Pre-Bout Training, Diet and Sparring

ENTRY 327

PRE-BOUT TRAINING

I have started my training and diet for the June 25 card.

I have a lot to do, and I just realized that I have also raised the bar. I did very well last time, even though I did not win. However, it will now be expected that I perform that way every time.
That is fine. I understand and expect that. I am ready for that.

Although, I don't yet have a confirmed opponent, it does not hurt to be in pre-bout training.


SPARRING

Sparring is back. At least for Monday.
A few showed up for sparring and Richard is back from being sick.

This is something I really need to concentrate on over the next few weeks. I really need to work on offence. Even during sparring on Monday, I noticed myself that it still needs work.

There was no sparring on Tuesday, so I need to get in a few rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.


DROPPING WEIGHT AGAIN

After struggling a bit at 179 lbs. for a while, I am now down to 177 lbs.


MOVIN' ON DOWN

Since there is not much to comment on about boxing in this entry, time for a rant.
Well, not really.

I am once again looking for an apartment.
I have been here just about a year and a half, and they are pissing me off.

I am not going into details, but this seems to be a 'thing' with Toronto landlords.
They advertise an apartment for really low rent to get you to move in, and let you stay for the duration of the initial lease, and then do things to piss you off to get you to move out so they can increase the rent.
For those not from Ontario, it is against the law in Ontario for a landlord to increase rent while a unit is occupied, except to meet inflation standards.
What happens is when rents in an area increase due to--whatever causes rents to increase-- then landlords have tenants that have been in the building a long time and are paying below market value for rent, so they look for creative ways to get you out, so they can bring the rent up to market value.
I seem to be having very bad luck with that.

I already discussed what happened when I lived in the Junction.
I was there for eight years, and when I moved there the area was low-demand.
Anyway, you already know that story.
I then moved to Stockyards, which is a lower-rent area despite being literally two blocks away from the Junction.

I found a place for rent on Dundas Street at Runnymede, and (I timed it) it is 9 minutes walk to the Stockyards Boxing. It is also on the number 40 bus route, so it is easy to get to Bloor Fitness as well.
However, being that it is technically in the Junction, the rent may be out of my range.
I am going to call to get more information, and maybe look at it.
There is retail on the bottom floor, but it is currently vacant.

The other place I am considering is only about a block south from where I currently reside.
The building is called the Green Towers, um, because it is green.
Hmmm, can you imagine me living in a green building?
Green.
I am also making an appointment to look at this one.







I don't want a place that is too inexpensive.
I want to avoid this having to move every year because the landlord turns into a greedy dickhead.

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WITH A LITTLE EFFORT AND A LOT OF DETERMINATION, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

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"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 5 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

About Pre-Bout Training

ENTRY 326

PRE-BOUT TRAINING STARTS MONDAY

Monday May 30 marks the day I start pre-bout training and diet for my next scheduled match on June 25 at George Bell Arena.
As I mentioned, there is still lots of time for my opponent to cancel, but there are more opponents.  There is still the Mississauga rematch, and also that guy from Kingston.

For those not familiar with the training and diet for an athlete, I would like to go into a bit more detail about it.
This will hopefully help you understand part of what an athlete needs to go through on a weekly basis.
It may also serve as a guide to help you possibly become more familiar with diet and exercise for a healthier lifestyle.
It varies from type of sport and for the needs of each athlete.

Let me first show you my training chart.
This is a guide to how I exercise every week. It may sometimes vary slightly for various reasons, but I try to stick as close to it as possible.

Most of this is self-explanatory. 

It is clear that I put more focus on training just before a fight, and then rest immediately after.

For my food intake, my regular diet is what the average person would call a "healthy" diet.

I tend to lean towards the low-average or slightly below the recommended healthy amounts.

This is 'my' diet since every person should have a diet suited to their own needs.

I have one very serious problem as an athlete who is required to meet a specific weight target.

I tend to hover between the Heavyweight and Light-Heavyweight divisions.

Since I no longer compete as a Heavyweight, I have to be extra careful not to creep up. That is why you will notice a focus on weight loss during pre-bout.

Lately, I have been having trouble dropping weight. Not because of fat. I am getting more muscular. My pants are getting bigger and my shirts are getting smaller.

Therefore, I have to do what I can to keep myself in Light-Heavyweight. That means increasing calorie intake to make up for the increased exercise, but the calories need to be from healthier sources, not from fat.

On the day of the fight, I need to stock up on energy. 

The day after, I need to restore lost energy.

Following that, I return to my regular 'healthy' diet.

SPARRING REPORT

With temperatures ranging in the high-20s (80s F) all week, it was too hot for sparring.
Since I am still in regular training mode, if I don't have to spar, I don't.
However, once I start pre-fight training, sparring will be necessary at lest 10 rounds per week.
I am enjoying what little time off I still have.


'THE BRICK' IS ZOOMING ALONG

I will be at Zoomerplex on Saturday May 28  at about 2 PM, as part of Doors Open Toronto. If you are in the area, stop by and say hello.

====================================================

WITH A LITTLE EFFORT AND A LOT OF DETERMINATION, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 5 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

It Is Just Too Hot

ENTRY 325

Too Damn Hot

Stockyards was closed on Monday in recognition of Victoria Day.
As for Tuesday. It was just too damn hot. It was so far the warmest day of the year. It reached 29 Celsius or 87 Fahrenheit.
Really too hot to do much, so there was for sure no sparring. However, I still went in for some shadow boxing and bag, and I did my usual run around the park. I did some ab work and weight training as well.
This is my last week of regular training and diet.
I go into pre-fight starting May 30.

I also want to wish the very best to Stockyards' Ed Hanecak who will be part of the VIctory Charity Ball at the CBC Broadcast Centre on Thursday..

For info or to donate: VICTORY CHARITY BALL

I can not afford tickets, but I work very close, so I will be cheering from work,

====================================================

WITH A LITTLE EFFORT AND A LOT OF DETERMINATION, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 5 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

On A Vision Quest and Party Time Is Over

ENTRY 324

My Life Has Reached A Pinnacle (Yeah, Sure)

After being registered with Boxing Ontario for over four years, my profile is finally listed on their web site.

Although, it is interesting that I am the only athlete at Stockyards whose coach is listed as Will instead of Richard.

It doesn't matter. I am just happy to finally being recognized.

I'm On A Vision Quest

I have never really thought about this before.

A Youtuber by the name of Adam the Woo. Has a channel called The Daily Woo.

It is a vlog channel, one of just a few that I follow.

By the way, ones who follow Woo are called Woovians. I am a Woovian.

Anyway, his entries are interesting in that he covers more than just his daily life.

He often will talk about inspirational topics. Recently while in Spokane, he spoke of a film that was released in 1985 called 'Vision Quest'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-6PnQQgkNE

While this film is itself inspirational, the film very closely resembles what I am trying to accomplish in boxing. The difference is that the lead character in the film is a wrestler.

The story is that this wrestler is on a 'Vision Quest'.

I guess you could really say the same for me.

Matthew Modine on a 'Vision Quest' (Warner Bros. Films)

What a great training Idea! Capture from 'Vision Quest' (Warner Bros. Films)

I hope Coach Will does not see this. He does not need any more 'training ideas'

Party Time Is Over

I am scheduled to be on the Stockyards' June card.

I am not going to discuss the details, because as you all know how opponents like to cancel on me.

Once confirmed, I will share the details.

It does mean that starting in June, going into "on-training" mode. Strict diet, and pre-bout training at the gym.

That gives me about one more week of party time, then it is back to business.



Good luck to Stockyards' Ed Hanecak at this weekend's Victory Charity Ball at the CBC building.

====================================================

WITH A LITTLE EFFORT AND A LOT OF DETERMINATION, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 5 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"

New Guys For Sparring?

ENTRY 323

Sparring Report: New Guys?

I sparred five rounds on Monday with different guys, including Leo who has a bout next week in Brantford.
There was no sparring on Tuesday.
I don't mind. There is no need to spar every day unless I am training specifically for a match.

Stockyards' next card is scheduled for June, although not officially announced.

There will be none in July and August, but there is usually an anniversary show in either September or October.

Hopefully, I will be on at least one of those.

There are a couple of new guys starting at the gym, and they have a bit of boxing experience.
They should be ready for sparring in a couple of weeks. As soon at their Boxing Ontario registrations are complete.

That is all for this entry.
Things have been very slow around Stockyards Boxing lately.

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WITH A LITTLE EFFORT AND A LOT OF DETERMINATION, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

======================================================

"The Brick" is an amateur boxer certified by:

www.boxingontario.com

"The Brick" is a member of the Stockyards Boxing Team, and trains 5 times a week at:

215 Ryding Ave. Toronto

stockyardsboxingfitness.com

"The Brick"