First quake

On Wednesday we both experienced our first earthquake. It was about 8pm and I had just arrived home from work when our building started to sway. Everything was peaceful as usual, and the world was going along outside as usual – cars driving along the roads and buildings lit up. There was no rattling of glasses or anything remotely dramatic. But our building did noticeably sway for 5 – 10 seconds – which was very disconcerting… almost like we lost our balance.

We decided to climb out onto the roof – which to be honest I don’t know was the finest idea, but it was quite fun sitting up there looking at the world go by. There was no more swaying and after some time we got bored and went in to have our diner.

Apparently the epicentre was about 35miles from where we live, and was somewhere between 3 and 4 on the Richter scale.

10km

Today was Yangon’s first International Marathon, and there was also a 10km run as part of the event. I think they sold out all 1,000 places, so it was quite popular. We both entered the 10km way back before Christmas, but in the intervening time I have done something to my knee. I don’t really know what. It isn’t falling off or anything nasty, but probably I should have someone look at it, at some point, when I am motivated enough to try and navigate either Myanmar’s health system and/or my medical insurance.

Anyway, as far as I am aware Ant has never run 10km and in his own words was terrible at sports at school… he might have even joined the asthma class on occasion to avoid having to do physical exercise, and I think “sports” in the 6th form consisted of bike rides to a pub with a friend.

His race this morning started at 6am. So it was still dark. I cycled up to see him fly past at the 4km and 6km points. Whilst I waited some small girls (they looked about 10) sprinted past bare foot. I guess they must have finished in less than 40min, which is fast. The middle photo shows Ant coming down the road. Easy to spot as he is a) very tall for this part of the world, b) pale, and c) in a bright blue shirt. The final picture is clearly shocking in terms of focus (he was running to fast for the autofocus on the camera?), but it amused me to see him running past the “Safety First” sign – as he is always very “safety first”. The construction work in the area they were running in causes traffic chaos on a daily basis, but supposedly in 2 months time the fly over will be complete and all will be well. Am not so sure looking at these photos how optimistic 2 months is… but I suppose you never know.

  

I then sped away on my grannie bike and caught up with him again at the 9km mark. He was doing so well! toot toot! (Very strange to see these roads cleared of cars. Normally they are so busy).

 

In the final stretch it was just Ant and an unknown Asian. In this photo Ant is just launching a final 300m sprint to take out the Asain guy. Alas this was close, but not successful. However the crowd near the finish line loved it and there was much much cheering as they pushed each other hard to the finish.

With his medal at the end. Official time is still pending, but it was close to 50min, which is a storming time for a first 10km (I think!) Ware Athlete of the Year 2013 award must be his? (Along with the Ginger Beard 2013 award). Posing with Cliff in the morning haze, in front of the big Shwedagon.

 

After a little break it was time to watch the elite athletes come in on the marathon. They started a bit earlier than the 10km, finishing in just over 2hrs 20 I think. Far too fast to run a marathon if you ask me. I think a Kenya won it. The second photo was hilarious. The crazy crowd is all there because the first Myanmar elite athlete was coming in – i.e. they were totally blocking the finishing line with cameras and all sorts. In the end they made a small parting to let him through… and he came 3rd. Much much more popular than the Kenyan winner!