The package for the Thailand Temple Run was great. I wouldn't have changed anything. Mark and I were greeted with a limo driver and taken to our hotel, pronto. We were a little worried that by getting in so early, we'd have to hang in the lobby until we got into our rooms. Not the case. We were able to check in at 5:30 am and then had a nap before we set out to see Bangkok. The Amari Watergate Hotel was great. The food? Fabulous. The location? Wonderful, especially as we love market shopping. It was a great first impression of Bangkok. We met Raimund the race coordinator (or something like that) the next day waiting for our first excursion. He was great fun. I had a hard time believing he was our fearless leader as he was too fun and socialized with us with ease. Often leaders are too serious and are so worried about how things run, they forget to enjoy it. That comes off to the Travelers.

The excursion to see the floating markets and the race course was wonderful. Mark and I met many people and from the volume of chatter in the bus and vans, it seemed like everyone else was having a great time. Several times the bus convoy stopped and Raimund got out to make sure every van knew something about the spot (this is the half marathon turn around or this is the last toilet in this direction...) The location of the race was lovely and had we not taken a full day to tour and enjoy it, it would have been missed during the race. Our lunch at a home-stay was also wonderful.

The pasta party was not much looked forward to by most of the people we met on the trip. Well, we have all been to at least one and they're all the same. Great for socializing, but the over cooked pasta with canned sauces are not great. They get the carbs in you, but hey... the taste buds miss out. The pasta party at the Amari Watergate had us all stunned. This was FINE dining. We'd pick the pasta, the chefs made a sauce right there for you... it was heaven. This was no "pasta party", this was good Italian dining.

That night the TTR doctor made himself very available. I was worried about meeting up with him, but since Raimund remembered that I have both a heart condition and a bum shin, he brought himself over. The doctor was wonderful and spent much time with me. I felt I was the only one around. This was very helpful as I credit his advice for doing well in such extreme conditions.

The race day itself was a shocker to many. It was 38 degrees with 90% humidity. The early evening start made it worth while, I think. My only goal, as this was my first half, was to finish and enjoy myself. And I did. There were more than enough ice water sponges at each station and not once did my ticker flutter. I ran with a camera and took the time to photograph the kids cheering along the way. I think it was the best way to do my first half. I ran much slower than I did at home in Brisbane, but I have never run in such conditions. I wasn't going for a certain time, I was running for a good time, and a good time I had. Mark also enjoyed his run even though it was very difficult. We agreed that you have to know what you're getting into.

This is the tropical summer. You're not going to run a PB. Mark's marathon time was an hour slower, but he said it was a great run. Running the TTR is not like running a normal race. It's flat. It's not like the extreme conditions of a mountainous race, but the temperature is more than most people expect. So running it and finishing it at any time is a victory.

The last gathering for the post race party in the Amari's pub was bitter sweet. Another great time, but we all knew that we were leaving the next day. While not one... NOT ONE marathoner or halfer was out on the dance floor (we were the ones taking much advantage of the free nibbles and the stools to sit on) several of us were the last ones to leave the pub at closing time.

I gather from listening to others that we were all of the same opinion, it was a very well run and organized package and the race itself was very brutal, but that made it all the more impressive to complete.

Mark and I stayed in Thailand for another week and a half. Travelling Fit made our arrangements for almost the entire trip. Our extensions to Chiang Mai and the Chiang Mai overland trek were great. Not a hitch. The Tamarind Hotel was gorgeous and getting from the Amari to the Tamarind was smooth as Thai silk. I think everything went so smoothly, because all the descriptions were accurate and when we had questions for Mari-Mar, she got back to us quickly. We were well prepared. I'd advise anyone up for something different to try the Chiang Mai Overland Tour. The guide was very friendly and helpful. We dubbed him the Thailand Bush Tucker Man.

I wish I could tell you what advice I'd give to improve the race package or Travelling Fit's arrangements of the extensions, but really... there is nothing to improve upon.

It was so great, that Mark and I started planning our next destination marathon to Berlin or Rome while still in Thailand. I'm sure we could have saved money and done the Bangkok stay ourselves, but in our opinion, it was really worth the money to be part of a package with other racers. I don't think we'd have met as many people on our own.

The race package is well worth the price.

Katy