If you’ve been reading along here for a while you’ll know that we try to sign up for a couple of half marathons a year – not because we particularly enjoy the training {hello 6am alarm calls}, but because we like eating too much to consider ever cutting back so something eventually has to give. And that’s where the running comes in.
I’m no runner – more of a plodder. When I started ‘running’ about five years ago Rich used to tease me relentlessly because I couldn’t run 500m without stopping. Slowly but surely I built up the kms, first entering a 3km ‘run’, then a 5km which was followed by a 10km and then 15km. And now 21kms.
Straight after finishing the Great Wall Half in May {yes there are a lot of steps, yes it is amazing, yes it hurts} we signed up for the Angkor Wat half marathon in Cambodia. The prospect of running around a UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus getting a new stamp in the passport was too good a chance to miss – and Siem Reap is only a 4hour direct flight away from Shanghai.
So here is the Victory Gate in Angkor Wat on Saturday – the day before the race. Looking at the course map we knew we would be running through here around the 15km mark and to say we were a little awestruck and excited is an understatement.
The half started at 6:10am on Sunday morning which meant us leaving the hotel at 5:15am. We got to the starting area around 6am so it was perfect timing and there was no time for nerves or queuing for the toilets.
The race started on time with the wheelchair participants going first at 6am. Far out, what a sight to behold that is when you run past a minefield victim making their way around a 21km course. Talk about a reality check.
Rich and I started off together but a couple of kms in, the adrenaline got too much and I had to duck into the trees for a toilet break:) Truth be known I’d also realised I was going to struggle in the heat and I wanted to go at my own pace and not get stressed about keeping Rich back. Little did I know until after the race, that he was thinking the same which is why he wanted to run with me! Haha he thought running at my pace would be a good idea for a change.
The incredible heat aside, it’s a beautiful flat run around the temples and through lush green trees. The organisers did a fantastic job – there are water stations every 2kms, and bananas and sports drinks at two stations along the way too.
By the time I got to my favourite temple, the Bayon Temple at 18km I have to admit I was doing a run/walk combo. I stopped to take a photo and was astounded that people were taking selfies. All I could think was why would I want a photo of my red, sweaty and grumpy face right now? Rich obviously didn’t think that and I laughed my head off when he showed me his selfie {you don’t need to see his red sweaty non-grumpy face trust me}.
Although Rich runs ahead of me, he’s always there at the finish line with a bottle of water and a beer and a sweaty hug.
So here we are around 8:30am having a beer with a toddler getting his nose picked in the background! Lovely.
The beer was disappointing – my head was saying beer, my body was screaming water. The beer later in the day around the pool tasted much better:)
There are almost 8000 participants and there’s an event for everyone so don’t be put off if you’re not a runner as there’s a 3km run/walk as well as a 10km run/walk. And anyway the 10km runners got a half marathon medal too – no idea how that works but I was a little bit miffed I have to say!
More details on the even can be found here. I can highly recommend it and if you’re in Asia it’s a perfect excuse to visit the incredible temples and meet the beautiful, kind and gentle residents of Siem Reap.
Have you been to Siem Reap? Don’t be shy, what’s the furthest you’ve run before?