running.

My best motivator.

norasing

On our compound, in Bangkok, I have met a friend who’s nickname is “runaholic“. A sticker with this text is shown on the back of his pick-up car. Both he and his wife are used going running many times per year  for official competitions in different places in Thailand.

Some years ago I was invited by him as well, however I was not used running for competitions. I like to run in the neighborhood of my home city. I finished the half-marathon in my home city different times. So what to expect from competitions in a tropical country? With my experiences, it takes me about 30% more energy and you have to run late in the night or early in the morning.

 At that moment I was not used running in official competitions, so I got an opportunity. The first time has been confusing. We started early in the morning on a “wat” (pagoda) compound in the neighborhood of Bangkok. I was surprised as I would not have expected people go running starting and finishing on a pagoda-compound. However this seems to be common use. We started at 5 AM, so before daylight, fortunately in the neighborhood of the sea, so at least “more” fresh air. Not easy the first time with many people and on another continent as well. However I finished without problems, It is used to have food and drinks after the match, all included in the fee paid. People sitting together talking and enjoying .Thai people have food different times per day on millions locations. Life is a real paradox here.

In the mean time I have attended different competitions, in different places. There are many enthusiastic runners in Thailand, senior runners as well. Thailand on the move,

I can recommend joining these competitions.