Focus & Breakthroughs

I know I only got here Wednesday night and today is only Monday (and that Sundays don't even count because you don't even train), but I'm really on my ass to crack down and be more focused. By that I mean to not eat Thai food and to -- at least for a few weeks -- eat only fruit and (supplemented) green smoothies. It's hard because when you do eat out, it's literally just rice and veggies (with sauce), and it's not that expensive. But I know that to jump start my training and to get an edge on my goals, going raw is just what the doctor ordered . . . it's just a matter of tuning everybody out and getting focused. People always say I'm too hard on myself, but I really want to achieve a lot -- and the key is truly FOCUS.

It's easy to go with the crowd and hang with your friends and do what they are doing. Technically, I can go to a restaurant with them and order fruit or just get the fruit shakes (watermelon or pineapple blended with ice; hold the extra sugar). And I will probably do that. It's easy to think that you're in a foreign country and that you should just indulge in everything because it's not always available to you. But I'm not here for that, and keep reminding myself of that.

I also intend on getting a scooter, which is something I wasn't planning on doing but now see the value of. With a scooter I can get to the beach in-between training sessions versus hang out and chat or eat with the others. The only drawback to that is that the sun and ocean are very draining, of course. And yet sooo invigorating in other ways! I met some new girls today (I'm always introducing myself to everyone I see, it seems) and they have done the whole Hawaii and Caribbean thing, like most people. They said this is easily the best ocean they've experienced. Many went today (briefly), in fact, but I hate mooching rides even though it's not a huge deal, overall. Just not my style.

This afternoon I just did NOT want to go to training. I wasn't upset about it, I wasn't overly sleepy, it wasn't anything like that. I just kind of didn't feel like it at all. I of course WENT, because there was nothing else to do, really, and I'm here to go to the gym. I LIVE at the gym, so it's stupid to just hang out at home, 40 feet away from everybody doing what I'm here to do, too. You know? So I put out the intent that something inspiring would happen this afternoon at training.

I show up and shadow box, then do bag work. Every 3 minutes, the whistle blows, and you start a "round". In-between rounds, you do sit-ups and push-ups, and of course drink your water. (You easily drink a gallon a day without trying around here, it's awesome). The bag felt a bit less awkward since Saturday, but it still hurts a lot to kick it and I definitely canNOT knee it as a result of my knee injury from this summer. Fortunately, I can knee in actual sparring and just the bag irritates it.

Anyhoo, today I got to work with Tuk and spend time with Lotta. Having Tuk teach you muay thai is like having Andre Agassi teach you tennis. He was the World Champion in 2005 and either owns or co-owns the entire gym now. It's especially meaningful because he was an orphan, literally dropped off at a muay thai gym as a child, as happens when families are extremely poor in Thailand. The gym was literally his home. Even now, there are kids who train during our off hours at the gym. They are so cute to watch, then you see them in the ring and cannot help but notice how GOOD they are, already. Some live here at the gym. I'm not sure what the details are on that, but I know that Rawai Gym is unique in that it insists the kids also go to school. I love that about this place. They also have the highest paid trainers in Phuket, easy, which I'm thrilled to know because they work very, very hard.

Tuk was showing me how to grapple and throw, because I have not learned any of that yet. Nor have I learned much blocking, which is very important. When I start sparring with other students, I'll need to know these skills.

That was definitely a highlight of my day. As was him pairing me up with Lotta from Sweden to work on my blocking. Lotta has been here four times. She showed up her first time without knowing anything, just like me. She has had many fights over the years, and has won some titles herself. She was very kind and encouraging, and working with someone like Lotta is not only inspiring but exponentially educational. I always ask lots of questions in terms of when you would use certain moves or blocks, etc. We also had some good laughs because my brain to body communication is seriously scary sometimes. Practice will cure that, though!

My favorite part of training is getting in the ring with a trainer and going 5 three-minute rounds. Usually about three pairs of us are going on at once in the ring. Today I had Fahd. He was great! This part of the session is a great workout, and you get one on one attention. We did a lot of kicking, which is great because I just don't do well kicking the giant bags yet. I am so thrilled to report that I experienced a huge breakthrough with my kicking today! My kicks have SUCKED thus far. They are NOT easy to do. And I still have a looooong way to go, for sure. But it all started to come together and I could handle it. My form was better than it's ever been, it had more power than ever (for me, mind you), and I wanted to run and show Fin but I held off. My friend Chachi had a "kick breakthrough" today, too, so we were all proud of ourselves in the sauna later, dishing alllll about it. It seriously was exciting!

In muay thai fights the scoring system is a bit loose, but kicks and blocks and actually throwing people down are moves that count far more than punches, I'm told. I still would consider fighting. I really, really hope to figure out my bank situation so I can go to Patong and watch Lindsey fight tomorrow night. Many of us are going, it's going to be incredible. Lindsey is a Canadian chick here to fight, and a big reason why I'm here; she's super kind and answered a lot of questions for me. She is the one that ran out and greeted me when I showed up. She's a powerhouse, and I want to cheer her on! A lot of us are planning on going.

What a great start to my week, honestly! I'm psyched to see how much I improve between now and Friday, honestly. Next week I will start running and add more sit-ups and push-ups to my routine. I can't wait! I need to start preventatively wrapping my left big toe, though. I'm beginning to get "the" blister, the one that EVERYBODY gets. Now that my kicks are improving, I'll be damned if I'm going to let that halt my progress! I just cannot wait to see where I'm at in three months. The progress that you make here (as long as you show up and don't party, etc.) is just incredible!

I'm off to get some bananas and some more water. I go through about 4.5 liters a day, at least. I think my goals for the next few weeks are reasonable and attainable, and I look forward to the challenge of achieving them.

Until next time........