Not only did I finish it, I ran it the way I'd intended. I had probably my very worst time in doing these things, but I'll chalk that up to lack of rest, some jet lag, the temperature and incredible humidity. But regardless, even when my calves were spasming and I couldn't summon the will to start running again after walking for a bit, I was still in awe. You know you're doing something special when amidst lots of various body failures and pain, you turn, admire your surroundings and just say "wow". It was a combination of little high fives from the children lining the route, and the idea we actually had the place sort of to ourselves, the runners owning the road in the otherwise highly congested Angkor area. The race was well run with water every 2km's and I think I drank 6 water bottles in addition to what I carried and I still lost 8lbs on the run.
Running as in some other sports takes place in your head. Sure, your legs and toso do the work, but it's your head that makes best times and defines the experience. And from watching another sunrise colour the sky over Angkor Wat waiting to begin, to passing a dozen elephants within the ruins and complexes to the smiling happy faces of the locals that celebrated our personal accomplishment, this was a day for me to cherish until I die. Sometimes running isn't about the road, sometimes it's about the heart, and mine's bursting today.
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