Monday: 5 km run, Abs, Training with Alan

Tuesday: Training with Alan (Light Sparring)

Wednesday: DAY OFF

Thursday: 10 km run, Abs

Friday: 5 km run, Abs

Saturday: 5 km run, Abs

Sunday: 5 km run, Abs

I feel so fortunate to have been able to go back home and check in with Alan – the person I consider my foundation in boxing and in spiritual well-being. I was also able to hang out with Janina (Alan’s wife) and Vivi (their beautiful daughter). It felt so comforting being back with them all, talking, laughing and working out in such an amazing atmosphere. I even got two goodnight kisses from Vivi which was by far one of the highlights of the entire week home.

When training with Alan, he reminded me several times to remember my paradigm. And, in him doing so, it was like I was snapped back as elastic is when it’s stretched to its thinnest and can’t be stretched any further. Over the last two months, my fitness has improved, I’ve grown stronger and I can hit like a mother fucker; these are all fantastic improvements. However, I fear that as I’ve worked on the heavy bag these past months, I’ve forgotten my paradigm. So now the challenge is reconciling them – the power and the technique. I’ve realized that together they form the elastic band.

This past week was also one that was dominated by sleep. Leading up to my trip home I had fallen back into a bad pattern of fitful sleeps. Thankfully, this pattern got its ass kicked when I was back at my parents’ home. Last week, I slept a lot and slept hard. This was great, but it did eat up time that I had put aside to keep up with my running and visit with people back home. As a result, I got into the bad habit of guzzling a large coffee and then hopping on the treadmill in the basement of my parents’ house. Forgotten were the healthy breakfast and then the time needed to digest said breakfast. I’ve not shied away from revealing that when I work out, I sweat. I sweat a lot. Well, last week it was taken to a new level as the dreaded “coffee sweats” were added on to the cleansing “workout sweats”. Thankfully, I was alone and the only people who had to see me afterwards were my Mom and Dad. And they love me to matter how gross I am. Now, would they hug me when I would teasingly ask for one before going for the much-needed shower? No, they wouldn’t. But do they still love me? Yes, they do.

Observations – Love is Simple

Love is simple. And yet, I’m not able define what love is in all its simplicity. I just can’t put words to it. But, what I can do is feel it. And last week, I felt it when…

I looked across the kitchen table to Dad and we’d share a smile as he teased my Mom.

Both my parents kissed me goodnight each night I was home and told me how happy they were to have me with them.

Steph and I easily slipped back into our rude ramblings and managed to out laugh one another with each comment.

Vivi gave me a kiss goodnight.

Ash and I spent hours talking, laughing and sharing our stories.

Cat managed to “out swear me”…again.

I was welcomed back into Alan and Janina’s home with open arms and hearts.

Chantal and I hugged good-bye knowing that it was just for a little while.

Texie let me cuddle him even though I’m convinced that cuddling isn’t one of his favourite pastimes.

I shared a pre-birthday celebration with some of the people closest to my heart and knew that they make me strong and a better person. I can only hope that I give them that same gift.

pre-birthday fun