Me vs. The Motorbike

I rented my first motorbike, just for the day. As most who know me are familiar with, I'm a bit mechanically-challenged. But I know they are not hard, and while I'm not interested in renting one full-time, week in and week out, it's how most get around in Thailand and can come in handy when you want to cruise to the beach, etc.

I've ridden on the back of many, with others, but this was my first time driving one. Jazz, my roommate, taught me. He was new to it, too. I did alright, but not after one main screw up, which was quite scary. I continued to ride it after that because I didn't want to be afraid of it forever.

The bikes accelerate with your right handlebar grip, and the brakes are like regular bike breaks. I find myself accelerating and breaking often, rarely just cruising. Then again, I was getting used to it. Still, the streets here are the opposite of the U.S. in terms of lanes, and while there isn't "tons" of traffic, there are really no stoplights or stop signs, and people drive really messed up a lot of the time. There's not much regulation, period, is what I'm geting at.

When I screwed up, I put my feet down, reactively, like you would a bike. This is absolutely stupid. Due to my flops, that resulted in a nasty scrape on the side, not bottom (thank God) of my foot. Infection is super easy overseas, so I panicked a bit about that and hit the pharmacy, big time, for the gauze, neosporin, antiseptic, etc. I tape it up so much for training that it's mummified. I mean, that gym is DISGUSTING, there's no question about that! However, I will have to miss beach training tomorrow, for sure, because I don't trust sand to not get into it. Fortunately, it's not deep and just a solid scrape. Not a pretty one, but considering I finally stopped about 1 foot from a 2 foot steep ditch, I consider myself very lucky.

All driving on it since then went well, but I made the decision that to save money, to ensure more safety, and to get more cardio, I'll be renting a push bike (as they call it here), or a regular old bicycle. It's smarter, safer and more economical. I can bike 2 km to the beach, etc. easy. And it will only help me achieve my goals. I would rent a motorbike again some day, but I don't feel as comfortable as I do when I'm just riding on the back of someone else's, which is easy because everybody is always offering.

Anyways, I wear a helmet when I'm not posing for pictures -- although it may have been a step up from my wet hair from showering post-training this afternoon. Here's a shot of how well I wrap my toe up. Hilarious! But nothing gets into it, and even kicking doesn't uproot it. I don't want to mess around, that's for sure, with injury!

In other news, training today kicked my butt. I slept like 12 hours last night, something I probably haven't done since I was an infant. I shadowboxed, did 5 rounds on the bags, with sit-ups and push-ups in-between, and then did 5 three-minute rounds with Petsila in the ring. I had him yesterday, too. I was so sweaty and exhausted I was literally dizzy! Then Tuk, the gym owner and former world champion, called myself and 2 other newer girls and Lindsey over to work with him on blocking. We each had to go a few rounds with him, blocking and hitting as hard as we could. It was excellent. Oh, did I mention that for this we had to only box, no kicks, knees or elbows (note: you never use elbows in sparring, only "real" fights). We had to put on 18 oz. boxing gloves for it, too. My arms were absolute toast by the end. Afterwards, 200 front kicks and it was a day.

Front kicks are my favorite, as are elbows. Blocking sucks; I started to get actually "hit" and even though it's just practice and not hard, it doesn't feel so hot! Tuk is a phenomenal trainer because he always encourages you and points out what you did great and gives you a lot of positive encouragement. He'll also throw you on the ground and punish you during your session. I have not done my 5 rounds with him yet in my group lessons in the ring---simply because I've always got other people, but I've heard horror stories. His form is impeccable and he notices every last detail, so I am kind of looking forward to it. If he's working with another student, he makes sure you are paying attention to him still, "or else". But he always has a smile and a kind word for you, too. I dig him. I'm so happy for his success and I look forward to working with him more. You learn so fast here!

Fruitarianism is going well. Day three is over and I feel great! Tonight I found a place I can walk to, where I can get a huge salad and salsa for the dressing, to make it spicy. How's that for all raw and no-fat? Between that and the fruit and coconut situation, I'm alllllll good. I don't miss anything! I aim to buy some nori and some rice wraps to make some mean all veggie sushi rolls and some all veggie spring rolls. I can make a sauce with either mango or dragon fruit, with cayenne, garlic or curry, cilantro, etc., all blended. Okay, maybe not all those things, but I can easily make a fat-free, fruitarian dressing for salads and rolls! Maybe even durian; I finally found some at the market, it was just raining so hard I had to leave before I could buy one. I'll try at tomorrow's . . . .