On Boxing

In my previous post, I mentioned that during my whirlwind of activities yesterday, I had the opportunity to do a little boxing. I gave it short shrift because my Sugarbaker meeting and Will almost being hit by a car were dominating topics, but today I'd like to take a moment to elaborate on my boxing experience because I'm in love.

My second cousin, Vivian, and her entire family are into kickboxing, MMA, etc., so when I told Vivian that I wanted to work out, she pulled out her boxing gloves and started wrapping my hands. She taught me some punch combinations and we ran a few speed drills. I immediately loved it -- not only does it get the heart pumping, but it gives me an opportunity to actually use my guns instead of just asking friends to squeeze them. The picture on the right is from last night, while I struck my best imposing boxer pose.

The minute I got off the plane tonight, I headed straight to Sport Chalet and bought myself some boxing gear -- pink hand wraps (for breast cancer awareness, not because I particularly identify with the color pink), Duke Blue boxing gloves (now there's a color I identify with), and target pads (or "punch mitts" as the packaging says) so Will can prevent his hands from being crushed as I unleash my jabs, crosses, hooks, and upper cuts.

I've always been inspired by the training montages in boxing movies -- Rocky, Million Dollar Baby, and The Fighter -- and now I've got the opportunity to create one of those montages for myself. Now that I'm at full strength and feeling incredibly fit and healthy, I'm going to go all out on my training regimen. I think that adding a sparring routine to my daily workout, and following it with some sprints or a longer jog (to get myself winded, as prescribed by Dr. Sugarbaker), then capping off my daily training with weightlifting at Educogym will be a perfect beast-making recipe. Can you sense my excitement? I'm so excited.

You know, cancer really did mess with the wrong person. Seriously, cancer? You picked the person who laughs at pain, who prefers bigger challenges to smaller ones, who hates to lose and enjoys discipline, sacrifice, and sore muscles? Cancer, I've got news for you. You're stupid. And I'm going to make you pay.