Brooks Half Marathon 2012

On March 11^th I participated in my first half-marathon. I’ve been active since returning to Malaysia by playing squash, ice hockey, futsal, and jogging. However, during the Christmas holidays in Indonesia I decided I wanted to get more serious about running. Although I definitely have been running more since Christmas, I can’t say that I was adequately prepared for a half-marathon. The only other time I participated in an organized run as an adult was the beer run posted below.

Although I wasn’t well prepared, I finished the half-marathon (21k) without stopping once in a time of 2:29. My finish time is an estimate since the official times won’t come out for another week or two. I think the key reason I was able to finish without stopping is that three of my other co-workers were also participating. All of us finished the race and it was a first for everyone. My wife Lyna did the 10k with almost no training and she said it was too easy. She wants to target a half-marathon soon. Hopefully she’ll train for that.

The whole experience was great. My new target is a full marathon in Hat Yai, Thailand near the end of May. Ouch!

Race started just after 5:30 am. We woke up at 3:00 am Sunday morning. We didn't have any drinks the night before and got five hours sleep. We actually felt great!

This picture is simply epic. I only wish I was the focal point rather than the background. This is during the last kilometer. At least the people around me are in good shape. The staggered teh starts of the 21k, 10k and 5k so everyone finished around the same time. I found that kind of lame because so many people were walking in the last kilometer.

I really look like I'm weeping in this picture and that's because I probably am.

The sun blazing in my eyes and the euphoric endorphin rush setting in

Tom Dick & Harry Mou Man Tai Run

           I participated in my first organized run since public school this past Sunday. It was the Tom Dick & Harry Mou Man Tai Run. It was a 5k run with free flow of beer afterwards. There were over 600 participants and it was a really awesome event. For RM 30 you get a dry fit t-shirt, 5k run and free flow beer after the run. I stayed for about 2 ½ hours after. Whether you’re a runner or not, you should come out next year. Wait, don’t come out! More beer for me!

TDH 5K Run

      You gotta support the organizers of such a great event. I arrived about an hour early, so I bought a pitcher of Carlsberg before the race. Drinking beer before a run is something you should never do.

The ladies during warm-ups.

      The race begins. I got off to a slow start, but I picked it up. I'm pretty happy with how well I placed considering I was feeling like hell the whole time due to the pre-race brewskis.

      The best part of the race. Sharing war stories over unlimited Carlsbergs. Being the only large group of foreigners in the race, the photographers and video crewed loved us. I suspect we'll be in some TDH promotions this coming year. That's the price you gotta pay for having such a great time I guess. I'll be there next year, but no pre-race beers.