Looks Like I Am Going To Niagara Falls

    ENTRY 443

NIAGARA FALLS BOUND

To be totally honest with everyone, I wasn't expecting to get into the Golden Gloves this year. Although I was training for it, the back of my mind was telling me that it wasn't going to happen so it affected my training a bit. I probably could have put a bit more into it.
I didn't go to the Silver Gloves because I didn't have an opponent so I was expecting the same to happen with the Golden Gloves. 
I asked my coach to not to register me for the tournament unless there was an opponent for me. Sure enough, yesterday, a guy from Ajax registered.
It was odd because it was a higher weight class, but the coach put me in at that class anyway.

Suddenly, all the Masters came out of the woodwork.
That is a lot of Masters signed-up for the Golden Gloves.
Look at Middleweight. I think that is the first time I have seen more than two in the same category. There is going to be a bye in that category. Unusual for the Masters.

Oh and look, It's the triumphant return of Ian Smith.
Remember my buddy Ian from the Bronze Gloves?
I can't help but feel a bit sorry for that guy with zero bouts if he stepping into the ring versus Ian.

As for myself, I have one bout. I'm not sure what day it will be. I will find out on Monday.

I am ramping up training like crazy. 
Coach has me sparring like a madman. 10 rounds on Thursday and 10 rounds on Friday, and possibly at least one session next week.

This is also my very first time representing the Cabbagetown Boxing Club.
The pressure is on.

There will be no blog entry next week as I prepare for the Gloves, but I will keep everyone updated with Special Entries.



TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 6 days a week, until November 26:

MONDAY: Swimming, 25 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training and Sparring 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training and Core Training 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 10 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Running/sprints, 30 min @ University of Toronto Athletics
SUNDAY: Rest day

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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

Thursday and Friday Sparring

    ENTRY 442

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY SPARRING 

I have started attending more morning sessions at Cabbagetown following advice from Coach.
He said that there would be more options for sparring in the morning as that is when most of the Masters are there. He wants me sparring a lot more.
I did four rounds on Thursday and ten rounds on Friday.
Keeping in mind that when I attend the morning sessions I go right after work. I have to carry my gear and work crap on the subway during rush hour from Finch West station down and east to Castle Frank station.
Being already tired and having to fight with the rush hour idiots and that is generally a 45-minute trip...of dealing with rush hour idiots.
Anyone who says Canadians are always polite has never ridden on public transit in Toronto during rush hour.
Anyway, one Friday after doing ten rounds, Coach said to me "That's it? What, out partying all night?"
Yeah. I wish I had time to party.  
He was joking of course. He knows I work the night shift. Still, to go in after working all night and be able to train for over an hour including sparring...Not bad. 

I am still officially training for the Golden Gloves although I don't know if I will be going. There may not be an opponent for me and plus the cost involved. I will have to take time off and also pay to stay in Niagara Falls.
I still don't understand why they are having it in Niagara Falls.



TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 6 days a week, until November 26:

MONDAY: Swimming, 25 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training and Sparring 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training and Core Training 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 10 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Running/sprints, 30 min @ University of Toronto Athletics
SUNDAY: Rest day

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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

They Did That?

    ENTRY 441

THEY DID THAT? 

I went into the gym on Tuesday for my usual evening session, and there was some stranger in there setting up a projector and he said "Gym is closed for a special event."
Nice. I would really have appreciated it if someone would have let me know. I traveled all the way from the Stockyards to Cabbagetown for absolutely nothing.
For those who don't know Toronto, that is half-way across the city. About 45 minutes each way.
Needless to say I was a little slightly pissed off.

Of course, the next time I was in on Wednesday morning I mentioned it and was told, "There was a sign on the door."
Really?
Well, if I wasn't there on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday as I usually am not, I am not going to see the fucking sign.

I found out that the Cabbagetown BIA rented it for some kind of awards program.
That in itself is a peeve of mine anyway. As I have said before, you are either a boxing gym, or not. Make up your mind.
I can understand they want to make a bit of extra money, but they shouldn't inconvenience their boxers. 
For example, there are three daily sessions, at 9 AM, 1 PM and 6 PM. Each session is about two hours long. Also, there are no sessions on Saturday or Sunday afternoons.
You see where I am going with this, right?
Also, there is a huge meeting room on the main floor under the boxing gym. 
You see where I am going with this, right?

Since I was there anyway, I went to the Cabbagetown Tim Horton's. 537 Parliament Street.
I generally go for a tea of coffee after boxing to wait for the 65 Parliament bus which is generally late (shocker).
It was very windy that day. Important to know for later.
I ordered a medium decaf coffee with double-double. Very simple order, right?
Not for them. That location has a history of crewing up orders, even simple ones.
She brought me a cup with some kind of a tea bag in it. Obviously not a decaf coffee, but it was a double-double. At least she got that right.
The problem was: Cream in tea? 
Gross.
I didn't feel like waiting for her to get it right, because in there it generally takes a few tries.

A few minutes later as I was attempting to enjoy my unknown tea with double cream, we lost power on the street.
The same dingy who screwed up my order came into the dining room and told everyone to leave because, "We have no lights".
No kidding? You noticed that, did you?
What I didn't understand is why we had to leave. I mean, I can understand not taking an new orders, but I was already there! I didn't need light to 'enjoy' my 'tea'. 
I asked her why we had to leave and she said, "I don't want to have to open the door every time someone wants to leave".
Awwww. Poor baby.
She can't get a simple order correct. Heaven forbid she might have to get up off her butt and open the door for a customer.
So, I finished my swamp mixture outside at the bus stop. Fortunately, it wasn't raining, but it was almost a 20-minute wait for a bus on top of the time I was in the restaurant. 
Every 10 minutes my ass.

Anyway, I had to add an additional 30 minutes on to all of my other training sessions to make up for Tuesday. Time that I really didn't have.


REDDIT?...FORGETTIT!

I'm on a roll. Let me keep going.

How many of you have used Reddit? I don't mean just read articles from it. I mean actually have an account and "use" it?
I find it really confusing.
There are categories called Subreddits and each one has its own set of rules.
Why?
Just have one set of rules for everything.
Then, when you participate in something, you get Karma Points.
The thing is, you don't get to keep them. They apparently expire after a day or so. Therefore, in order to get and keep Points, you need to be participating in Reddit discussions 24/7/365.
Who has time for that?
I barely have time to piss.

Forgettit.


TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 6 days a week, until November 26:

MONDAY: Swimming, 25 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training and Sparring 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training and Core Training 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 10 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Running/sprints, 30 min @ University of Toronto Athletics
SUNDAY: Rest day

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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec

Golden Gloves Training Has Begun

    ENTRY 440

GOLDEN GLOVES TRAINING IS ON 

Training for the Golden Gloves has officially started.

I will be training for six days a week and for longer at each session with a focus on technique.
Sparring at least twice per week. 
Although my coach wants me to do more sparring than that. 
I did do a couple of rounds on Tuesday, but I was really tired and the coach would not let me continue. I can understand that because it becomes a safety issue.

It is rough working full-time nights and training for boxing at the same time, but somehow I am managing.
What I do is on my nights off, I train during the evening session. On my nights on, I train during the morning session. It is easy for me to get to the gym right from work, although it does mean carrying all of my gear to work.
Pain in the ass but necessary.

During Thursday morning session, I did some target pad work with Coach Johnny.
I did some drills with him and then he had me do an entire round of just fast uppercuts.
I liked that drill. It wore me out but that's the idea. Work on improving endurance. One of the most important parts of boxing,


FRIDAY MORNING SPARRING

Seven rounds of sparring on Friday.
I once again gave Connor a nice right-cross to the chin again. Two actually.
He isn't "new" anymore so I am not being easy him anymore.
Keep your guard up!

GAINS ARE WORKING...OR NOT

I have been working every week on a weight-training program that one of the coaches put me on two months ago and it appears to be working but...
I`ve gained weight.
I`m up to 80 kg again. It is muscle gain, but I`m going in the wrong direction. The coaches want me to drop to Middleweight.
So, well, wait...
What?

I've talked to my physician and he said that I was fine the way I was and that dropping a bit wouldn't hurt as long as I did not try to drop too quickly or try any crazy way to do it.
Although my BMI is 26, my physician does not believe in BMI because it does not take muscle mass into consideration.
So, from a healthy side, I am fine, but how do I drop and get stronger at the same time?



TRAINING SCHEDULE

Currently training 6 days a week, until November 26:

MONDAY: Swimming, 25 min @ University of Toronto Athletics 
TUESDAY: Technical Training and Sparring 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
WEDNESDAY: Core and Weight Training, 60 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club 
THURSDAY: Technical Training and Core Training 90 min @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
FRIDAY: Sparring, 6 - 10 rounds @ Cabbagetown Boxing Club
SATURDAY: Running/sprints, 30 min @ University of Toronto Athletics
SUNDAY: Rest day


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--Paul 'The Brick' Brec