Today I finished my 8th day of training. A day of training consists of classes from 7:30 am to 9:30 am and then 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (give 15 minutes before class for a warm-up). It is so exhausting! Spending approximately 4 hours day working out is supremely exhausting. You would think that the body and mind are two different systems, but they are pretty dependent on one another. I have all these goals to achieve, along with learning muay thai, involving studying and learning language, literature, etc. After working out for so long, being so exhausted, it’s hard to put together even a simple blog post.

It’s pretty warm here in Phuket, with highs around 90 and lows around 78. Through unscientific study, I feel like being around in the heat is way more exhausting than being in our man-made temperate climates in the Western world. You’d also think that my appetite would be increased tenfold, but I really only eat about twice a day (maybe some fruit or oreos as a snack in the middle of the day) and one of those meals is always pad thai — yummy!

Training has been hard emotionally too. The first four days were just basic training, a lot of practice and shadow boxing and working through each move. After that, you join the regular class, which consists of 5 rounds on the bag, and then five rounds with a trainer wearing pads. The sweat literally pours off of you. The gym is open, as is the Thai way, and any breeze that happens to waft by is heavenly.

The last two mornings, I’ve been training with the owner of the gym, Tuk. I think this is because I must need remedial help or something. I just can’t seem to get the hang of kicking. You’d think it would be simple, just swinging your leg around. My years of Buffy watching did not prepare me for this.

I think what I need to keep in mind is that I’m training. I’m not going to get the technique perfect right away. I’m lucky that this gym is very friendly, and for all people every age and size [interesting enough, most people in the gym are mid- to late- twenties]. I’m working hard and trying my best, and I think that counts for something. I just hope that it counts enough.

Not to end on a dour note, training is amazing! I’m so glad that I followed my passion and desire to travel. I’m thinking of maybe focusing my trip on this, education and training, of fighting and language. Anyway, lots of options, lots of paths to consider, and the fighting is only adding to my confidence!