Last weekend we packed up the car and headed to Sihanoukville. I lived there from 2005-2008 and my wife from 2003 and we have quite a few fond memories of Cambodia’s busiest beach town. The town has lost a lot of its sleepy, laid back appeal and is certainly not the prettiest of coastal resorts but it still has atmosphere, lovely beaches and some great restaurants.
Here are four highlights from our three day trip:
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I’d just finished a very hot and sweaty 5k run late yesterday afternoon and was absolutely exhausted.
A week last Sunday I completed my first ever 10k race – The Kep Trio 2012. I only started running last December so I am quite pleased with my achievement finishing in 1 hour and 14 minutes. Since then I have become rather obsessed with running and improving my time, distance and performance.
Here are some photos of the extremely well organised and fun event:
Quite common article about factory workers in Sihanoukville fainting while at work, I would imagine due to the long hours and poor work conditions.
As the article continues we are offered a brilliant assessment by the Director of the Provincial Labour Department.
What a gem!
If this quote had come from one of the workers then I think we could have just laughed at it. But, coming from the someone who heads up the Labour Department, it left me completely stunned.
Back in the West if an official had made a similar comment in the press he would have been ridiculed for probably the rest of his career. Here in Cambodia the quote goes almost unnoticed.
#onlyincambodia
Full article: Phnom Penh Post (14.12.12)
In just over a week’s time I will be running in my first ever 10k race. What has possessed me to do this you may ask?
This will not be me!
Before Christmas when we were in Bangkok I began to exercise. This desire to get in shape comes in waves with me but the difference was that this time I joined a running program called ‘Couch to 5K’, which basically gave me an end goal.
I downloaded an iOS app called Get Running and this coached me through 9 weeks of training during which I went from five 1.5 minute runs to a 5k continuous run at the end. I am also a member of a small and friendly Facebook group which encourages people to exercise and maintain a healthy diet and this really helped. (You are welcome to join if you want)
I wanted to start a new blogging project this year on social media & marketing in Southeast Asia and I have always found that if you want to get something achieved in one area it is best to get motivated in another.
I started the blog, VisibleAsia.com, two weeks ago and so far it has been really well received. I have also been running every other day since we came back from Bangkok. I think that both are a direct result of each other.
Last week a friend told me about the Kep Trio. This is an annual event run by Bridges Across Borders which includes a half marathon, a 10k, a 3k and a 10k bike race.
As I believe this year is all about challenging myself, I have entered into the 10k race. My longest distance so far has been 7.4kms and with just over a week to go I am aiming to maybe get that to 8k. On race day I am hoping that pride and sheer self will will get me over the finish line.
We are pleased to see you will be taking part in the 10K Run on Sunday.
Your unique event number for the 10K Run is 538.
Wish me luck!
From 9-5 in the western world to a happy life in rural Cambodia.
More about me here
