What do you do when your friend tells you they're organising a charity white collar boxing event?
The continuing diary of a girl who said 'I'll do it!'
Boxing for Buhinga: The Fight Club Diaries. Week 4
I skipped the gym on Monday as the tiredness has started to hit me - at over 30 degrees at the weekend I suspect I'm probably sweating out a whole load of something and not replacing it quick enough. I'm trying not to drink as much alcohol as it's just impossible to recover quickly, but I did slip a bit on Saturday and Sunday nights so it's maybe that.
I buy some multivitamins just in case they might help. Exercise wise I go for a quick run instead, am massively impressed I don't pass out - though only a mile around the block it's quite a big deal for someone who has never been able to run - I could probably have done two miles if I pushed myself past the stiffness in my calves so that's my next challenge - twice around the block! Had to borrow the boyfriend's headphones and as professional ones he uses for DJ'ing they block out ALL the noise - I nearly get run over twice. Resolve to pay more attention to surroundings.
By Tuesday I'm back to my pre-weekend cheese-fest weight and raring to go for boxing club. Training is tough - though the warm up doesn't feel quite so bad as usual, and I manage to do the plank from elbows to hand thing once or twice so I feel quite smug - Simon the Merciless is right, I am gradually getting a little bit fitter.
Lora has her first sporting injury as she thinks she's pulled her tricep (shadow boxing of all things) -so we take it gently tonight. I feel like we're learning a bit more about some of the techniques but progress feels painfully slow, and we're worried the others think we're lagging behind. They're all ready to start sparring and we're nowhere near - we're starting to panic. We still manage to almost collapse into laughter when I do a move that looks like a dodgy Matrix impression. Class and style ladies, class and style.
The boyfriend goes away for work so while he's not around to judge I make myself my first egg white omelette with spinach as a healthy breakfast - it's actually OK, looks a bit anaemic and you wouldn't choose it over a nice eggs florentine but if it keeps but my current weight loss and developing fitness then I'd happily eat it again. I get on the scales and I've lost another 1.5 pounds - I have no idea how because I haven't done anything differently.
This week's task is to start looking for a mouth guard and head guard - the mouth guard being more key I think. My friend Katie mentioned that she gagged on her mouth guard at first and ended up paying that bit more for a dentist's one that you can talk and breathe in. Rugby playing friends say the same so I think that's the way I'll go.
Must remember to check in and find out how much from my dentist - that isn't a call I fancy making at my desk. Wearing the mouth guard everywhere - to the gym, when running, when training, is apparently key to getting used to it in plenty of time. I know it's going to annoy me so I need to get started on that asap. The yoga ladies are going to really appreciate that through Richmond of an early morning.
Now that the trailer has been released (see below!) I send an email round the office as people keep asking where they can buy tickets for the fight. People respond with encouraging messages of support, and one observant person notes 'I thought you were going to the gym a lot'. Ha
About Boxing for Buhinga & Universal Chance
The Boxing for Buhinga event will be held on the 24th of November at the Grange St Pauls hotel in London. For tickets and enquiries go to http://universalchance.org/tickets/. You can read profiles of all the fighters at http://universalchance.org.
Universal Chance is a charitable trust set up by a group of friends who share a common desire to use the skills that we have developed through our careers to do what we can to help communities that have not been granted the same chances that we have whilst inspiring others to do the same.
We are dedicated to implementing tangible projects that will help less privileged communities and individuals reach their potential . This could be anything from improving education facilities to providing medical facilities or giving access to clean water. To find out more check out our site http://universalchance.org/ or follow us on twitter at @universalchance.