This morning, bright and early at 8 AM, I went to Ground Slam in Yokohama, run by Katsumura and BJ. I managed to get permission to join the pro practice. I begged them not to treat me like a girl, and train with me just like the rest of the guys.<\/p>\n
I was soooo nervous. Scared? Anxious, mainly that I’d get in everyone’s way being a smaller, physically weaker woman. Technique wise, I know I have skills, but come on. What if I bothered the guys when they’d rather be getting a challenge by sparring with another man?<\/p>\n
I was nervous I wouldn’t perform well and they’d think I was a pain. I knew that a lot of light-weights trained there, so I wouldn’t be a total waste of space.<\/p>\n
I felt like I was going into a fight, I was so anxious.<\/p>\n
It was so hot. At 8 PM, I was sweating, just standing in the shade. It must have hit 95 degrees today. (I checked…it was 94).
\nFinally, people showed up and I aisatsu-ed everyone. (formal greeting) asked what class usually entailed. They said “MMA sparring.”
\nMe: Only?
\nthem: Yes. <\/p>\n
EXCELLENT. That’s EXACTLY what I wanted. High intensity sparring for a short time- about an hour and fifteen minutes. One thing common to many Japanese gyms is the leisurely warm up, technique, drilling, and then three hours later when I’m exhausted, a few rounds of sparring…..everybody paces themselves, but I try and put in a lot of effort, which is probably why I’m so tired but everyone else is still going after 3 hours. <\/p>\n
Anyway, it was freaking awesome. I was star-struck. I sparred with BJ Kojima (Shooto), Mizugaki (WEC), and a few more dudes. Of course I got my butt handed to me, but I did pretty well with this one guy. I Judo threw him and arm-barred him in the end. <\/p>\n
I chatted with Michihiro Omigawa and would have sparred Katsumura-san but was too exhausted to do any more, and it was okay, since class was ending.<\/p>\n
With sparring like this, I’m exhausted, but not bone weary like I’d be after a 3-hour session. I ate a huge lunch of roast beef and rice, and now I have a stomach ache, then and even the next day. Damn, why is beef giving me issues nowadays? My stomach’s been funny lately…<\/p>\n
Anyway, went home and PASSED OUT for an hour. I woke up feeling like the next day. Then I did chores.<\/p>\n
I wanted to spar at the AACC in the evening, but decided to lift weights instead. My back hurts. I met Megumi and she said, “Hi, you’re not training?” I said that I was tired and in pain. She said, “Your face doesn’t look tired!” I said, “What do you mean?” She said, “You look genki!”
\nYeah, I was riding on cloud 9 from this morning. This is just the kind of practice I need! <\/p>\n
I’m so excited to get back on track. I mean, these guys are as top as you can get in Japan, and sparring with them FELT like American style MMA. BJ was forearming my face when I was on bottom. Mizugaku smashed me against the cage, I managed to sprawl and hold him off for a while, but then he got my legs and dumped me on my back.<\/p>\n
In other words, amazing practice.
\nTomorrow, I have to talk to my new boss and block off my schedule. I’m working WAY too much. I am almost burnt out. Actually, my new-old boss has transfered. waaaaa ;_; Nooo. So now I have a new-new boss. I met him once and I’ll meet him again today, I hope. If I can get to work. I can barely move I’m so sore….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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