Running races in Thailand

Thailand is not the ultimate running destination when it comes to climate if you don’t like hot. Hotter. Or even hotter weather. Or humidity. With over 80% humidity and the heath near to 30 degrees it is difficult to run if you are not used to it. During my two weeks vacation in Asia I have been using my running shoes a minimum amount of times because I prefer the gym in these conditions. But last day of my holiday I had signed up for Krabi Scenic half marathon in Krabi, Thailand. A very well organized race with option to run 3, 5, 10 or 21K. I signed up for both 5K and 21K.

Beach run 5K

At Saturday afternoon the 5K beach run took place. I had prepared to bring an old pair of running shoes that I could leave behind after and I had used them during the whole trip so it was a risky choice since they had some holes so to say. There were quite many participants in the run but only one start group and timing started at the same time for everyone so I took place at the front line. My aim was to go fast. Two guys and one girl was faster than me the first 500ed meters but then I passed the girl and increased the distance all times. I had a nice flow when running over the sand. It was quite hard packed the first four kilometers so it wasn’t too bad for the legs. Then the second guy had started too hard and slowed down. Me and the first guy kept on being the leader the last 2,5 kilometers. I thought maybe, maybe I had a chance to win but I didn’t wanted to look back and kept on focusing forward. With 700 meters to go it was a turn and I saw no one close by. It was going to be a final competition between the Thai guy and me. I was giving everything trying to find the best paths to run at but during the final meters he passed me and finished two meters in front of me. I could not have finished faster so hey, second place overall wasn’t too bad and first female (picture where I am dead in the background). And new 5K PB at 20:40.

The race was a very generous and well arranged one. Comfy tshirts, nice medals, a lot of food and drinks to all finishers and some other goodies. Unfortunately there were no trophies handed out for the top finishers in 5K and 3K races.

Krabi scenic half marathon

At 04:30 the night after the 5K beach race the start for the half marathon took place. I choose hotel strategically and booked myself in at one of the race hotel where the shuttle to the start would depart from. Still early morning hours and I had a canned coffee tasting sugar and a snickers for breakfast. Was absolutely not feeling for eating this time but had to force myself. My goal was to run slow. Between 1:50-2:00 hours. I started slow keeping my pace and did it consistent during the run. Walked some steps every two kilometers at the water stations. It was crazy hot. And humid. Same for everyone though. I had good flow from time to time where my legs were running on autopilot but here and there I wondered what I was doing running in the middle of the night. Crazy stuff that non runners would not understand. There were many international runners in the races and many from UK, Russia and New Zealand I noted among the flags on each bib. At 18K we passed my hotel and motivation to continue additional 3K was bottom low. I just wanted a shower and my bed. Until here it had been all dark and of course there was nothing scenic about the route until then because it took us through a highway. Here the scenic part started and that part I had walked at least four times every day since I arrived.

Slowly the last kilometers passed by one by one. I passed two or three other females and finished within my goal. They also handed out a lot of food and drinks and ice cream after but the only thing I wanted was my shower so I left as fast as possible. Got a tuktuk back to the hotel. When I checked in the results in the morning I noted I wasn’t doing it very bad. 21st place among females and 4th in my age group. There were trophies in this race for age group top 5 which I completely missed out but they organizers said they will send it to me.

It was tough running two races this close by but I wanted to try it out. Overall it was a very good arrangement but I wonder what the qualifications are to call a race scenic? now I look forward to run in colder temperatures. The fresh autumn air is absolutely my favorite.

/ Pernilla that look forward to fresh air