KiwiTricker's Kiwi Tricks - Page 19

Discipulus · 11-14-2012, 10:04 PM

Hey Kiwi, nice log. I haven't been in the S&C for some time now, but I enjoyed reading through your progress. Man, I love your style in your sparring vids. As someone said on page 1, very Thai style. You have an excellent interplay between the threat of your lead teep and your rear round kick. I love those leaping in kicks as part of setting the lead foot back down. I try to use those myself, though I don't have your dexterity.

What is your conditioning program based on, might I ask? I'm not so concerned with strength right now (trying to up my training, and I don't have much time for the gym), but I could definitely use some more cardio work at home. I'm not much for running (I prefer to swim), but I figure I'll have to add it in at some point. It seems to be the standard for LSD.

Edit: I am immediately struck by how funny the phrase "Hey Kiwi, nice log" is. I refuse to change it, though.

Pearse Shields · 11-14-2012, 10:26 PM

Cheers Discipulus for stopping by- good to see you've started your own log too. A couple of things:

My conditioning is based on several different influences that I have. I've taken a lot from Ross Enamait's work, as well as Joel Jamieson's book. Ideally I try to build my conditioning by focusing on aerobic work when I'm further out from a fight, and progressing towards more anaerobic work as I get closer. I also start doing less "general" work for Muay Thai and focus more on pads and sparring, and less on just doing drills for specific techniques. Well, that's the idea anyway- I'm pretty terrible at sticking to a schedule. I can write programmes, I just don't usually follow them well. When I have no fight scheduled, I take things a bit slower at trainings to focus more on technique and power development, and use my GPP work to keep my general fitness levels up.

It may surprise you that I don't do very many long runs for LSD/LISS anymore. For LISS work these days, I often alternate between 3 different activities for 15 minutes at a time- such as jogging on a treadmill, rowing, skipping, or cycling. I'm trying to get more time in the pool as well. I've always been a terrible runner- I'd rather do almost anything else. Mind you, summer's almost here, so I'm sure I'll make as much use of the sun as I can.

If I fight like a Thai, then that's because it's what I was taught first, and it stuck with me. I've recently taken to tightening up my hands, keeping them a little lower and closer to my face than what I have previously- we'll see if that sticks on Saturday night though. I can still get pretty open with my hands.

Pearse Shields · 11-16-2012, 04:34 AM

16/11/2012

Official weight: 70.9kg (with trackpants and socks on).

Opponent's official weight: 71.5kg

Weigh-ins went smoothly. Didn't even wind up doing any sauna sessions today at all, and had a 250mL drink earlier as well. Since the weigh-ins I've had a whole load of food and drink and now I'm feeling a bit happier and slightly less skinny than what I was previously. I'll see what I weigh before my fight tomorrow as well, out of curiosity.

My opponent looks more muscular than the last time he fought, he's probably been working his boxing a lot. That's okay. I'll see how the first round goes tomorrow night, and then work out my best bets. Not much else that I can do. All I have to do is just try to beat him the best I can.

Anyway. I'll try get a video tomorrow and update ASAP about what happens. Big thanks to everyone who's followed me on the road to this fight.

DrBdan · 11-16-2012, 03:52 PM

It's pretty awesome that you got to meet Mark Hunt. Good luck with your fight tomorrow!

TeddyRoosevelt · 11-16-2012, 09:00 PM

Good luck, sir.

Pearse Shields · 11-17-2012, 05:13 AM

Thanks guys!

Well, went well in that I came away with a split decision win. But there's a lot to work on.

First thing was that when I stepped in the ring I wasn't there mentally- had almost no warm-up beforehand, and was just feeling nervous in general. Still, used the first round to pick away some kicks, and try keep in the centre of the ring. Second round and I still wasn't all there either- I remember getting a clinch and going for a knee a little too enthusiastically, and slipping. After the slip I kinda sat there for a second thinking "Jesus Christ. I'm a fucking moron". Later in the second round I also wound up standing up with my leg outside the ropes for a few seconds after I missed with a kick. It was only in the third round that I started to connect better, landing a few knees to the face in a clinch, as well as starting to use feints to better set up my leg kicks to really chop them in. After the fight my shin is a bit sore, but not as bad as his- he had an ice pack strapped to it, and a lump like a golf ball.

Anyway, video will be up tomorrow morning after I've had a nice long sleep. Thanks again to everyone who's chimed in along the way.