Learning the Differences Between Boxercise and Boxing

Teeth are important. I've still got all of mine and I'd like it to remain that way, especially since I had so much work done on them in my teens (jaws broken and re-set, wired together for weeks, that sort of thing). And so I will no longer be taking part in the UWCB match on June 25th. This was not an easy decision to make but it is the sensible one. Let me rewind a bit...

I started my training with UWCB at the beginning of May. I'd only ever done Boxercise before which doesn't include much in the way of defence and no contact apart from between gloves and pads, so this was going to be new ground for me. I was really excited. The first session I went to was actually the second of the free training sessions we were given in return for taking part. There were two a week, Thursdays at 8:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30am and I was determined to make them all. The first Saturday saw us outside on the astro turf pitch. We started with a warm up along the lines of what I do with my RunFit group, but longer, then were put through some HIIT training including lots of press ups, burpees, twinkle toes, tuck jumps and air punches. Only three lots of three minutes but we were sweating buckets by the end. It wasn't easy but I held my own. Cardio I can do.

Then we were paired up to practice our stance, moves and jab punches. Remembering to keep my guard up was hard work, and I felt as though I was tripping over my feet the whole time. Another side effect of Boxercise was getting into a rhythm. It's all very well punching to a beat in a cardio class but no one's going to come at you in a choreographed fashion in the ring so that was another habit that needed breaking.

Our Saturday and midweek sessions were taken by different instructors although the format remained the same. I much preferred the midweek tutor as he was less "blokey" and managed to give us a "beasting" without resorting to picking on people. The Thursday night sessions also felt more educational and I felt able to ask questions without feeling daft. I started to get a bit more comfortable with faux-hitting my partner (although we were both still apologising to each other) as we learnt hooks and upper cuts as well as how to slip, roll and block without hitting ourselves in the face.

I started to see a bit of a change in my figure. I felt fitter and more confident in myself but I was still nervous about fight night. Chatting to the other girls in the group helped, finding out what their motivations were. After a couple of sessions I think we were all sizing each other up, figuring out who we'd like to be paired with. We would get no say in that, our opponent would be chosen by the coaching team. Of course there were far more guys than girls in the group but there was a definite split between those who wanted to test themselves and those who just wanted to hit stuff.

 Every week someone would ask the question "when will we start sparring?" and after three weeks the answer came "next week - so make sure you have your mouth guards". I had been given one in my starter pack but it was too big. I couldn't wear it without gagging. One of the other girls told me that they were inexpensive from Sports Direct so I bought one, only to discover that none seemed to be suitable for use with braces. I've got a fixed brace on the back of my upper front six teeth. It's there for life. So what to do? I couldn't spar without a mouth guard and a standard one wouldn't do. There was one online specialist who claimed theirs were suitable but failed to reply to my query about front versus back braces. The other option was a specially made one from the dentist at £180 and a week wait *after* the appointment to have the cast made. Although technically affordable, it was ultimately a question of time. At best it was a loss of two weeks training, giving me another two weeks before stepping in the ring. Not enough, in my opinion.

So I threw in the towel. I didn't really want to but it was the sensible option. I was really enjoying the training. I was enjoying seeing my fitness level go up in a different way and learning new skills. The thought of getting in the ring was somewhat exhilarating but it wasn't the be all and end all. Good news for my parents who were all for me getting another motorbike rather than fight (a sentiment not expressed lightly). My housemate has just started kickboxing so maybe that's something I could try instead, although I miss the goal element of training. So for now, boxing is put to one side. For now.

Last week's training was as follows:
Saturday: parkrun
Sunday: Rest day
Monday: Marathon
Tuesday: Rest day
Wednesday: 1km swim
Thursday: 3 mile run
Friday: Rest day

Any suggestions of a replacement activity? Something not requiring a mouth guard but involving similar fitness elements?

New Routines, Nice Runs, Now Relaxing

Life is a series of routines and phases. I'm currently in a phase of starting lots of new things, classes, training, clients and study, all of which takes a bit of getting used to. I'm thankful that I made the decision not to start everything all at once and given my self time and space to get into my new routines. Last week I started a third Back to Fitness course and a "graduates" class, which will be ongoing for as long as there is demand. I have figured out my routine of loading up the car with different kit for different classes and managed not to get stressed out about it. What's even better is that everyone seems to be enjoying the new classes and courses so far!

Back to Fitness "graduates" (and new participants) enjoying post-class refreshments.

Boxing training is still a feature at the moment, with the HIIT sections still being manageable and the boxing element getting more complex. I've been trying to get to grips with slips, rolls and blocks and getting out of the "boxercise" habit of being formulaic and routine with my punches. I'm also trying to teach my partner not to apologise when she makes contact (it's light touch still)!

My running in the past week has been sociable (Green Park 10k), leafy (Tuesday's off road run) and fitted in whenever (Friday's shorter run before heading to London for an evening's eating and entertainment with mum). I took inspiration from my friend Cathy in terms of just getting out there in whatever time is available to run, rather than making excuses. It's worked so far.

One sunny morning

Before my run with Bracknell Forest Runners the week before I'd managed to get my forms signed to apply for a place on a Coach in Running Fitness Course and was delighted to get confirmation of my place by email last week. The course doesn't start until the Autumn but I'm already looking forward to it as it's been hard to find dates that worked with my schedule. I've also been accepted as a Run England Mental Health Ambassador and need to make time to do a bit of work in that area.

So work is busy, training is going well and I've managed to be sociable too; an afternoon coffee and playground date with Cathy and her little boy (seesaws are a great leg workout) being a particular highlight. Oh and let's not forget the marvellous meal at Wahacas in London prior to an especially brilliant dance performance of Jekyll & Hyde at The Old Vic.

So that's life for me at the moment, to some extent same old same old, but all good things. In summary, training looked like this:
Saturday: Boxing Training
Sunday: 6 mile run
Monday: Skipping set & Yoga
Tuesday: 5.3 mile run
Wednesday: Rest day
Thursday: Boxing Training
Friday: 4.5 mile run

Anything new crept into your schedule lately? Are you organised or a fly by the seat of your pants kinda person?

Boxing Clever

After Swimathon I had no races until May so found myself looking at my dairy and decided I had space in my life to bring something fresh into the mix. I've been inspired by movies like Southpaw and Creed recently, not so much with a view to getting in the ring, but with the style of training that boxers go through. So I decided to add some boxing-style training into my weekly routine.

Why not just concentrate on my running? Well, to be a better trainer, I need to play around with different types of training and while reading around subjects is all well and good, the best way to get under the skin of something is to experience it myself. I'm not ready to take on physique training (yet) but I wanted to see where a boxing training plan will get me to in terms of my fitness and figure.

But then something happened... I saw a blogger friend post about the Ultra White Collar Boxing match she was about to take part in. And the seed was sown. UWCB gives Joe Public the chance to get eight weeks of boxing training for free in return for committing to stepping into the ring to fight in three 2-minute rounds and raise money for charity in the process. What better way to get committed to boxing training than in preparation for a real fight? Dear Reader, I signed up.

June 25th will see me stepping into the ring, complete with entrance music, with another amateur fighter from the group, to fight it out for real. This is so far outside my comfort zone it's almost a dot. I'm nervous as all hell but also really intrigued to see how I cope with the training both physically and mentally. This will be the first contact sport I will have gone in for. I will get hit. I will get hurt. And I'm under no illusions that my Boxercise Instructor training will count for anything.

Each Thursday evening after my PT sessions and Saturday morning instead of parkrun I will be heading to Reading for a training session with the other guys and gals who have signed up as well. In fact that part has already started and I will be sharing more about that in the coming weeks. In addition to these sessions I'm cleaning up my diet and while I won't be giving up running I will be ensuring that I also make yoga or Body Care (at Box Bell Fit) a priority, in addition to some sessions that include a mix of jump rope, shadow boxing, bag work and strength as well as press up and sit up circuits. I have my gloves, wraps and gum shield and am psyching myself up for the hard work ahead.

Let's not forget that this is also in aid of charity, namely Cancer Research UK, and I would be incredibly grateful if you would consider sponsoring me for this match; my Just Giving page is here. You can also come and watch me flail about in the ring if you would like! Tickets are available here (be sure to include my name as the competitor) or you can drop me a line and I can arrange them for you. Wish me luck!