I am happy to say that I made it past the first day. Yesterday's boxing was even more intense the the morning session. I was quite tired last night, but felt good overall. I fell asleep around 9pm, and was up at 6am this morning.
I was a bit sore, but not as much as I thought. It may hit me tomorrow moreso, as this morning's training was brutal. My trainer made me do so many knee's up, and kicks that I'm dreading not being able to walk tomorrow. I've made friends with my roomate, who is in the same boat as I am. She motivates me to get up in the morning, and we urge each other on.
It is really interesting walking around, and watching some of the boxing. There is about ten young kids who train here, and they are so strong, and energetic. I wish I had their energy.
The food here is very basic. I am on a strict diet. We eat rice, chicken, and vegetables at 9am, and then almost the same at 5pm. There is no lunch, but if we want, we can order some food in the restaurant area. They also have some protein shakes, and snacks (some not so healthy).
This afternoon my plan is to do forty minutes on the stationary bike, weights for the arms, and more sit-ups. Then the boxing begins at 2:30pm. Yesterday, I slept for an hour from 12-1pm. It was a 'power nap' indeed.
I met more of the guys who train here. One farang guy must be popular as someone with a videocamera was filming him yesterday. It was funny because I was in the same ring with him doing my training. I should get his name.
Last night they asked if anyone wanted to go to see a fight at Lumphini. I didn't go, but I want to go next Tuesday. I've never seen a real muay thai fight. I'm not too keen on it, because I don't like violence, but I will go just to see the technique.
I'll be heading to the pool in a bit, and then will try to get a 'power nap' before the afternoon training begins. Fun stuff. I really like the way I feel in the ring. Although, sweaty and tired, I feel powerful, and getting stronger by the day.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Day 1 - Arrival thoughts
I've just spent the last few months travelling in Cambodia and Vietnam. I was up for a different type of challenge for the body and mind. I decided to go to a Muay Thai boxing training camp for at least three weeks.
I took a taxi from Khao San road area, where I've been staying for the past five days. I thought we were lost as the taxi drove a far distance, using the map I had given him from the Muay Thai training camp, that I was going to train at for at least three weeks. After over an hour ride, we pulled up to the Fairtex training camp. I was relieved that we had made it, although my head was full of mixed thoughts about what I was getting myself into.
Originally I heard about this camp from a friend I had met in Vietnam. She is coming here to train for a few days in the upcoming weeks. I thought it could be an interesting way to get into shape fast, and to learn some kick ass techniques. I have only ever watched muay thai a few times on tv. I have a bit of past training in Taekwondo, which I hoped would help me understand some of the terms of jab, punch, roundhouse kick..etc.
When I arrived I was shown around the camp. They have three boxing rings, a lot of punching bags, a nice pool, a gym, and a fitness room. It was nice to know that they also have a massage area which I know I'll be needing soon. I settled into my room where I met my new roomate. Dana is from England, and explained to me that she is here for a month also, and is writing a piece on her experience for a British magazine. Dana has already been here for a week, so I was happy to hear how her experience has been thus far. "Intense to say the least", she said with enthusiasm. I was excited for the next morning when I'd have to get up at 6am to start working out, and meet my trainer.
Not long after I arrived I was told by my roomate that there was a 'Big C' store, that was nearby, where I could purchase some snacks and food if I wanted. I actually needed to buy some trainers, as my trainers were left behind at one of the hotels (not on purpose either). I was tired, but I took a taxi, and bought some runners, some apples, water, yogurt, and snuck in a few chocolate covered almonds. Old habits die hard. I made it back in one piece, although I thought for sure with the rain, and slick roads, that my psycho-speed runner taxi driver, would get us killed.
Before I went to bed, I went into the pool which is lit up at night. It was so peaceful as most people weren't around. I did laps for a good half hour. I was looking forward to meeting more people, as I heard that the majority were men. There is only three women at this camp, and one is leaving this Saturday. I figured it would be nice eye candy, and also motivating to see guys and girls in major shape.
Most of the guys here are professional boxers who come here to train. Everyone has their own goals. I didn't sleep so well as it was soo hot, and being in a fan room didn't help matters much. I started hearing roosters crowing at 5am this morning, which kept me awake. I pulled myself out of bed at 615am, and it was very tough, but I kept thinking of my goals, and what I want to accomplish here. I'm hoping to lose some weight, and tone up this flabby body.
My early morning started with a fast walk on the treadmill for half an hour, then at 7am, I was introduced to my trainer. I got in the ring, and did what he asked. Jab, punch, and kick was mostly what I did. I did this for three rounds of 6 minutes each. My trainer then asked me to do three sets of 5 minutes at the punching bag. Afterwards, I went back on the treadmill, and used the epileptical trainer for about forty minutes total. I also did some situps, and stretching.
The way the program works here, is that we get up at 6am, start working out at 630am, till whenever, but breakfast is at 9am. After breakfast we have a break till 2pm, when we do the whole training thing again for a few hours,until we are finished for the day. I feel very tired right now, and I bet I'll be sore tomorrow. The pool is calling my name right now. I hope I can sleep better tonight, and I'll keep ya posted on the progress. Pictures to follow.
I took a taxi from Khao San road area, where I've been staying for the past five days. I thought we were lost as the taxi drove a far distance, using the map I had given him from the Muay Thai training camp, that I was going to train at for at least three weeks. After over an hour ride, we pulled up to the Fairtex training camp. I was relieved that we had made it, although my head was full of mixed thoughts about what I was getting myself into.
Originally I heard about this camp from a friend I had met in Vietnam. She is coming here to train for a few days in the upcoming weeks. I thought it could be an interesting way to get into shape fast, and to learn some kick ass techniques. I have only ever watched muay thai a few times on tv. I have a bit of past training in Taekwondo, which I hoped would help me understand some of the terms of jab, punch, roundhouse kick..etc.
When I arrived I was shown around the camp. They have three boxing rings, a lot of punching bags, a nice pool, a gym, and a fitness room. It was nice to know that they also have a massage area which I know I'll be needing soon. I settled into my room where I met my new roomate. Dana is from England, and explained to me that she is here for a month also, and is writing a piece on her experience for a British magazine. Dana has already been here for a week, so I was happy to hear how her experience has been thus far. "Intense to say the least", she said with enthusiasm. I was excited for the next morning when I'd have to get up at 6am to start working out, and meet my trainer.
Not long after I arrived I was told by my roomate that there was a 'Big C' store, that was nearby, where I could purchase some snacks and food if I wanted. I actually needed to buy some trainers, as my trainers were left behind at one of the hotels (not on purpose either). I was tired, but I took a taxi, and bought some runners, some apples, water, yogurt, and snuck in a few chocolate covered almonds. Old habits die hard. I made it back in one piece, although I thought for sure with the rain, and slick roads, that my psycho-speed runner taxi driver, would get us killed.
Before I went to bed, I went into the pool which is lit up at night. It was so peaceful as most people weren't around. I did laps for a good half hour. I was looking forward to meeting more people, as I heard that the majority were men. There is only three women at this camp, and one is leaving this Saturday. I figured it would be nice eye candy, and also motivating to see guys and girls in major shape.
Most of the guys here are professional boxers who come here to train. Everyone has their own goals. I didn't sleep so well as it was soo hot, and being in a fan room didn't help matters much. I started hearing roosters crowing at 5am this morning, which kept me awake. I pulled myself out of bed at 615am, and it was very tough, but I kept thinking of my goals, and what I want to accomplish here. I'm hoping to lose some weight, and tone up this flabby body.
My early morning started with a fast walk on the treadmill for half an hour, then at 7am, I was introduced to my trainer. I got in the ring, and did what he asked. Jab, punch, and kick was mostly what I did. I did this for three rounds of 6 minutes each. My trainer then asked me to do three sets of 5 minutes at the punching bag. Afterwards, I went back on the treadmill, and used the epileptical trainer for about forty minutes total. I also did some situps, and stretching.
The way the program works here, is that we get up at 6am, start working out at 630am, till whenever, but breakfast is at 9am. After breakfast we have a break till 2pm, when we do the whole training thing again for a few hours,until we are finished for the day. I feel very tired right now, and I bet I'll be sore tomorrow. The pool is calling my name right now. I hope I can sleep better tonight, and I'll keep ya posted on the progress. Pictures to follow.
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