Friday, April 13, 2012

Ode to kickboxing


Let me tell you about my first experience back kickboxing. My first experience with kickboxing will be saved for another day. Today I will tell you about the first day back, after two.long.years. 
I went kickboxing then there was throw up (don't stop reading I will keep it clean, even for those who are light on the stomach). 
A week ago I decided that it was time to take the plunge and head back to kick boxing. I planned to go to the place that  I have been to in the past. I had til 7 to get myself geared up for the 90 minute intense work out. Before then, my nephew stopped by to see if he could get a quick haircut. Good thing I called the place because they changed their schedule. It was just after 5 that night. I did a quick search and found one other place near me that had a class at 6. I told myself that I was going to go no matter what. So I told my my nephew that if he wanted a hair cut he had to endure the painful (now) 60 minute work out. 
"I'm a tough football player and I run 18 miles everyday."
30 minutes later we were at the gym in our work out gear, pulling out the punch bags, gearing up for what was to come. First an 8 minute warm up without the bag. side step, punch, upper cut, jab, front kick and side kicks. A nice warm up and also very informative for those who have never tried kick boxing. 8 Minutes in, we then move to the bag. There is no way my nephew was going to let his 'old' aunt out do him that hasnt been to a gym in 2 years. He stepped up his game. I stepped up my game. Upper cut!
15 minutes later, now 23 minutes in, I take off my gloves to grab my water. It is alot harder than I remember. I am sweating like a pig. I stink like one too. 
Side kick!
I quickly put back on my gloves and start back in. My legs are going to kill me tomorrow, I just know it. Now we are 30 minutes in. I can see my nephew starting to slow down. I remind him 'tough football player huh? Not so tough when it comes to this work out.' I am so surprised that I am nearly keeping up with him and he is wearing down faster than me. 
Knee Jab!
We are now 32 minutes in to the work out, sweat covering bother of our bodies. He picks it up. I pick it up. I cant believe that I am working this hard. I told myself that I would take it easy. This is my first time back and I want to be able to walk the next day. Not waddle. Walk.
Jab!
35 minutes in I tell myself 'only 15 more minutes until cool down, I can do this.' but I was really thinking, 'I am going to pass out!' I can feel the slow burn up my legs. I can feel muscles that I don't think I have felt in 2 years. My body is falling in to old habits  of the familiar routines. I need water. By this time I am a bottle of water down with the second one open. I hear 'dont get water logged.' but I know my body and I know that if I don't drink alot of water I would be dehydrated. 
Front kick!
45 minutes in my body is screaming. Screaming from the pain but screaming in joy from feeling good. I am almost done. I can do this. Every minute that passes I keep telling myself that I am doing it. I am back in the game. 
Side step.
50 minutes in it is time for cool down. This is the easy part. Unless I ended up on the floor, then I knew I would be in trouble. I had a small glimpse of what the next day was going to be like at about minute 41. It was going to be ugly, but I had done it! With a few stretches we were out of there. 
Breath innnnnnnn and outtttttt.
59 minutes. the class is over. It was time to put back the bags and the floor mats and clean up the room for the other class. I down my second bottle of water. I could smell myself. You know it is bad when you can smell yourself. That is when it all unfolded. We walked outside and my nephew sat down on the bench to catch his breath. I walked to the end of the sidewalk where my car had been parked 68 minutes earlier. I unlock my door, put the key in the ignition, backed out and drove up to where my nephew sat on the bench. He saw me and got up to get in the car. We drove less than 10 feet when I had to come to a complete stop. My passenger side door flew open and I hear heaving. 
"I'm a tough football player!"
And you all thought it was me. It is official. His old aunt kicked his butt.

*** My nephew shall remain nameless. I wasn't going to post this but he started telling people so I thought it was only fair.


On a side note my comments are now blocked until my approval. Any comment you would like to make but not be published, wont. Now everyone can comment without everyone reading what you write.