Day #62: First Sparring Session

Today I fought someone, sort of. It's the first time I stood across from someone else wearing gloves/headgear/etc and we had the same goal, to punch and kick each other. It wasn't terrible. It wasn't awesome. I guess I'm somewhat indifferent about it. I've never been kicked that hard and, that I can remember, I've never attacked someone with the intent to hurt them. I didn't have nearly the type of control I wanted to have. Once I was hit and it kind of hurt I was pissed. I didn't care much about control or accuracy or technique; I just started throwing punches and hope they hurt. What sort of sucked was that the blackbelt across from me is Alex, someone I care about and I didn't really want to hurt him. I did get a little emotional about it later on. It was good in the sense that it pointed out some things I need to work on.

- I need to not try to swat someone away when they hit me, I have to learn to block it while keeping my guard up.
- I need to not take it personal when someone punches me in the head.
- I need to keep my chin tucked so that when I am punched, my head doesn't fly backwards and give me whiplash.
- I need to point my toes more when I kick because I now have a quarter-sized bruise on my right foot along with swelling, from not kicking correctly.

So I have a few things to work on for sure. I don't think I would have learned those things without actually fighting someone, so my first sparring session was helpful. I also learned that its VERY TIRING to punch someone and have them punch and kick you. I was drained for the entire day after that. Looks like I may need more cardio too! Go me!

Day #52 Baby Steps

Things have been going as they always have... training, sticking to my 300 workout, 5 miles every other day. Its been hard because I've sort of hit a wall as far as losing weight goes and I know Barbara would perfer to have me fighting closer to 200 than 220. But I'm trying not to lose sight of my goal.

Today I recorded myself again to see if I had made any improvements on the last session. I think I have. Less head movement, more keeping my hands up to block my face and I learned a few more kicks so I'm slightly more complete. I can see that I still have a long way to go but it's nice to notice that I am getting better. Here it is...



I think I will keep recording myself in small doses. It helps me see what I am doing wrong and fix it myself before getting punched in the face. Truthfully, I'd rather not learn the hard way :)

Barbara told me this week that I would be sparring soon, possibly as early as this weekend, so I am sure I will have another update sonner rather than later. Go me!