Getting Started

Hello, this is the first of what will be regular blogs to let you know about my progress in training and also my fundraising for my selected charity as November 26th fast approaches, the date of Fight for Youth II. Thank you for taking the time to read this and if so inclined I would appreciate you donating to my cause.Two months ago I was asked to take part in the second edition of Fight For Youth here in Christchurch, New Zealand. After being aware of the first one it was something that I thought would be a great experience and would take me out of my comfort zone while learning something new(great to be able to do that at 46) and also to assist a worthy cause. The training then started as did the selection of the youth related charity to represent, a tough choice as there are so many worthy causes and in my role as CEO of the Casino I have worked with and supported quite a few which made it tougher even still. After great deliberation and input from others Child Cancer Canterbury & West Coast was chosen, having had my head shaved for the last two Fundrazors I knew what they were about, where the funds went and how they operated, the need for additional funds was even greater due to their home near the hospital here in Christchurch being damaged in the recent earthquake and having to look for an alternative location until they knew if it could be repaired or they had to start a rebuild, they are still waiting to find out what will be the case.
Now after 2 months of interrupted training, those overseas business trips are not all they are made out to be, I have just over 3 weeks to go to the fight and I had my first sparring session tonight with someone other than my trainer Wayne, more about him later, this session involved me being in the ring for 1 min 40 seconds, doesn't sound long but wait until you try it, with 3 others coming in for 20 seconds each at a time then rotating out until the 1 min 40 secs was up, then a 30 sec rest then doing it again until 3 rounds are completed. Purely from a fitness perspective it is hard enough but when you are trying to defend yourself, land some blows and getting tired in the process it makes for tough work, in saying all that most enjoyable. If you are looking for something that will take your mind off all else then take up boxing, when in that ring sparring your mind is focused on only one thing and that is that moment and nothing else. Can only imagine what fight night is going to be like. As never having done this before, that being one of the requirements prior to signing up, it is a huge learning curve and the training to date has given me a new found respect for those that take part in boxing as a sport, full credit to them. With that said I am ready for bed as an early start tomorrow with a breakfast in the Grand Cafe at the Casino for Canterbury rugby and their sponsors as they look to win the ITM Cup this Friday, we wish them well in their endeavours.