Running in Thai gyms

[TeepKwaa]

Hello all,

 

I'm looking for input/advice especially from those training in Thailand regarding running. When I research gyms in Thailand most seem to have a running regime of 30-60 miles a week and therefore I've been attempting to build up to this for quite some time but it's lead to constant injuries and has become a huge source of frustration. I want to continue attempting to build my mileage because I don't doubt the benefits but I'd also like to get in a gym and be able to train.

 

I'm sure I'm not the first to bump into this barrier to entry of sorts and I'd be interested to hear about your own experiences with the running culture of various gyms.

 

 

[Shae Dekel]

Hi, I just spent nearly a year training at Petchrungruang in Pattaya where, even though the fighters run everyday, they liked, to at least offer, the foreigners a 10km run 3x a week. Running wasn’t mandatory at all though if you wanted to fight they did want you to run. Personally I struggled slightly with the impact on my knees but I did get used to it, I just had to struggle through. I found that the early morning runs were a great way to interact with the more serious trainers at the gym. Petchrungruang was really good and for awhile, after a fight, when I physically couldn’t run, offered me the option of cycling which still gave me the benefits of the early morning run. Personally I think any gym that sees you want to make the effort of getting up at 4am to run but understands that sometimes you just physically can’t, is a gym worth going to, though it may take trial and error to find this gym, and this fit, that works for you 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

14 hours ago, TeepKwaa said:

I'm sure I'm not the first to bump into this barrier to entry of sorts and I'd be interested to hear about your own experiences with the running culture of various gyms.

 

Are you wondering: Will I have to run? Or, looking for a gym which doesn't push you to run, or will accept running less? What are your major concerns?

- It's cool that you are getting your miles up in advance

[TeepKwaa]

19 hours ago, Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu said:

 

Are you wondering: Will I have to run? Or, looking for a gym which doesn't push you to run, or will accept running less? What are your major concerns?

- It's cool that you are getting your miles up in advance

I suppose I'm just looking to get a better idea about the expectations of various gyms including running frequency, distance, and pacing. Just knowing what to be prepared for so I don't crash and burn. I'm over 30 now so a major concern is the balance between pushing through 'hurt' and avoiding actual injuries because my time is running out and I'd rather compete at less than ideal than not compete at all due to injury. 

 

Basically I'm getting old and trying to figure out how to deal with it while trying to fight before it's too late. 

[LengLeng]

2 hours ago, TeepKwaa said:

I suppose I'm just looking to get a better idea about the expectations of various gyms including running frequency, distance, and pacing. Just knowing what to be prepared for so I don't crash and burn. I'm over 30 now so a major concern is the balance between pushing through 'hurt' and avoiding actual injuries because my time is running out and I'd rather compete at less than ideal than not compete at all due to injury. 

 

Basically I'm getting old and trying to figure out how to deal with it while trying to fight before it's too late. 

I see it like this. There are two main reasons you want to run. 1. Show dedication so the gym invests in you. 2. Build stamina for a fight. If running causes injury there are other ways you can show dedication. And there are other strategies to build stamina. In my experience Thai trainers notice dedication and acknowledge it. I wouldn't be too worried if you can't run so and so many miles, but still show up and demonstrate dedication. 

[RB Coop]

Well depens on gym. I was in Chiang Mai, we had 2runs each day. One is 7AM for 1hour before training and afternoon is 30min run before training. If you're fighting you're also doing 30min of jump rope, so it's like 1h 30min or 2hours of that each day 6times a week. That being said it's not a must, but you def get more out of training that way, you build cardio as much as mental toughness. 

[Oliver]

10 hours ago, LengLeng said:

There are two main reasons you want to run. 1. Show dedication so the gym invests in you. 2. Build stamina for a fight. 

Yep. 

Also might be a number 3. Makes your body kick stronger. Way stronger, like a night and day difference.

Perhaps just a personal experience, but it feels like there's something that happens to the leg muscles from running that doesn't happen from weight training. It's freaky.

[StefanZ]

What about swimming instead of running?  I understand its usually not done in Muay in Thailand.  But it spares the body and skeleton much compared with running.  And if you swim forcefully, it trains the muscles and cardio not less than any running...

would you get OK and approval from the trainers if you presented a solid swim program?

 

Of course there must be a suitable swimming stadion or lake nearby...