We try calling everyone we knew who planned on going to the camp but eventually conclude that there is no cell service in that area. We then try calling people who we knew attended the camp in the past but still nothing.
Genius prevails, since we knew that the camp was held at Camp Wilkerson, we google the location and plot the listed address into our GPS. Unsure of the actual location, we stop repeatedly to get our bearings. Luck has been on our side all morning, after nearly an hour commute, we find a barely readable signs pointing us to the camp site.
We finally arrived at the camp closer to 6:30pm. Running to the field with bulky and heavy gear bags in hand, we heard the sound of a bell in the distance. We were instructed by the legendary Guru Dan Inosanto, to assemble in a line and count off. A line of battle tested and worn instructors can be seen in front of us. Ajarn Chai, Ajarn Rex, Ajarn Kim, Khun Kru Greg Nelson, Khun Kru Brian Dobler and Khun Kru Brian Popejoy, to name a few, can be seen huddled up to plan the day's grueling training.
I forgot to mention that mornings in the Oregon mountains are freezing cold! My guess was around 45 degrees. I had shorts on so I felt every bit of the cold.
"One Hundred Thirty, Sir!" is heard in the distance. Khun Kru Brian Dobler and Khun Kru Greg Nelson take the lead and set the tone for the camp. "This is a place of learning, not a place to show how much you know." For those who are unfamilar with these names, these are some of the greatest instructors created by Ajarn Chai. Khun Kru Greg is actually the coach for UFC fighters Sean Sherk, Brock Lesnar, and many others. Respect is very important to Ajarn Chai and is one of the core principles of the TBA. If you are not respectful by nature, it is clear that you will not get far at the camp. It is reiterated again, "You are here to learn and can learn from everyone." Before the morning warm-up I try to take in the words but anticipate an inevitable clash of egos on the training field. More on this later...
Warm-up begins, followed by joint mobility, followed by the morning mile and a half run. Relying on my previous camp experience, I know to work hard but also to pace. I pass this information to Melanie and she understands. That said, time to run; straight, then up a hill, then down a hill, then back to the field. I can already spot who is not going to make it through camp.
Back at he field, we shadow box until everyone has finished the run. Once everyone gathers together, it is time for technical instruction. We work on stance, movement, defense, offense and before we know it, nearly three hours have gone by. My shoulders are already heavy from holding up my hands for the entire time. Legs are beginning to feel like jello from the constant footwork and stance movement. Instructors are walking around checking our form and constantly on the lookout for under performing students.
Morning session finishes and we are addressed by Ajarn Chai, "Ahh, I'm going to let you all have breakfast now." Gung ho campers sprint for the breakfast line like stampeding elephants...I'm walking.
An hour later, our belly's are full of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. The campers are looking for a schedule much like the one they have had in past camps. Nothing can be found. The assisting instructors are not sure of the schedule themselves. During the confusion we hear the bell in the background. Time to assemble!
It feels like 11:00am. The student line up and count is now at approximately 170. Late arrivals have joined the squad. Belly full and heavy with breakfast I lazily call out my number "56!" The Ajarns instruct us to warm up with shadow boxing followed by timing sparring. After working with my first partner, I can already feel that this is going to be a mistake. People still do not understand that camp is a marathon and not a sprint. In the distance, I can hear multiple grunts resulting from clashing shins. More than an hour passes and I believe the Ajarns realize the lack of control and immediately change the drill on us.
The main training area is about the size of a football field. The only difference is that is an on a gradual incline for the first 80 yards and changes to a steep incline for the last 20. As if the terrain wan't rough enough, there were plenty of randomly placed pot holes and dips for campers to step into and twist an ankle. At the top of the hill stood a building with almost two dozen heavy bags hanging from the ceiling. We assemble at the bottom of the hill and are told to throw alternating straight knees until we get to the top of the hill. What the instructors fail to mention is how many times we will be doing this. Left, Right, Left, Right, up a hill then sprinting back to the starting line for nearly two hours. We had to have climbed that hill at least 20 times before I lost count.
My mind tunes out and I assemble with the rest of the group at the command of Ajarn Inosanto. "Great, its nearly 3pm, time for lunch," I thought to myself. Not quite, instead of food we stagger into 8 lines and begin doing 8 count body builders. Around this time the sun was out in full strength and beating down on our backs. It was nearly 80 degrees outside, a drastic change from this morning. Each set feels like an eternity. We don't know when we can stop. After each set of 10, we hope that Ajarn Chai will say stop but instead, all we hear is "Khun Kru (insert name). 10 sets!" (which means 10 reps). Some instructors are gung ho about the 8 counts and end up making us do more than 10. Ajarn Chai is ready to release us when we hear a student shout "10 more". At this point, the field is full of grumbling as everyone looks to see who they need to kill before lunch.
After lunch, campers are trying to find shade and a few minutes to nap. The problem is that its too hot in the sun and too chilly in the shade. To add to the frustration, everyone is constantly under attack by horseflys and mosquitos.
Session ends and its dinner time. At dinner, we are offered typical American cuisine (Hamburgers, hot dogs etc.) and Thai food masterfully prepared by Ajarn Chai's two sisters. By the time we finished eating, it was nearly 9:30pm. We pack up, get everything in the car and plan to better equip ourselves against the elements with a brief visit to Target. When everything was said and done, it was past 11pm before we were able to clean ourselves up and get to bed.
Melanie and I pass out immediately, but only for a short while. In less than 5 hours, we will have to be up and ready to repeat the day.
-Khun Kru Nakapan Phungephorn
BETA Academy
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