An Inside Look – Interview #2

After Brian had been in Arizona with the Hanwha Eagles for about a week, I did my first “inside interview” with him on getting to know his new teammates and Korean baseball.

Now that the team made the trip from Arizona to Korea and from there on to Japan for the remainder of spring training, I figured it was the perfect time for my second interview.

This interview sums up Brian’s overall experience in Arizona and highlights his hopes for his upcoming time in Japan!

Interview #2: The End of Arizona Spring Training and Travel to Seoul & Japan

Now that Spring Training in Arizona is complete, what is your overall comparison of it to MLB spring training?

I think the biggest difference is the workload. Spring training days in the states are usually done by noon before games start. Our days started at the same time and ended around 3. These guys are in SERIOUS shape!!

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You have been in Spring Training for close to one month now and MLB team are just reporting to theirs. How has the early start affected you?

The biggest challenge for me has been getting my arm in shape so much earlier than I ever have before. This whole thing [signing with the Eagles] came up so suddenly I didn’t have a chance to prepare for the early start. Luckily the staff has been patient with me and are letting me work at my own pace. But once April rolls around, it’s go time!!

What do you think the conditioning in training has done for you this early on?

I’m not really sure yet. I’m used to having a solid base of distance running before spring training starts. But this year it’s been a ton of volume and no distance. I’m a little nervous as to how my legs are going to react once my pitch count gets up over 70.

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What was your favorite part of your time in Arizona?

Aside from super bowl weekend, getting to know my new teammates and their culture was probably the best thing about my time in Tucson. They’ve been amazing so far and I’m really excited to get to experience their country.

What was your least favorite thing about Arizona Spring Training?

Definitely the dry southwestern desert. My allergies did NOT enjoy my time there. Between the nose bleeds, the sneezing, and not being able to breathe I’m really glad to be out of there!!

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Now that you have had a few ST games, have you picked up on any difference between Korean baseball games and American baseball games?

There’s definitely a lot more “small ball” played in this league. They put a huge emphasis on moving runners and stealing bases. Also, they take a 5 minute break after the 5th inning to “clean the field”. I was thoroughly confused the first time I saw it. No one from either team is anywhere near the infield dirt until they are totally done dragging and raking the field. During one such break, the entire visiting team went into left field and ran sprints. Definitely a new one for me.

What are you looking forward to about getting finishing spring training up in Japan?

I’m looking forward to real games. Absolutely love getting the competitive juices flowing, which is really hard to do when you’re pitching against your own team. Also, looking forward to crossing another country off the list. Can’t wait to see what Japanese life and culture is all about!!

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Stay tuned for interview #3 after the conclusion of Spring Training in Japan!

Six Miler

Another “good morning” from Arizona!

Today started off pretty similar to yesterday.

A Lara Bar to jump start my morning.

And then a workout to really get my Saturday going!

Workout

Not far from our hotel is a three mile running path that circles around a golf course, by a zoo and also the University of Arizona baseball stadium.

I set off with hopes of completing the trail twice through for a nice six mile run and was actually quite surprised at how I felt throughout.

I finished the six miles in just about 54 minutes. This is my longest consecutive run (with no walk breaks or sprint intervals) in I don’t even know how long. Actually, I do know…since the Vegas Half Marathon in the beginning of December!!

Wow! It definitely felt good to get back out there again and just go!!

Breakfast

When I got back to the room, I grabbed some quick things that were available for breakfast to put together a meal.

A clementine, banana with peanut butter and some sort of organic carrot muffin that Brian brought me back from his breakfast this morning. Yum!

Off to kill some time again until Brian is back from practice! He should be done early today AND has tomorrow off!! So excited for lots of time with him! 🙂

Question:

What was your last longest run? How did it feel to just get out there and run?

Good Morning, Arizona!

Good Morning from sunny Arizona!!

I arrived in Tucson last night around 9:45 p.m. local time and was so excited to see Brian waiting for me at the airport. I know it has only been two weeks since I last saw him but it feels like an eternity! Since I was still on east coast time and it was waaaay past my bed time in that time zone and since Brian had to be up early for practice this morning we both crashed pretty much the second we made it back to his room!

I did have one surprise waiting for me though!

Brian thought to make Valentine’s Day come early with flowers, (double) chocolates, a stuffed dog and a big box that still remains a surprise to me!

Good thing I came prepared with a surprise V-day present for him too! 😉

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First thing this morning, I wanted to get a workout in to start my mini vacay off on the right foot. I ate a Luna Bar to get something in my stomach and then ventured to find the fitness room at the hotel.

It’s located directly next to the pool and is pretty decent fitness center for a hotel.

It’s not very large in size but seeing that I was the only person in there until the very end of my workout, the size wasn’t an issue. The equipment is all Precor, with treadmills and ellipticals available along with a free weight area and core area complete with medicine and stability balls.

I’m pretty sure I could get use to view from the treadmill…

…it sure beats the back of other people’s t-shirts that I see at the gym at home!

Workout

I was on the treadmill for a 40 minute routine that included running, walking and sprints. I started with 30 minutes of steady running, walked for a couple and then worked in a four-minute Tabata of sprints before walking out the rest of the 40 minutes.

After the treadmill, I did some core work with this view to look up at:

Who wouldn’t want to workout with these views?!

I mixed in a variety of different exercises:

• Hamstring curl with stability ball
• Basic crunches
• Crunches on stability ball
• Crunch with side twist with medicine ball
• Free weight swings
• Standing side bends
• Uneven alternating push ups with medicine ball
• Crunches with stability ball pass (from hands to feet)

After my core work, I finished up with some stretching and called it a workout. I’m sure I will be venturing back out today to explore, apparently there is a 3.5 mile trail directly across the street, so it looks like more exercise is definitely in my future!

I’m also pretty sure some time relaxing right here is also in my future.

Yessss, please!

As for now, off to snack on some yogurt and clementines before deciding what to get into next!

Catch y’all later!!! 🙂

Question:

Are you more motivated to workout and fit random exercise into your day when you are in an unfamiliar location?

An Inside Look – Interview #1

Since first posting about Brian and my pending move from the States to South Korea, I have been giving all of you LoveEatRun readers some insight into the experience from my perspective.  I’ve discussed the decision process in general, Brian finally signing with the Hanwha Eagles and leaving to meet the team, the lonely house and the hard – yet easy –  decision for me to leave my current job to join him on this journey.

Seeing that so far everything about this process has come from my point of view, I wanted to share some things from Brian’s point of view and share the details of what he has been experiencing first-hand with his new team.  I’m going to try to do these short question/answer sessions with him on a regular basis to give some life to what being an American on an international professional sports team is really like!

Interview #1:  A New Experience with Spring Training and Getting to Know the Team and Korean Customs

What is the biggest difference between spring training for the Eagles and spring trainings that you have participated in back here with MLB?

This spring training has been nothing like I’ve ever seen in the states. There is activity on the field from 8:30 in the morning until camp breaks at 3 and then another session from 7-9. I’ve never seen a group of guys work as hard as they do here. It’s been seriously impressive and I look forward to seeing how it plays out during the season.

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Have you found it difficult to communicate with your teammates and coaches because of the language barrier?

Communication has actually been very easy. Baseball has it’s own language so it’s not hard to follow what’s going on during drills. Also, quite a few of the players speak English and most know enough words to get their points across. They’re even helping me out with my Korean. I learned my first phrase today, An-nyeong-ha-se-yo, which means “good morning”. I plan on using it to greet my new teammates at our pre-breakfast stretch in the morning!!

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What have you learned so far from your teammates about South Korea?

Well aside from a few Korean phrases, they’ve been teaching me a little bit about the culture. Koreans are a very polite people, always greeting and bowing to each other in respect. It’s really impressive watching the younger players interact with older players and even older coaches. Respecting your elders takes on a new meaning here. Really makes me realize how informal we are in the states. I’ve also learned that I really had no idea how to use chop sticks. There were quite a few laughs at the site of me attempting to eat rice with them, haha. But after some pointers and very vigilant observation I think I almost have the hang of it!!

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What or who have you found most helpful in making your transition from American baseball to Korean baseball easier?

The great group of people this organization has assembled here. From the staff, to the players, to the assistants. Everyone has been amazing in helping make me feel comfortable and a part of the team. I’m extremely grateful to have been given the chance to work with such great guys.

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What were the reasons that you chose to pursue baseball in Korea? Did you have any specific things that you were particularly excited or nervous about with the opportunity?

Ever since my first experience with international baseball in the Olympic qualifier in ’05, I’ve wanted the opportunity to go abroad and play. I had my first real taste of it in ’07 when I played winter ball in Venezuela. I fell in love with the atmosphere and the intense passion the fans have for the game. And from everything I’ve heard, baseball in Korea is just as amazing, if not more so, than the winter ball experience. I’m beyond excited for opening day!!

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What were some of your fears going into training with the Eagles?

I think my biggest fear was, and somewhat still is, the language barrier. Not knowing a single word of a language you are going to be engulfed in for the better part of a year is a pretty scary proposition. Luckily one of the guys on the staff speaks fluent English and has made himself available to me whenever I need him. (Thanks Phil, you’ve been a life saver!!)

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By now you have had your fair share of Korean meals with the team? What has been your favorite food thus far? Anything that you haven’t liked?

I’ve been absolutely astonished by Korean food. All I’d ever heard about was kimchi and korean bbq and believe me, I was NOT looking forward to kimchi. Granted, there is PLENTY of kimchi at every meal, there are also plenty of other dishes that are DELICIOUS. I’ve had 3 meals a day and have yet to run into anything that I didn’t finish, and wouldn’t eat again. I’m a super picky eater and Korean food gets 2 thumbs up from me YUM!!!

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What are you most looking forward to about the move to South Korea and the upcoming season?

I think I’m looking forward to the experience more than anything. I’ve never been to the Far East before and I’m excited to learn a new culture and see their way of life. It’s always fascinating to experience things I’ve only seen on television and in books. I’m also really excited to get to know my teammates better. They’ve been so great to me thus far, I’m really looking forward to starting the season and getting to know them better.

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GO EAGLES!!