Always Improving

Image via WikipediaDuring the last few days, I've been doing about an hour of roadwork each day, in the blustery weather. It hasn't been anything fancy: just long, slow, distance, a few sprints to spice things up, running sideways for short distances, and running backwards when there are no people, cars, or dogs nearby.

Why do I do it? I want to improve. I know I am building and maintaining a foundation for endurance, but I want my training to be comprehensive; I want to be a complete boxer. I've gotten wiser in my training. In earlier days, I'd be at the gym 5 or 6 days in a row, in the middle of sweat-drenched August, doing intensive workouts and sparring on at least 4 of those days. While I could often see my speed improving, notice my punches having greater power, and my defense protecting me more effortlessly from my opponent's blows, I frequently sensed that I was putting out a lot more than I was taking in.

I could call it over-training, and perhaps on some level it was, but that explanation was too facile for my taste. Others over-trained. I engaged in some more exotic behavior that defied labeling. No, "over-training" could not explain what I was doing. I was somehow immersing myself in an angst worthy of Kierkegaard, using that angst as a platform for my practice and development as man, as free agent in the universe, and as boxer.

For now, I continue to work on improvement each day. There's some Zen dying to leap out of the shadows and illuminate the nature of improvement itself, but it will have to wait.

Autumnal Renewal

It's the middle of October, and a time of renewal for me. I'm working on a number of projects, including marketing efforts, and staying focused on my work. Indeed, I'm renewing my commitment to making my law firm and my writing career successful. I have no lack of dedication, but the situation is frustrating because it is taking very long to generate new opportunities and cultivate them to the point where they develop some sweet fruit that can nourish me, both metaphorically and literally.

I'm not complaining; indeed, I consider myself blessed. I am taking a dream I developed over 16 years ago and I'm making it reality. That dream is to be self-employed, running my own law firm and earning a significant portion of my income from my writing. The flexibility and range of opportunities are unmatched and suit my personality very well.

I am a little disappointed that I am behind schedule on several things, including:

• my marketing efforts (with the law firm marketing consultants I have hired);
• completion of my minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) requirements, which are now overdue;
• pursuit of several additional writing and blogging opportunities that seem like they'd be great for me;
• completion of my currently quarterly update to my book, Internet Law, and writing the update that must immediately follow it; and
• of course, my boxing training.

I know things will soon get back to a more manageable routine and something that seems like order emerging from the chaos. It won't take long to get there, and I'm determined to enjoy the experiences I have along the way.

Resuming Blogging: What I've Been Up To

It has been a good summer overall, but busy in ways I don't particularly like. Instead of being busy doing work for clients and writing, I've been hustling to generate new business and, with the great recession happening, it has been fairly slow going.

Nevertheless, my indomitable optimism and confidence is keeping me going. It really is a matter of attitude. I've tried to ignore or deny that--whining to my coaches (or myself) between some of the tougher rounds--that I was tired, that the other guy was stronger, that my whole fight plan was dissolving before my very eyes. One of my former coaches told me that I win or lose the bout, in my head, before I even step into the ring.  I didn't like it much, because in one sentence, he pretty much erased all my excuses for losing.

Glen's giving me a lot of good help; he'll make a boxer out of me one of these days. I had a great one-on-one session with him the week before last and a good practice with him and the guys on Sunday morning. I know I keep saying this, but I need to give more time to developing the mental game. I had some really good sparring on Sunday with Howard and Greg, and some great drills with the two of them and with Dwayne and Jim. I need to take all of that, synthesize it, and develop some more specific rehearsal and visualization exercises.

Despite what might seem like some minor complaints, overall, I am pleased with my recent progress. My footwork is getting smoother and I'm definitely more balanced and at ease when moving. Probably my biggest challenge is to stay relaxed in the ring. It's amazing, but when I feel my arms, shoulders, or legs tensing up, I can tell myself simply, "Relax," and I'm able to let the tension flow right out of me. The big, remaining challenge is to maintain the self-awareness that tells me I'm tensing up and reminds me to relax. I can get there. I will get there.

Finally, a nice move Glen has me practicing is throwing a hard right hand to the chin of an opponent who is rushing me. As with any technique, it takes lots of repetition to master. I'll write more about it in a few days, but it helps me to focus on this move. I know I am making progress.

Sunday's Training

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I had a good workout on Sunday. As always, Glen was his enthusiastic self, and I had recovered enough from my cold/flu to actually put in some hard work. We have a new boxer in the group, Howard, who is also a lawyer. Like the rest of the boxers, he's a very likable fellow with decent boxing skills. He's also a southpaw, so it's great to have the opportunity to practice with another left-handed opponent.

We did a lot of drills. In addition to the attack and defense--the punches, slips, blocks, and other maneuvers that make up a boxer's arsenal--I paid special attention to balance and footwork. I noticed I was moving more smoothly and positioning myself a lot more effectively. Footwork and balance are really basic, and they seem basic after I do them well, but I don't think one can practice them too much. When I am well-positioned on my feet and in a state of balance, I can move a lot better, punch better, protect myself better, fight my fight (rather than the opponent's), and stay more energized. It can be surprising how tiring poor technique can be!

Howard and I sparred a spirited three rounds. He's a skilled strategist and knows how to use his left-handed stance to his advantage. Still, with the recent practice I've gotten with Scott, who is also a lefty, I was pretty confident during all three rounds. After those rounds, Glen gave us each a few suggestions for improvement, and Howard and I shared with one another our assessment of the work. It went well. We finished by doing a few rounds of heavy bag drills, abs, and then the crown jewel of the workout: the thirties.

I'm pleased with my progress, even though, as always, I see lots of things I can do better. We've got a good guys in our group, and everyone is very encouraging, so that's a huge help. I'm making some new friends, so that's a bonus. It's great to work with Glen. He's upbeat, keenly interested in our progress, and willing to explain and demonstrate moves for me as many times as it takes for me to get them right.

Often when I am close to doing a combination well, I'll ask Glen some questions about strategy I can use in case my opponent anticipates or counters any of my punches. I always want to stay a step or two ahead of the other guy. Glen always enthusiastically explains defenses and counters I'll likely face, and gives me concrete pointers for beating them.

I'm keeping up my training fairly regularly, despite my blogging about it less than I prefer. As some other things in life quiet down, I hope to write more here. I had also hoped to play hockey this winter, in a league, but there are only so many hours available. With the economy in the recession, I am really having to hustle to generate new business for my law firm. When I have fewer clients, my writing becomes a lot more important so I need to focus on that. At this point, boosting income and wealth is important, so I have to emphasize my professional life more. While I might play ice hockey next winter or in a summer league, or roller hockey in the summer, sadly that sport will have to stay on hold for a while. For now, my athletic endeavors will be aimed at becoming a better boxer.