There are days where kickboxing feels more like kickbutting — as in it’s kicking mine. Last night was one of those.

I typically attend the same class with the same instructor, but thanks to travel and illness this week, the only slot for a workout was Friday evening. The class was taught by the owner, and it’s definitely an entirely different level of intensity than what I get in the usual class.

This class not only had the usual stuff — punches, kicks, crunches, lunges and push-ups by the hundreds — it also incorporated self-defense maneuvers and sparring with a partner. Allow me to repeat that. Sparring. With. A. Partner. In other words, it’s like kickboxing where the bag hits back. I’ve just barely gotten my legs under me in “regular” kickboxing, where the bag has the courtesy to stand still. But even though I undoubtedly made an ass of myself, I actually had a ridiculously good time doing it.

A day later, I can definitely feel my shoulders, abs, legs, arms and pretty much every other part of me aside from my ears and my pinky toes; I expect them to start aching tomorrow morning.

As if my Team in Training commitment isn’t enough, I’ve also entered a competition at the studio: greatest percentage reduction in body fat by June 23. I don’t think there’s any chance that I’m going to be the big winner, but it’s an added layer of external pressure to encourage me to really hit the ground running for my half marathon training.

Tags: Fitness, kickboxing, self-defense, team in training

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