Twin Lotus 2011

Twin Lotus Half Marathon (ดอกบัวคู่ มินิ-ฮาล์ฟมาราธอน)
26 June 2011
Suan Luang Rama IX Park (Srinakarin 55), Bangkok
5:30am

It was a struggle out there today. But hey, I survived.

The early Sunday started with Nan and I waking up at 3:30am. After having bagels for breakfast, we drove to Rama IX park to join the event I ran two years ago.

Got my number and went to the start line 10 min before the gun. The first part went rather smoothly. Quick, but controlled pace. Then, after a mini surge, I got pain on my right stomach area at around km 12-13 and the side stitch got more intense as the race went on. Couldn’t take a full breath. Even felt like throwing up.

Around km 18 I felt terrible and had to stop and walked— something I had never done in a race something I only did once in a race (back in 2008 Bangkok Marathon). This type of pain never happened to me before. I think it may be caused by a lack of warmup and going out a bit too hard.

The course was all right today. The sun wasn’t too strong. The staff was helpful directing the route. The distance markers were lacking though. There were maybe only 4-5, irregularly spaced, in the whole course. So it was not easy gauging my pace. It probably wouldn’t matter anyhow, since I was struggling so much. It was about pain management more than achieving any time goal in the second half of the race.

In the last km, I picked up the pace and wanted it to be over. I was happily surprised to obtain a personal best in this difficult race. I got in at about the same time as the 60+ age group winner.

Finish time (self timed): 1:36:02 (7:20 min/mi, 4:33 min/km). PB by about 13 min.

The lively event had 2,400 participants, with 500 running the half, 1300 the 10 km, and 600 the 5 km fun run. The half marathon male winner is Boonthueng Srisang (บุญถึง ศรีสังข์) in 1:10:xx. I stood right next to him at the start line. Took 2 seconds for him to disappear in the front. The female winner is Saifon Biawong (สายฝน เปี้ยวงศ์). In the 10 km, Sanchai Namkhet (สัญชัย นามเขตต์) and Sonthiya Saiwaew (สนธิยา สายแวว) won it. (source).

extra pics:

Half time

Last Sunday, I ran in the heat for 65 mins and got mild fever and chills afterwards. Luckily, the illness lasted for about one day. Was able to resume my running without much problem.

Signed up for a half marathon in Bangkok this Sunday. Waited till Thursday to register because I wasn’t really sure of my condition. But it’s been long enough that I’ve gone race-less. I want to get out there and spend some time on a race course.

It’s been two years since my last 21km. In recent months, the training has been unstructured, lacking any longish runs. Anyhow, I’ve been consistent and should be ready. I will be following the WS100 action later in the day.