I'm a Hooker

I have a LOT of catching up to do! These next few posts will be very random and somewhat out of order, but that's pretty much the way my life has been, so I'll just jump in and start blogging the best I can. I just know there's a whole gob of you out there who have been waiting with bated breath for me to share my thoughts and views. 

Friday, November 1, 2013--my first boxing lesson.

Let me start out by saying I'm not coordinated. REALLY not coordinated. 

I met Abby at her house that morning and we went for "a little run" to warm up. When we were back to her house, she wrapped my hands and put the gloves on me. I admit it... I felt pretty tough just wearing the gloves. The theme from "Rocky" started going through my head. I'm not lying.

First, I had to learn "the stance". Sounds pretty easy, right? Not for me. Most everything I do with Abby, whether it be wall-sits, lunges, or a number of other things, she reminds me to stay on my heels. Dig them in. Seems as if being light on your toes is necessary in boxing, so I realize I have to reprogram my brain, right then and there. My brain doesn't listen. I get frustrated. 

Now I have to remember to guard and protect my face. So, I'm standing, more on my toes than my heels and I've got my gloves up on each side of my face.

Now comes the first punch. The Jab. Apparently, it's the common, fundamental, basic punch. We practice it for a while, me just jabbing away at Abby (she's wearing those round pad things to protect herself from my brute strength). I have to get the angle of my hands right. I try. Then I have to remember to guard my face after each punch. Oh boy, it was going to be a long morning!

The Cross was next. I think I was better at The Jab. Break time. Yay!

Some break... I just got to switch to sit-ups and jumping rope. I kept the gloves on... so I felt like I was REALLY training. I honestly felt pretty tough. But I know I looked stupid.

Break time was over, back to boxing.

And it was my time to shine. Apparently I'm a hooker. Abby said The Hook was my best punch. I felt good doing it, too. It almost felt like I knew what I was doing. And I've never been in a physical altercation in my life. Well, where I hit back anyway.

The Uppercut was the last punch Abby taught me. In my head, I knew this would require a little more skill than I have. To me, it's a very rhythmic motion. Rhythm eludes me. This didn't feel natural at all. I could get into The Hook. I managed The Jab and The Cross. But, The Uppercut, well... I wasn't so good at it.

Break time again. Oh, no, I meant time for more sit-ups and jumping rope.

By the end of the workout, I was drenched in sweat. Boxing was a completely new type of exercise for me and I really didn't think it would be such a big deal, but wow, were my arms tired. I knew I didn't walk out of Abby's garage ready to fight anyone, but I did feel a small sense of empowerment by learning those punches. I was almost giddy with pride at what I had done.

Later, Abby posted this on Facebook: 

"Today, we learned that Paige is a "hook"er. It happened to be her best of the 4 punches she learned today while boxing with me! I also made her run, jump rope, and sit up many times. She was not too happy with me while it happened."

Watch out Laila Ali!