MAF run in morning. Almost didn’t go out this morning as I was dreading the cold. But will power got me out the door and found the weather, albeit cold, but not all too unpleasant.
A 1 hour MAF run was prescribed by coach, so I planned a run to the southwestern edge of the palace moat and run back. But the cool weather was quickly getting comfortable as my body warmed up, and as I approached the turnaround point, and after gazing upon the mist rising from the moat water with the palace walls reflected in the purple pre-dawn sky, and witnessed not a small number of Myanmarese going about their morning exercise, I opted to go around the moat instead, added about 5 more kilometers to my run.
More and more of the local customs did I witness. A large flock of pigeons rained pass me as they fluttered towards the corn distributed by a kind lady. Elderly on the exercise machines spaced along the moat edge. Joggers in full suits that made me look like I dressed inadequately in the cold morning air trotted in the opposite direction. Running in the morning can truly be wonderful.
After breakfast, once we got into the van for our tour, Yurika noticed signs for the Mandalay Mini Marathon scheduled for Saturday, two days from now. Why did I not see these signs? I ran passed them this morning and did not even bother to recognize them? My flight was on Saturday afternoon, so there is time to race! I immediately asked Zin whether the registration for the Mandalay Mini Marathon is still open. After a few calls, he happily informed me that all we need to do is to go to the start line and register. So off we went to the start line where we saw a tiny table with three ladies manning the registration. 300 Kyat later (about 25 US cents), I left the table with a numbered tank top and smile on my face. I’m going to race!
So we saw more of Mandalay. Took a boat across the Ayeyarwady River to see more pagodas and ruins. White pagoda, half built brick pagoda.
theRUNS.net 