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