Just In Case

Memorable Lanes

The YMCA that I go to for boxing classes has two locations. The old building is now referred to as the historic YMCA and martial arts classes are housed there.

When it was not historic, I took swimming lessons so I couldn't resist taking a look at the pool on the way to boxing class....

Yesterday, I had lots of fun and got an amazing workout. My favorite sequence of the night: roundhouse kick...roundhouse (right leg)...roundhouse (other leg)...jab...jab...cross...

We practiced self-defense moves at the end of class and worked on what to do if someone is choking you or throwing a punch. Even though we were practicing, it was totally unnerving to have someone's hands around my throat but totally empowering to have maneuvers in my repertoire just in case...

As I left class, my sparring partner told me how much she enjoys boxing. It's the only exercise that I don't dread, she said.

Forward, Not Backward

Went to boxing and about half the class showed up. We'll just chalk up the attendance to the post-snowpocalypse. It was a good class and, as my sparring partner Michelle said, there was something very gratifying about one sequence that Dawn gave us: right kick, left kick, jab and cross. When you get into a good rhythm, it's beautiful and taxing.

Dawn reminded me several times about my stance which is often too wide. When we did one sequence: kick, jab...jab, cross, she told me that, after kicking, I needed to land my foot closer to my opponent. Of course, it made perfect sense when she demonstrated how you, essentially, want to be in your opponent's grill so, therefore, your momentum should be forward not backward.

At the end of class, Dawn showed us a hip-thrusting-foot-stomping-elbow-throwing self-defense move. She now wants to show us one technique per class. I still remember Dawn's talk about elbows in a previous class. She said that the elbow is one of the hardest bones in the body. It's a no-brainer but a fact that was not in the forefront of my mind even though I often joke about throwing 'bows. Now, I think about the hardness of the elbow a lot.

Just Pedal...With Consolations

Ever since Patti started training for her Bike MS event, she's been inviting me to go bicycling and I finally took her up on her offer. Mind you, I've been bicycling sporadically and the last time that I went (on Sept. 4th) a mere nine miles wore me out.

I had a dream last night and, in the dream, I woke up late, forgot to eat breakfast and damaged my bike at the library. Not sure why I made a pit stop at the library.

We ended up doing approximately 28 miles which is the longest mileage that I've racked up in one bicycling outing. I like the art of the drive-by and I'm usually done with bicycling in about an hour or an hour and a half.

At one point, it felt like I was in The Twilight Zone. I thought I was pedaling but didn't feel like I was getting anywhere. I was so relieved when Crystal said something about a subtle hill.

During the last leg, when I felt like we would never get back to the finish line, I told Patti to just go ahead; it was an offer that I extended multiple times because I just ran out of steam. I kept telling myself to just pedal and, eventually, I'd get back to where I started from.

When we finally got towards the end of our ride, Crystal said If it's any consolation, we're close. Although, Michelle did challenge her, very funnily, about what constitutes close.

Michelle also chimed in to say that when she first bicycled that kind of mileage, it was tough but now it's easier. Duly noted...

Patti was coaching me along at the end. You are going to be so proud of yourself when you make it to the end and, later, We are doing this for our health... She also kept trying to distract me with nature which worked...a little.

Nickel Plate Trail

Postscript: Crystal has some gadget and reports that we rode 29.8 miles.

A Benchmark Is Still A Benchmark or CrossFit Basic Training, The Final Class

I had mixed emotions as I faced my last CrossFit basics class and really can't believe the end came so quick. I checked out benchmark workouts and there were only a couple that us newbies would be able to take on. I didn't know how it was going to be administered but I prepared, nervously, to get my behind kicked.

I briefly chit chatted with Michelle earlier in the day and said that Laurie was going to kill us tonight and the boot was not going to stop her. Michelle agreed that the boot doesn't hold Laurie back...

The six of us walk into the gym and there's Laurie and Libbie and someone that I don't know. I do not like onlookers but relaxed once I found out that it was Laurie's daughter who was going to help with equipment because of her mother's limited mobility.

We warmed up on rowing machines Tabata-style. Twenty seconds of rowing, ten seconds of rest. Repeat.

Next up, hollow PVC pipes for warming up the shoulders and practicing the snatch. A considerable amount of time is spent on snatch technique and, to really get a feel for the snatch, we practice with dumbbells. Next up, the ab mat. We're introduced to some piece of equipment where you can do a full body extension to work your abs. Completely forgot the name of the machine which they won't let you touch until you get more experience under your belt.

Libbie wants to also show us burpees. What's a burpee? Carol asks.

Me: I hate burpees...

I look at the clock and think there's no way that we have time for a benchmark workout. No way. We're almost 45 minutes into a 60 minute class. I was wrong. It's not a benchmark workout but a baseline chipper. Whatever, a rose is still a rose... I repeatedly scanned the board that the chipper was written on as I wrapped mind around the workout.

10 Burpees (Modified)

10 Pull-Ups (Jumping from a Box)

20 Box Jumps

20 KB Swings (25 pounds, Russian version)

30 Sit-ups

30 Slams (14 pounds)

40 Jump Ropes (Singles)

40 Prisoner Lunges

I've been working on my abs and, as a result, I took care of the sit-ups without much drama. In fact, I kind of enjoyed the experience. I also went right through the rope jumping and was much better at the kettlebell swing. After Mich mentioned the hip action, I watched a video on YouTube and a light bulb went off. The prisoner lunges owned me.

Michelle and I gutted out the prisoner lunges together. She finished right before I did and I finished last and collapsed near a fan. Laurie's daughter was kind enough to position the fan so that I could get the full effect.

I was hoping that I would have my answer about joining CrossFit but I don't. I do think that it is what I need right now and it was very satisfying making it though the baseline chipper but I am concerned about walking into a class with seasoned CrossFitters like, say, Libbie who took care of a 50 pound dumbbell demonstrating the snatch. Wish there were a step-up, freshman kind of class.

After I got up off the floor, Laurie's daughter hopped up on the pull-up bar and hung there. I don't do this kind of stuff, she said quietly...

And how long did it take me to finish the baseline chipper? 12:35. Some of that time, LOL, was spent bent over while breathing heavily. And the Epsom Salt bath? Already a done deal.

I Need You To Be More Aggressive or CrossFit Basic Training, Round 4

I wondered, just about all day long, what was in store. Apparently, Michelle had the same thing on her mind. Before we know it, it's go time. No need to wonder any longer.

Jessica gave me You Are Your Own Gym but someone forgot to write a book about the uses of a CrossFit gym.

Michelle and I hang together as we run around the building (following Libbie) to warm up then hop up on the deck which is quite elevated. Laurie wanted us to experience the hopping portion of the program.

Lots of people are gifted enough to do things in their sleep or with their eyes closed and Laurie is gifted enough to teach class with a ruptured tendon and leg boot; she heard something go pop before our class last Saturday.


We warm up with PVC pipes again. Do:

Human-size rubber band assisted pull-ups (still challenging with assistance and challenging to get into and out of)

Ring Dips

Prisoner Lunges

Turkish Get Ups

Sort of Push-ups...Only Working Scapulas

Air Squats + Other Squats

Libbie reminds us to pop our butts out while doing squats. I forget to get that butt and hip action going and kill my quads...

Hang Power Cleans.......Hate Them

At one point while we're practicing, I turn my training bar vertical and stop because I just don't get it and when Laurie checks on me, I say I'm sorry; I don't get it.

Laurie: They're going to be in the workout.

That would be the upcoming benchmark workout. Needless to say, I'm frustrated because I don't want to sit out while other people are lifting. The whole flipping part of the Hang Power Clean just had me stumped.

We get to the end of the class pretty fast. The last item on the agenda.

Three Rounds of

5 Deadlifts
5 Hang Power Cleans
5 Squats
5 Presses

I'm not sure which weights go where. I put a training bar on the weight bench when I should not have. Laurie asks me to come down to the weight bench next to her because I know it and she knows it: I cannot be left to my own devices.

During the deadlifts, I forget to bend my knees. During the squat, I forget what stance I'm supposed to be in. When it comes to Hang Power...time, Laurie is like -- just get it up there and we'll work on technique yadda yadda yadda.

I start to get a small feel for it when Laurie tells me I need you to be more aggressive. She again says how it takes a while to nail the body mechanics etc. etc.

I kind of get one of the Hang Powers right. As I'm exiting, Laurie tells me that because I'm strong, I have a tendency to use my upper body too much. What to say? It was a night with mixed results. After class, I had so much pent-up energy that I had to go for a walk and, during the walk, there was a part of me that wanted to take off and run.