The Last Thirty Seconds

I found boxing in my late 40's and almost immediately fell in love with the sport. Since joining Striking Beauties, a women-only boxing gym, I've lost 20 pounds and two sizes. But what I've gained is what makes me love boxing: a new sense of confidence in myself and what I can achieve, a more positive outlook on life, a strong, healthy body, and amazing new friends: my trainers and sister boxers whose generous guidance and support are at once humbling and incredibly inspiring.

Without these wonderful friends, I might never have dared to sign up to raise money for Haymakers for Hope by training for and competing in my first (and likely only) amateur boxing match. The fight, to be held at Royale in Boston on Thursday, October 17, 2013, is quickly approaching, so everything in my life right now is about preparing for it. I eat for boxing (clean and lean!) I sleep for boxing (rest is essential), I meditate for boxing (visualization is key) and I train train train.
There have been lows--getting hit hard and falling down can mess with your mind-- and there have been highs--like when I managed to do a series of moves during a sparring session, just as my trainer Zach had drilled me to do, and I heard him cheer with pride because I finally got it. That was awesome. And there is nothing like the endorphin high you get after pushing yourself to your physical and mental limit. It takes courage to do it, and I'm always surprised to find, in those moments, that I actually have it--alot of it.

In boxing, we train in 2-minute or 3-minute rounds.  We work hard hitting the bags or sparring in these short time frames. I believe the hardest part-- in training and, I am guessing,  in every fight-- is the last 30 seconds in a round when you are out of gas, gasping for breath, with heavy hands and stumbling feet and you know you have to push yourself for that last 30 until the bell.

It is, in my experience, the defining moment when you either dig deep to give it all you've got, or you give in and take it on the chin.

When I hear Zach yell "Last 30 seconds! Keep it up!" I somehow find that little bit of extra power in me to jab it out or move around some more. It's the hardest thing to do, yet nothing is more motivating. To push myself past my limits, and stay there until that bell rings.

Haymakers for Hope has a tag line: Not every fight ends at the bell.  For anyone fighting cancer, there is no such thing as the last thirty seconds.  They can't know when the fight might end.  It either does or it doesn't.  They just have to hold on, and fight as hard as they can, and hope the cure is within their reach.

I signed up for Haymakers for Hope because I love the idea of fighting for a cure. And strange as it may seem, boxing has given me a greater sense of compassion for my family and friends who have faced cancer.  It's not because boxing and cancer are parallel experiences; rather it's because, as hard as I train and get hit and face fear and feel defeated, I know it's over at the bell.  It gives me that much more motivation to do this for everyone who has to keep getting up to fight, without the comfort of knowing when it might be over.  THAT takes courage.
I hope you will consider supporting me in this effort.  I train very hard and I face my fear every time I set foot in the ring. The opportunity to make a difference is what keeps me going.
So, SAVE THE DATE and come to the fight on OCTOBER 17, 2013. You will see lots of amazing women put on their boxing gloves and stand up to cancer.  I know I can't wait to take my swing at it.
Thank you and I will see you in October!
xo
Margie