw Gerry (trainer) moving towards me, 'Craig have you been in sparring, tonight ?' my head said, says yes, my mouth was too slow for a change and said no !!

So headguard on, myself and Kevin followed Gerry through to the ring, where we found out we were going to do 3, 2 minute rounds sparring against Gerry, 2 minute rest in between, while Kevin sparred him.
Up until this point, we had only sparred each other, and the difference was certainly noticeable, but training with, or in this case against someone who is better than you, is one of the best ways to learn and improve.

So in I went, Gerry giving instructions as we went, the first thing I noticed was how much Gerry moved, not necessarily around the ring, but just bobbing and weaving his head, making it very hard to hit him, although he did let me get a couple of shots in, while giving me a couple of taps back, just so I knew I was unguarded, mind you I did notice if I got him, with a half decent shot, he always got a better one or two or three back.
By the end of the 2 minutes, Gerry was hitting me that many times, I did actually think I was surrounded ! Also by this time I was really struggling with my breathing, which along with the obvious work I was doing, I still think is down to my gumshield, either the fact I'm not used to it, or as Gerry suggested, it maybe a little big and moving about too much.
So I am going to try and train more, while wearing it or/and buy a different one to see what helps most.

After the three rounds, which is what we will do on fight night, but less rest, I was absolutely wiped, which I hope is a lot to do with gumshield and the fact Gerry was hammering me.
Overall I was pleased with how it went, considering, it was the third time I've been in a ring in my life, I did feel at times I was moving well, although a lot of the times I was just dazed and confused, but I'm sure all this will get better with more sparring.

The sparring is weird, as its not really enjoyable at the time, and I know some of the guys are struggling with getting hit, as they have never been hit in the face before or not for a long while anyway, where as I have played sports, football etc and been hit in the face with footballs, elbows etc, so not as much of a shock to me.
Hopefully, although I don't think you ever do, these guys will start to get used to these punches.


So another good session complete, bring on Thursday (Gerry I'm coming to get ya)


Craig :-)