I've heard it referred to as "fight street" (in tuff talk) - a stretch of road in Phuket lined with training camps for several combat sports as well as crossfit gyms, places to eat, thai massage and other establishments that support the theme. It draws an international selection of athletes, martial artists and the fitness focussed.
My time here was mostly spent at Tiger Muay Thai & MMA with my wooly pyjamas stored at the other end of the road. When in transit, I'd pass by cafe seating and stern looks from all over the world.
After a few classes where I'd proven myself hard to kill, the vibe seemed different with nods and waves from recognised training partners.
I later noted that the grim faces at meal times went with slowed movement when getting up from a chair, or a favoured leg to limp the steps. Battle hardened or war weary?
Frequency with intensity has its toll. I was late to get a handle on dehydration. Apart from first thing in the morning, I didn't have a piss to colour-check. By day's end, exhaustion wasn't looking for more problems to solve.
In hindsight, I can see a stupider contributing factor to my dehydration. I hadn't bought the bulk water conveniently available in the accommodation foyer because of a logo on the label. This was badly-timed consumer resistance. I already had my misgivings about bottled water in general, but now here was the brand stamp of Nestle - world hydration overlord.
I bought 6L of a different brand (likely a Nestle subsidiary), and set my resistance plans to the long game. Global water privatisation wasn't going to be solved with 60 baht.
The all-inclusive training package allowed a daily timetable of impact, crush, twist and stretch options. I wanted to at least try most things on the menu. These discomforts were the paid-in-advance currency of endurance, strength and skill. Super size me.
Even the yoga became a minefield of cramping body parts.
A few days in, I joined a morning fitness session. This was just a chance to see a beach on Phuket's southern coast. It was also the first photo for this trip.
My time here was mostly spent at Tiger Muay Thai & MMA with my wooly pyjamas stored at the other end of the road. When in transit, I'd pass by cafe seating and stern looks from all over the world.
After a few classes where I'd proven myself hard to kill, the vibe seemed different with nods and waves from recognised training partners.
I later noted that the grim faces at meal times went with slowed movement when getting up from a chair, or a favoured leg to limp the steps. Battle hardened or war weary?
Frequency with intensity has its toll. I was late to get a handle on dehydration. Apart from first thing in the morning, I didn't have a piss to colour-check. By day's end, exhaustion wasn't looking for more problems to solve.
In hindsight, I can see a stupider contributing factor to my dehydration. I hadn't bought the bulk water conveniently available in the accommodation foyer because of a logo on the label. This was badly-timed consumer resistance. I already had my misgivings about bottled water in general, but now here was the brand stamp of Nestle - world hydration overlord.
I bought 6L of a different brand (likely a Nestle subsidiary), and set my resistance plans to the long game. Global water privatisation wasn't going to be solved with 60 baht.
The all-inclusive training package allowed a daily timetable of impact, crush, twist and stretch options. I wanted to at least try most things on the menu. These discomforts were the paid-in-advance currency of endurance, strength and skill. Super size me.
Even the yoga became a minefield of cramping body parts.
A few days in, I joined a morning fitness session. This was just a chance to see a beach on Phuket's southern coast. It was also the first photo for this trip.
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