Beaver Boxing II

I met this guy in the park who's got a dog very similar to mine (his is an American Staffordshire Terrier), and he knows some people at Beaver Boxing who he's going to introduce me to. Amazing, just as I was wondering about how to get in there fate sorts everything out. Hope this doesn't sound too wanky, but if anyone's read Paulo Coehlo you'll know what I mean ... its like whenever you're commited to doing something enough then the universe conspires to help you do it. I think Brad might come and train too, apparently he's done some martial arts and sparring before so he'll be a great addition to the training

Calf muscle injury

There's been a bit of a set back .. I knew I was going to miss week 7 of the training because of a trip to Las Vegas (sales conference with work), but just before I went I pulled my calf-muscle playing football. Especially annoying because I was feeling really good about the football season so far. My performances have been loads better than last season just because of the training ... faster, more stamina, stronger ... but anyway thats all gone to shit because of this. The stupid thing is, I pulled it a little bit just running with the dog in the park, then knowing that it was hurt I went to play anyway, on astro-turf that didn't help at all. Should know better. So now I'm out for week 8. I'm going anyway because there's feedback on our progress.

Happy Father's Day

In honour of Father's Day (Canadian) and to prove that I should have some pedigree for this caper, here is a story that my old fella told me about when he was an engineering apprentice in Liverpool (see 'The African King' for a story about my grandfather).

My father and all the other apprentices had to work on a technical drawing, free-hand of course as part of their apprenticeship. He had finished, and it was looking good until one of the others threw a cup of coffee all over the page ... on purpose, probably out of envy. My father's name is Dave, the coffee-spiller's name is Davie and he went on to be my father's best man. This was maybe one of their first encounters and there was a score to be settled. My father chased Davie around the factory floor, but Davie was quick. Eventually, as tempers had settled they were able to communicate that a fist-fight wouldn't do because they may both lose their jobs .. so they'd have to settle it another way. From what I understand, scores did not go unsettled in the good old days.

So they decided that they would take turns to punch each other in the arm, and whoever yielded first would be the loser. In England its called a 'dead-arm', here in Canada its called a 'charlie-horse' and Davie tried to give one to my Dad my sneakily raising his middle-knuckle in his fist and swinging his best shot. My father did not flinch at all. Even though it hurt like hell, he didn't move a muscle, his expression stayed the same ... and this was enough for Davie. He ran again, my father didn't even have to throw his punch because he won by default because of being hard as coffin nails.

Beaver Boxing

So we are half way through the first Whitebrook boxing technique class, 4 more weeks to go and then the classes stop for 3 weeks for renovations, and then there's the summer schedule. We're definitely signing up and sticking with this program, but its time to find a place where we can spa too.

There is a boxing gym in town called Beaver Boxing, so I have to email Chris the Coach at Whitebrook for an introduction. I dont want him to think that we're not continuing with his fitness plan because we are, I imagine everyone knows each other in the boxing community. He started out at Beaver too so hopefully he'll understand and be helpful.

Skip-to-the-loo

I managed to do the speedbag continuously for 2 mins. Its funny because I set that as a goal, and seperately Konrad bought himself a rope and set himself a goal of continuous skipping and achieved that too. Amazing how fast you can progress when you really want to. Which is good because we're up against the clock if we want to fight in 10 more months.

We are now doing cross-over skipping, where you cross your hands in front of you to jump through the loop. Pretty fancy.

The bathroom is almost done, still no running water and no toilet available last night but the walls are the right colour and the tiles are on the floor.

Having a dog with the jog

mmm its not been the best week for sticking to the plan, diet has been good but workouts have been few and far between. First I cancelled the weightlifting with Konrad on Wednesday because of taking the dog to the vet. That was horseshit because I hate going to the vet anyway, I always feel like I'm being gouged for more money for shots / parasite treatments / fleas etc etc .. she's in grave danger of something or other new every time we go. Anyway, she's getting fixed next week and then we're not going back unless she explicitly asks me to. Then, my football match was cancelled on Thursday. Only a friendly pre-season but I'd already chalked up 90 mins on the exercise log which now I'll have to scrub, thats a pyschological blow!

On the otherhand, I've worked out a decent schedule for the mornings now. Up at 6.30-40am, bowl of Kashi cereal/juice ... 6.50am go for a jog to the dog park inc 3 times round the perimeter. Its a bit of a chore teaching her to run alongside but its going to pay-off big-time because 1) getting 2 jobs done at once and 2) she's been asleep in her crate since we got back. 7.40am After the park, come home, get a drink of water, go to the gym across the street, quick 15 min swim / sauna, shower, back home in front of the computer by 8.25am. Trick is to do it again on Monday.

Mornings

So the morning workouts are not going that well, in that they are not going at all at the moment. Didnt do the home workout yesterday or today, or bother going swimming. I have to sort this out and get in the groove. At least start by taking the dog for a longer walk / jog or something. Weightlifting tonight with Konrad