Last week I was able to return to Boxing. There were a lot of restrictions but I was allowed to attend class again. I was so happy, I smiled through the entire class. Class kicked my butt in so many ways but I didn't care I was just so happy to be there.
Some of my restrictions were because of my knee, like no running or jumping rope. Other restrictions were because of the way my body overuses quads and hamstrings. So I wasn't allowed to do the sit-up where you throw the muscle ball. That exercise uses hip flexors more than abs. For me hip flexors are a big no no. Before I was allowed to attend class. Me and my trainer (someone once called him the Evil Genius) had this long discussion where I had to explain all of the things that happen in class. We went over all aspects of class. Then he decided what I was allowed to do. Even though I was allowed to attend, it was still on a trial basis. So that meant I also had to report on what we did, how I modified it and how I felt (during and after).
But with all of that I was still smiling. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I was there. One of the modifications was since I couldn't do the sit-ups the class did planks instead. Now I'm not sure if you have ever done a plank before but they are pure torture rolled into a nice flat looking package. You suck everything in and try to hold yourself up on your forearms and toes. The key is to embrace the pain and smile. Yes, I did say smile. It does help to get you through. Well of course I couldn't last for the whole time. Then Julia (the boxer woman) had the nerve to have us do side planks. Haha, what a joke. I did better on one side vs the other. I don't remember which one. I needed to block out the pain of the whole experience. We finally got to my favorite part. The actual hitting. This was sweet. It so kicked my butt but just going through the motions was awesome. I seemed to have forgotten what to do with my thumbs (yes there is a specific way you have to hold your hands). I paid for that the next day. My thumbs were very sore. No you don't use your thumbs but if you don't hold your hands right your thumbs take a lot of the shock. My rhythm was way off and I kept trying to swing harder than I was fit for. My body tried to do what I used to do. It had been 6 months since I was in a class.
After class I wrote my report for my trainer and the good news is I can go back. I'm still restricted but I'm back.
Now I just have to stay off the road long enough to go back to class...One hurdle at a time.
