Lazy bastards need not apply

Fred (middle, black shirt) in 2006

“I reckon I should write into a womens magazine like ‘Hello!’ or something like that and get £200 or something!” says Fred Harrington as he sits in the shade amongst 30 degree heat. Drinking black coffee and Facebooking away without a care in the world, it’s hard to believe Fred used to be 17.5 stone/111kgs 4 years ago, “I yoyo dieted for ages, up and down – I was last over 15 stone/100kg 2 years ago… I’m now 13.5 stone/86kg. I fought at 11.8 stone/75kgs in September 2009 and was 17.5 stone/111kgs in March 2006″.

Now sporting approximately 14 MMA fights to date and at least 3 professional Muay Thai fights under his belt, Fred is the perfect example of ‘mind over matter’. And he wasn’t shy with his food either;
“I used to do the doors and never used to take money with me so I wouldn’t eat but then I’d sub some money off my boss to buy food. I’d go to Tesco and buy like a cake or a muffin and 5 bars of chocolate. Then go back later and buy a 200g bar of chocolate, couple more smaller bars of chocolate, another cake. Then I’d wait an hour and think “Might as well eat something else now” then go to the kebab shop and get a large cheesey chips, doner meat and mayonnaise. Then I’ll get home and eat oat clusters, cover it in honey, put like chocolate droppings in it. A tub of Ben & Jerrys but then I’d go to bed like “Urrrrghhh”, I wake up feeling like shit. Like a food hangover!”

Over tales his funny tales of breaking and losing numerous iPods and cameras , his reason for the weight loss was plain and simple; a failed relationship. “Pretty much, wasn’t getting any! Was doing all these weights and that and wasn’t getting any women – it’s the truth! What’s the point like? I was powerlifting but was still pretty fat, I had a 44 inch waist”

6 months away in Thailand was the ultimate test. Under the strict Muay Thai regime, Fred’s weight continues to go down. As he learns his trade in one of the most lethal martial arts known to man, he’s also reaping the benefits, weekend partying aside – Fred understands he’s a professional fighter and trains just as hard as his Thai team mates

In ‘The Land of Smiles’, cost of living is low by western standards which also means the government don’t receive that much money, which in turn affects the marketing of numerous things – especially food. Fred explains how advertising back at home affects people, the ‘want’ factor;“I don’t know why, I have loads of self control but then it just goes. It’s the advertising! I think “Oh, I bet someone else has had that!”. I’m not too bad when I’m in Thailand because the advertising isn’t so bad unless I go into the 7-11 or something…” But what about the people who just dont want to ignore the marketing strategies? Who blame other things such as depression, or a bad break up or just have that ‘cant do’ attitude?

“It pisses me off when people say they can’t do it. Some people just ask the question and just don’t do it.  If they want to genuinely lose weight, I’ll point them in the right direction and help them; Stop drinking fizzy drinks and junk food, do some sort of exercise 2 or 3 times a week… keep at it, some people just want it [straightaway] by doing nothing.”.

To this day, Fred isnt Hitleresque in his approach to his diet. He stills eats what he wants but in moderation, saying that, Thailand isn’t the most unhealthiest country in the world. Restricting his carbohydrate intake and eating as much protein and fruit as he wants, he still watches things like sweets and chocolate. In the mornings, barely out of bed and before breakfast he goes on a 5km run. If he’s feeling a little lazy and wants the extra hour in bed, he hits the weights after breakfast before doing the morning pad session at the local Muay Thai gym. Rest and lunch after the morning session then back at it again in the afternoon. Padwork, technique, another run then back to eat and rest for the remainder of the night.

Going to Thailand may seem extreme to lose weight, but for some people – just to get that experience is all worth it.

Fred (left), early 2010

0-1-1 in Thailand

So after what people told me was a ‘great fight’ and that I was ‘winning the fight all the way’, the bout was stopped midway through the 3rd and final round.

Scott dropped me with a hard right body kick which made me take a knee and get up on the 6 count but the referee called it off. A few people afterwards approached me and told me the fight shouldnt have been stopped as I got up and wanted to carry on but after giving it a couple of hours – my ribs are well and truly done. Im restricted in my movement side to side and Im struggling to tense my core. I’ve taken 2 strong Ibuprofen along with alternative heat/ice and I still feel like I want to vomit.

I’ve watched the video back and it looked like a good fight but you are your worst critic, more work could have been done on my behalf and I should have listened to my corner. Taking Ray Elbe’s advice, I scored 2 big knees during the fight and should have continued to throw them but didnt. I should have circled away from his right leg but didnt. I should have been more aggressive but wasnt and I should have fired the right hand when he dropped his guard but it didnt happen.

My warm up was fine if not a little longer than expected. Thai people always have a different concept of time and I fought 20 minutes later than I was advised but no harm done. It’s all experience and Paule Marchant from Peacock Gym in London did a great job in helping me warm up pad wise and Des was great in carting me around afterwards looking for pain relief!

All in all, a good night, a lesson learned and I take a loss in Thailand.

T Minus 120 minutes

As I lie down in my oversized bed, the buzz in my stomach and the increased heart rate stops me from getting any sort of last minute rest before I step in. Since 10am the buzz hasnt disappeared, it merely gets stronger and stronger and I know I should be embracing it rather than fighting it off, it’s not the first time I’ve had it and I guarantee it wont be the last.

Every scenario, gameplan and technique runs through my head but I shrug it off – I know nothing about this guy and vice versa. He’s a couple of kilos heavier and his hands look decent when I saw him on the bag but anyone can hit a bag. I look like Roy Jones on a bag but the reality is different. “It’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can GET hit and keep going” and I’ve been hit hard plenty of times. I train and spar with some of the best people in the UK, I know my strengths and I know my weaknesses better than anybody else. No stranger can beat me at what I’m good at.

Negative thoughts flow through my head, I have no team mates here. I have friends I’ve made along the way but nobody who really knows me. My brother isn’t here to offer me any last minute advice, Karl isn’t here to shout A class instructions, Garvey isn’t here to put my mind at ease, Anna isn;t here to make me laugh and Inman isn’t here to remind me without speaking that I can hang with people. “Winning is good, losing is bad”. I ran through a trial warm up last night at 7.30pm which is around the time I’ll be throwing down… it took me 20 minutes or so to peak. Static to Dynamics, showdowboxing, loose padwork and more static to dynamics.

No new techniques here, I have the tools… I just need to use them like I normally do.

As I wait for 7pm to approach so I can drink my coffee and get some fast acting carbs I think: Fundamentals. A straight line beats a curve every time without fail. No peacock. Chin down, hands up. Jab at distance and hook in range. Uppercut when he ducks his head down. Parry the jab and come over the top. Give him something to think about. Never let him settle. Accelerate.

Sundays in Thailand

Sunday, or at least every morning…

And in the evening?

It’s the little things that spark great thoughts

Occasionally, we all get a little sentimental about something. And here’s my moment as I lie here on somebody else’s queen sized bed. It isn’t mine. The bedsheets, the covers, the pillows, the pillowcases. Nothing in this room belongs to me. From the moment I arrived in this country and the moment I set foot into my room, I always knew it was going to temporary. “5 weeks”. It’s not the same as last year and because last year was awesome, this year was doomed from the start because I knew this trip wasn’t going to top it. “You get what you make of it”, isn’t true. I don’t feel the need to go out drinking, picking up bar girls or going out in general. I just want to sleep, eat, train, eat, sleep, eat, train, eat, sleep. In that order – and that is the exact order in which I do things whilst over here. Get it over and done with.

And the little thing that sparked this great thought or great realisation? The sound of rain outside. Just like home.