Seniha's diary
December 8 2007
"Well, I've finally completed my first week at Eminent Air Muay Thai Gym in Bangkok. The gym is not so big, but has all the facilities and equipment you need to train. I found the beginning of the week quite tough and my body was in so much pain from training so hard!
"We normally had a morning jog from 6.30am until 7am. Then we did our stretches and three five-minute rounds of shadow boxing. After that, we did three five-minute rounds on the pads, and then three five-minute rounds on the pads with the trainer, practising knees, elbows, cross, jabs and uppercuts. We then did more exercise: stretches, 200 sit- ups etc and finish about 9am, eat and sleep. Afternoon training started at 3pm with 10 minutes of skipping, followed by a 15-minute run. Again, the same routine as the morning: exercise, shadow boxing, padwork, 200 sit-ups etc.
"It was the same routine all week, except for every other morning, when we did weight training, which was really good as it helps you get stronger. By the end of this week, the trainer was happy has I gained more power in my punches. The weight training was a fast-paced circuit of 30 seconds on each station. We had 13 stations in total and went round three times.
"There are two other guys training in the gym. Eddie is from Canada but he lives in Japan and teaches muay Thai there. He has competed in many tournaments and has given me loads of tips. There is also Chris from Sweden. He does kickboxing back home, and has a month off before he starts his studies. The owner, Mr Somnikat, is a promoter for the Lumpini stadium and he is more than willing to organise a fights for anyone who is interested. The staff are great and very helpful. If there is anything you need, they are more that happy to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
"Last week, there were big celebrations in Bangkok as it was the king's 80th birthday. We went to Sanam Luong Park as there were some fights. One of the guys from our gym was fighting that night and he won! It was my first time watching muay Thai fights live and the atmosphere was amazing! Can't wait to watch more fights!
December 15 2007
"I have completed my second week at Eminent Air and I definitely feel I have improved my technique and fitness. Also, I had realised that I have been training for one and a half weeks and they never tell me to do clinching or sparring. At first, I thought that was OK because I was so knackered, but then I wanted to know why I don't do it, so I spoke to the owners and they talked to the trainers and they just assumed that because I am female, I would not want to do it. Hmm, very strange! So anyway, I am now doing clinching and sparring.
"The first time I was doing clinching with the trainer, he thought it was so funny. He just stood there laughing at me and then I turned around and the other trainers were laughing, too! Well, they have got used to it now! I guess lucky me had to be the first women to experience this at this gym!
"This week, my average routine has been:
Morning
6.30 run (7 laps)
7.00 stretches
7.10 3X5-minute rounds of shadow boxing
7.35 3X5-minute rounds of pad work with trainer
8.00 pad work, practise knees, elbows, kicks etc
8.15 stretches, sit-ups etc
Afternoon
3.00 run 5 laps
3.25 10 minutes skipping
3.30 clinching
4.00 pad work with trainer 5X5-minute rounds
4.30 kick bags
4.45 sparring
5.00 run 3 laps
5.15 stretches and sit ups
"My gym has helped me design muay Thai shorts but it will take a couple of weeks before I get them. Yesterday, when I was going for my afternoon run at the end of training, I was practically dragged outside this house with three Thai women. They were offering me food and whisky just so they could speak English with me. Oh, and they were also interested in me finding them a foreign boyfriend, so I told them that Kru Mariusz was coming in February! They are really excited, it was so funny! And all the kids do high-fives with me when I run past them. I feel like Rocky!!! Lol!
"I am back to London on January 29, so I still have one more month left. Yippppeeee!"
January 2008
"I'm back in Bangkok at Eminent Air Gym and training is so hard again! Even though I've been going to the gym every other day in Phuket, and running at least 40 minutes, my fitness levels have dropped dramatically. Before I left for Phuket I was doing five, five-minute rounds with the trainer, and when I got back I was struggling with two rounds (I know - I was so disappointed with myself). But currently, I am on four rounds so I'm almost back to before. On my second day back my whole body was in pain ( I needed another Thai massage!), but today is Friday so I will only need to train on Saturday and Monday. Oh, and I will train myself on Sunday. Then I'm back home - I wish I could have just one more month.
"The break in Phuket did me good training-wise because when I got back, I felt my technique was a lot better - as if something just clicked into place. I can't really explain it but before, I kept thinking I was not feeling like a Thai fighter or wasn't getting my technique right, but I feel much more comfortable now. Also I have been to the Lumpini Stadium and I went to Channel 7, which was amazing as two of our fighters were fighting and one of them won. Also I have learned so much just by watching fights. Oh, I forgot to say I was on Thai TV!
"Phuket was really nice, and I went to Koh Phi Phi Island for a few days, which was absolutely beautiful. There was this bar there, called the Reggae Bar, with a muay Thai ring but the fighters didn't look like trained muay Thai fighters to me. I think both the girls in the ring were drunk - it was a bit silly! But I had a good time on the island and I met loads of cool people. Kru Mariusz won't want to hear this but I stayed an extra week, which means I'm only training in Bangkok now for six days before I come back - but I am training hard! Honest!" |
