Training Log Archive: dkonotopetz

Bidanok, Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. Saw a leopard shark, scorpion fish, blue spotted stingray, lion fish, puffer fish, sea snake and cow fish. Awesome dive! Max depth 21.5 meters.

Maloag, Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. Saw a trigger fish, hawkbeak sea turtle (x3), moray eel, clown fish, needle fish and a trevalley fish. Max depth 19 meters. A great way to end 2012.

In Koh Phi Phi, Thailand to see the sunset on the last day in 2012.

At Ice Planet Siam Discovery.

Navy Mini Marathon (10.5 km.)

Warm-up.

A warm run in the middle of "winter" here in Thailand, +27°C at the start at 6:00 am. I lead the race for a few minutes. I got one funny comment from a spectator, "ohhhh falung!". Placed 9th overall and 3rd in the 16-29 age category. The course was long again.

Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5766439
Results: N/A

Warm-up.

Oduya wanted to play tonight, so they set-up a shinny style game. I think we won 13-9. 2 goals, 3 assists, +5 for me. Really fun game and awesome to play on the same team as Oduya again. The highlight was the nice pass by Oduya and the tap in for me.

West on Phetkasem Rd. to Big C Omnoi.

South into the neighbourhood and back.

Around South-East Asia University 6 times and to Big C.

Thailand International Half Marathon (10.5 km.)

Warm-up.

The race started at 6:00 am. and I was feeling good. I ran strong with an even pace until the U-turn point and then I picked up my pace for a strong finish! I placed 2nd in the 16-39 age group and took home a trophy.

Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com?r=5761855
Results: N/A

Warm-up.

I arrived at the rink and took my spot in the dressing room. To my surprise there was someone sitting next to me on my right that I had not seen before. It was none other than the only current NHL player of Kenyan decent. It was Chicago Blackhawks defensemen Johnny Oduya! I got to meet him and found out that he would be playing on my team. Apparently he was getting bored doing drills skating in his homeland of Sweden, so he decided to come on a vacation and play hockey here in Thailand. Unfortunately we did not come out with the win losing 6-1 and in Johnny's words "we got killed". What a thrill...

I woke up at 3:00 am., had a PowerBar and took the metro to Orchard Station. I arrived at the start area shortly after 4:00 am. and I got ready for the race. The gun went off at 5:00 am,, with no 10-1 countdown, which caught some people including myself off guard. This was unexpected since this marathon is a IAAF Gold Label Race! The temperature was 26° C with 77% humidity with no wind! I made my way down Orchard Road with the masses of runners and I was feeling good. I ran through the Fort Canning Tunnel and into the downtown area of the city. It was very cool running in the maze skyscrapers, past the Merlion on my right and over the Esplanade Bridge just before the 6 km. mark. Then I turned into the F1 track, past the grandstands and a jumbotron just before 8 km. displaying a picture of my backyard with snow (submitted by my mother). Man did that look nice, as I was suffering in the heat and the temperature seemed to be rising quickly! I took a gel, as I really needed a boost. The next number of kilometers were uneventful, as I was cruising along making sure to drink water at every aid station. Running into the East Coast Parkway at 12 km. I was feeling really good and I was happy to be running in the shade of the trees. I rounded the U-turn before the 22 km. mark and headed back towards the city. I took a Shotz energy gel provided by the race at 23 km., which sat well with me. But, by 27 km. I felt like I was starting to tire, which I knew was not a good sign! That prompted me to take another gel at 31 km. in an attempt to boost my sodium level. At the 34 km, mark I needed to take a walking break and I "hit the wall". I took another race provided Shotz energy gel at the 34.5 km. mark, as I was really struggling due to no energy and hurting legs in this boring section of the course (nothing really to look at and no spectators). I crossed the Marina Barrage and into the beautiful Gardens by the Bay. The unfortunate thing was there was little shade and the sun was beating down on me! I ran past Marina Bay Sands and then across the Benjamin Sheares Bridge (referred to by some as "Heartbreak Hill"). I focused on short strides when I was running. Despite this I had to take some walking breaks, as my legs were hurting, especially my quads. I descended the bridge and I was relieved to see the 40 km. sign! I was so thirsty by the time I got to the aid station just past 40 km. and I took a final gel, although much later in the race then I would have liked. I planned on taking it at the 37 km. mark. The last aid station before this one was 5 km. back at 35 km.! This was a huge mistake by the organizers if you ask me! I continued along with the finish line near. This was confirmed when I saw the sign that said "1 km. To Go" next to the Esplanade. I climbed the final incline over the Esplanade Bridge and then made a right turn to finish in front of the Pedang!

Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7463671
Results: N/A
Race Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb4XoR7H93Y