Taroko International Marathon November 2006

Finally it was time! Over the past two to three months, we were finding time between our busy schedules, to practice for this long waiting marathon. For many of us it was a first and we embraced every second of the journey. It was magical!

Friday evening me and Mary rushed home after class and packed the last few things. We were ready to go on a trip to Hualian! Our fist time and we were very very excited. We hopped on "ou

vlamma" and raced

through the busy county traffic, just to be on time

for our train at Taipei Mainstation. We arrived there with a big bang and grabbed a

bite and lovely Starbucks Quandi(to die for) at the 7eleven express. We hung around for a while seeing that we were a little early and finally went to go to our train. We were shocked to find out that our tickets were booked for 9:30 the morning and not for the evening. Very disappointed, we got

our tickets extended

to the next train. Luckily it we met up with Tinus and us 3 were on the

same train. But

that was not all. The train was delayed and we

had to wait another 20 minutes.

By now, as most of you who know me very well, I was getting a little irritated because I knew that I wasn't gonna get enough sleep before the race. I immediately stuck in my earplugs and tried to go to never never land. After 3 hours, we arrived at Hualian station. It was 1:21 in the morning and we were a bit tired. Immediately we took a taxi and around the first corner, we stopped at out destination. So much for honesty in Taiwan. 100nt later and one pillow less, we stroled into Amigo's hostel. What a nice and cozy place. We instantly drank a cup of hot coffe and went to bed....for two

more hours. We had to get up at 4:30 in the morning again. Luckily the adrenalin

was pumping and everyone was so ready to go, that we forgot about being tired at all. Tinus ordered (thanks to Mernette) energy bars fromSouth

Africa and we quickly ate them whilst running around 5o'clock in the morning, looking for a cab. Off we went to the Hotel where the sisters, Bianca and Lesinda, and some of our other friends were staying. The buses took off from there and we traveled for another 45 minutes. As we got off the buses, it was still dark and it was just amazing to see all these thousands of people streaming in to take part in this marathon. As the sun rose, we could see what was around us and we were is absolute awe! We were at the start of Taroko Gorge and we only saw greatness and beauty around us. Guys, we have a great Father who gives us the oppotunity to live in a place like this. Praise Him and keep him close to you.

Me, Bianca and Lesinda took part in the half marathon (21km). A first for us all. We didn't really know what to expext, but we were up for the challenge. We got off to a steady start and kept the pace for the first 7km. I was so trapped in the moment and totally forgot to get "tired". I kept on pacing myself and the went on on my own. It was so great to meet these great people on the way. All cheering on each other and talking to you as if you were the best of friends. That's the biggest reason people do marathons i think. The comoradery was just something else. I finished my race in 1 hour and 47 minutes. It was an absolute amazing feeling. My legs didn't feel that great though, but I accomplished what I came here for and I was so greatful. Bianca and Lesinda also finished a few minutes later and were also ecstatic. Well, maybe after a while...

Mary, Tinus, Irene and Gene did the 5km fun run. Mary totally outdone herself and rapped up a place in the top 30! Well done Potta! You're a super star. After we got everything we needed, the 5 of us got into a bus and went back to Hualian. We were still soaked in sweat and the rain was also not helping the task of getting dry, but there's nothing that a warm cup of Mcd's cappacino could't fix. From the Hotel we went our seperate ways again and me Tinus and Potta went back to our backpackers.

We spend the rest of the day eating, reading, chillin', checking mail, drinking, sleeping, and meeting new friends. Honi and her boyfriend Mike came that afternoon to join us guys in the hostel. We also met a Japanese guy , Goro Sato, who could't seem to throw a decent pose on any photo. He taught us some Japanese game called "breaking the bamboo" and we had loads of fun trying to play it. We were also joined by Peter and Jay from the UK, and Jay's girlfriend Bianca from South Africa. The evening was filled with excitement and we even got the old campfire tradition going by playing some guitar. A great deal of thanks went out to Honi's innovative whiskey buckets that kept us litterally on the edge of our seats for the entire night. We had loads of fun!

Sunday was just a blessed day! As we woke up, the morning greated us with its warm Sunday personality. The 5 of us (me, Tinie, Potta, Honi and Mike) decided to go and rent a car for the day. We got one had a fantastic road trip to taroko gorge! We drove through the spectacular gorge and couldn't help to stop everywhere to take pictures. How can one island consist of so many diverse pieces of land? We were in amazement and loved every moment of the

tour. We stopped for a traditional chinese meal and then headed back to the hostel again. What a trip. All of us took the afternoon train back to Taipei and were ready for the week to come. What an amazing weekend! Joy joy joy!