The day before the 100k ultra Marathon race.

Me with the Crepe Cafe coffee shop owner

I woke today feeling overwhelming full from all the food I ate at the night market last night, mango sticky rice, sweet banana, strawberries and papaya salad.

Me and my mother staying at a brand-new hostel in Pak Chong which is very nice. The halls are lined with bamboo and the interior is tastefully designed.

Last night I sat at a table beside the family who own the hostel whilst making coaching calls to the athletes I’m working with. The family sat eating their evening meal together whilst I was happily video chatting talking about running loops for 8hrs and standing in the hot desert sun for 12hrs and how this is training for ultra.

First thing on the checklist today for me is a coffee made from freshly ground beans. 

In search I take a walk about the busy streets of Pak Chong, mopeds whizzing by stacked high of boxes and handlebars holding plastic bags full of shopping. 

By sheer chance I find a coffee shop which I visited a few years ago with a delightful atmosphere. The pleasant lady and was just opening so I said I would return in five minutes. I took a walk around enjoying the hustle and bustle of the start of the coming day. Returning to the coffee shop I sit down to are very welcome and cup of Joe.

I read on the news that my father shared with me the world health organisation “WHO” declared a national emergency over this new virus that has been identified in China.

50% of the almost 10,000 cases have emerged from the city of Wuhan which is where I actually flew into when the virus was first discovered. This was my connecting flight from London to Bangkok.

But after 30 days of leaving that country I feel fine and I’m not worried for my health.

Whilst looking for a coffee shop I found the streets are lined with barbers so now I’m waiting to have a cut throat shave from some local barbers.