The typical participant in a boxing class tends to be a fitness enthusiast, versus a beginner or someone just beginning an exercise program. Often, one turns to boxing when other forms of exercise become boring, or ineffective. One can only do so much running and lifting, after all.

Aside from the physical condition you can achieve, boxing can improve mental muscle and bolster your self-confidence. Newcomers should not shy away from boxing – most gyms that offer instruction welcome novices – you’ll catch on rather quickly. There are cardiovascular benefits to boxing, obviously, and you develop upper body strength, but the footwork skills and similar balance challenges really round-out what amounts to be a total body workout. And it isn’t all time spent in the ring…there is mitt work, target training, jump roping, and sparring at varied levels of athletic ability, so there is enough variety to hold your attention, and plenty of challenge, for those who are driven by that sort of thing (and really, aren’t we all?)

To find a boxing gym near you, visit Boxing Gyms, which lists boxing gyms all over the country.

Today will be a true test for me…I have 11 miles to log  (on the treadmill), no thanks to this lovely Ohio weather. I’m going in with my game face on, however, and my plan for staying focused…

1. Split the time between 2 treadmills. I don’t have a treadmill at home, but the gym has many. Since there is an hour-long limit, I’ll have to split my time between two, but I think that will work in my favor. The break between will make it seem like two short sessions rather one long one. I hope.

2. Concentrate on form. According to experts, some degree of internal focus is necessary when logging long miles. I use a good portion of my long runs to focus on form, breathing, relaxing tight muscles, etc. Any aches or twinges get immediate attention, before they become chronic. By paying attention to what my body is telling me during the run, I’m increasing the odds that I’ll make it through training without significant  problems (like an injury. ouch.)

3. Music. Outdoors, I don’t normally use an iPod. The music actually kind of annoys me, and I prefer the solitude and quietness so that I can concentrate on what I’m doing. Indoors, however, is a different story. I find music does keep me motivated, and takes my mind off of the fact the scenery isn’t changing much. Expect for the patrons, who are at times, quite amusing.

4. Television. Let me  preface this by saying I am NOT a soap opera watcher. Haven’t been since college. But, when I’m running at the gym in the middle of the afternoon, I admit that Days of Our Lives CAN make the time go a bit faster ;0)

5. “Do the work.” This is my tried and true motto that I say to myself (not out loud…well, sometimes) when the going gets tough. It reminds me that without effort, there can be no reward.

Janice joined Speedy Sneakers, a Dublin-based, women-only running team, in 2008 to become a “stronger, better runner,” and found the group environment to be both supportive and motivating. Her first goal: to be in the top ten among breast cancer survivors to cross the 5K finish line in the annual Race for the Cure.  She was number 9!

The story of Janice’s fitness journey is very inspirational and she was gracious enough to dish about what keeps her motivated…

Janice, what was it about Speedy Sneakers that you found appealing, and ultimately enticed you to join? I cannot remember how I heard about Speedy Sneakers, but once I did I checked out the website. I liked that it was a local group that was meeting in a great location. We meet twice a week during the spring and summer and once a week in the fall and winter. At first I was a bit intimidated and thought I would be the slowest runner of the group, but quickly found out it was not so. There are women of all abilities. In fact, I love that it is women only. There is a comfort and team work you don’t find in coed groups but you find here at SS. People wonder where you are and care about how you are doing. I joined because I wanted to become a stronger, better runner and I needed some coaching. The membership was in my budget. Having it women only was pretty neat too. I joined in August of 2008.

Did you have specific goals in mind when you joined? How long did it take you to reach your goal(s)? My goal when I joined in 2008 was to be faster. I could run a 5K in about 30 minutes.  However, I wanted to be in the top ten survivors that crossed the finished line in the Race for the Cure this past year, 2009. I was number 9! I am a 4 year survivor and in 2006 I could not walk or run in the race due to some  surgical problems. (Unable to participate) I stood at the finish line and was disappointed not to see any survivors for the first 5 minutes or so. I thought, there should be more survivors who run, and I thought that I could that. But I had never run before so after I got the dr.’s ok, I started to train myself. I was in somewhat good shape as I had continued to work out during my treatments, but running was sure different. So in 2008 when I found SS I knew it could help me. It was great to reach my goal. (Coach) Peter was even near the finish line to cheer me on. He is always so positive when you tell him your goals. Now I just want to do even better, and be the fifth survivor in honor of my fifth year as a survivor in 2010.

What motivates you to continue your fitness journey? Obviously my health makes me want to stay fit. I do not want to gain anymore weight. My cancer treatment has made it necessary for me to go into menopause, so I am dealing with that at an early age and trying to lose weight ,which is impossible. I also do all this to get my life back. I wanted to work out with a trainer because I had lost some upper body strength due to my reconstruction. I have it back but I continue because I want to remain strong. I had to have a cleaning crew do my house. Some people may think that it is a great luxury, but not when someone is doing it because you cannot. It is not a luxury. I am actually happy to clean my house because it shows me I am back to normal in a sense.

Also, my boys were young when I went through all this and I continue to exercise to stay strong and healthy for them. I needed to be able to keep up with them. My trainer asked me once if I worked out this hard before my cancer. No, I did not. I exercised, but did not make it a true part of my day, and I also did not do as much running. I try to do 10-12 miles a week. I just know what it is like to not have any physical strength, and I appreciate my health so much more now.

What obstacles have you overcome along the way (toward your goal)? I think my biggest obstacle is myself. There have been times when it is rainy or too cold to run so I don’t. I know from Peter that if I run during the winter I will be a stronger runner in the spring, but some mornings it is hard. It is my negative thinking, “I can’t run more than 4miles at one time,” that stop me from trying longer distances.

Do you prefer working out with a group, or alone, or both? Why? I have come to appreciate working out in a group. Years ago I would have said no way, but now I know that it makes me more accountable. My friends wonder where I am if I don’t show up. I work out with another person while with the trainer, and it is fun and makes me not want to stop. The only thing I do better alone is run. Speedy Sneakers is great because you do not have to run in a certain group, you can if you like. Last spring I think I got a little faster because I was the only one in the medium speed running group, so I followed the faster runners and actually kept pace for the first mile. Having them in front of me motivated me to try to keep up or catch up to them. I think working out in a group keeps you going, keeps you accountable, and makes it funner.

How has living a healthy lifestyle influenced other areas of your life? Living a healthy lifestyle has influenced my children to be aware of the importance of exercise and eating right. I also have more energy not less. I personally feel good after I exercise. Oddly I think my posture has improved. Must be working out with those weights.

What words of advice do you have for readers who are struggling to meet their fitness goals? My advice would be to stick with it, and make it a part of your life. I schedule my exercise and running times each week and write it down right next to the ortho appointments and other commiments. So many people say they cannot find the time to exercise, but they have not really looked at their calendar or investigated all the possible solutions.

My other piece of advise would be to take it in little chunks. With running, I wanted to run in the Race for the Cure in 2007. So in the summer of 2006,I knew I needed to start as soon as possible and break down the 3 miles into smaller pieces. When I started to run, my goal was to get to my neighbor’s fence which was about a half mile away from my house. That’s all I wanted to reach without feeling like I was going to die. Once I accomplished that I made a new goal of being able to pass a certain friends house. The next goal was reaching my house in this mile loop I would run. Next goal was to do a mile and reach that fence again for a mile and a half. Training in chunks made it manageable and I never felt the need to give up. I felt more like it was important to reach my next goal and the next etc.

How to  learn: You can learn how to use the TRX at home using their instructional DVDs, but taking a class is preferable for many people. Certified TRX instructors can tweak your form and teach you the proper progressions when you are ready to advance to more difficult exercises. TRX classes are also a lot of fun! Most of the larger cities have gyms or studios that offer TRX classes.

Chicago
Know No Limits
6125 N. Clark St, Chicago, 60660
(773) 334-4728
TRX classes are offered on Tues, Weds, and Thurs. Check their ;schedulelt for class times.

San Francisco
TRX Training Center
1650 Pacific Ave (Nob Hill area), 94109
(415) 655-4797
Try the half-hour “Getting Started” class to learn the ropes, then move on to one of the more challenging formats, such as Circuit Training or Bootcamp. Classes are offered Monday-Saturday.

How to buy: You can purchase a kit for home or outdoor use from Fitness Anywhere  The complete “gym in a bag” costs $150.

Here is a short list of some of famous Ohio trots to try:

1. Ohio River Road Runner’s Club, 31st Annual 5k Turkey Trot
Miamisburg

Not your average trot, this race and expo draws more than 7000 people.
You can register until this Friday, Nov. 20th

2. Flying Feather 4-miler
Dublin

This event is close to selling out, so register soon! There will be a Kids’ Gobbler Chase, and an opportunity to support Toys for Tots and the 2nd & 7 Foundation. Bring a toy (unopened and unwrapped) and give it to a Marine Toys for Tots rep. 2nd and 7 is an organization that promotes literacy throughout Central Ohio. Proceeds from the race benefit this awesome organization.

3. 28th Annual Fleet Feet Sports Turkey Trot
Cleveland

The race starts and ends at the Convention Center, 500 Lakeside Ave. The 1-mile run starts at 8:45am, and the 5-miler begins at 9:30am. If you’re really ambitious (or planning to eat a hefty serving of pecan pie), run both!

4. I saved the best for last – the Cincinnati Thanksgiving Day race is 100 years old this year! The Runners High is posting 100 stories about the race – 100 Footprints – on its blog.
Bonus: every 100th person to register for this historic 10k through their website will get a $10 Arch Card to McDonald’s.