A Most Amusing Race

The last two months that I’ve been in Vietnam have been the longest period of time I’ve gone without running since I was probably 13 years old. I’ve never met so many obstacles to a good run before. There’s the heat, the constant sweating, the stomach woes, the stares, and worst of all, the smog. I thought I had finally resigned myself to a year of yoga and flabby thighs, but this past Sunday I thought I would go crazy if I didn’t get some kind of physical activity beyond breathing and stretching. So I decided to try the Can Tho University Campus 1 “track.”

When I say “track” I mean the quarter mile loop of gravelly, pot-holed road that connects my house with those of all of my neighbors. During the daytime it’s just your average neighborhood street in Vietnam. But come early morning/evening, it’s a hub of activity. Whole groups of women in day clothes, walking and talking, mothers pushing their babies in strollers, shirtless old men plodding along, even whole families out for a nice stroll around the block. Despite the appealing atmosphere, I’ve avoided this exercise option because, well, the thought of running every day without ever actually going anywhere for the next year made me cringe.

But out of pure desperation on Sunday afternoon, I pulled my running shoes out of the closet, and with Benny Benassi blasting in my ears, psyched myself up for the most boring run ever. I had only done a couple of laps when I came out of my adrenaline rush/iPod haze enough to realize that I’d attracted a sort of following. Apparently I’d become the afternoon’s amusement for a bunch of six-year old boys. As I rounded the first corner of the “track,” I’d see them hunch over in starting position, watching my approach. Then as I came up to where they were crouching they’d race me until they were out of breath. I’d finish my lap, round the corner, and the game would begin again. This went on for a solid 20 minutes, and they held up impressively against my exponentially longer legs! Definitely the most bizarre race I’ve ever run, but also probably the cutest competition…

About thirty minutes later I came in, sweaty and more exhausted than I should ever be after four miles. But it was worth it for the much-needed, much-missed endorphin high. I think I’m going to keep up my daily turn around the Campus 1 “track,” and hopefully I’ll encounter my little friends again soon.

More soon. Life has gotten surprisingly hectic but this weekend I’m taking some time to go to Phu Quoc Island for a little R&R. Yeah, don’t be too jeal. Love and miss you all!