Another of my now infrequent posts.
I am still training, and still finding it really hard to combine training and work/commuting. Mainly commuting.
Last Friday saw my return to the ring. Well return to boxing training after the clubs summer holiday. They train on a friday evening at a time suitable for me to attend after work. This is all kinds of awesome. I am now apparently an intermediate boxer! I am mainly still a curiosity to the entire club and the only girl to attend fridays for now two weeks in a row. This is ok though and training makes me happy. I got to spar last week too, which was good, even if I wasn't very.
I am still turning up to jitsu, and still a better boxer than jitsuka (this does not make me a good boxer!). But I am getting over my fear of being thrown, slowly. I went to a Bo seminar last week - which was interesting, though a little more stylised than the stick work I'm used to. It was nice to be good at something in Jitsu for a change.
I also went for a short run today. Shorter than I wanted, but when running I tend to think of it as a success if I get out and run at all, and not worry about the rest. Training alone is hard, so I give myself props for doing it at all.
Showing posts with label boxing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boxing. Show all posts
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Back on the mat and other stories
So - not been blogging for a while, though have been meaning to.
So - what am I up to.
Still running, when I get a chance - am up to 2.5 miles now (with a hill!), which takes me 25-30 minutes at present.
Am vaguely attempting the 200 sit up challenge and 200 squat challenge - but I will admit I'm not putting that much focus into it.
Boxing starts back on the 11th - woot!
And, more interestingly - I went back to Jitsu last week. A different club, due to working in Cardiff not Swansea, and enjoyed it lots. It's going to take me a while to get my confidence up (I would say 'back up' but that involves having had confidence in the first place!), but the hardest bit is done with.
I'm considering heading over to Cardiff for training today.
That involves getting out of bed at some point.
Hmmmm...
So - what am I up to.
Still running, when I get a chance - am up to 2.5 miles now (with a hill!), which takes me 25-30 minutes at present.
Am vaguely attempting the 200 sit up challenge and 200 squat challenge - but I will admit I'm not putting that much focus into it.
Boxing starts back on the 11th - woot!
And, more interestingly - I went back to Jitsu last week. A different club, due to working in Cardiff not Swansea, and enjoyed it lots. It's going to take me a while to get my confidence up (I would say 'back up' but that involves having had confidence in the first place!), but the hardest bit is done with.
I'm considering heading over to Cardiff for training today.
That involves getting out of bed at some point.
Hmmmm...
Monday, 2 August 2010
So how's training going generally?
Well - when I'm not agreeing to do stupid things like four peaks in a day...quite well I'd say.
Have managed to stay injury free (touch wood) for a little while now and am up to running about 1.5 miles in the mornings (yes, this means getting up at 0515, but am getting the hang of that now), before doing my morning sets. Yesterday (sunday) I ran my first 'mile in one go' as I usually go somewhere, then stop and have a stretch and then run back. So having managed one mile without stopping I'm now adding little bits to my there and back again run until it's two miles in the morning - at that point I might have to start running in the evenings as that's as early as I'm getting up!
The sets are going well - I've added in some kicks to boost the cardio aspect and have levelled up on my weights - now curling 5kg on the bicep (no change) and 11kg on the tricep (change). This feels good, and means I don't have to swap the weights around which saves me some time in the mornings too.
Even managed to get some pad work in on Sunday - which was nice :)
Have managed to stay injury free (touch wood) for a little while now and am up to running about 1.5 miles in the mornings (yes, this means getting up at 0515, but am getting the hang of that now), before doing my morning sets. Yesterday (sunday) I ran my first 'mile in one go' as I usually go somewhere, then stop and have a stretch and then run back. So having managed one mile without stopping I'm now adding little bits to my there and back again run until it's two miles in the morning - at that point I might have to start running in the evenings as that's as early as I'm getting up!
The sets are going well - I've added in some kicks to boost the cardio aspect and have levelled up on my weights - now curling 5kg on the bicep (no change) and 11kg on the tricep (change). This feels good, and means I don't have to swap the weights around which saves me some time in the mornings too.
Even managed to get some pad work in on Sunday - which was nice :)
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Back to the blogging
Sorry - not been keeping up with the diary for a bit - it's all been a bit hectic.
Where are we.
Right - today saw a return to the full morning set routine, been off it a bit lately, partly due to an attack of life and partly due to nursing an ankle strain - but completed it all today - which was good. There was also progress on the bicep curls - it's been a struggle to get back to lifting what I was before the break.
What else have I been doing since the last post?
There has been one run - but I pulled up at 2k due to the ankle and walked home - have been experimenting with different measurement techniques as whilst the program I was following was good for getting me going, concentrating to much on running a certain length of time was starting to be non-productive. So currently I run distances (to the first crossing, walk the short bit of pavement, then to the second crossing - this works out 2-3 mins each), then running to songs/distance/till I get fed up. Songs work well - as noted in my previous post, will see how training goes tonight and maybe try a run on friday.
Training tonight - that would be jitsu as boxing is not running due to Varsity (the annual swansea/cardiff showdown in everything...except the sports I actually do). It's my first time at jitsu without the other half, so am a little nervous but fairly confident I'll be ok. I have now done breakfalls in all four directions without actually destroying myself, which is a good start. I'm missing boxing a lot though and can't wait for next wednesday (I've been away at weekends and therefore unable to go on saturdays :( )
In addition to the above there was also a martial arts day on Sunday - Evolution, 500 years of hand to hand combat, hosted by the English Martial Arts Academy. First let me give my thanks to all the tutors - Neil in Fiore (and for the best description of Fiore I have ever heard), Milo in Pugilism and James in Commando Mentalism. All three workshops were very good - a chance to learn some new skills, and practice ones I already have picked up. I was the only female training at the start of the day, joined by one more a little later; but I don't think I let the side down too much.
So - all in all things are going fairly well - I think.
Where are we.
Right - today saw a return to the full morning set routine, been off it a bit lately, partly due to an attack of life and partly due to nursing an ankle strain - but completed it all today - which was good. There was also progress on the bicep curls - it's been a struggle to get back to lifting what I was before the break.
What else have I been doing since the last post?
There has been one run - but I pulled up at 2k due to the ankle and walked home - have been experimenting with different measurement techniques as whilst the program I was following was good for getting me going, concentrating to much on running a certain length of time was starting to be non-productive. So currently I run distances (to the first crossing, walk the short bit of pavement, then to the second crossing - this works out 2-3 mins each), then running to songs/distance/till I get fed up. Songs work well - as noted in my previous post, will see how training goes tonight and maybe try a run on friday.
Training tonight - that would be jitsu as boxing is not running due to Varsity (the annual swansea/cardiff showdown in everything...except the sports I actually do). It's my first time at jitsu without the other half, so am a little nervous but fairly confident I'll be ok. I have now done breakfalls in all four directions without actually destroying myself, which is a good start. I'm missing boxing a lot though and can't wait for next wednesday (I've been away at weekends and therefore unable to go on saturdays :( )
In addition to the above there was also a martial arts day on Sunday - Evolution, 500 years of hand to hand combat, hosted by the English Martial Arts Academy. First let me give my thanks to all the tutors - Neil in Fiore (and for the best description of Fiore I have ever heard), Milo in Pugilism and James in Commando Mentalism. All three workshops were very good - a chance to learn some new skills, and practice ones I already have picked up. I was the only female training at the start of the day, joined by one more a little later; but I don't think I let the side down too much.
So - all in all things are going fairly well - I think.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Not much training and some over-educated nutters
Well, not blogged much for a while. The training has for various reasons died a bit, but will be back on track one my normal life routine is re-established (and there is the crap of only one person in my room again so that I have some room to train!). However I have not been utterly idle.
There has been one run - not entirely successful - my mindset has gone a bit on that one, but I think this can be sorted. I have been grossly underestimating the amount of time it takes to get fit, and therefore being disappointed at my lack of progress. But this can be dealt with.
There was a surf fitness class - and for the first time I was complimented on my progress by the coach (who mainly ignores me). This felt good. My progress in the pool has been dramatic - in September I couldn't really swim properly, now I'm in the surfing fitness classes working on my survival techniques. I had a go at a forward roll underwater for the first time - didn't really work, but that's ok, I try to give something I can't do a go most weeks in the class so I can start learning how to do them.
Last night there was Jitsu. Those who know me will remember that I met up with the University Jitsu club a few months back, watched a lesson and decided I probably wouldn't survive, which was sad as they seemed a nice bunch of people and a generally sound martial art (all my grappling is abominable). However, a few months of fairly dedicated training and I am no longer feeling like I was put together by Mcgyver on a bad day so, with my other half in town, I thought I'd join him at class. I was really very nervous, I've not tried breakfalling for about 14 years and I was pretty bad at it then. However, they teach it in a different way to the last people I trained with, so I was pleased with the results, not as disastrous as I thought. It was also a good workout.
I'm not giving up boxing - I enjoy it, but I think the two are complimentary, so am thinking I will go back next Friday - at least give it a couple of goes. They are a nice bunch of people to - the sort of over-educated nutters I have been missing a bit.
There has been one run - not entirely successful - my mindset has gone a bit on that one, but I think this can be sorted. I have been grossly underestimating the amount of time it takes to get fit, and therefore being disappointed at my lack of progress. But this can be dealt with.
There was a surf fitness class - and for the first time I was complimented on my progress by the coach (who mainly ignores me). This felt good. My progress in the pool has been dramatic - in September I couldn't really swim properly, now I'm in the surfing fitness classes working on my survival techniques. I had a go at a forward roll underwater for the first time - didn't really work, but that's ok, I try to give something I can't do a go most weeks in the class so I can start learning how to do them.
Last night there was Jitsu. Those who know me will remember that I met up with the University Jitsu club a few months back, watched a lesson and decided I probably wouldn't survive, which was sad as they seemed a nice bunch of people and a generally sound martial art (all my grappling is abominable). However, a few months of fairly dedicated training and I am no longer feeling like I was put together by Mcgyver on a bad day so, with my other half in town, I thought I'd join him at class. I was really very nervous, I've not tried breakfalling for about 14 years and I was pretty bad at it then. However, they teach it in a different way to the last people I trained with, so I was pleased with the results, not as disastrous as I thought. It was also a good workout.
I'm not giving up boxing - I enjoy it, but I think the two are complimentary, so am thinking I will go back next Friday - at least give it a couple of goes. They are a nice bunch of people to - the sort of over-educated nutters I have been missing a bit.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Rest days, levelling up and ripples
Yesterday was a rest day - mainly imposed by the previous night's damn good party.
Today - last day of week two of the running program, I'm going to be repeating most of the weeks twice I think. Today was a 25min brisk walk, which was fine, there's going to be more walking this week as reconnaissance for the Asylum Justice walk continues. As for me it's looking like a 60mile-er over two days, maybe camping in the middle.
Morning sets also done with a little levelling up - I am now up to 7 full press-ups, which is good, I am on course for my target of 10 by the end of May. I also added 5 to my weights exercises - so that is now 15 bicep curls and 15 skullcrushers, which is the end of my range, so I'm happy with that. Just because I added 10 onto each of the shadow boxing drills, it makes that into a good warm down.
So - that's all good, what about these ripples. Well I was rambling about the good behaviour of my boxing club at a ball a few weeks ago and that seems to have turned into a discussion regarding an unarmed tournament at Fightcamp this year. Oops, I didn't really mean for that to happen. I sort of feel as if I should really take part, though I'm really not very good and will probably die. Another reason to keep training hard though :)
Today - last day of week two of the running program, I'm going to be repeating most of the weeks twice I think. Today was a 25min brisk walk, which was fine, there's going to be more walking this week as reconnaissance for the Asylum Justice walk continues. As for me it's looking like a 60mile-er over two days, maybe camping in the middle.
Morning sets also done with a little levelling up - I am now up to 7 full press-ups, which is good, I am on course for my target of 10 by the end of May. I also added 5 to my weights exercises - so that is now 15 bicep curls and 15 skullcrushers, which is the end of my range, so I'm happy with that. Just because I added 10 onto each of the shadow boxing drills, it makes that into a good warm down.
So - that's all good, what about these ripples. Well I was rambling about the good behaviour of my boxing club at a ball a few weeks ago and that seems to have turned into a discussion regarding an unarmed tournament at Fightcamp this year. Oops, I didn't really mean for that to happen. I sort of feel as if I should really take part, though I'm really not very good and will probably die. Another reason to keep training hard though :)
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Made of win
Ok, maybe not in a big scale sense, but in terms of just little me I was pretty made of win tonight.
It was all about the PMA tonight in boxing, I really want to work hard in the next couple of months (though the club has just broken up for easter) and started as I mean to go on. I felt worked but good at the end of the warm-up (and my buddy was hanging in there too) and really pushed myself for the technique session. I got complaints from my pad partner for being too intense (I was egging myself on quite a lot, I think I had my war face on) but it was good and pushed it really hard (there was grunting :s) during the fitness/strength bit at the end.
But it was worth it to have my coach come up to me and tell me I'd come on loads since I started. That felt so good - I didn't know what to say. Lawrence has supported me so much since I started, especially when I had trouble getting a training partner (being tiny, they were scared of breaking me), the head coach Avoen (pronounced Avon) has also been awesome, picking me up (mentally) and dusting me off when I got floored with a gut punch. I'm properly aching now - but I was good and had my protein shake when I got in, followed by a cup of tea and my housemate has made cawl enough to share - so life is good.
Watched a little more Eddie Izzard running tonight too - and right now feel like I could take on the world.
:D
It was all about the PMA tonight in boxing, I really want to work hard in the next couple of months (though the club has just broken up for easter) and started as I mean to go on. I felt worked but good at the end of the warm-up (and my buddy was hanging in there too) and really pushed myself for the technique session. I got complaints from my pad partner for being too intense (I was egging myself on quite a lot, I think I had my war face on) but it was good and pushed it really hard (there was grunting :s) during the fitness/strength bit at the end.
But it was worth it to have my coach come up to me and tell me I'd come on loads since I started. That felt so good - I didn't know what to say. Lawrence has supported me so much since I started, especially when I had trouble getting a training partner (being tiny, they were scared of breaking me), the head coach Avoen (pronounced Avon) has also been awesome, picking me up (mentally) and dusting me off when I got floored with a gut punch. I'm properly aching now - but I was good and had my protein shake when I got in, followed by a cup of tea and my housemate has made cawl enough to share - so life is good.
Watched a little more Eddie Izzard running tonight too - and right now feel like I could take on the world.
:D
Made of fail
Was going to go out for day 2 of running today - then spent most of running time looking for my keys.
*sigh*
Ah well - boxing tonight, it's bring a buddy night - I have a buddy prepared.
I did my morning sets (with shoes) and some shadow boxing to make up for the not a run.
In other news I think I set myself up for a long charity walk (possibly up to 60miles) last night. I suppose it's a goal.
*sigh*
Ah well - boxing tonight, it's bring a buddy night - I have a buddy prepared.
I did my morning sets (with shoes) and some shadow boxing to make up for the not a run.
In other news I think I set myself up for a long charity walk (possibly up to 60miles) last night. I suppose it's a goal.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Not too bad for a tuesday
Morning sets - tick
bike ride - 25 mins (to my parents', I don't count the one to campus as I do it most days, and I don't count the way home from my parents' as it's mostly downhill)
swim - about half an hour, just under 400m - tick
That's not too bad for today. I need to get back into the weights really but am having trouble getting motivated, plus I wanted to devote some real time to my cardio as that is also a long running bugbear of mine.
Sadly I will not be attending either of my usual classes this week - boxing is not on and I am going to the theatre with my best friend rather than surf fitness. Naughty Sian - am hoping to make up on the weekend though (please please keep your fingers crossed for surf!)
bike ride - 25 mins (to my parents', I don't count the one to campus as I do it most days, and I don't count the way home from my parents' as it's mostly downhill)
swim - about half an hour, just under 400m - tick
That's not too bad for today. I need to get back into the weights really but am having trouble getting motivated, plus I wanted to devote some real time to my cardio as that is also a long running bugbear of mine.
Sadly I will not be attending either of my usual classes this week - boxing is not on and I am going to the theatre with my best friend rather than surf fitness. Naughty Sian - am hoping to make up on the weekend though (please please keep your fingers crossed for surf!)
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