Who's idea was this again? One thing is for sure, the training is unbelievable. In a good way. It's very tough, and you know you've been training. The 2 lads certainly know what they're at. From Cardio to punching bags, to medicine balls, to skipping, to the ring. It's all lined up and we can't fault that the lads will have us ready. Whether I'll be able to box is debateable, but it won't be for want of trying.

The cardio is tough, and I'm doing floor exercises I've never heard of never mind seen. Now I should point out that my coordination is chronic, so I'm at a loss from the start! But to be fair you can feel a small improvement from week 1 to week 2. It's not that they get easier, but you know what's coming so it's less of a shock to the system. But don't tell Gavin that!

Onto the bags and we all go after the bags with all our might. Flaking punches here and there and feeling like we can box. But of course the bags don't hit back! On to the blessed medicine balls. Christ they're the worst. If I could I'd roll them down the stairs and out the door! But you can see why they're used. From there onto skipping. I haven't skipped since national school and I wasn't much good at it then either! But again, you get used to it from the week to week, and suddenly you're skipping for sustained periods instead of skips again!

Finally onto the sparring with 2 young boxers. Underline the word "boxers". Which we're not. Well bar one or two, not pointing any fingers at Shane and Niall!! Anyway, they can box and I can't. My lack of coordination goes against me again. Guard up. Fine. Throw a punch. Fine. Guard up, throw a punch, guard back up, stance has to be right, attack a punch, and deflect a punch. Whoa horsey, back up a bit! Now it must be stressed that the 2 lads and Peter are patient with me but I must be stretching that patience somewhat. But again, they must be doing something right as I didn't get punched in the same place the 2nd night. Yes, I'm counting that as improvement!  

It's funny how peoples behaviour doesn't change as life progresses. Remember in school when a fight broke out and everyone stopped and watched the fight develop?  Well, the same thing happens with the sparring! Whether you're on the bags, medicine balls, or skipping; once the bell goes for your one minute break we all stop and watch the sparring! It's as much out of wanting to see who can fight and who isn't as good at it. In other words who you'd like to avoid in your bout! And let me tell you there are a few!

But we'll plug on and see how it goes! And by the way, the training doesn't get any easier. Gavin put us through the toughest session I have seen the 2nd Wednesday night, and it doesn't look like it's going to get any easier as the weeks progress!