August was pretty much a wash as far as training went. My sprained finger on my right hand prohibited me from paricipating in boxing and kickboxing class, but I still did combat fitness class and spent more time on cardio. Oddly, though, having time away from boxing and kickboxing actually made me better. Last week I was able to start taking classes again and during sparring at the end of kickboxing class I felt really good. I started to do things instinctively: I'm stepping offline without thinking about it, I cover up on every punch I throw, my head moves side to side as I punch and ... dare I say I almost have a decent entry that allows me to close distance. It's almost as if having time off allowed the knowledge in my head to congeal, ferment, age, whatever you want to call it, but it's no longer purely intellectual knowledge; now that knowledge lives in my arms and legs and hips.
Last night's boxing class (9-4) was large, many new faces and many young guys who had no clue about what they were doing. Seeing them go through the drills made me realize just how far I have come in my training. September makes it eight months since I started learning boxing and kick boxing and it's only now that I'm starting to feel like I'm putting all the pieces together. This should be good news for the newbies. The stuff that seems impossible now will become second nature. If the mechanics of throwing a proper punch mystify you now, in a few months all will be revealed. And if you get injured and are sidelined for a few a weeks, know that your training doesn't come to a stop. Just because you can't punch bags or people doesn't mean you can't learn and build on your knowledge. Get in front of a mirror and practice your movement and combinations, envision yourself sparring and think about how you would counter or enter. Keep at it and in eight months - maybe sooner - a new guy will come to class and it will make you realize how far you'e come.
