Monday, August 18, 2008

Fight Class Update



I had my first Kickboxing Fight Class last week. I haven't posted about it before because I've been too traumatized it's taken me awhile to process the experience.

A few more guys signed up at the last minute so there were about 10 men and 2 women. We warmed up with my favorite exercise, running Ladders. Then we played Shoulder Tag. If you got tagged without tagging your partner back, you had to sprawl and do a push up. Afterwards, we partnered up and practiced deflecting punches with our backs up against the wall. We started out slow so it wasn't too hard.

Then we moved onto floor work. We took turns throwing jabs and crosses at our partner, while they parried our punches. I did OK as long as I knew, in advance, which hand my partner would be using. When it was random, I just couldn't see them coming! You are susposed to watch their collarbone for hints. Yeah, right. That was very frustrating.

So I left feeling rather discouraged and a bit overwhelmed. I thought that I should have done better. But after a pep talk from my husband and some wise words from my coach, I felt better. My coach said, "Oh, you're going to get hit. It's just that you learn how to take it." And my husband reminded me that even professionals get hit. And sometimes knocked out.

Thanks Honey.

1 week down, 7 to go.

4 comments:

Alisa said...

Keep on keeping on woman! You are motivating millions, nay, billions of women to step outside of their comfort zone. Just keep thinking how great you will feel when this class is over.
Everyone has to start somewhere. You've already done the two hardest things. Signing up and showing up. The rest is cake right?
As far as I know, I'm not a strange man pretending to be a mom. I am probably a little strange however. So I will no longer fear you.

MrsMama said...

Thanks Alisa, it's good to have you in my corner! :)

idreamicanfly said...

We watch the logos on each other's shirts, which are basically the collarbone area. Or, as I tell the guys, "watch the rack". I figure if they get distracted, I can use the advantage ;)

Anyway, you kind of have to get into a zen state to react to what's coming. If you overthink it, or really think it at all, you'll never get it. It's a reflex thing. Try starting at 1/4 speed, and when that's working well, work your way up to 1/2 speed, etc. The more you do this, the more it becomes reflex. You're lucky in that you have a built-in training partner at home. Use that munchkin!

I think getting your muscle memory set just takes a little longer for those of us who are a bit older. So we just have to practice a bit more. Good luck with it!

MrsMama said...

I Dream, thank you. Great advice and I think you are exactly right. I will ask my partners to slow down a bit next time.

"Watch the rack" LOL! :)