Yeah Day ~7: I’m sore. I’ve been absent from EPA’s gym since late February (ie the Cruise). One month makes a huge difference in overall conditioning. I feel like I’m starting over again. I have limited form, muscle memory and stamina up against the speed bag, heavy bag, and focus mitts.
Fridays are super short days at the EPA gym. They open at 6PM and close at 7PM. However in that short and intense hour on April 9, I had the simple goal of just showing up and seeing if I could hit the speed bag and heavy bag. I got more than I bargained for. The ring looked closed off and Fatima only had regular clothe and flip-flops on. Since there were only 4 other people in the gym, Fatima was convinced into bringing out Johnny’s focus mitts for 2 young high school boys who wanted some ring time. I ended up getting in for 1 round.
My first jabs were weak and tentative. Throwing punches in the air (as in Cardio Kickboxing with Eric at Gold’s Gym) is extremely easy when compared to focusing on a speed bag or heavy punching bag. But it’s REALLY different when you’re hitting a focus mitt. You really have to focus on hitting that little 2 inch circle in the mitt with speed, form, and power. There is a certain sound and cadence to how ring training with the focus mitts. Last night it was absent. So there are many things to improve. Before the Cruise, my jabs and crosses were making good progress. Now gone. Hooks and uppercuts. Ugh poor. Speed and stamina are definitely down. Fatima drilled non-stop punching within the last minute and a half of the 3 minute round and my aerobic conditioning, breathing and overall form from February are definitely gone. My defensive position is poor too. I kept dropping my right hand on my left hooks or uppers. I got smacked in the head too many times for dropping. One month of conditioning, had me better prepared for the 2 or 3 times in the ring with Johnny in retrospect.
In Jan and Feb, I had gone to the EPA gym 4 weeks straight at least 3-4 times a week. This was great for boxing but bad in other areas as I had let my resistance training slip. Anyway I’m glad I got in on Friday. One month makes a difference but 3 minutes in the ring is like a magnifying glass on everything I need to work on.
More later…
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