Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!! Happy New Year my friends! Although I wasn't born in the year of the snake, I've got a feeling this is going to be a great year! FYI...I was actually born in the year of the rat. It's quite appropriate since I was named after Remy, the adorable chef rat, in Ratatouille. I certainly can't cook like him, but we do share the same impeccable sense of smell!
Well shoot! I can't believe we're already full swing into February and I've yet to dial in on a New Year's resolution. I had hoped to have something squared away before the Chinese New Year, but time really got away from me. Let's see....lose some weight?? Nah, did that last year! Now I'm a lean, mean, 5kg ween! Hmmmm...maybe take up a new hobby? Ehhhh, what's the point?? I guess I'll figure something out...if not there's always next year, right?
My parent's on the other hand stuck to one of their 2012 New Years resolutions: run their first half marathon! They completed the 21k race last December in Siem Reap, Cambodia. They chose this race because of it's famous scenic route that leads runners right through the heart of the Angkor Wat temple complex. In case you didn't know, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. The intricate designs and impressive architecture of the Hindu and Buddhist temples makes it hard to believe they were constructed in the late 12th century. My parent's knew their beautiful surroundings would help distract them from the difficult task at hand.
 |
| Many rounds of beer were consumed here! |
 |
Ta Prohm Temple (aka Tomb Raider Temple)
|
 |
| The tree and temple unite as one!!! |
 |
| Smiley :) |
 |
| Angkor Wat Complex |
 |
| Kompong Pluk Stilt Village on Tonle Sap Lake |
 |
| The older children watch over the young while the parents are out fishing all day. |
I should mention that getting to Cambodia was another challenge in itself. My parents, along with their good friend and fellow race participant Anne, braved the "four hour" bus ride to the Thai Cambodian border. As you might expect, four hours was more like six and they still had to pass through immigration in both countries, then finish it off with two hour taxi ride from the border to their hotel. In the end, it took about ten hours to get there, but they were in no hurry. Also, why pay $500 for a forty-five minute plane ride when you could get there round trip by land for less than $30? It was worth the trouble just in extra beer and souvenir money alone!
4:30am - Time to rise and run!!! After months of training, race day had finally arrived. My parents crossed the start line at 6:00am just as the sun was peaking over the lotus shaped towers of Angkor Wat. The shaded, peaceful route was lined with hundreds of enthusiastic Cambodians, many of which smiling children, high-fiving and cheering them on. They passed a few monkeys around the sixth kilometer who seemed only slightly amused with the thousands of joggers swarming around them. They ran, and ran, and ran some more. Around kilometer number nineteen, just as they were about to hit the wall, they reached a water station buzzing with smiling Cambodia children. The kids giggled as they handed them icy-cold cups of water. They even ran along side my parents for the next couple meters and cheered them on as they continued off into the distance. It was more than enough motivation to keep my parents going until the end!
They passed through the South Gate and zeroed in on the final approach. With the scorching Southeast Asian sun beating down on their sweat soaked backs, their bodies aching and fatigued, they finally could see the finish line in the distance. The adrenaline kicked in and they quickened their stride to a full force sprint, crossing the finish line in 2:06:31! Yahoooooooo! THEY DID IT!!!
 |
| Post Race Glow! |
I'm not much of a drinker, but I bet the rounds of ice cold beer they enjoyed that evening while celebrating with friends had never tasted so good! They definitely earned them!
 |
| Time to CELEBRATE!!! |
What's my parent's New Year's resolution this year?! Perhaps a full marathon? If not this year, it's certainly on the bucket list!
