Half Marathon

On Sunday December 5th I ran a 1/2 Marathon. This was something I had toyed with for a while. When I lived in the Midwest I had friends run mini marathons and thought it was something I could do, but I never really wanted to put the time in for training. Yes I run, but I run for me. I run because it helps me drain my brain, as I put it. It relieves my stress and is a great way to stay in shape...but this time I just couldn't help myself.

The idea to run the 1/2 took root in August while chatting with some friends. The lure for this run came from the location. The entire course was around Angkor Wat, an area of ancient temples, and well...I just don't think a course can get much better then that. The route would be shaded and it was thrilling to think about running past all that history. So I looked on-line to find a training schedule and started trying to talk some of my friends into running it as well.

Over the next 4 months I trained and got up to 10 miles before I started having a couple problems...the first being body issues such as a hurt foot and knee pain and secondly I was being chased by dogs. Neither of these issues am I a big fan of. But as the Race Day approached I found myself just wanting it to be over. I had been getting up at 5am to go running in an attempt to avoid dogs and the heat. The joy of running was being sucked out of me because I had to run a certain amount on certain days which gets tiring and mentally exhausting as you have issue that come up and a dead line you are trying to meet.

Heather and I before the race

The day before the race I caught a ride up to Seim Reap and had dinner with a friend who was also running. My one goal was to make it in under 3 hours. With my foot pain I hadn't been able to run for about a week and had no idea how far back this might set me. I originally was aiming for under 2 hours and 30 mins. By the morning of the race I just wanted the time to slip by and be done with it. There was a level of excitement as we lined up. But I started to also feel inadequate as all these people were dressed in super professional gear. I was wearing a painting shirt and shorts I got in the Russian Market for 2 dollars. As I pondered this I told myself it must just be the "smoke and mirrors" routine and prepared to start.

My friend Heather who was running as well gave me some advice. She told me to keep my pace steady and I would be surprised at how many people I would pass before I finished. So heading her words I started the race and found a pace I felt I could run for 13 miles. As I was running I noticed that some of the very professionally dressed people were speed walking, not running...but some were running as well. It was a great place to run and I enjoyed the sights as I passed the Kilometers. At the 5 Km mark I realized I was holding a 10 min mile and if I did that I would finish in under 2.5 hours.

So with determination I kept my pace and watched as fellow racers stopped to take pictures in front of a few temples, ran into the woods to pee, and took pictures with all the kids lining up to slap our hands. But I kept running. The rhythm seemed to flow through my legs and even in moments when my foot started to hurt or my knee felt tight I gave myself a little pep-talk. It went something like this, "Really? I don't think so. It isn't that much longer and then you can hurt all you want." It worked and I found myself on the final stretch pain free and still making good time.

The final stretch!

 As I neared the end another friend and her husband were standing on the side cheering for me. As soon as she saw me she started yelling my name and encouraging me to run. I had a water bottle still in my hand and as I passed her I felt it was time for the final sprint. In a very dramatic move, not really intentional but the way these things happen, I took a last swig of water, and threw my bottle to the ground. I reached inside and tried to pull out the last of what ever I might be holding back. I can't say I had much left in me but I pushed it all out and hit the finish line at 2 hours and 24 mins.

My friend Heather was also correct in her advice. I passed more people and chuckled inside because slow and stead does win the race. It is about pacing yourself and finding things to help encourage you along the way. I thought of my friend Beate yelling and cheering for me and the renewed sense of energy it brought to me. I feel in some ways that the Marathon was kind of like my year here. I had my markers of knowing when I would be done, I had to find my pace and keep at it, and like my new certificate from the Marathon it is about being a Finisher. It is about holding to the task you are given and finding out that you can end well, but like all things it will end.

Finisher!

I can't say I got up and ran these last two weeks or when I might run again. I am enjoying staying up later and sleeping in longer. I am spending time with the people here who have come to mean so much in my life. Because my time here is ending too. I see the markers come and feel the pain of saying good bye. But I try to hold it off because I am not there, yet.