By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Heather Hagedorn, Geary County Historical Museum Curator, is known for preserving historical items and development of major historical exhibits for the Museum. But when she is not working at that occupation she is often training in the sport of boxing.
Hagedorn has been boxing at K.O. Boxing & Fitness in Manhattan for the past four years. She signed up along with her boxing practice partner Alyssa Bruce to try this sport. Heather said they wanted to try a new way to be active. "We both kind of like doing things that other people think are a little odd, and so we signed up for Boxing 101, which is to learn how to do all the basics boxing class and we've been doing it ever since."
Hagedorn said a workout is hard, tiring and a lot of fun. A lot of conditioning is required along with working the heavy bag, the speed bag and partner work with gloves and mitts. "Working the bag really works your shoulders, your arms and your abs. There's nothing like a really good heavy bag workout to feel really sore the next day." Her favorite is the partner glove and mitt workout which is good for cardiovascular exercise and for your mind since the boxer is moving to do whatever they are asked to do by the partner.
Hagedorn said she is not a fighter on the team, but just does the boxing workouts for exercise. "I wear boxing gloves all the time but I don't feel the need to get punched in the face unless it's an accident by my partner."
Bruce recently moved to Michigan but the two boxers have done workouts via Face Time and last week with Bruce visiting the area they were able to work out on the back lawn at the Museum in the late afternoon.
In addition to boxing workouts Hagedorn has also done some coaching in the sport.
