Training Diary: Week 2

TWO weeks down and I can already feel myself getting fitter and also slightly bigger.

After becoming utterly and completely obsessed with exercise and boxing we have now started to step things up a notch.

Training is focusing more on bag work and 'light sparring' than cardio.

Last Sunday we did the usual warm ups and shadow boxing - which is getting better - before having a go on the bags.

I am still having problems keeping my guard up and naturally drop my hands to my chest rather than keeping them up to protect my face.

Now obviously this is something I need to address before the big fight otherwise I am going to smashed to the floor quicker than you can say "And in the blue corner".

I am also a little bit 'too energetic' and need to stop bouncing around like Richard Simmons on a sugar rush and conserve my energy.

Now onto the bag work...

We were given six minutes - 3x2 minute rounds - on the bags which is the time we will be in the ring.

Again this proved to be difficult as unlike shadow boxing I am actually meeting some resistance now. Still I managed to stay on my feet although I wasn't throwing the six punch combinations in three action packed rounds that I had hoped I would be.

And I still wasn't being hit at the other end...

We then moved on to more blocking training but this time partner was a bit more aggressive than my previous one and kept shouting at me to hit him the face! I think he was holding back on me though to be honest.

I am still getting sore shoulders and arms and need to work on building these up if I am to deliver any sort of power.

Now at home I have started to take on a more bizarre ritual.

I have never actually been hit before so could end up having a chin like Jake Lamotta or a glass statue. In order to try and find out I have taken to hitting myself - hard - in the face and stomach with a boxing glove. A bit strange for any passers by or my neighbours looking in I am sure but I think it's helping...

Am now looking forward to my first proper sparring session to see how I will actually cope, because at the moment I have no idea!!