In Pai there is an annual farming tradition where they spend roughly the month of March burning the fields and dried jungle.
The point is two fold.
Firstly the controlled burns of the wild bush reduces wild fires.
Secondly it is believed the ash created by the burns fertilises the soil for the next planting season.
I don't know if the science backs up the tradition but it seems to make sense to me.
The downside however is also two fold.
Firstly the Thai people who are not farmers use the opportunity to burn their trash and garden waste which often smells very bad and adds to the ash cloud above the city which traps in heat causing very hot days.
Secondly the ash, pollen and other pollutants in the air get everywhere and you can see it in the air. The once blue sky now has a grey mask over it all day. When doing exercise you can really feel it. 3 rounds of pads and you get a burning in the centre of your chest and you can't catch your breath. I know a few of the fighters from the gym have had to stop running on a morning because they are just breathing in too much crap and it's making them ill.
The period only lasts 4 - 6 weeks so we should be past the worst of it by the beginning of April.
I have bought one of those surgeon breathing masks for when I'm on the scooter. The combination of that and sunglasses keeping the dust out of my eyes seems to help but it also shows how much stuff is being breathed in. A short scooter ride and the mask noticeably turns grey.
The one benefit (aside from for the farmers) has been some amazing sights. At night the wild bush burns look like fire snakes making their way across the mountain sides. I can't capture it with a photo but amongst the low contrast grey view of the silhouettes of the mountain ranges you just have these glowing lines of fire highlighting the shape of the land as it is consumed by fire.
After spending the day at the river when riding home after the sun had set I ended up quite close to one of the burns. It was beautiful. Like something straight out of a National Geographic volcano special. The soft orange glow of the fire with flames jumping up behind the trees spitting burning ash into the air which glows then cools as it falls. It looked like lava bursting up over the hills with a sunset backdrop. If I had seen such a large wild fire like this in England it would have been the source of huge panic and there would be firefighters everywhere keeping you hundred of feet back. But here its just left to do its thing and your able to stumble upon these amazing views. A really unique sight.
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Friday, 6 March 2015
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Home at last.
Success.
Back in Pai.
Grabbed a scooter and found a bungalow for 4000baht a month. Dropped my bags and showered off the travel grime.
Immediately went to Joy's cafe and was welcomed with literal hugs from everyone. I've only been gone about 2 weeks and they had no idea what went on in Cambodia. They just didn't think I was coming back and so were happy to see me. Damn its nice to be back.
I told them the Cambodian thievery story and after much sympathy and shared horror stories it was decided a bottle of Sangsom would help cure all ills. It pretty much did.
'Joys Cafe' to 'Mountain Bar', 'Mountain Bar' to 'Boom Bar', 'Boom Bar' to 'Don't Cry', 'Don't Cry' to 7/11 for 4 am cheese toasties and chocolate milk. Old stomping ground thoroughly stomped.
Back in Pai.
Grabbed a scooter and found a bungalow for 4000baht a month. Dropped my bags and showered off the travel grime.
Immediately went to Joy's cafe and was welcomed with literal hugs from everyone. I've only been gone about 2 weeks and they had no idea what went on in Cambodia. They just didn't think I was coming back and so were happy to see me. Damn its nice to be back.
I told them the Cambodian thievery story and after much sympathy and shared horror stories it was decided a bottle of Sangsom would help cure all ills. It pretty much did.
'Joys Cafe' to 'Mountain Bar', 'Mountain Bar' to 'Boom Bar', 'Boom Bar' to 'Don't Cry', 'Don't Cry' to 7/11 for 4 am cheese toasties and chocolate milk. Old stomping ground thoroughly stomped.
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Almost back to Pai...
I have managed to make my Western Union cash transfer last me a seemingly endless journey.
Got a coach from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, stayed 2 days whilst changing my flight back to Bangkok. Flew to Bangkok, immediately travelled across the entire city from the airport via a train into the city centre then via taxi to the domestic airport. The taxi driver quoted 100baht for the trip which was half what I had been told he would charge. Once we got to the airport the fee was then 400baht. The toll road he used to get us there was 100baht.
Positive side of me says we just got lost in translation and the journey was always far longer than a 100baht fee. The guy who just got ripped off in Cambodia however didn't take it so well. So shouting match in the airport drop off section ensues.
I end up paying him and only just making my domestic flight to Chiang Mai.
Once in Chiang Mai I jump in a tuk-tuk and head to the familiar areas of town.
Damn it feels good to be almost home.
I'm staying in the guesthouse I stayed in when I came down to fight so i can now kick off my shoes and relax for the first time in what feels like forever.
Tomorrow I need to find another Western Union branch to collect cash and then it's the 3.5hour mini bus to Pai. Hire a scooter. Find a place to live for the next month or so. That sounds very doable. Home at last.
Got a coach from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, stayed 2 days whilst changing my flight back to Bangkok. Flew to Bangkok, immediately travelled across the entire city from the airport via a train into the city centre then via taxi to the domestic airport. The taxi driver quoted 100baht for the trip which was half what I had been told he would charge. Once we got to the airport the fee was then 400baht. The toll road he used to get us there was 100baht.
Positive side of me says we just got lost in translation and the journey was always far longer than a 100baht fee. The guy who just got ripped off in Cambodia however didn't take it so well. So shouting match in the airport drop off section ensues.
I end up paying him and only just making my domestic flight to Chiang Mai.
Once in Chiang Mai I jump in a tuk-tuk and head to the familiar areas of town.
Damn it feels good to be almost home.
I'm staying in the guesthouse I stayed in when I came down to fight so i can now kick off my shoes and relax for the first time in what feels like forever.
Tomorrow I need to find another Western Union branch to collect cash and then it's the 3.5hour mini bus to Pai. Hire a scooter. Find a place to live for the next month or so. That sounds very doable. Home at last.
Sunday, 22 February 2015
Cambodia... is shit.
Specifically Serendipity Beach in Sihanoukville.
After a few beers around 1am I went for a paddle in the sea. Found a quiet spot on the beach, took off my shoes and shorts, hid them under a sun lounger and waded in up to my calves. The sobering cold water made me realise it was a dumb idea so I turned back. Must have been in the water all of 45 seconds.
When I came back my clothes had been stolen. So thats my iPhone, all my cards, all my cash and my room key all gone at 1am. I had to walk back to my bungalow in my boxers.
As I'm looking around for my belongings thinking maybe the wind just blew them away I see a silhouette of a young boy about 30m down the beach come sprinting out from the closed bar front grab a stack of clothes off the beach and sprint back disappearing into the black lightless bars that lead to the shanty town of shacks and dump sites just behind the beach bars.
A moment later 3 Danish girls come out of the water screaming "no, come back, you have our passports!!". The kid is gone and not coming back. Any Cambodian bar owner or staff we can find didn't see anything and has no idea who took our stuff. We link through the back and find some tuk-tuk drivers who want to give us a lift. They did not see anything either. And don't seem to comprehend that none of us have any money left and so no we don't want a taxi ride.
The Danish girls are in tears but no-one cares or offers assistance. Fortunately for me I was staying in a bungalow at the back of a 'hostess bar' so when i get back there is still someone up to offer me a spare key. I couldn't sleep. Knowing I had an alarm set on my iPhone for 7am to make tomorrows ferry I get out of bed at 6:45 and head back to where my stuff got stolen. I talk with more bar owners and staff, explaining to the Cambodian staff that I am willing to buy back my phone an cards if by chance they can get word to whoever might have 'found them'. The western bar owners are sympathetic and explain how it works. The kids steal from the beach all day and night handing everything over to a handler who discards the bank cards keeps the cash and sells the phone at one of the local markets a week or so later once the original owner has left town.
I walk around hoping to hear the alarm or find my discarded shorts with my wallet nearby still with cards. 2 hours later I give up. No sign of anything.
The police were useless, well corrupt infact. When I arrived at the station i was in a queue behind other tourists who had also had their stuff stolen from the beach the night before. The idea that these police officers who work this beach front don't know who is doing this is just farcical. There is so much money getting stolen they must be getting a kick back. I was in Sihanoukville for 5 days and I could walk down the beach and round up 5 suspects simply after seeing what I have seen in 5 days.
But no the police have 'no idea' who it is and will not entertain the idea of walking the beach to find the kids. Instead they want me to pay for a translator so they can ‘provide’ a crime report for my insurance (which doesn’t cover anything i lost by the way!). Looks to me like the assumption is the tourist is insured and so they don't really lose anything and if they want to make a claim lets hit them again for a translator fee. Who oh so surprisingly they could provide but I would have to pay. Because my policy doesn't cover me I just left and didn't file a report. Their deterrent on paperwork worked.
But I managed to cancel my trip to the islands and get a refund on the ferry ticket I had for the next day, I used the money to call England and cancel my cards and get replacements sent to my family in the UK who are going to forward them to my gym in Thailand. They will take about 2 weeks to arrive so I am making my way out of Cambodia and back to Pai through Bangkok. Doing it on the cheap as I could only send myself £300 via Western Union. But it’s all fine. I’m all sorted now.
Currently in Phnom Penh staying in an 8 person dorm and I fly to Bangkok in 2 days.
But yeah I really cut my time short in Cambodia cause I just hate the people. I wasn’t a fan before this and now I can’t relax. Constantly think someone is about to steal from me.
Even before my stuff got stolen I thwarted 2 pick pocket attempts on me and 1 on a girl I was with. A big group of kids come running up to you on the beach in the middle of the day all happy and smiling and grabbing at you and joking like some happy scene from an Oxfam advert (the bit after they have put the well in). But whilst this joyous encounter is happening the older kids are actually routing through your pockets and opening the zips on your back pack and helping themselves to anything they can find before they all run off.
Or even worse at night the kids come over to play or sell bracelets but once they get a female target the littlest one grabs at her breasts or groin and whilst she reacts to that distraction the other boys go through her bag. It's like a fucked up magic trick. All distraction.
I got so fucked off with these kids when they came near me I would just push them away by their faces. But with no punishment for their behaviour they just bounce right back and give it another go. So even when you're launching kids left and right you can still feel the one behind brush against your pocket. It's like that scene from 'Jurrasic Park: Lost World' 'where the hunter gets torn up by a group of tiny 'harmless' reptiles.
This place is just too much hassle. Everything from the tuk-tuk drivers giving you the hard sell on trips, MDMA, weed and prostitutes, the litter and pollution everywhere to the customer service being the worst I have ever encountered. Its exhausting. Not a fan of Cambodia.
It has beautiful beaches but the poverty is just everywhere and the people don’t know to look after their natural resources so they pollute and litter like crazy. It’s proper third world. Shanty towns and sand beaches filled with washed up plastics.
Anyway, sorry about that little downer. Just been a rough couple days. The 2-4 hour coach back to Phnom Penh took over 7 hours. Nail in the coffin.
If Thailand is the land of a thousand smiles, Cambodia is the land of a thousand out stretched hands. Perhaps this is the result of social engineering with genocide. Turns out you need the educated middle class.
After a few beers around 1am I went for a paddle in the sea. Found a quiet spot on the beach, took off my shoes and shorts, hid them under a sun lounger and waded in up to my calves. The sobering cold water made me realise it was a dumb idea so I turned back. Must have been in the water all of 45 seconds.
When I came back my clothes had been stolen. So thats my iPhone, all my cards, all my cash and my room key all gone at 1am. I had to walk back to my bungalow in my boxers.
As I'm looking around for my belongings thinking maybe the wind just blew them away I see a silhouette of a young boy about 30m down the beach come sprinting out from the closed bar front grab a stack of clothes off the beach and sprint back disappearing into the black lightless bars that lead to the shanty town of shacks and dump sites just behind the beach bars.
A moment later 3 Danish girls come out of the water screaming "no, come back, you have our passports!!". The kid is gone and not coming back. Any Cambodian bar owner or staff we can find didn't see anything and has no idea who took our stuff. We link through the back and find some tuk-tuk drivers who want to give us a lift. They did not see anything either. And don't seem to comprehend that none of us have any money left and so no we don't want a taxi ride.
The Danish girls are in tears but no-one cares or offers assistance. Fortunately for me I was staying in a bungalow at the back of a 'hostess bar' so when i get back there is still someone up to offer me a spare key. I couldn't sleep. Knowing I had an alarm set on my iPhone for 7am to make tomorrows ferry I get out of bed at 6:45 and head back to where my stuff got stolen. I talk with more bar owners and staff, explaining to the Cambodian staff that I am willing to buy back my phone an cards if by chance they can get word to whoever might have 'found them'. The western bar owners are sympathetic and explain how it works. The kids steal from the beach all day and night handing everything over to a handler who discards the bank cards keeps the cash and sells the phone at one of the local markets a week or so later once the original owner has left town.
I walk around hoping to hear the alarm or find my discarded shorts with my wallet nearby still with cards. 2 hours later I give up. No sign of anything.
The police were useless, well corrupt infact. When I arrived at the station i was in a queue behind other tourists who had also had their stuff stolen from the beach the night before. The idea that these police officers who work this beach front don't know who is doing this is just farcical. There is so much money getting stolen they must be getting a kick back. I was in Sihanoukville for 5 days and I could walk down the beach and round up 5 suspects simply after seeing what I have seen in 5 days.
But no the police have 'no idea' who it is and will not entertain the idea of walking the beach to find the kids. Instead they want me to pay for a translator so they can ‘provide’ a crime report for my insurance (which doesn’t cover anything i lost by the way!). Looks to me like the assumption is the tourist is insured and so they don't really lose anything and if they want to make a claim lets hit them again for a translator fee. Who oh so surprisingly they could provide but I would have to pay. Because my policy doesn't cover me I just left and didn't file a report. Their deterrent on paperwork worked.
But I managed to cancel my trip to the islands and get a refund on the ferry ticket I had for the next day, I used the money to call England and cancel my cards and get replacements sent to my family in the UK who are going to forward them to my gym in Thailand. They will take about 2 weeks to arrive so I am making my way out of Cambodia and back to Pai through Bangkok. Doing it on the cheap as I could only send myself £300 via Western Union. But it’s all fine. I’m all sorted now.
Currently in Phnom Penh staying in an 8 person dorm and I fly to Bangkok in 2 days.
But yeah I really cut my time short in Cambodia cause I just hate the people. I wasn’t a fan before this and now I can’t relax. Constantly think someone is about to steal from me.
Even before my stuff got stolen I thwarted 2 pick pocket attempts on me and 1 on a girl I was with. A big group of kids come running up to you on the beach in the middle of the day all happy and smiling and grabbing at you and joking like some happy scene from an Oxfam advert (the bit after they have put the well in). But whilst this joyous encounter is happening the older kids are actually routing through your pockets and opening the zips on your back pack and helping themselves to anything they can find before they all run off.
Or even worse at night the kids come over to play or sell bracelets but once they get a female target the littlest one grabs at her breasts or groin and whilst she reacts to that distraction the other boys go through her bag. It's like a fucked up magic trick. All distraction.
I got so fucked off with these kids when they came near me I would just push them away by their faces. But with no punishment for their behaviour they just bounce right back and give it another go. So even when you're launching kids left and right you can still feel the one behind brush against your pocket. It's like that scene from 'Jurrasic Park: Lost World' 'where the hunter gets torn up by a group of tiny 'harmless' reptiles.
This place is just too much hassle. Everything from the tuk-tuk drivers giving you the hard sell on trips, MDMA, weed and prostitutes, the litter and pollution everywhere to the customer service being the worst I have ever encountered. Its exhausting. Not a fan of Cambodia.
It has beautiful beaches but the poverty is just everywhere and the people don’t know to look after their natural resources so they pollute and litter like crazy. It’s proper third world. Shanty towns and sand beaches filled with washed up plastics.
Anyway, sorry about that little downer. Just been a rough couple days. The 2-4 hour coach back to Phnom Penh took over 7 hours. Nail in the coffin.
If Thailand is the land of a thousand smiles, Cambodia is the land of a thousand out stretched hands. Perhaps this is the result of social engineering with genocide. Turns out you need the educated middle class.
Monday, 16 February 2015
Cambodia - Phnom Penh / Sihanoukville / Koh Rong
I am now in Cambodia on the coast in a port town called Sihanoukville. The idea was to come here and catch some sun and relax. This place has some beautiful secluded beaches and the water is warm like bath water. It really has beautiful coast line you can enjoy. Downtown Sihanoukville is back packer heaven. Western bars, themed pubs, cheap dorm stays everywhere and way too many tuk tuk drivers who pester like crazy offering taxi, weed, MDMA in that order. I keep my headphones in and try to ignore them... they don't respect the headphones at all... taps, waves, shouts, questions "where you from brother?"... it gets pretty exhausting.
Walk 20 minutes in any direction and it all changes but I have found myself staying slap bang in the centre of the party district. I didn't realise there were other options when I arrived. The bars stay open until about 1am at which point everyone moves down to the beach bars (Serendipity Beach). About 3 of which go on to 6 am all competing for the same people with free shots, fancy dress nights and fire poi. It can be fun but it's also a little try hard. There seems to be a problem with child beggars and pick pockets around this area but it's no worse than central London. As long as you don't have a soft spot for kids. I don't, I see them as working, good luck to them, but it's nothing to do with me and you damn sure won't be stealing my stuff.
I'm already starting to get a little fidgety here so I tried to find a Khmer Boxing gym to get some training in with the locals.
Unfortunately there is nothing offered here in this town. The closest thing was a fitness resort holiday spot run by a french bodybuilder who offered training in Muay Thai, MMA, Krav Maga and body building... I went and met him... I didn't train and I have not been back. It's not what I am looking for.
Talking with the locals I have found out that most of the Khmer boxing gyms are in the capital Phnom Penh. I fly out of Phnom Penh on the 13th of March so I think I'll head back there a couple days early to see if I can find a gym that will let a foreigner train with them. Their won't be any real fitness benefit to a one off session but at least I'll be able to compare the Cambodian style versus the Thai style.
I don't imagine they are at all different. But you gotta check right. Plus it might give me better memories of Phnom Penh which at first glance was pretty disgusting.
For now... it's catching up on emails. Eating unhealthily and walking along the beautiful beaches.
Walk 20 minutes in any direction and it all changes but I have found myself staying slap bang in the centre of the party district. I didn't realise there were other options when I arrived. The bars stay open until about 1am at which point everyone moves down to the beach bars (Serendipity Beach). About 3 of which go on to 6 am all competing for the same people with free shots, fancy dress nights and fire poi. It can be fun but it's also a little try hard. There seems to be a problem with child beggars and pick pockets around this area but it's no worse than central London. As long as you don't have a soft spot for kids. I don't, I see them as working, good luck to them, but it's nothing to do with me and you damn sure won't be stealing my stuff.
I'm already starting to get a little fidgety here so I tried to find a Khmer Boxing gym to get some training in with the locals.
Unfortunately there is nothing offered here in this town. The closest thing was a fitness resort holiday spot run by a french bodybuilder who offered training in Muay Thai, MMA, Krav Maga and body building... I went and met him... I didn't train and I have not been back. It's not what I am looking for.
Talking with the locals I have found out that most of the Khmer boxing gyms are in the capital Phnom Penh. I fly out of Phnom Penh on the 13th of March so I think I'll head back there a couple days early to see if I can find a gym that will let a foreigner train with them. Their won't be any real fitness benefit to a one off session but at least I'll be able to compare the Cambodian style versus the Thai style.
I don't imagine they are at all different. But you gotta check right. Plus it might give me better memories of Phnom Penh which at first glance was pretty disgusting.
For now... it's catching up on emails. Eating unhealthily and walking along the beautiful beaches.
I plan on heading to the island Koh Rong in a few days to get away from the drunk back packers and stay in a bungalow on the beach. I think it will be nice to take a couple days on an Island that only has power for a few hours a day and is genuinely untouched. Fingers crossed it is that. If I get back and it was all 7/11's and themed pubs i'll be sure to let you know.
Monday, 9 February 2015
Post Fight analysis
Hopefully if you are reading this you took the time to watch the full fight video (it's a couple posts below).
In conjunction with the video these are my thoughts on the fight and what I was thinking whilst inside the ring.
Round 1:
Bell goes and we meet in the middle. I was expecting my size to intimidate my opponent but looking in his eyes he could not have cared less. He looked really happy like he knew a joke I wasn't in on. Turns out the joke is, he had no intention of letting me warm up or go through a feeling out process. He wanted to win quickly and with flare. He wanted to knock me out with a head kick and had absolute confidence he could do it. He backs off to the ropes and baits me to come inside not preserving my reach advantage. Switch and left head kick, then again and again.
I blocked all three but the second really connected through my guard and had me stunned as I saw the third coming I knew I had to hit him with some powerful strikes and impose my will. Maybe it's ego but I wanted him to respect my power and not feel like he could intimidate me with flare moves that I wasn't used to from sparring. After blocking the third kick I moved forward with strikes. He covered up well but I just threw hard against his guard. I knew nothing would connect but I wanted to shake him up. He took the strikes, backed up and threw another head kick followed by a left hand which connected with my chin straight through my guard. Had me seeing stars. I tried to hide it as I backed out of range and I don't think he realised he had hurt me.
We both regained composure and worked outside against the ropes. Little exchanges but nothing making it through. He tried to bait me in and threw a spinning back elbow. Again more flare moves and showmanship trying to get me to make mistakes rather than just chopping the tree down with leg kicks.
He was very confident he could find an opening for the big finish. That came across in everything he did, the way he moved was so confident. Not setting things up, no combinations. Not earning the big strike just had faith if he threw enough I'd make a mistake.
Cardio was not an issue. The start stop pace of the fight meant I wasn't even short on breath. By pressuring him against the ropes I was able to step out and relax after flurries rather than punch myself out. End of round 1 I felt good, felt confident. Felt like as long as I defended the big night ending moves I was going to be able to find my chance with punches to repay the favour.
Round 2:
Again I walked forward and pressured him back. Watching the video I really don't use my jab enough. I should have been peppering his guard but instead I let him watch what I'm doing, giving him too much time to plan and execute his own counter strikes. I pressure forward land a body kick and we clinch, landed a poor knee but he didn't want any of the clinch with me and just shut it down waiting for the referee to separate us. In the short time we clinched I tried to make distance to elbow but he kept his head buried against my chest so my offensive options were very limited.
The fake teep had stopped working as I wasn't throwing any kicks. My back injury was still a big concern in the back of my head and I was scared to commit to a body or head kick with big hip movement as I knew there was a chance my back would give out and I'd be done. So I started throwing more teeps and low kicks to get him thinking. The lack of twisting in my lower back meant these felt like a safer option. He responded with a teep which I caught and swept easily as he was too busy thinking about defending my punches.
Once back up, a punch combination made him cover up but he bent over off the centre line exposing a clear run for the left uppercut. Although only a short strike there was power behind it as I had loaded it with bad intentions after the straight right off his guard. This left connected without slowing off his defence and earned me my first knockdown and an 8 count.
My opponent now with blood coming from his mouth started to threaten with elbow strikes. The range was all wrong but looking back now I think he was trying to earn some more recovery time and was using these strikes to scare back a guy who was utilising a lot of boxing but not too much Muay Thai and as a result was probably intimidated by elbows. I attempted a high kick from outside elbow range, it felt awful and slow and left me exposed to counters. My back was just too stiff to rotate properly.
As I pressured forward he lands a nice straight right and a strong teep which I try to shake off and walk through. He steps in and closes the distance which I didn't expect. By stepping in he was able to grab over my hands and land a strong right elbow that slid over my left upper arm and connected with my left cheek bone. It was a big shot. Didn't make me dizzy but immediately made my face swell and had me worried I was cut. I tried to repay the favour but I couldn't utilise the right range and just elbowed shoulder and thin air.
Back in the red corner (my corner) I could now for the first time hear corner instruction and they wanted body shots. I blocked a kick and threw a powerful right into his stomach which again knocked him down. Saved by the bell. Which I gotta say I was happy about. With 2 knock downs I knew I could put him away but I wanted to end things with a cleaner more technical strike. Something to be proud of.
During the round break the advice from my corner.
"He doesn't like the body shots, keep working them and when he kicks throw the left hand don't just let him kick you."
Round 3:
My opponent comes out with a much more forward pressuring style. Unlike previous rounds he isn't backing up to the ropes and watching. Instead he is trying to initiate his own strikes and get inside past my range. He still throws the left high kick but all the power has gone. I can afford to check and counter where before I was struggling to process anything offensive after blocking the leg. Countering the kick I earn some strong body shots. But this leaves my head exposed as I throw too many of the same thing. He counters with some hooks to my head but they fall short nothing landing. But I could see the aggression across his blood stained snarl, the body shots were hurting him and the punches aimed for my head seemed to come from lashing out. Almost a last ditch effort for the highlight reel ending he had hoped for in the early stages of round 1.
As I back out of range he loads another high kick and I throw a stiff left jab which connects with his chin. His head whips back and he falls to the canvas knocked out. I don't believe knocked unconscious. I just think it was a clean strike that had him spinning and he took the out offered. Makes sense. He was probably fighting again a week later. He'd tried for the big win and I'd beaten him down with enough strong strikes that he wanted out.
3 knock downs within 2 fight minutes, it was over.
My first reaction.
Relief and disappointment.
Relief the fight was over and I had won.
Disappointment the nail in is coffin had not been a more definitive power strike. I wanted to believe I had knocked someone out. But instead I had to talk myself into the narrative that I had beaten him rather than he had taken the pay day and just quit when he got tired. The Thailand fight game is a hard thing to read. Don't think I'll ever shake the demons that he opted out. Watching the slow motions of the 3 knock downs does help. I suspect it's my own self doubt coming through rather than an unbiased appraisal of the fight.
Perhaps I'll leave that to whoever watches the fight video and reads this blog.
Let me know.
Did he dive? Had I done enough? Was the fight ending punch a fight ending punch? Was his starfish pose pantomime?
In conjunction with the video these are my thoughts on the fight and what I was thinking whilst inside the ring.
Round 1:
Bell goes and we meet in the middle. I was expecting my size to intimidate my opponent but looking in his eyes he could not have cared less. He looked really happy like he knew a joke I wasn't in on. Turns out the joke is, he had no intention of letting me warm up or go through a feeling out process. He wanted to win quickly and with flare. He wanted to knock me out with a head kick and had absolute confidence he could do it. He backs off to the ropes and baits me to come inside not preserving my reach advantage. Switch and left head kick, then again and again.
I blocked all three but the second really connected through my guard and had me stunned as I saw the third coming I knew I had to hit him with some powerful strikes and impose my will. Maybe it's ego but I wanted him to respect my power and not feel like he could intimidate me with flare moves that I wasn't used to from sparring. After blocking the third kick I moved forward with strikes. He covered up well but I just threw hard against his guard. I knew nothing would connect but I wanted to shake him up. He took the strikes, backed up and threw another head kick followed by a left hand which connected with my chin straight through my guard. Had me seeing stars. I tried to hide it as I backed out of range and I don't think he realised he had hurt me.
We both regained composure and worked outside against the ropes. Little exchanges but nothing making it through. He tried to bait me in and threw a spinning back elbow. Again more flare moves and showmanship trying to get me to make mistakes rather than just chopping the tree down with leg kicks.
He was very confident he could find an opening for the big finish. That came across in everything he did, the way he moved was so confident. Not setting things up, no combinations. Not earning the big strike just had faith if he threw enough I'd make a mistake.
Cardio was not an issue. The start stop pace of the fight meant I wasn't even short on breath. By pressuring him against the ropes I was able to step out and relax after flurries rather than punch myself out. End of round 1 I felt good, felt confident. Felt like as long as I defended the big night ending moves I was going to be able to find my chance with punches to repay the favour.
Round 2:
Again I walked forward and pressured him back. Watching the video I really don't use my jab enough. I should have been peppering his guard but instead I let him watch what I'm doing, giving him too much time to plan and execute his own counter strikes. I pressure forward land a body kick and we clinch, landed a poor knee but he didn't want any of the clinch with me and just shut it down waiting for the referee to separate us. In the short time we clinched I tried to make distance to elbow but he kept his head buried against my chest so my offensive options were very limited.
The fake teep had stopped working as I wasn't throwing any kicks. My back injury was still a big concern in the back of my head and I was scared to commit to a body or head kick with big hip movement as I knew there was a chance my back would give out and I'd be done. So I started throwing more teeps and low kicks to get him thinking. The lack of twisting in my lower back meant these felt like a safer option. He responded with a teep which I caught and swept easily as he was too busy thinking about defending my punches.
Once back up, a punch combination made him cover up but he bent over off the centre line exposing a clear run for the left uppercut. Although only a short strike there was power behind it as I had loaded it with bad intentions after the straight right off his guard. This left connected without slowing off his defence and earned me my first knockdown and an 8 count.
My opponent now with blood coming from his mouth started to threaten with elbow strikes. The range was all wrong but looking back now I think he was trying to earn some more recovery time and was using these strikes to scare back a guy who was utilising a lot of boxing but not too much Muay Thai and as a result was probably intimidated by elbows. I attempted a high kick from outside elbow range, it felt awful and slow and left me exposed to counters. My back was just too stiff to rotate properly.
As I pressured forward he lands a nice straight right and a strong teep which I try to shake off and walk through. He steps in and closes the distance which I didn't expect. By stepping in he was able to grab over my hands and land a strong right elbow that slid over my left upper arm and connected with my left cheek bone. It was a big shot. Didn't make me dizzy but immediately made my face swell and had me worried I was cut. I tried to repay the favour but I couldn't utilise the right range and just elbowed shoulder and thin air.
Back in the red corner (my corner) I could now for the first time hear corner instruction and they wanted body shots. I blocked a kick and threw a powerful right into his stomach which again knocked him down. Saved by the bell. Which I gotta say I was happy about. With 2 knock downs I knew I could put him away but I wanted to end things with a cleaner more technical strike. Something to be proud of.
During the round break the advice from my corner.
"He doesn't like the body shots, keep working them and when he kicks throw the left hand don't just let him kick you."
Round 3:
My opponent comes out with a much more forward pressuring style. Unlike previous rounds he isn't backing up to the ropes and watching. Instead he is trying to initiate his own strikes and get inside past my range. He still throws the left high kick but all the power has gone. I can afford to check and counter where before I was struggling to process anything offensive after blocking the leg. Countering the kick I earn some strong body shots. But this leaves my head exposed as I throw too many of the same thing. He counters with some hooks to my head but they fall short nothing landing. But I could see the aggression across his blood stained snarl, the body shots were hurting him and the punches aimed for my head seemed to come from lashing out. Almost a last ditch effort for the highlight reel ending he had hoped for in the early stages of round 1.
As I back out of range he loads another high kick and I throw a stiff left jab which connects with his chin. His head whips back and he falls to the canvas knocked out. I don't believe knocked unconscious. I just think it was a clean strike that had him spinning and he took the out offered. Makes sense. He was probably fighting again a week later. He'd tried for the big win and I'd beaten him down with enough strong strikes that he wanted out.
3 knock downs within 2 fight minutes, it was over.
My first reaction.
Relief and disappointment.
Relief the fight was over and I had won.
Disappointment the nail in is coffin had not been a more definitive power strike. I wanted to believe I had knocked someone out. But instead I had to talk myself into the narrative that I had beaten him rather than he had taken the pay day and just quit when he got tired. The Thailand fight game is a hard thing to read. Don't think I'll ever shake the demons that he opted out. Watching the slow motions of the 3 knock downs does help. I suspect it's my own self doubt coming through rather than an unbiased appraisal of the fight.
Perhaps I'll leave that to whoever watches the fight video and reads this blog.
Let me know.
Did he dive? Had I done enough? Was the fight ending punch a fight ending punch? Was his starfish pose pantomime?
Sunday, 8 February 2015
Fight Highlights (video)
Cut down of the fight featuring edit tricks to make things look more impressive.
Yes, slow motion, you got it.
Yes, slow motion, you got it.
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Full Fight (Video)
Friday 6th February 2015 - Kalare Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Advertised as an 85Kg fight... although I was about 93 and my opponent 86... Weighs ins are not exactly encouraged in Chiang Mai.
This is my first fight. My opponent has had over 100 fights, and I was told just before entering the ring:
"Be careful of his head kick. Last Farang he fought he knocked out with it."
My witty retort...
"I'm too tall for that but thanks"
Advertised as an 85Kg fight... although I was about 93 and my opponent 86... Weighs ins are not exactly encouraged in Chiang Mai.
This is my first fight. My opponent has had over 100 fights, and I was told just before entering the ring:
"Be careful of his head kick. Last Farang he fought he knocked out with it."
My witty retort...
"I'm too tall for that but thanks"
Friday, 6 February 2015
Pre-Fight
I arrived at the stadium at 20:30. First fight starts at 21:00... but they are always 30 mins late. Thai time.
I met up with Turbo and the Japanese fighter who is fighting out of Charn Chai (don't know his name), and we went through the check list of kit I was supposed to have with me. Agreed to let Turbo use my stuff because he hadn't brought any (Thai Oil, Vaseline etc). Turbo really could not give a shit, he was so relaxed. Just another day in the office for him. He was just sat on the back of his scooter having a cigarette.
Between the 3 of us there were 3 different languages so conversation wasn't exactly buzzing. But that's fine. I just had so many questions and wanted to get everything straight in my head. But there was no one to ask so I just had to swallow it and wait. I swear I was more nervous about the rituals and the order of things than the actual fighting. I genuinely believed everyone who said once the bell goes you just focus in and everything else goes away. I was really looking forward to that as in that moment waiting in the car park I couldn't shut anything out. I was making eye contact with the audience members and freaking out. I was eyeing up the other fights to see who was big enough that I could fight them. I was watching their pre-fight rituals and worrying that I should be doing the same stuff.
All this resulted in me finding a garden chair. Sitting down. Staring into space. Trying to ignore everything and just breath to relax. Which was probably for the best.
Bami arrived and with him all the answers I had been freaking out about. He got me sorted with the pre-fight doctors check (blood pressure and stethoscope). It wasn't exactly thorough.
Bami explained what would happen when and then found out the fighting order and who I was fighting. It was a Thai name at 85kg's... that's all we knew. I'm 90kg's so I knew I was going to have a size advantage, but knowing he was Thai meant I was at a serious experience disadvantage.
Turbo was up second, Japanese guy third and I was on fifth of a six fight card.
Feels like they roll out the heavyweights at the end of the night regardless of experience because of the freak show element. Plus it keeps other westerners in the crowd drinking, spending, waiting to see their nation represented.
Once the other fighters were ready Bami turned his attention to me and started to wrap my hands. Using tape under and over hand wraps changes the game completely. He turned my hands into hammers. Felt like I could punch through a wall. This gave me great confidence in my boxing. I knew these clubs had it in them to put someone down.
Turbo went out and won his fight by 5 round decision. He was show boating as usual and the crowd loved it.
Once he was back in our corner and changed into his street clothes Turbo and Bami turned their attention to preparing me. They oiled me down and massaged me, warming up all my muscles and loosening me up. Went through the fairly embarrassing act of putting on a Thai cup... or more to the point having it put on me. My arms and back felt good but I didn't get chance to stretch out my legs and hips. Their mobility felt a little stunted.
Japanese guy went out and beat a really good swedish fighter called Tobi by KO. Really good hard fight. I missed most of it due to getting ready but what I did see looked great and the fact he won by KO was really impressive. I've seen Tobi fight twice before and he won by first round KO both times. Tonight wasn't his night and that's great for Charn Chai. So far we were 2 for 2.
Whilst these fights were going on I managed to introduce myself to Sylvie of the blog '8 Limbs US'. We had spoken via twitter on the run up to the fight and it was really great to get to meet her. She probably won't realise what a massive influence on me she has been. Her blog answered all my questions before moving here and it is what made me choose Chiang Mai to move to. Fighting on the same card as her felt like things had come full circle. Whilst Bami was busy cornering the guys Sylvie came over to check on me. I was getting pretty nervous about the pre-fight rituals and how to enter the ring etc. I wanted to show the proper respect but I have never been shown any of it so it was a bit of an unknown to me. Sylvie took the time to talk me through all of the pre-fight rituals and explained their meaning. This helped me visualise what I was supposed to do and also passed the time as my fight approached without me really noticing. Stood there with Sylvie I felt like a bit of a fan boy, don't think she noticed but I was wearing custom shorts which are essentially a complete rip off of the shorts she had made for Phetjee Jaa. Camo with gold writing. In my defence it's because I was running late and when at the shorts shop there was too much to choose from so I just said I liked what Sylvie had done and wanted similar. Sylvies husband noticed my shorts and we had a little joke about me ripping off her style. Then before you know it. Its go time.
Bami put vaseline on my face, forced the Mongkon onto my massive head and cleaned out my mouth guard. He then told me to walk to the ring bow and pray at the steps then enter over the top rope. Bow to each side of the ring and return to my corner and wait for the referee.
I did as I was told, I have no idea if I did it right but I tried and thats got to be worth something.
The referee came over checked I had a cup and mouth guard on. Checked my gloves (10oz) were appropriate, safe and sealed with tape.
Next the music starts and I walk a lap of the ring praying at each corner and sealing the ring before returning to my corner to wait whilst my opponent completes his Wai Kru Ram Muay. The ceremonial dance to honour his teacher and camp.
Once completed we are called back to centre of the ring for final instructions from the referee (in Thai!?). We hug and wish each other good luck in the fight then return to our corners to pray for blessing and protection with our coach. We pray then remove the Mongkon hanging it in our corner. Then mouth guard in and final instructions from the coach before the bell goes.
Turn and face... approach... touch gloves... go time.
I met up with Turbo and the Japanese fighter who is fighting out of Charn Chai (don't know his name), and we went through the check list of kit I was supposed to have with me. Agreed to let Turbo use my stuff because he hadn't brought any (Thai Oil, Vaseline etc). Turbo really could not give a shit, he was so relaxed. Just another day in the office for him. He was just sat on the back of his scooter having a cigarette.
Between the 3 of us there were 3 different languages so conversation wasn't exactly buzzing. But that's fine. I just had so many questions and wanted to get everything straight in my head. But there was no one to ask so I just had to swallow it and wait. I swear I was more nervous about the rituals and the order of things than the actual fighting. I genuinely believed everyone who said once the bell goes you just focus in and everything else goes away. I was really looking forward to that as in that moment waiting in the car park I couldn't shut anything out. I was making eye contact with the audience members and freaking out. I was eyeing up the other fights to see who was big enough that I could fight them. I was watching their pre-fight rituals and worrying that I should be doing the same stuff.
All this resulted in me finding a garden chair. Sitting down. Staring into space. Trying to ignore everything and just breath to relax. Which was probably for the best.
Bami arrived and with him all the answers I had been freaking out about. He got me sorted with the pre-fight doctors check (blood pressure and stethoscope). It wasn't exactly thorough.
Bami explained what would happen when and then found out the fighting order and who I was fighting. It was a Thai name at 85kg's... that's all we knew. I'm 90kg's so I knew I was going to have a size advantage, but knowing he was Thai meant I was at a serious experience disadvantage.
Turbo was up second, Japanese guy third and I was on fifth of a six fight card.
Feels like they roll out the heavyweights at the end of the night regardless of experience because of the freak show element. Plus it keeps other westerners in the crowd drinking, spending, waiting to see their nation represented.
Once the other fighters were ready Bami turned his attention to me and started to wrap my hands. Using tape under and over hand wraps changes the game completely. He turned my hands into hammers. Felt like I could punch through a wall. This gave me great confidence in my boxing. I knew these clubs had it in them to put someone down.
Turbo went out and won his fight by 5 round decision. He was show boating as usual and the crowd loved it.
Once he was back in our corner and changed into his street clothes Turbo and Bami turned their attention to preparing me. They oiled me down and massaged me, warming up all my muscles and loosening me up. Went through the fairly embarrassing act of putting on a Thai cup... or more to the point having it put on me. My arms and back felt good but I didn't get chance to stretch out my legs and hips. Their mobility felt a little stunted.
Japanese guy went out and beat a really good swedish fighter called Tobi by KO. Really good hard fight. I missed most of it due to getting ready but what I did see looked great and the fact he won by KO was really impressive. I've seen Tobi fight twice before and he won by first round KO both times. Tonight wasn't his night and that's great for Charn Chai. So far we were 2 for 2.
Whilst these fights were going on I managed to introduce myself to Sylvie of the blog '8 Limbs US'. We had spoken via twitter on the run up to the fight and it was really great to get to meet her. She probably won't realise what a massive influence on me she has been. Her blog answered all my questions before moving here and it is what made me choose Chiang Mai to move to. Fighting on the same card as her felt like things had come full circle. Whilst Bami was busy cornering the guys Sylvie came over to check on me. I was getting pretty nervous about the pre-fight rituals and how to enter the ring etc. I wanted to show the proper respect but I have never been shown any of it so it was a bit of an unknown to me. Sylvie took the time to talk me through all of the pre-fight rituals and explained their meaning. This helped me visualise what I was supposed to do and also passed the time as my fight approached without me really noticing. Stood there with Sylvie I felt like a bit of a fan boy, don't think she noticed but I was wearing custom shorts which are essentially a complete rip off of the shorts she had made for Phetjee Jaa. Camo with gold writing. In my defence it's because I was running late and when at the shorts shop there was too much to choose from so I just said I liked what Sylvie had done and wanted similar. Sylvies husband noticed my shorts and we had a little joke about me ripping off her style. Then before you know it. Its go time.
Bami put vaseline on my face, forced the Mongkon onto my massive head and cleaned out my mouth guard. He then told me to walk to the ring bow and pray at the steps then enter over the top rope. Bow to each side of the ring and return to my corner and wait for the referee.
I did as I was told, I have no idea if I did it right but I tried and thats got to be worth something.
The referee came over checked I had a cup and mouth guard on. Checked my gloves (10oz) were appropriate, safe and sealed with tape.
Next the music starts and I walk a lap of the ring praying at each corner and sealing the ring before returning to my corner to wait whilst my opponent completes his Wai Kru Ram Muay. The ceremonial dance to honour his teacher and camp.
Once completed we are called back to centre of the ring for final instructions from the referee (in Thai!?). We hug and wish each other good luck in the fight then return to our corners to pray for blessing and protection with our coach. We pray then remove the Mongkon hanging it in our corner. Then mouth guard in and final instructions from the coach before the bell goes.
Turn and face... approach... touch gloves... go time.
Fight Day
Didn't really get off to the best start. My stomach has been giving me loads of hassle for the last 3 days and it seemed to want to kick it up a bit the night before. Unfortunately I was up till 3am.
However it did give me chance to try some of my friend guy's pre-fight prep rituals. One of which I want to talk about because its brutal.
Essentially the night before you eat a healthy but large meal so you fill the fuel tank. Then before bed you take a shower which you make progressively colder and colder until its just pure cold water and you're freezing. Hop out of the shower and apply tiger balm (all over if you can, to problem areas otherwise) and then wrap yourself up in a tracksuit and hood and get into bed and try to sleep/relax.
The idea being, the cold freaks out your body and your blood is sent to your internal organs to maintain body temp. The subsequent heat from the tiger balm and clothing then sends fresh new blood back out to the muscles in an attempt to cool you down and regulate temperature. The combination of both acts gives your metabolism a massive kick in the pants and you process the food you ate very quickly and your body gets started on repairing itself ready for the next day.
I can't speak for the science, but this definitely gave my body an adrenalin shot and gave me temporary relief from my dodgy stomach. It was brutal because the tiger balm gives the sensation of extreme cold and so your sat in bed with freezing cold skin, sweating... and there is no way to stop it except wait it out. Plus I applied tiger balm to my groin so it felt like I had an ice box sat on my nuts that I couldn't shift. Unpleasant.
Fight day itself I spent in my hostel room watching movies on my laptop. I stepped out a couple times to buy water and get some sushi but I had stocked up on almonds and dried fruit so I was pretty well self contained. I just shut out the world and tried not to watch the clock. Which was easier said than done.
Eventually 7pm rolled around and my alarm went off. I had another cold shower and applied tiger balm to my hamstrings, groin and lower back before getting dressed into my fight gear underneath my tracksuit.
Headphones in I hopped in a tuc-tuc and mad my way to the stadium.
However it did give me chance to try some of my friend guy's pre-fight prep rituals. One of which I want to talk about because its brutal.
Essentially the night before you eat a healthy but large meal so you fill the fuel tank. Then before bed you take a shower which you make progressively colder and colder until its just pure cold water and you're freezing. Hop out of the shower and apply tiger balm (all over if you can, to problem areas otherwise) and then wrap yourself up in a tracksuit and hood and get into bed and try to sleep/relax.
The idea being, the cold freaks out your body and your blood is sent to your internal organs to maintain body temp. The subsequent heat from the tiger balm and clothing then sends fresh new blood back out to the muscles in an attempt to cool you down and regulate temperature. The combination of both acts gives your metabolism a massive kick in the pants and you process the food you ate very quickly and your body gets started on repairing itself ready for the next day.
I can't speak for the science, but this definitely gave my body an adrenalin shot and gave me temporary relief from my dodgy stomach. It was brutal because the tiger balm gives the sensation of extreme cold and so your sat in bed with freezing cold skin, sweating... and there is no way to stop it except wait it out. Plus I applied tiger balm to my groin so it felt like I had an ice box sat on my nuts that I couldn't shift. Unpleasant.
Fight day itself I spent in my hostel room watching movies on my laptop. I stepped out a couple times to buy water and get some sushi but I had stocked up on almonds and dried fruit so I was pretty well self contained. I just shut out the world and tried not to watch the clock. Which was easier said than done.
Eventually 7pm rolled around and my alarm went off. I had another cold shower and applied tiger balm to my hamstrings, groin and lower back before getting dressed into my fight gear underneath my tracksuit.
Headphones in I hopped in a tuc-tuc and mad my way to the stadium.
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Fight Week
Its fight week and I have travelled down to Chiang Mai and found a cheap guesthouse for the next few days.
Upon walking out of my guesthouse I noticed the poster advertising Friday's fights. The card I'm fighting on. Really surprised to see some Charn Chai fighters on there that I know are not available to fight... good old thai advertising!
Also on there is Sylvie of the blog '8 Limbs US'. The blog which inspired me to choose Chiang Mai/Pai and to move here to train and fight. Her blog was pretty much the information bible for my trip out here. Everything from where to go, gym politics to injury treatment.
This is a really bizarre coincidence as she no longer lives and fights in Chiang Mai so it is very unusual for her to be back in the north of the country. Looking forward to meeting her and watching her fight live. Hopefully I can grab a ridiculous photo with her... I say ridiculous cause I already know i'll be a giant next to her. Think Sylvie fights at 48kg's... I'm 90...
Unfortunately I didn't make the poster as the promoter did not have a picture of me. I have since been to the stadium, met him and posed for the picture. I doubt they will re-print so i'll probably just be making guest appearances on fight nights I have nothing to do with for the next few months. Ah well, nothing wrong with a little legacy.
As for preparation I have squeezed in a work out at Go Gym just to stay as loose as possible and a little active. That gym is turning into some kind of Ruff Ryders training mecca. Its ace. Such thug workout style.
Physically I don't feel great. My back is still very stiff and causes me pain if I cough or sneeze. But I'm hoping the pre-fight massage and thai oil will loosen things up and allow me to twist and kick. Failing that I'll just rely on my boxing and some powerful straights to get the job done.
There is also a really strange feeling in my stomach, pressure behind my solar plexus. I have had this tight pressured almost indigestion feeling for the past 2 days. I suspect it's just a physical manifestation of the nerves which is fine as I actually don't feel consciously anxious. I feel pretty relaxed about the fight, just a little nervous about stepping out in front of all those people at the beginning. I really don't like to be centre stage, especially when i don't know what I'm doing. The fight I have trained for but I have no idea about the Wai Kru or what I'm supposed to do about sealing the ring or when. Fear of the unknown. A dress rehearsal of all that would have been useful to answer these questions. As it stands I'll just have to figure it out on the night. So my fight video will probably feature me dropping the Mongkon, walking the wrong way round the ring, tripping over the other fighter and then punching him when the referee brings us to the middle to review the rules and touch gloves.
Ah well... stumble through...
Shopping list for fight supplies:
3 x 25mm Sports tape
Hand Wraps
Gum Shield
Thai Style Metal Cup
Lycra under shorts
Fight Shorts
Thai Oil
Tiger Balm
Vaseline
2 x Ankle Guards
Counter pain gel
Ibuprofen
Bottled water
Upon walking out of my guesthouse I noticed the poster advertising Friday's fights. The card I'm fighting on. Really surprised to see some Charn Chai fighters on there that I know are not available to fight... good old thai advertising!
Also on there is Sylvie of the blog '8 Limbs US'. The blog which inspired me to choose Chiang Mai/Pai and to move here to train and fight. Her blog was pretty much the information bible for my trip out here. Everything from where to go, gym politics to injury treatment.
This is a really bizarre coincidence as she no longer lives and fights in Chiang Mai so it is very unusual for her to be back in the north of the country. Looking forward to meeting her and watching her fight live. Hopefully I can grab a ridiculous photo with her... I say ridiculous cause I already know i'll be a giant next to her. Think Sylvie fights at 48kg's... I'm 90...
Unfortunately I didn't make the poster as the promoter did not have a picture of me. I have since been to the stadium, met him and posed for the picture. I doubt they will re-print so i'll probably just be making guest appearances on fight nights I have nothing to do with for the next few months. Ah well, nothing wrong with a little legacy.
As for preparation I have squeezed in a work out at Go Gym just to stay as loose as possible and a little active. That gym is turning into some kind of Ruff Ryders training mecca. Its ace. Such thug workout style.
Physically I don't feel great. My back is still very stiff and causes me pain if I cough or sneeze. But I'm hoping the pre-fight massage and thai oil will loosen things up and allow me to twist and kick. Failing that I'll just rely on my boxing and some powerful straights to get the job done.
There is also a really strange feeling in my stomach, pressure behind my solar plexus. I have had this tight pressured almost indigestion feeling for the past 2 days. I suspect it's just a physical manifestation of the nerves which is fine as I actually don't feel consciously anxious. I feel pretty relaxed about the fight, just a little nervous about stepping out in front of all those people at the beginning. I really don't like to be centre stage, especially when i don't know what I'm doing. The fight I have trained for but I have no idea about the Wai Kru or what I'm supposed to do about sealing the ring or when. Fear of the unknown. A dress rehearsal of all that would have been useful to answer these questions. As it stands I'll just have to figure it out on the night. So my fight video will probably feature me dropping the Mongkon, walking the wrong way round the ring, tripping over the other fighter and then punching him when the referee brings us to the middle to review the rules and touch gloves.
Ah well... stumble through...
Shopping list for fight supplies:
3 x 25mm Sports tape
Hand Wraps
Gum Shield
Thai Style Metal Cup
Lycra under shorts
Fight Shorts
Thai Oil
Tiger Balm
Vaseline
2 x Ankle Guards
Counter pain gel
Ibuprofen
Bottled water
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Overtraining
I'll leave the sports scientists and nutritionists to argue whether or not this exists.
All I can talk about is my own personal experience.
Currently my routine consists of 3 sessions a day. A run in the morning, break, morning training at 10:30 and then afternoon training at 15:00.
The individual sessions are exhausting but manageable. They push you as you would expect. Increasing your skill, endurance and fitness by consistently taking you to the point of failure. Forever pushing that little marker further and further back.
What I didn't expect was the cumulative effect of these sessions.
Emotional exhaustion.
There have been days where the physical exhaustion has directly translated into an emotional depression. The love for the sport gone, the ability to socialise, non-existent, the desire to even get out of bed - not happening. At first I tried to push through this knowing it was part of the experience and that this ability to force myself was what separated people.
I have since learnt it's better to listen to your body.
Mental fortitude is great, but when it's at the cost of your meat wagon it's not a good decision. Seemingly every time I have gritted my teeth and powered through it has led to an injury that holds me back way more than skipping a session or dodging a run.
At 32 I find the training and recovery schedule very difficult to keep up with but I plug away and I do what is asked of me. So right now it's sprained toes, pain deep behind my shin bones and a pulled muscle in my back.
It's also worth noting that the over training makes dieting way harder. Because you are training so much you get hungry all the time. Unfortunately combined with the low mood this tends to lead to bad diet choices.
All I can talk about is my own personal experience.
Currently my routine consists of 3 sessions a day. A run in the morning, break, morning training at 10:30 and then afternoon training at 15:00.
The individual sessions are exhausting but manageable. They push you as you would expect. Increasing your skill, endurance and fitness by consistently taking you to the point of failure. Forever pushing that little marker further and further back.
What I didn't expect was the cumulative effect of these sessions.
Emotional exhaustion.
There have been days where the physical exhaustion has directly translated into an emotional depression. The love for the sport gone, the ability to socialise, non-existent, the desire to even get out of bed - not happening. At first I tried to push through this knowing it was part of the experience and that this ability to force myself was what separated people.
I have since learnt it's better to listen to your body.
Mental fortitude is great, but when it's at the cost of your meat wagon it's not a good decision. Seemingly every time I have gritted my teeth and powered through it has led to an injury that holds me back way more than skipping a session or dodging a run.
At 32 I find the training and recovery schedule very difficult to keep up with but I plug away and I do what is asked of me. So right now it's sprained toes, pain deep behind my shin bones and a pulled muscle in my back.
It's also worth noting that the over training makes dieting way harder. Because you are training so much you get hungry all the time. Unfortunately combined with the low mood this tends to lead to bad diet choices.
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Blessed with Venom
Here is a link to John Wayne Parr's Muay Thai documentary.
Now available to stream on YouTube:
Now available to stream on YouTube:
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Thai remedies that I have tested.
No doubt the training is hard and it takes its toll on your body. Impact injuries and muscle soreness are a daily occurrence.
Normal treatment aside (Ice packs, elevation, Ibuprofen, massage, anti inflammatory cream)
There are 2 main 'Thai' remedies discussed around the gym.
Thought I would give them a go.
1. The Hot Springs:
About 6km out of Pai there is a natural mineral hot springs within a national park (200baht entry).
Although 'natural' it has still been developed to allow for tourist visitors. Pretty much ruins the experience as it's no longer a hot spring but rather the hot water piped off into cement pools for people to bath in.
Outside of the national park there are a couple luxury resorts filtering off some of the water and offering a spa style bathing experience.
If you are going to bath in the mineral water in a man made pool, why not make it a nicer pool?
Twice now, post training, I have gone to the spring and bathed in the hot mineral water (smells of egg) for over an hour.
Although relaxing due to the heat and putting time aside to do nothing, I have not noticed any healing properties.
My bruises and tight muscles are the same if not worse.
My hyper extended elbow has not improved at all.
My right shoulder remains buggered.
2. Thai Laxative - cleanse:
The idea being that on your rest day (Sunday) you neck a bottle of strong laxative and 'cleanse' yourself. Supposedly this is good for bruises and inflammation as well as cutting water weight.
My basic understanding of gut inflammation caused by food allergies and undigested food made me want to give this a go. I was hoping for a 'cleanse' resulting in a lighter, leaner feel with the added benefit of less gut inflammation allowing my swollen joints to recover quicker.
What happened was a day of hanging out by my bathroom.
Felt no better for it.
If anything it left me washed out and lacking energy for Mondays training.
Won't be doing that again.
So yeah, think i'll stick with the western approach.... pop pills and try and just get more sleep.
Normal treatment aside (Ice packs, elevation, Ibuprofen, massage, anti inflammatory cream)
There are 2 main 'Thai' remedies discussed around the gym.
Thought I would give them a go.
1. The Hot Springs:
About 6km out of Pai there is a natural mineral hot springs within a national park (200baht entry).
Although 'natural' it has still been developed to allow for tourist visitors. Pretty much ruins the experience as it's no longer a hot spring but rather the hot water piped off into cement pools for people to bath in.
Outside of the national park there are a couple luxury resorts filtering off some of the water and offering a spa style bathing experience.
If you are going to bath in the mineral water in a man made pool, why not make it a nicer pool?
Twice now, post training, I have gone to the spring and bathed in the hot mineral water (smells of egg) for over an hour.
Although relaxing due to the heat and putting time aside to do nothing, I have not noticed any healing properties.
My bruises and tight muscles are the same if not worse.
My hyper extended elbow has not improved at all.
My right shoulder remains buggered.
2. Thai Laxative - cleanse:
The idea being that on your rest day (Sunday) you neck a bottle of strong laxative and 'cleanse' yourself. Supposedly this is good for bruises and inflammation as well as cutting water weight.
My basic understanding of gut inflammation caused by food allergies and undigested food made me want to give this a go. I was hoping for a 'cleanse' resulting in a lighter, leaner feel with the added benefit of less gut inflammation allowing my swollen joints to recover quicker.
What happened was a day of hanging out by my bathroom.
Felt no better for it.
If anything it left me washed out and lacking energy for Mondays training.
Won't be doing that again.
So yeah, think i'll stick with the western approach.... pop pills and try and just get more sleep.
Saturday, 24 January 2015
Clinch training with Turbo and Gong
In an attempt to fight less like a farang I have started doing private lessons with 2 of the Thai trainers focusing purely on clinch work.
So my day breaks down with the run in the morning at 07:30... which is getting longer and longer... we are now up to 11km.
Private lesson with Bami at 10:30 focusing on pad work, ring craft, combinations, conditioning and working my kicks into my techniques.
16:00 back to the gym to meet up with Turbo and Gong. Here we focus purely on clinch techniques, trips and making space to throw knees (I also do an hour of my own conditioning).
(Trainers from left to right; Moohin, Gong, Turbo, Yo, Bami, Pet, Bee, Tree)
It works well so far as I have 2 trainers in the ring with me, they can show me in detail what to do by demonstrating on each other. This is a great way to get around the language barrier as you don't need detailed verbal descriptions. They just show me in a way where I can watch as opposed to just being the victim of a clever trip and seeing it from my back looking up.
Only communication issue so far is trying to ask when and why you would do certain things, I can copy the moves but knowing how to implement them in a fight and how to capitalise on the resulting position is proving harder to explain.
Physically it was bloody hard as they would switch in and out so i'm always working against a fresh guy. No surprise my neck is killing me and I am starting to get swollen ears.
I am learning a lot but it doesn't feel natural yet. I really have to think in advance what each position means and what my options are. Probably doesn't help that i'm a foot taller than these guys so can compensate for bad technique with power and leverage.
I'm hoping I'll be able to get more comfortable with the simple moves in the next couple weeks. By no means do I expect to be any good at the clinch, but i'm hoping I can survive it to shut down my opponent and earn a referee re-set to work my distance and range advantage.
So far Turbo is really happy with my progress and keeps commenting that I am remembering everything quickly. It's funny to learn how detailed the clinch is when it comes to hand position, earning space and specific grips and holds you can use whilst wearing gloves. So far it's going really well and I'm enjoying learning it a lot.
Here you can see Turbo in action on one of the local fight cards. Turbo is wearing the blue gloves.
Training with Turbo and Gong is fun but very different to working with Bami. Bami is preparing me for my first fight and has invested a lot of effort in me. Although I'm doing a little clinch work with Turbo and Gong it's Bami I really don't want to let down with a poor performance come fight night.
As it stands my hands are getting better but i'm still struggling to work in the kicks. So if my fight goes to the judges I am going to have a rough time on the score card.
So my day breaks down with the run in the morning at 07:30... which is getting longer and longer... we are now up to 11km.
Private lesson with Bami at 10:30 focusing on pad work, ring craft, combinations, conditioning and working my kicks into my techniques.
16:00 back to the gym to meet up with Turbo and Gong. Here we focus purely on clinch techniques, trips and making space to throw knees (I also do an hour of my own conditioning).
It works well so far as I have 2 trainers in the ring with me, they can show me in detail what to do by demonstrating on each other. This is a great way to get around the language barrier as you don't need detailed verbal descriptions. They just show me in a way where I can watch as opposed to just being the victim of a clever trip and seeing it from my back looking up.
Only communication issue so far is trying to ask when and why you would do certain things, I can copy the moves but knowing how to implement them in a fight and how to capitalise on the resulting position is proving harder to explain.
Physically it was bloody hard as they would switch in and out so i'm always working against a fresh guy. No surprise my neck is killing me and I am starting to get swollen ears.
I am learning a lot but it doesn't feel natural yet. I really have to think in advance what each position means and what my options are. Probably doesn't help that i'm a foot taller than these guys so can compensate for bad technique with power and leverage.
I'm hoping I'll be able to get more comfortable with the simple moves in the next couple weeks. By no means do I expect to be any good at the clinch, but i'm hoping I can survive it to shut down my opponent and earn a referee re-set to work my distance and range advantage.
So far Turbo is really happy with my progress and keeps commenting that I am remembering everything quickly. It's funny to learn how detailed the clinch is when it comes to hand position, earning space and specific grips and holds you can use whilst wearing gloves. So far it's going really well and I'm enjoying learning it a lot.
Here you can see Turbo in action on one of the local fight cards. Turbo is wearing the blue gloves.
Training with Turbo and Gong is fun but very different to working with Bami. Bami is preparing me for my first fight and has invested a lot of effort in me. Although I'm doing a little clinch work with Turbo and Gong it's Bami I really don't want to let down with a poor performance come fight night.
As it stands my hands are getting better but i'm still struggling to work in the kicks. So if my fight goes to the judges I am going to have a rough time on the score card.
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Charn Chai video - Interview with Kru Bee
Just found this video on Youtube. Features a nice little interview with Kru Bee.
Paul Clark - Youtube channel - Go subscribe!!
Paul was one of my coaches when in London and is possibly the most diverse and knowledgeable martial artist I have ever met. He still remains one of the best trainers I have ever had the pleasure of working with, if anyone is reading this in London go look him up. Time well spent.
I just noticed Paul has started up a Youtube channel linked with the Bob Breen Academy where he teaches.
Please go check it out and subscribe:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1YmVt5pLItgfrkIZB8rUNg
I just noticed Paul has started up a Youtube channel linked with the Bob Breen Academy where he teaches.
Please go check it out and subscribe:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1YmVt5pLItgfrkIZB8rUNg
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Back in Pai - Back to Training
The Thai embassy has screwed me out of 4 months in Thailand. This forces me to go to Laos to pay for it all again on February 14th.
At training today Bee said he wants me to fight on February 6th. So I might still get the last laugh! Get my fight done before the visa runs out then leave the country if i choose too or head to Mae Hong Son for a 30 day extension and not get involved with this whole mess of going to Laos and applying and waiting for a new multiple entry visa.
Seems like a scam to get more money out of tourists and i'm not down with that. Especially as the entire time your in Thailand it feels this way. Everyone has a hand in your wallet the entire time.
I say this with one notable exception. The entire town of Pai. Pai is not like that. Yes you pay for stuff but you don't feel harassed or taken advantage of. Things seem to be charged their value here.
I do love Pai, and I do love training at Charn Chai. But i feel like after i fight i need to do something different for a couple weeks just to break the repetitive schedule so my time here feels a little longer. Right now the 3 months feel like 4 weeks because most days are exactly the same.
Maybe I'll go Cambodia for a week of beaches and swimming. We'll see. See how I feel after the fight.
At training today Bee said he wants me to fight on February 6th. So I might still get the last laugh! Get my fight done before the visa runs out then leave the country if i choose too or head to Mae Hong Son for a 30 day extension and not get involved with this whole mess of going to Laos and applying and waiting for a new multiple entry visa.
Seems like a scam to get more money out of tourists and i'm not down with that. Especially as the entire time your in Thailand it feels this way. Everyone has a hand in your wallet the entire time.
I say this with one notable exception. The entire town of Pai. Pai is not like that. Yes you pay for stuff but you don't feel harassed or taken advantage of. Things seem to be charged their value here.
I do love Pai, and I do love training at Charn Chai. But i feel like after i fight i need to do something different for a couple weeks just to break the repetitive schedule so my time here feels a little longer. Right now the 3 months feel like 4 weeks because most days are exactly the same.
Maybe I'll go Cambodia for a week of beaches and swimming. We'll see. See how I feel after the fight.
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Go Gym Chiang Mai
Whilst passing 3 days in Chiang Mai trying to sort visa issues I have found a gem of a gym I want to recommend.
Go Gym Chiang Mai. It's in the north of the city just off the superhighway junction with the 107 road to Pai. There is a map on their Facebook page.
The gym is on an industrial estate and is essentially a load of equipment in a hanger, open on all sides except for some chain link fencing. It's about as heavy metal as it gets. Especially when the surrounding hangers start their working days. Garages, car valeting companies, and an iron works.
From what I could tell the gym is owned by a Thai guy who also owns a motorcycle chop shop. Totally adds to the feeling. Especially when they are busy welding nearby whilst you work out.
The equipment is all good stuff (Hammer Strength), very clean and plentiful so no waiting for squat racks or smith machines. The showering facilities are extremely basic compared to the UK, but working.... so luxury compared to some places in Thailand.
At the reception they offer healthy food and protein shakes in a little cafe area. Nice touch. All the staff were really helpful and friendly and it was only 60baht per day for entry. Open 8am - midnight. So for 60 baht (£1.10) you can get multiple session in during the day.
I'd go in the morning, hit a muscle group then ride round to the MAYA shopping centre. Watch a movie at the cinema and then head back to the gym for a different muscle group then head the other way on the superhighway to the Central Festival shopping centre to watch a second movie there (I didn't want the cinema staff realising I was on a movie binge).
It was interesting to see the clientele at the gym. There were a lot of super jacked up Thai guys. Body builders with questionable supplement programs and lots of biker looking dudes. Lots of tattoos on show and also lots of bike and bike gang merchandise. Not sure if its linked but I noticed the club house for the 'Mongols - Chiang Mai' was only a short distance away.
Anyway, great gym. Nice people. Easy to find. Cheap.
Gotta say after all the Muay Thai and conditioning training it was really nice to feel the muscle fatigue from a simple weights session. I haven't felt that 'pump' and 'burn' in ages. It's such a different feeling to fatigue brought on through endurance training.
The grass is always greener! I found this stuff boring back in the UK. Granted I was only at it 3 days, but it was really enjoyable, and I feel stronger for having done it. Training like that and seeing yourself in the mirrors was a good confidence booster.
Go Gym Chiang Mai. It's in the north of the city just off the superhighway junction with the 107 road to Pai. There is a map on their Facebook page.
The gym is on an industrial estate and is essentially a load of equipment in a hanger, open on all sides except for some chain link fencing. It's about as heavy metal as it gets. Especially when the surrounding hangers start their working days. Garages, car valeting companies, and an iron works.
From what I could tell the gym is owned by a Thai guy who also owns a motorcycle chop shop. Totally adds to the feeling. Especially when they are busy welding nearby whilst you work out.
The equipment is all good stuff (Hammer Strength), very clean and plentiful so no waiting for squat racks or smith machines. The showering facilities are extremely basic compared to the UK, but working.... so luxury compared to some places in Thailand.
At the reception they offer healthy food and protein shakes in a little cafe area. Nice touch. All the staff were really helpful and friendly and it was only 60baht per day for entry. Open 8am - midnight. So for 60 baht (£1.10) you can get multiple session in during the day.
I'd go in the morning, hit a muscle group then ride round to the MAYA shopping centre. Watch a movie at the cinema and then head back to the gym for a different muscle group then head the other way on the superhighway to the Central Festival shopping centre to watch a second movie there (I didn't want the cinema staff realising I was on a movie binge).
It was interesting to see the clientele at the gym. There were a lot of super jacked up Thai guys. Body builders with questionable supplement programs and lots of biker looking dudes. Lots of tattoos on show and also lots of bike and bike gang merchandise. Not sure if its linked but I noticed the club house for the 'Mongols - Chiang Mai' was only a short distance away.
Anyway, great gym. Nice people. Easy to find. Cheap.
Gotta say after all the Muay Thai and conditioning training it was really nice to feel the muscle fatigue from a simple weights session. I haven't felt that 'pump' and 'burn' in ages. It's such a different feeling to fatigue brought on through endurance training.
The grass is always greener! I found this stuff boring back in the UK. Granted I was only at it 3 days, but it was really enjoyable, and I feel stronger for having done it. Training like that and seeing yourself in the mirrors was a good confidence booster.
Monday, 19 January 2015
Visa Run Mae Sai - aka VISA NIGHTMARE!!!!!
So on Thursday morning I did my usual run and training session then packed a bag with all my doomsday prep survival stuff and got on my bike and set off on the journey to Mae Sai… a city in the north of Thailand which has a road border with Myanmar (Burma) and an immigration office… the plan was to spend the remainder of Thursday riding there. Sleep over and then cross the border first thing Friday morning. Get my visa approved and cross back into Thailand and return to Pai with 2 more months on the clock. My second entry of my 3 entry tourist visa. So this was essentially my first trip out of the country to trigger the second third of my tourist visa.
Unfortunately I didn’t make it to Mae Sai in one day. By the time it was getting cold and dark and i’d done about 350km of mountain roads I found a little village called Doi Mae Salong. Such a bizarre Chinese village in the mountains. Seemingly a trading post for tea leaves. As in loose tea… not cockney rhyming slag for thieves. Found a guesthouse and crashed out…. even here they had a 7/11 so Pringles and a movie on my laptop was my version of exploring.
First thing the next morning got back on the bike and did the last 100km to Mae Sai. On driving into Mae Sai you can tell it’s purpose pretty quickly. One large functional road lined with all manner of shops all headed to a gateway and small bridge… a bridge of friendship… aka the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Parked up, crossed the border, paid a Burmese official 500baht for my Burmese visa… i suspect he kept the money… I had a quick walk around the little town on the Myanmar side but it wasn’t very welcoming. Walking through the border and being 6’4 with white hair and white skin just painted a target on me and i just had people trying to sell me anything and everything. After fighting through them i didn’t really find anything that made me want to explore further. Knowing how far i had to ride back to Pai i just thought screw it and crossed back into Thailand. So yeah… didn’t really give Myanmar a fair crack of the whip… but a border town wasn’t really the place for that. And the place was ugly as shit, and i nearly sprained my ankle tripping on a fucked up pavement. Can you tell this is where the bitterness begins?
Upon crossing back into Thailand my visa was approved for 30 days and i was told the visa i had paid for in England at the Thai embassy was now out of date and could not be used. So thats entry 2 and 3 void i.e. two thirds of my planned time in Thailand no longer an option. Put simply the Thai embassy in London started my visa with the date I applied and bought the visa, not the date i was planning on entering the country (even though this was discussed and i was assured as long as i entered the country for the first time before the visa expired i would be fine to use all 3 entries).
The Thai embassy started my visa back in June which meant it expired end of December. It’s not good to show anger or frustration in Thai culture so I swallowed my frustration and got on my bike and rather than head back to Pai I decided to ride to Chiang Mai where there is a British consulate and an Immigration office better suited to help me. The border guard and military men didn’t seem like the right place to have the discussion. Back to a big city and back to the bureaucracy.
Another 300km later I arrived in Chiang Mai, sunburnt and dirty I found a cheap cock roach infested guesthouse to stay in for the night. I didn’t realise what day it was and just crashed out in bed after the full day of riding… next morning off to the immigration office… it’s Saturday… the office doesn’t open until Monday morning. Boooooo Rubbish. School boy error.
Back to the guesthouse… now with 2 days to kill i forged an excellent plan. I was going to park my ass in a luxury shopping mall and just drink coffee and watch every single movie the cinema had on offer. But I couldn’t do this guilt free so instead i found a gym and traded one workout for one movie. So both of the two days i did a morning session at the gym, matinee at the cinema, afternoon at the gym, late showing at the cinema. It was awesome. Until i ran out of English language movies…. and clean clothes… i would like to say i was unaware of how bad i smelt… but i wasn’t… all my stuff was so grimy from the road. I bought a couple clean t-shirts but it wasn’t quite enough to keep the stank off. So yeah… sorry Chiang Mai Maya Centre and Central Festival shopping centre… my bad.
Monday morning went to the immigration office… they said "email the thai embassy in London, we can’t help you… but we’ll give you another 30 days when this visa runs out so you have 7 weeks to figure it out”.
I kinda took this as good news. Composed an email to the Thai embassy. Crammed in another session at the gym. Then hit the road back to Pai.
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