Back in the Gym

Tonight was my first night back at the gym.  It's been at least 3 weeks since working out and much longer since I've sparred with Jay.   Our last sparring match, I was in pretty good shape.  This time..........ugh, I felt horrible.  I couldn't go 2 minutes without having to take a break.  Jay's first shot was straight into my right eye.  He lectured me on making sure I pulled my punches and whammo, I get hammered with a straight left.  If that was a pulled punch, I can only imagine had he not pulled it.    Then came the head shots.  Ugh, the headache quickly arrived.    I was so frustrated with myself.  I could see them coming, but for some reason I couldn't think fast enough to either block them or even counter them. 

I love the skills needed/involved in fighting.  It reminds me of wrestling in high school, but dang, at 40 years old things just seem to hurt a lot more.  We did several rounds of 2 minutes each.  By the last one, I could barely stand up.  My shirt was soaked, my head was pounding, then Jay comes up with the bright idea,,,,,,"hey let's work on your ground game".     As if beating me on my feet wasn't enough, now he wants to wrestle me into submission. 

I still remember a lot of stuff from high school wrestling, but do you know how much that helps with fighting on the ground....................very little.  With the exception of having good balance, most of what I learned in high school is useless.  It's important to stay balanced with your opponent, but I'm clueless to the submission holds and found myself either tapping out, or having to fight so hard that Jay just ran out of energy and had to give me a break. 

What's crazy, even as I sit here typing with a tremendous headache, is that I love the work out.  Nothing else gets me more tired, more sore, then sparring and bag work.   For now I think I like it so much because I have so much to improve upon.   I'm such a rookie that most of this stuff is new and exciting.  The challenge of getting better, faster, and stronger is appealing.  I don't want to get old and maybe this is my pathetic attempt at denying the obvious.   Next bout is Friday, so hopefully I'm recovered by then.  If my eye is black in the morning, I'll post the attractive pic.  It's feeling pretty good now (though I did have to put on my glasses to type this as my right eye is giving me fits). 

Coby's Tournament Weekend

Well it's been quite some time since my last post.  Little league season always seems to  take away what time I have to sit and do nothing.  It's been a good baseball season, one of the funnest I've had in years.  Coby, my 9 year old has been a huge part of the fun.  He really loves the game and we have had so much fun together.  He has excelled more than I ever expected.   This past weekend he was invited to play in a 9 and under tournament in Phoenix.  We had no idea what to expect, but he had no doubts he wanted to play.  So Coby, Keevan (my 3 yo), and myself went to Phoenix for the weekend.  All to watch/play baseball in 105 degree heat.  The games were at the BLD fields in Gilbert.  What a beautiful facility.  The place is amazing.  The talent on the field is even more impressive.  I couldn't believe these kids were all 9 years old.  Their skill level was far above what we are used to here.  Lead offs, pick offs, stolen bases, all are part of the game here.  This is unheard of in Little League baseball (with the exception of stolen bases).

Coby was nervous and he had every right to be.  I was so proud though that he looked past the nerves and played some great games.  The last game Coby was 3 for 3 at the plate off of pitching that hit speeds of around 57 mph.  From 47.5 feet, that's pretty fast for a 9 year old.   He played third base which he can't stand, only because he's never played there before.  He was new to having to hold runners on as well as the different roles he plays from being short stop. 

The coaching (at least on Coby's team) was very impressive.  After coaching for so many years, it's easy to get caught up with the idea that you know plenty about the sport, but I was quickly humbled by these coaches.  They of course knew the game, but they had a way with the kids that just seemed to make them relax.  It's a skill I hope to develop over time.  I'm fortunate to say, that if Coby makes the all star team this summer, these guys will be his coaches.  In such a little amount of time, they have really gained Coby's trust and respect, mine as well. 

More then anything, watching my 9 year old play the game that I love most, can really pull at the heart strings.  Sometimes when he throws at practice, I'll just start laughing.  He'll get frustrated with me and ask me why I'm laughing at him.  It's because he plays the game with such ease and finesse that I just get a kick out of it.  I'm smiling from the inside out everytime I watch him play.   I'm looking forward to watching him grow and play through the years.