My friend Chia-Chi emailed me about my sparring catastrophe and said I should "ask the trainers how to defeat a quicker opponent", then reminded me that I have strength and power on my side, no matter what. That did get me to thinking that the trainer (whom I adore) that was monitoring my sparring session should have been coaching me, giving us each suggestions on how to handle each other, etc., instead of just watching.
But okay, enough of all that. At lunch I found out GREAT NEWS: Lindsey, one of our pro fighters from Canada, is going to start doing VIP sessions! Just the other day Lindsey in five minutes showed me what I was doing wrong with my punch. I can't lie, I need her to show me again, but I could feel the difference immediately.
That means I get to train with another girl who is of similar build, strengths and weaknesses, even though she's really fit and I'm not. Our trainers speak English well enough, but they are also men, so they have more upper than lower body strength, and they are professional muay thai fighters who have been doing this since they were 5 or so. They are quick as hell. With my build, I'm never going to be Speedy Gonzales, but I am an Amazon, and certainly that must stand for something.
Lindsey speaks my language, is an excellent communicator to boot, professionally fights and is even a Muay Thai instructor at home in Canada. We get on famously and I'm looking forward to the sessions already. At lunch I asked her how she defeats opponents who are quicker than her (which she says they all are), and she laughed and said she honestly just uses her strength to pound them; if they are kicking at her she just covers up and walks right into it and plows them.
THIS is the kind of information I'm looking for, I mean, these are the questions I need answered in terms of how to put it all together. So I'm sooooo glad for this morning, ultimately.
Sometimes what looks like an obstacle is really an opportunity.
9 comments:
A good trainer is worth gold - I love my trainers - they always advise me during and after sparring. The things is; you can't see yourself sparring and therefore can be unaware of the mistakes and weaknesses unless someone points them out. Ooohh.. I so cannot wait to get their and train daily. Is there anyone practicing regular (not muay thai) boxing at the moment?
BTW I am still drinking green smoothies 2-3 times a day; they seem to have hmm.. a detoxing effect. You know, it seems they are a bit much for my stomach to handle. BUT I went training yesterday and felt very light AND had bags of energy. AND I had some early flu symptoms but they went away, yihaa, I didn't have to get ill! I am planning to try to live on only green smoothies this weekend, let's see how that goes.
Lots of love,
Laura
Must be NICE to be advised during sparring... (KIDDING). Anyways, today I had a new fire in me during training, then got my ass kicked doing pad work....so, life is good. I'm ready to turn up the heat these next four weeks!
You are right about the smoothies - if you are not used to that much chlorophyll (reminder: you're absorbing way more than if you just ate a salad), then yeah, it can detox you while giving you loads of great energy. The detox should be mild and will pass quickly, especially since you are not fasting on them, etc. The fast is a great idea and should be easy now that your body has adapted to them....so you shouldn't experience anything really negative, just more of the super positive. GOOD FOR YOU, GIRL!
Do you fight professionally? Do your trainers take you seriously?
I don't box professionally (I have a full-time office job) but I have recently told my trainers that I want to take this seriously and my goal is to start fighting. Long way to before that baby!
I am about to start headsparring now (my trainers suggestion - I am used to only doing bodysparring), yes I am now taken seriously as I have expressed my willingness to fight and suffer! My trainer hits me (in my head) during a pads session if I'm no good or don't pay attention or if I'm too slow, haha, maybe that would make you too faster.
My plan is to keep training until I get to Thailand - the I'm gonna SUPERTRAIN and see how I feel about training every day. It would be amazing to have my first fight in Thailand!
Laura
Hey Erica/Mary
Dont beat yourself up so much (lol!!)
What you think you lack is often your strength, heart and determination always prevail and above all else the obsticles are in your own mind. Rome wasnt built in a day.....
I have trained for close to five years and still have days when I really wonder what i have been doing!!!
You will improve gradually but also accept limitation x
Have a blast chick
Love Shaz x
I actually did have to do 10 push-ups every time I missed a block this morning (not sparring, during technique training). We do get socked in the head,...but that is how they teach us to protect and block our heads. At the stage I'm at, you see it coming, which is much appreciated, lol!
And "Dont beat yourself up so much (lol!!)" - I have heard that my entire life --- It has never served me but it's a hard habit to break.
I trained harder this afternoon and it felt good, even though I feel so bloated my lunch still was sitting in me like a rock even though I ate it 4 hours before.....
My trainer Fin (who I work with a lot) is good for a lot of mega-kicking, he wore me out, it was great. :)
Anyways, I'm really appreciating the support and advice of you two, big time. You don't even know!
KA-POON-KA!
(How you say "thank you" in Thai)
that chia-chi guy is real smart
Chia-Chia is one of the coolest cats I know. I mean that, too. :-)
Correction: Chia-Chi
practice makes perfect,it will take time,but if you keep at it,youll look back at this learning period with great memories,respect for trying,keep going,you can do it!!!!
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