Training Log – New Things and Making Good Choices

Monday:  Fight Fit – Training with Terence

Tuesday:  Fight Fit – Training with Terence, “MUSHIN”

Wednesday: 10 km run, Abs

Thursday:  Fight Fit – Training with Terence, 5 km run, Abs

Friday:  Fight Fit – Training with Terence

Saturday: SICK DAY

Sunday:  SICK DAY

This week is best characterized as one that saw a layer of newness added to my workout life. First, there was the arrival of my new gloves. After close to nine years with my “Big Bad” Boes, I finally resigned to the fact that stuffing flying out them as I worked either the mitts or the bag wasn’t a good thing. Gone were the days that I could tell myself that my sheer power was beating the stuffing out of them. So, with sadness, I retired my BBBs and welcomed my new boys, my Everlast gloves. I still haven’t named them, so if you have any suggestions, I’m all ears.

Respect for the BBBs

MUSHIN, a Japanese term that means “no mind”, is what I’m calling another workout component that was added this week. Once a week I will be put through a very intense hour of sport-specific training with Wayne Wells. Wayne, a trainer, former boxer and martial artist, works out of Fight Fit a couple of days a week. With Wayne, I hope to stop thinking, start breathing and develop a rock solid core that will be power my punches.

MUSHIN

For the first time, I’ve started to train while wearing real boxing boots. Lacing up my new boots makes me incredibly happy and proud. Mind you, it takes me a good ten minutes, but still, once those bad boys are on, I feel like it’s coming together. Who would have guessed that something as simple and basic as boxing boots would have such an impact on me?

My new gloves and boots

This week Terence’s put up a speed bag and I worked on it until my shoulders felt that they would burst into flames. I have a long, long, long way to go. So much so, that both Terence and Wayne would break down, momentarily leave their clients, and try to help me “get” it. At one point, Terence uttered, “You’re driving me fucking crazy. Get the rhythm and hit that fucking thing!”

Hit that fucking thing

Like last week, my cold stayed in my back pocket for the duration of the week and refused to move on. Unlike last week, I made better decisions about how to deal with this nuisance. I finally started listening to my body, started taking my vitamins and letting go of the idea that I have to work out each day. This weekend I decided to take off, even though I would normally dictate otherwise. I got out of the mind, realized that I couldn’t breathe and that there would be no core strength gained from workouts that are fuelled by stubbornness.

These boots are made for...

Observations – Beauty    

Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks.

My Dad’s loyalty – he lifts Tex into the van so that they can go together to pick my mom up at the bus stop. This is quite the feat given my Dad’s limited physical strength and Tex’s heft and girth.

Wayne’s respect for others – he leans forward to quietly and respectfully tell me to squeeze my gluts as I squat so as to not embarrass me in front of the male dominated gym.

A young teenage girl’s bravery – she belts out “I’m Big, Blond and Beautiful” while performing in Ridley College’s interpretation of the musical Hairspray and smiles shyly when the audience thanks her with a hearty and well-deserved round of applause.

Chris’ love for his girls – as he talks about the benefits of Smashbox make-up and explains the situation in Bahrain, his daily investment in connecting with his girls comes to life.

Bronwyn’s quite and contained eagerness – she sits with wet hair and waits to hop in a cab to go with her best of best friends to spend an afternoon of freedom.

My Mom’s nurturing –each morning she sends me an email to welcome me to the day; an email that often sets the tone for the seconds, minutes and hours that will fill it.

Hannah’s caring – she’s always there for others to listen, to support and hold a hand if needed.

Gail’s love for her family – in a conversation with friends she describes being with them as being “home”.

Terence’s drive and ambition – each day of each week, he works hard to build his company; one that he is and should be proud of.

Brinkley Boy’s playfulness – he wants nothing more to romp, roll and play with you and/or your socks.

Alex’s determination – she fearlessly runs her restaurant so that she can offer healthy and delicious choices to her community.