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I know it's been awhile, so I started a new thread since this will deal more with the training and daily life at the camp, with less information regarding Thailand in general.
First off, I am in Chiang Mai, which is the second largest city in Thailand. I love the city, since it has everything I need, but nowhere near the hecticity of Bangkok.
I am training at Lanna Boxing (Giat Busaba). The camp is located on Chan Kian off of Huay Kaew road, norh west of the old city. I have a room, with bathroom and hot water which costs 2500 Baht, or roughly 100$ CAD a month. It is a 5-10 minute walk/hobble to the camp.
My day starts at 5:50am. I barely have time to blink the previous nights sleep out of my eyes before I blearily make for the camp. At this time of the day, I have beaten the sun to the rise, and it is dark and quite chilly. A few stray dogs eye me suspiciously as I make my way to the camp.
I arrive at the camp for 6:20am, having spent half an hour preparing for the session and walking. My wraps are rolled, my bottle filled with water, and my trainers on.
We begin by some light stretching, as our muscles are still cold and stiff from the previous days workout. We limber up as best we can. Ahead of us is a run that varies between 6 and 12 kms. The 6 km run is broken down into sprints, and the 12 Km involves a beautiful mountain. Everyone is wearing shirts, because to run without one (as one might be tempted to do in the extreme afternoon heat) would offend the locals. We head off in groups to begin our day.
Upon return, the timer is set for 5 minute rounds of skipping. 5 rounds are completed, and it is time for some serious stretching. A spot is taken in one of the two rings (male/multipurpose) or a mat, and the smell of linement begins to mingle with the odour of last nights shrub burning.
Next up are knees or teeps, depending on the day. 100-300 are done, with pushups in between. After the isolated drill, a light shadow boxing for 4-8 rounds, mixing up a variety of techniques in front of the mirroir, or around the camp in general.
After the shadow boxing, round after round is done on the bags. The first whack on the bag is the wakeup for the shins, bruised and battered from previous clashes. After a few rounds, they are blissfully numbed, and the intensity is increased.
With a full body sweat now running, it's time to grab a trainer and enter the ring. In the words of the PGA, "These guys are good". It is an interesting experience, and one that is quite rare in North America, to have a man stand in front of you with well over 200 fights. On this particular day, the man's name is Nook, a former Northern Champion who used to sell out Lumphini in his day. This man loves his job and it is apparent. The smile never leaves his face, and he doesn't speak english so well, but his body language is unmistakeable. In short, he is a great communicater with pads on. I have yet to survive more than 2 "four" minute rounds with him, as the last one does not end. He will hold the pads for knee after knee, kick after kick until you beg for leave. Sabai, sabai he laughs.
After a quick prayer for death, the adrenaline drops a little, and it is time for some light sparring. Everyone shows good control, and much is learned because of it. It is much easier to remained composed after the previous 2 hours of work. When one has had their fill, if there is anything left in the tank, they work some grappling until exhaustion. People slowly begin to twindle, and it is 10am, and time for breakfast. People look relieved and vitalized at the same time, and in the back of everyones mind is the repetition of the process in no less than 6 hours. The afternoon session begins at 4pm.
First off, I am in Chiang Mai, which is the second largest city in Thailand. I love the city, since it has everything I need, but nowhere near the hecticity of Bangkok.
I am training at Lanna Boxing (Giat Busaba). The camp is located on Chan Kian off of Huay Kaew road, norh west of the old city. I have a room, with bathroom and hot water which costs 2500 Baht, or roughly 100$ CAD a month. It is a 5-10 minute walk/hobble to the camp.
My day starts at 5:50am. I barely have time to blink the previous nights sleep out of my eyes before I blearily make for the camp. At this time of the day, I have beaten the sun to the rise, and it is dark and quite chilly. A few stray dogs eye me suspiciously as I make my way to the camp.
I arrive at the camp for 6:20am, having spent half an hour preparing for the session and walking. My wraps are rolled, my bottle filled with water, and my trainers on.
We begin by some light stretching, as our muscles are still cold and stiff from the previous days workout. We limber up as best we can. Ahead of us is a run that varies between 6 and 12 kms. The 6 km run is broken down into sprints, and the 12 Km involves a beautiful mountain. Everyone is wearing shirts, because to run without one (as one might be tempted to do in the extreme afternoon heat) would offend the locals. We head off in groups to begin our day.
Upon return, the timer is set for 5 minute rounds of skipping. 5 rounds are completed, and it is time for some serious stretching. A spot is taken in one of the two rings (male/multipurpose) or a mat, and the smell of linement begins to mingle with the odour of last nights shrub burning.
Next up are knees or teeps, depending on the day. 100-300 are done, with pushups in between. After the isolated drill, a light shadow boxing for 4-8 rounds, mixing up a variety of techniques in front of the mirroir, or around the camp in general.
After the shadow boxing, round after round is done on the bags. The first whack on the bag is the wakeup for the shins, bruised and battered from previous clashes. After a few rounds, they are blissfully numbed, and the intensity is increased.
With a full body sweat now running, it's time to grab a trainer and enter the ring. In the words of the PGA, "These guys are good". It is an interesting experience, and one that is quite rare in North America, to have a man stand in front of you with well over 200 fights. On this particular day, the man's name is Nook, a former Northern Champion who used to sell out Lumphini in his day. This man loves his job and it is apparent. The smile never leaves his face, and he doesn't speak english so well, but his body language is unmistakeable. In short, he is a great communicater with pads on. I have yet to survive more than 2 "four" minute rounds with him, as the last one does not end. He will hold the pads for knee after knee, kick after kick until you beg for leave. Sabai, sabai he laughs.
After a quick prayer for death, the adrenaline drops a little, and it is time for some light sparring. Everyone shows good control, and much is learned because of it. It is much easier to remained composed after the previous 2 hours of work. When one has had their fill, if there is anything left in the tank, they work some grappling until exhaustion. People slowly begin to twindle, and it is 10am, and time for breakfast. People look relieved and vitalized at the same time, and in the back of everyones mind is the repetition of the process in no less than 6 hours. The afternoon session begins at 4pm.
Man... I wish I was able to train at Lanna Boxing camp, would be something too good for me..
But really, is it okay to barf in your first Muay Thai Class, or an ordinary Boxing class?
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