As the days tick down to the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon, it’s always a good idea to recall the reasons why I’m racing. Ultimately, the mental motivation is what will get me from the start to the finish ,just as much as the training will prepare my body.
Running adds a special dimension to my experience of the places I travel. I never want to leave without attempting to run. Walking about is one thing and I’ve certainly done my share of walking tours. But it’s still a vastly different thing to go about at a faster pace, see more in a shorter period of time, and experience how locals react to someone running in their midst. (Or, if I get up early enough, get to see places without the crowds milling about.) Running outdoors is always an adventure and I am so excited for my next one at Angkor Wat!
Running is also a celebration of health, regardless of how quickly or slowly I go. To be healthy enough to be out on the road, I am always overcome by a feeling of sheer thankfulness that I can engage in this sport.
Lastly I run in support of causes. The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon benefits the cardiac and nutritional programs of the Angkor Wat Hospital for Children. I hope my experience this year can inspire others to sign on for next year. The hospital is a charity hospital, so fundraising is very important to keep their operations going. Thanks to Manulife and the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon, children like Sosophea in the video below can continue to get the help they need.
I am so grateful for this opportunity and am doing my best so I can do justice to this race. I will be taking video of everything on the trip and editing it into another travel vlog, so please subscribe to my Youtube channel so you can get updates on when I upload the video from the trip!
