Dream 13 Daily Journal 3/15/10

Daily Journal 3/15

So I can honestly say today has been the best so far. It’s started with the usually coffee with Mach’s(Maha’s) dad. Celina had went earlier to train in Tokyo with Roxanne so it was only Joachim and myself. So we ventured off again for some food. After eating we were planning on training.

So we got back and figured we’d relax for awhile, check email, and maybe rest. Well since Ibaraki is so quiet and the gym is closed on Mondays it was real relaxing. Since I don’t have a tv in my room to distract me I just did some stretching, and made some calls. I don’t really get this kind of alone time back home.

Well 11am rolled around pretty quick and Joachim felt like training, so we did. We got some good rounds in again today. I’m not going into any details but I learned a lot of great things. At some points I couldn’t help but think how lucky I am to be here. Sounds strange but it often occured while I was getting punched in the face. Some might hate the fact that they have to go round after round with one of the best fighters in the world but what more could I ask for. I’m getting to learn what works, and getting the reinforcement on what doesn’t first hand with a fist in my face. Joachim even held mitts for me after and gave me priceless tips to fight his style. With his help I got much better each round.

After training we went to the coin laundry to wash some clothes. We then went next door and got some cakes. They were just the right size with just enough sugar. While the clothes were washing we found an Udon shop for lunch. On the way I got to practice some japan-lish. It didn’t go so well cuz the old lady thought I wanted to go to the train station. It went like this – Sumimasen, Resturauntu wa doko desu ka? I thought it was pretty good, but she practically walked me to the ticket machine to catch a train. Maybe she just wanted me to leave Ibaraki. hahaha.

After eating we went back, and dried the clothes. For the next hour we had some cool conversations about philosophy, politics, life, training, fighting, the MMA industry, and I got notes on a detailed weight lifting routine. Joachim then went to the train station to pick up Celina, and I headed home.

Ibaraki is a pretty flat place with very few landmarks to use for direction. So walking home at night was quite an adventure. I really only had to walk maybe on 5 or 6 blocks, but everything looked the same, and from a different perspective very different. My mind kinda played tricks on me telling me to turn back, and at that moment I saw the railroad tracks I’ve been crossing the last few days. So I walked on, and thought well the railroad must have multiple crossing points. Right when I was gonna turn back I looked up and saw the Mach Dojo sign 5 feet in front of me. I was glad I made it.

Joachim, and Celina arrived shortly after. They both got massages from Akira’s dad that use to work on a lot of K-1 fighters. Both of them look really good for their upcoming bouts. A lot of their daily routines remind me of home. After that I pretty much just ate one more time, took my suppliments, and got ready for bed.

Dream 13 Daily Journal 3/14

3/14
Ok, so today was very fun. I can totally see why Joachim comes to Ibaraki instead of Tokyo now. It’s so less populated and the people tend to be very polite. Since there is less going on you can really take some alone time to focus your mind when you want too. Plus, Mach’s gym has a full weight room, bags, showers, and even a ring.

Starting this morning I first woke up at 5:30am, and then rolled around til about 7:30am. From then til about 9am I was writing emails, jotting down notes, video taping my room, and outlining some workouts for when I get home. Little did I know that Joachim had been up from even earlier. If we had known we would of probably gone for a jog. Once we were up we started looking for a coffee shop. Mach’s father, and brother misunderstood our question and made us some coffee. I have to say it was really damn good.

Then the real quest began. We went in search of breakfast. Unlike Tokyo, Ibaraki doesn’t have a ramen/udon shop on every corner. We walked around for almost 1 hour. It wasn’t that bad since we got to really check things out, but at this point we were pretty hungry. We walked up to a Sushi Resturaunt, and realized that all of the eateries only open at 11am, and we couldn’t wait another 30min so we ate breakfast at 7-11. 7-11 here in Japan has far better food.

I had Chicken Kara-age, and bought some natto to eat with my rice. Natto is fermented soy beans that has many health benefits, and gives good energy. Unfortunately it’s slimey, and smells bad. I think I grossed Joachim and Celina out a bit. I told them they probably wouldn’t like it but they tried it first. Joachim said “It looks like something I crapped out”, as he looked away.

After eating breakfast we went back to the Dojo, and then trained. The three of us basically did a Jiu-Jitsu marathon workout (If you train at FTCC you know what that means). Sean also held mitts for Celina since she is fighting soon. The training went well. I felt a little jet lagged, but felt much better after a hot shower.

After that we went to take some photos of Joachim with his Tokyo Five gear in a traditional Japanese setting for his sponsor. We came back and then headed to lunch. Mach’s wife got us a table at a resturaunt that he frequents before his fights. Since he cuts 18kg he eats a 9 piece sashimi plate, and a large salad with a little miso dressing. That’s exactly what we ordered. It was perfect, and at the sametime we got to experience what Mach goes through when he gets ready to fight.

Then it was off to the grocery store. We got cases of water, fruit, yogurt, and a bunch of house hold things we needed. We got back around 6:45pm. I used the internet, and watched some highlights on my phone with Mach’s dad for about an hour. I also heard a good quote indirectly from Mach’s dad from Sean. He said “if Aoki was my son, i would beat him”. I beleive its in regards to Aoki’s behavior.

Joachim, and I then went to 7-11 for some hot lemon vitamin C drinks. On the way there we got to discuss Bibiano, about life, and about coming up with a plan to get me a fight. It all ended with us saying “let’s train MMA tomorrow!”. Now I’m off to get some sleep for the awesomeness that will happen tomorrow.

Good night!

Dream 13 Daily Journal 3/13/10

Daily Journal

3/13 – arrived in NRT airport after flying for 12 hours. It took me a while to get through immigration, and customs. I was them met outside by a tall Australian fellow by the name of Sean Few. Both of us where worried about how we’d meet up since we had never met before. Sure enough, he picked me out of the crowd, and we started running for our train. We had to time it right or we’d be waiting for 30 minutes at the next stop. So while running he mentioned that he looked up my picture on facebook in order to recognize me. Thank god for that or we might have never connected. He also mentioned that he’s the striking coach for Miyata (K-1) fighter.

Well we eventually did make it on to the train, and then misses another at a transfer down the line. Now if you ever experienced public transportation you how offsetting it can be. Long story short we got to where we needed to be only 15 min late. We then hopped into the van and headed Mach (pronounced Ma-Ha) Dojo.

As soon as we got out we where greated by Mach’s wife, father, and friend. Then from a distance I saw a light when a door opened. In the doorway was Joachim, and his girl friend Celina. Celina is also an MMA fighter that is here to fight in Jewels on 3/19/10. It was good to see Joachim. He’s looking like himself and still really f’n strong at 65kg. A few weeks ago we exchanged emails about dieting, and increasing fiber. He said after only 3 days he dropped a lot of weight and got shreaded up, not loosing any strength.

Celine was then getting a message, and Joachim and I started horsing around. He showed me some very good “Top Secret” techniques from the clinch, and started describing his training methods. It really inspired me, and made feel so validated on making this trip. Joachim is a timeless individual. No matter if today, or 500 years ago he’d be the same person. It’s great too, when you see a friend that you haven’t seen over a year, but it feels like no time has passed. Joachim is the truest Champion I have ever met, regardless if he has a belt or not.

I’ll post something new tomorrow. Sorry for any grammar mistakes. I’m just jotting stuff down.