Day 2 of 100 Days of Boxing:

November 16th, 2023

10:32 am 60F

Rounds: 8

Location: Garage

Audio: 1972 Classic Rock (Spotify radio)

Waking up with a noticeable tightness and stiffness from yesterday's session, thinking to myself, "can a person actually go 'light' on heavy bag day?" My shoulders and back feel like bags of sand - and respond accordingly. I am almost 2% closer to the 100 day boxing goal, today I will need to listen to my body to make it.

I start the session similar to yesterday, I jump into pivots, footwork, and shadow boxing. A challenging 3-minute round of pivots sets the tone, highlighting the importance of maintaining fluidity and focus in the absence of a real opponent. A healthy imagination is key. Boxing, I realize, is a meditative experience, whether it's the rhythmic rope skipping, aligning breath with movement, or the coordination of footwork and strikes.

I decide today will be dedicated to a strong lead hand, I work combinations of the jab, cross, lead hook to head, and lead shovel to body. Incorporating a jousting lead hand and nimble, bouncing footwork, I adopt a movement style reminiscent of Russian boxing techniques. This establishes and maintains a protective distance, allowing me to move into and out of the pocket with strategic precision. Having a lead hand extended while moving feels safe. I consider any 'traffic' between my head and my opponents gloves a good thing.

Stepping back, I am aware of the nuanced timing required for the third and fourth punches in the combo outlined above. Implementing a strategic pause before unleashing a coiled lead hook, I use the opportunity to lock on to my target's new position, ensuring perfect timing and maximum impact. Imagining and parrying my shadow opponent's likely counterattacks. This hyper-vigilance and awareness keeps my mind intensely present. Other than surfing this sport is extremely immersive.

Today's exertion surpasses yesterday's. It's difficult to articulate the satisfaction from the centripetal force of movement, culminating in a rewarding thwack of leather on leather, as sweat sprays across the sunlit floor mats.

Until tomorrow's session, I will stretch and work on keeping my posture.