breathtakingly beautiful!

Taken at Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(pic courtesy of Nana)

This made Nana (my fellow NYC'11 Marathoner) and I stop running this morning. Too gorgeous to not capture!

That's the Petronas Twin Towers in the background. My #1 favourite architecture in the whole wide world, they still take my breath away until this very day.

wise words

"Running has given me the courage to start, 
the determination to keep trying, 
and the childlike spirit to have fun along the way. 
Run often and run long, but 
never outrun your joy of running."
-- Julie Isphording, 

motivational speaker who ran the first-ever 

women's Olympic Marathon in 1984

top 10 marathons worth traveling for

So, Forbes has very recently released 2012's top 10 destinations for Marathons. The list boasts 7 countries spanning across 4 continents...

AFRICA

The Big Five Marathon in Limpopo Province, South Africa

ASIA

The Great Wall Marathon in Tianjin, China

EUROPE

Virgin London Marathon in London, England (World Marathon Major)

Paris Marathon in Paris, France

Mont St.-Michel Bay Marathon in Mont St.-Michel, France

Athens Classic Marathon in Athens, Greece

NORTH AMERICA

Vancouver Marathon in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Napa Valley Marathon in Calistoga, California, USA

Big Sur International Marathon in Big Sur, California, USA

Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, USA (World Marathon Major)

I am especially excited about the inclusion of my favorite Canadian city into this list...

BMO Vancouver Marathon 

(a Boston Marathon qualifying event)

Race day: May 6, 2012

Vancouver debuts a new course this year—it’s now a point-to-point race that will take more advantage of the scenic city sites including its unique neighborhoods, world-class parks and its expansive seawall. The trek, limited to 5,000 participants, begins in Queen Elizabeth Park and goes through seven neighborhoods, passing the beaches at Spanish Banks and entering Stanley Park before finishing in Vancouver’s downtown.

Finally, runners will get to run through the glorious Stanley Park! It’s never been closed to the public for an event–until now. And on top of that, runners will also enjoy the stunning cityscape with a backdrop of majestic mountains and immensely gorgeous ocean view.

Can't wait for my 5th Full Marathon on the 6th of May. Anybody wanna join me?  ;)

This year, for the first time in Vancouver Marathon history, the course
goes through much of its famed Stanley Park and along the seawall.

Details and registrations at www.bmoVanMarathon.ca. Limited slots left for both 42K and 21K distances BTW! 

wise words

“We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, 

the goal is to create something that will.” 

-- Whitney Houston

oh, whitney...

I know that when you look at me

There's so much that you just don't see

But if you would only take the time

I know in my heart you'd find

A girl who's scared sometimes

Who isn't always strong

Can't you see the hurt in me?

I feel so all alone

I want to run to you

I want to run to you

Won't you hold me in your arms

And keep me safe from harm

I want to run to you

But if I come to you

Tell me, will you stay or will you run away

Each day, each day I play the role

Of someone always in control

But at night I come home and turn the key

There's nobody there, no one cares for me

What's the sense of trying hard to find your dreams

Without someone to share it with

Tell me what does it mean?

I need you here

I need you here to wipe away my tears

To kiss away my fears

If you only knew how much

I want to run to you...

*RIP Whitney*