Run Run Run

Last Sunday I found myself on the starting line of a marathon looking across at two men from Kenya. I decided a little earlier in the year that studying abroad wasn't hard enough. So I convinced my friend that we should run a marathon. In all honesty our training was rather poorly planned and had to be changed around all the duties required by us as exchange students. In between nasty weather, sickness, and trips, we were able to get a few two hour runs and a couple 20 mile runs. 

The marathon was....well it was a lot of running. There really aren't any big hits or last minute goals in marathons. There were plenty of rest stations, that included water, sponges, sports drinks, bananas, and crackers which are known as cookies here. Needless to say I was severely disappointed after I discovered my marathon energy fuel was salty and not sweet but sweat has to be replaced.  At the start of the Marathon my friend Dan and I claimed to be having the most fun and believe me when I say we were. We didn't have a time goal, and in fact our main objective was to finish. After about 10 miles the race "stopped being so much fun" however it still wasn't challenging or torture. At the 18 mile mark things started to look a little ruff and thats when we hit our wall. Legs started to cramp and energy levels dropped. Luckily the race had started early in the day because the sun decided to make a surprise appearance that day. Unfortunately Dan and I both forgot sunscreen. We both ended up with red arm sleeves and pink cheeks the next day. 

Upon reaching the last mile of our marathon it became clear that we were going to finish. Ending in high spirits we both raced across the finish line giving out hoots and hollers. After finishing our we received our  medals, towel, and lunch box. Lunch was good and ending in with a time of 4 hours and 50 minutes wasn't reason for disappointment but rather a reason to celebrate.  Watching and running with world class marathoners was a pleasure and a thrill. The man who finished first ran a 2 hour 18 minute marathon! 

All that running and sun tired me out, and after hobbling home and rising in the shower, I passed out on my bed for several hours without moving an inch. I woke up and cooked some fried rice for dinner, which was delicious. With a full belly and tired legs I was ready for a good nights sleep however that never came, and for some odd reason I had my first night of poor sleep in Taipei. 

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