Halloween Run on 31 Oct`06 (Tue)

After a week of zero mileage while on holiday, was eager to resume running -- warm up my cold engine and take my new Mizuno Inspire2 for it's maiden run. Decided to check out the Halloween parties at Labrador Park & Holland Village -- distance abt 10km with options to extend. tktan joined me for the run with his new Mizuno Elixir2 -- wah, orange shoes with luminous orange lock lace! After a quick warm up, we started our run toward Haw Par Villa -- the upslope was managable :) Then we breezed through Zehnder Rd and South Bouna Jln to Pasir Panjang Rd where we did hurdle jumps on/off the pavement. As we turned into Labrador Park, tktan suggested taking the first upslope -- erhm, that would mean running down the steep downslope. We both agreed it was better to run up the steep slope and take the second upslope. The park was rather quiet except for a Halloween party by the Saint Andrews Society -- the witches/wizards were doing the BBQ. Nothing happening... Took a water break @ the toilet before tackling the upslope to Olive Restaurant. Time check as we exit Labrador Park @ 6.9km was 37min -- cool 5:20min/km pace.

Our next stop was Holland Village. Along Alexandra Rd, I miss-stepped on an uneven surface and nearly tripped -- phew that I didn't sprained anything! Strangely, felt my right shoulder/neck aching -- hmm, tktan's shoulder ache is contagious?!! Maybe due to my arm swing was not full as mentioned by William, the osteopath. Then it was weaving through pesdestrians along Queensway and Commonwealth Dr. At Commonwealth MRT, we turned left and ran along the MRT line. Made a right to Holland Ave and dashed up the slope to Holland Village. At the taxi stand, I was ready to stop but tktan was feeling good and exceptionally energized -- he suggested carry on to Bouna Vista MRT. So we continued and ran through Holland Village -- hmm, not many people were dressed up for Halloween. We left the party scene and took a water break @ Bouna Vista MRT -- oh oh, the vending machine was not working and we dun have cold isotonic water! Only took a few sip of tap water from the toilet and off we went to Ulu Pandan Canal -- aiyoh, thought we were gonna stop here! tktan was high spirited and I tried to keep up with his pace -- though feeling fatigue slowly creeping in. We overtook a runner who was breathing heavily -- he gave chase and was panting down our necks. Rather annoying, so we slow down to let him pass. He would slow down and when we caught up with him, he gave chase again -- think he was using us as pacer. Wow, glad to leave him behind as we turned left to Clementi Rd @ the end of the canal. The road surface was uneven along this stretch and I was feeling tired -- hardly lifting my foot which resulted in near tripping. As we stopped for the traffic light @ junction of Commonwealth Ave and Clementi Rd, I finally raised my white flag and asked tktan to end our run.

We took a cool down walk back to KRGH and round up the run with special treats of cut orange slices and gatorade with agar agar strips :) After a quick shower, we had dinner @ the Taiwanese store next to Feng Seng Nasi Lemak -- I ordered Ban Mian while tktan tried the black pepper chicken noodles. Mine was so-so while tktan's was no-no -- black pepper juz coated on the chicken chucks and not into the meat.


P.S. Very happy that my new Inspire2 felt comfy throughout the run (hope to season it well before SCSM) and my pace had not slacken after 1 week rest :) Sorry, if not for my weak mind, tktan could continue running -- great seeing him in good form.Uhm, this time is he "tortured" me and not the other way round :P Wonder whether it was the lack of isotonic water or I was not prepare to run longer. Or could it be post holiday blues? Well, gotta work on my weak mind and not let it dominate! Hope the next run will be better!

Route : KRGH -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> Haw Par Villa -> Zehnder Rd -> South Bouna Jln -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> Labrador Park (6.9km) -> Alexandra Rd -> Queensway -> Commonwealth Dr -> West Commonwealth Ave -> Holland Ave ->. Holland Village Taxi Stand (13.2km) -> Holland Rd -> North Bouna Vista Rd -> Bouna Vista MRT (14.5km) -> Ulu Pandan Canal -> Clementi Rd.

Distance : 17.75km
Time : 1hr 42min (including water breaks & traffic light stops)
Avg pace : 5:45min/km