Bangkok: The Marathon

After months of training, I felt ready to finally run this marathon. At 5pm on Saturday, we ordered pasta to the room and I went to bed at 7pm. I set the alarm for 1am so I could make some instant coffee and grab a taxi. I seriously would have walked to the start line if there had been an open Starbucks on the way. During the 20 minute taxi ride I saw tons of people shopping for fruits and vegetables at night markets, and several people on their way home after a night at the bars. I managed to eat a boiled egg, Clif bar, and banana, and drink a water bottle. I decided to carry the Nathan waist pack with two water bottles (small), 5 hammer gels, and my iPhone for texting/pictures/music. There weren't many people at the start line at 2am, so I was able to stretch and use the bathroom - on a bus! - in peace. At 2:45am they started herding us towards the start line. The announcers said lots of stuff in Thai, and there was a lot of arm waving, and then we started.

The first 16 miles or so were on a desolate highway, which didn't bother me because I am not the type to look around while running. Every 2km there was a water stop, so I walked for 20 seconds or so and doused my head in ice water. Yes, it was hot and humid in the middle of the night.  Not as bad as I had imagined, but still hot. Every couple stops they had gatorade and only about three times they had bananas. I was so happy I had my gels.

Sunrise on bridge

Mini marathon??

I stopped to take pictures once the sun came out and I got off the highway. We passed some pretty buildings, none of which I recognized. But I did see a scary lizard dragon animal come out of the water.  I did my cockroach jump squeal that I do at least two times during any run in Manila.

Swimming mutant dragon

Official-looking building

At 32km I still felt great, at 35km I felt ok, but at 38km I was sure my legs were broken.  It took lots of self encouragement to keep going. When I finally saw the finish line I got a 17th wind and sprinted to the end. Granted, it took me 5 hrs 18 mins to finish, but I have never been so happy to stop running.  The Shark had already run the half and was waiting for me at the end. The first 20 minutes after the race I felt terrible, but by the time we got back to the hotel I felt a lot better. Oh, and here's a tip: don't wear hot pink underwear during a marathon, apparently they run dye down your legs and also pool in the seat of the taxi - sorry Thai taxi driver, hope we tipped you well!

Dragon arch

Old fort

We spent the afternoon riding the train and going to the park. It was only around 1 million degrees out and Toto insisted on me carrying her most of the way.

My ankles, knees and hips were sore, but a 90 minute Thai hot herbal massage and a tall beer(s) took care of that. Will I run another marathon? Not sure. I enjoyed the discipline of having a training schedule, but disliked running in humid polluted Manila.  I'll probably stick to shorter distances and hope to get some big hikes in next year. Any marathons in your future?