Out of the frying pan and into the fire; Or, Week 6 Run 1 - Thailand

[DeeRunning]

The only thing worse than bragging on a forum about being at a beautiful beach, is actually being at said beautiful beach and being advised not to swim in it. Jellyfish: my new nemesis.

The ocean mocks me as I sit and stare at it with longing. What fresh hell is this? I mock the dead jellyfish as I pass them washed up on the sand.

Gutted.

So ... the run. I was going to run the shady path along the hotel drive, but I got lost and ended up at the beach. Shall I up the training and run on the sand? Sure, why the hell not? 🙄 Began the first run. It was very, very hot and I had somehow ended up in the sun. Again. Oh well. Keep running.

I didn't want to do this run today and had to force myself out. I appreciated the stop start though, because yesterday was a long-ish travel day, with bad travel food, and a bad night's sleep. I was feeling pretty cranky. The run was lovely though, and smoothed away my sharp edges. There was so much to take in; the walk sections provided an opportunity to see squirrels, lizards, shells, rockpools and coral. Ok, I may have taken some perverse pleasure in squashing some jellyfish in the sand. Maybe.

I ended up around a rocky cove and onto another beautiful, empty beach. A pack of wild dogs were always ahead of me, stopping to stare, then trotting on as if to encourage me further. They helped with the 8 minute run, urging me on. Perhaps they were mystical animal totems sent to guide my way. Or perhaps they were just hungry and were foraging for food. 🐕🐕 🍗🥓

Overall a good running sesh, but it wasn't an easy one. It will be interesting to see how week six pans out in my jellyfish-infested paradise. Had a much needed cool down session in the pool with the spa jets massaging my legs and shoulder. A big brekkie, a long walk on the beach, and now I'm back to gazing with longing at the empty sea.

🐢 🐌🍍🌞

[sallenson Graduate]

Oh Dee! Your life sounds like a speeded up 5-star version of Dante's Inferno.

I'm glad it's beautiful and that the dogs don't snack on you. But not being able to swim would send me bonkers.

Well done for running and running beautifully no doubt. But oh those jellyfish. Nasti nasti

A chapter for the book though.

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Totally, Dante on crack. 😀 🔥🔥I will probably be confronted with newly created sand dunes for Wednesday's run 😂😂 There are heaps of lovely pools in the hotel (and we have a pool villa), but we booked here to swim in the sea. Real bummer. We just waded in knee deep then went, nah, not worth possibly ruining the next 5 days. Hubby was stung by jellyfish in Koh Samui last year so we've kinda been there already. Does a jellyfish strike twice? Dare we find out?

All good though. Lucky and grateful to be here x

[Jell6 Graduate]

Fab photo, it looks beautiful. Even in the heat and added jellyfish you pulled it off.

Plus a bit of mysticism to boot.🤩

Wonderful, I look forward to your next post 😘

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Jell6]

It was a lovely morning (pic was from this arvo) and had beach to myself. A real privilege. Can I do 25 mins on sand on Friday tho? Remains to be seen! 🤔

[_SimonT_ Graduate]

Wow! Sounds idyllic! Well done running on sand! 😀

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

Thank you! It's a lovely part of the country. It was actually pretty good on sand, just stayed on the really firm part. Hardest bit was the gradient, one leg being on the higher part of the slope.

[lexi6 Graduate]

Now that is a seriously beautiful beach, never been to Thailand, but have family who lived there who now live in Hong Kong. Apart from the heat, would love to run along that beach aah! Lovely. Not sure about the dogs though, in a previous life I used to be a postie, whenever and wherever, even on holiday always chased by ‘em. You have done well grasshopper🦗

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Yes this is now my favourite beach I think. We come to Thailand a lot, it's so close so we're super lucky. I love south east Asia.

Wow that's some serious history with dogs! 😲They're ok here, pretty mellow and it's really too hot for them to do more than find a shady area for a kip. They are on the hotel grounds too so perhaps they're not too hungry.

[lexi6 Graduate in reply to DeeRunning]

My best/worst dog chase was in Vanautu, there for a day, wandered through Port Vila looking at the shops, then it and our hotel were boarded up, for a week, cyclone season “Who knew?” I suspect the travel agent did, penny dropped aah thats why so holiday so cheap. Confined to b——y barracks until a day before we were due to go home, weather cleared so we hired a little scooter, drove through local villages enjoying the scenery until the doggies sussed me out. Aargh! And then another time there was our visit to The States and a day trip to Tijuana, Mexico, a border guard called Regina and ——— oops sorry forgot where I was. Had a friend who helped run the Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand and died in the Boxing Day Tsunami, if she’d been around she would have those dogs off the street pronto. Enjoy the rest of your week 6 runs and without a hint of envy enjoy them spa jets.🐶

[Christianne57 Graduate]

Well done on your eventful but beautifully scenic run!

Flippin' jellyfish though!!

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Christianne57]

Thanks Christianne57 ! So grateful to be doing week 6 in such a beautiful place. So disappointing re jellyfish, but I've got to respect their turf. I don't have to like it but I will respect it 😀

[JulesG1 Graduate]

We were given some burkini type all in one suits to wear in Australia (including mitts and hoods)) because of box jellyfish. Add snorkelling masks and flippers, we were quite a site. We all swore not to take photos of each other so I can’t give you a good laugh. What a shame though, at least you can run on the beach, I was warned off because of a rogue crocodile. Enjoy your 25 minutes on the beach. 🍸

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to JulesG1]

Photo evidence would be hilarious! I don't think I'd go to that extent to go scuba diving. Omg or was that just for swimming?? 😂😂 I certainly admire your commitment though! Bloody crocs, spoiling a day out. Hate it when they go rogue.

[Ripcurlrana71]

Wow Dee amazing running ‘track’!! And super well done on running in that heat and sand! I for one really hate it! Saying that it’s going to be 18 degrees in sunny Bournemouth for my final run this morning 😫. Anyway back to you ....you deserve a few cocktails now 🍹. 🤩

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

It's a scorcher in Bournemouth! Congrats on your run. Epic achievement my friend xx

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to DeeRunning]

Thanks Dee!! Enjoy your holiday. X

[Pippayoungart Graduate]

I used to live in thailand as a child and got stung by one of those pesky jellyfish. I still have the scar 50 years later so don’t be tempted to try going for a dip! Good work on running in that heat...i got up early to run this morning because i thought the predicted 15 degrees for later might be a bit hot...😳

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Pippayoungart]

These jellies are such a problem. Wow you still have the scar... they are brutal for such delicate looking beasties. Husband stung last year so we're being very cautious. It is difficult though. The water is so inviting *sigh*

[Marvo69 Graduate]

I am too envious to congratulate you. I don't have to like your run, but I respect it 😄

I assume you know what to do in the event of a jellyfish sting. Just don't do it in the spa.

Lovely post and I'm sure you don't have any sharp edges!

Good job Dante Dee. 🔥

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Marvo69]

LOL you make me laugh. Don't be too envious, it's also rainy season so torrential downpours every day. A lot of time has been spent looking at rain and sea 😀⛈🌧☔

[Marvo69 Graduate]

Where are you Dee... You must be due a run in some baking paradise by now! We're missing your posts!

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Marvo69]

Oh you're so sweet to check in Matt, thanks mate. Yep I've done a couple more (undocumented, gasp!) runs. Finished week 6 in the inferno (which is actually cooler than HK 😲). Travel back home today, will be week 7 tomorrow or Monday, depending how I feel. Will maybe put together a wee post while waiting for plane 🐌🐢

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Oh how cruel not being able to swim in the sea, but at least you have the pool. Thank you for sharing your holiday with us. 🌴🏃‍♀️🐕🌞

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Aww sweet, love the emojis Dexy5 😀 Yes it was weird not being able to go in the sea. Everytime I felt brave, I'd spot a dead jellyfish washed up on the sand, and all courage failed me. Back to the pool for me lol