Marina South-Esplanade-ECP Run on 12 Nov`06 (Sun)

Heed the advice of my osteopath to rest on Sat, went carbo-loading with tktan instead -- our food motivation would be closed on Sun and hence we brought forward the carbo-load session :) It was a rainy day and perfect for hotpot – we had cod fish hotpot, chawan mushi(egg custard) and amaebi(sweet prawn) & tako(octopus) sashimi @ Wasabi Tei, a Japanese restaurant @ Far East Plaza (the boss is “famous” for his bad temper). tktan had been pre-warned about the “rules” of eating at this restaurant and was rather curious & nervous. We had to take pics of the food secretly – risked being “scolded” by the boss! The amaebi was fresh and succulent – tktan disregarded the high cholesterol and sucked the roe from the prawn’s heads. Tako was huge and chewy. Chawan mushi is the hot favorite here -- with fresh prawn, shimeji mushroom, chicken, crab meat etc. The cod fish hotpot came with chucks of cod fish with assorted veggie, shitake mushroom, konnyuku, tofu in a tasty broth – and a special sauce for dipping. Rounded off the meal with green tea ice cream. tktan was drooling @ the thick slices of salmon sashimi that was being cut and served to other diners – had to drag him out of the restaurant!

Part 2 of carb-load session was authentic Japanese ramen @ Ken Ramen @ Orchard Plaza (next to Orchard OG). I had miso ramen with additional corn while tktan had char siew ramen in tonkotsu(pork bones) broth. And we shared gyoza and Sapporo beer. Wow, after the Japanese food carbo-load session, we should run better on Sun!

Late on Sat nite, George sms-ed to check about my LD plan and keen to join me & tktan for the heat run. As Planet Fitness opens at 8am on Sundays, we could only start after 8am – after depositing our barangs @ the locker. After warm up and stretching, we started the run @ 8.40am with George leading the way to Marina South, passing Esplanade & Shenton Way. First time we started our LD in sunny weather and could feel the heat early in the run. We overtook George @ Marina MRT as he stopped to adjust his fuel belt. tktan felt his calves tightened and stopped to stretch while I carried on. Wow, there were many runners doing heat run – as usual, Safra runners were everywhere and crossed path with Mrs. Tekko and VRP gals. tktan caught up with me as we turned out from steamboat loop – his calves were better after warm up. Happy to be on the “return” route, we increased pace. Tekko, the supportive hubby, waved as we ran passed Esplanade – he and VRP gals were waiting for Mrs. Tekko who went for another round @ Marina Promenade. We took a re-fuel break @ the 1^st toilet under Sheares Bridge. Time check was 1h 5min for 12.4km -- wah, start off with faster 5:15min/km pace.

Next milestone was Indoor Stadium. On familiar grounds, tktan sped ahead – this time, he was leading abt 200m! Felt slight pain @ my right ankle and slowed down – was contemplating whether to stop but tktan was too far infront for me to chase & inform him. So I continued and reached Indoor Stadium where he was waiting. By then, the pain felt bearable and we set the next milestone to Fort Road. In any case, if I do stopped, we agreed to wait at Lagoon FC or Fort Road. Crossed the suspension bridge over to Tanjong Rhu and continued on to Fort Rd. Still felt good to go on @ Fort Rd and proceed to Lagoon FC -- keeping tktan in sight in front. Tried to increase pace but felt pain @ my left arch -- well, had to be contented with running slow. The weather was ouching HOT by then (ard 10.30am). We stopped @ toilet after tennis center to refill our camelbak and re-fuel. Time check was 2h 5min for 23.5km -- avg 5:20min.km pace (slower 5:25min/km pace for segment from Marina Promenade to toilet after tennis center).

tktan was heated up and suggested u-turn earlier @ Lagoon FC instead of NSC. I lead the way from here as he tried to cool down with slower pace. Surprised to see SassyRunner doing her heat run at such late hours! My stitches came on as we rounded the cable ski lagoon -- slowed down and control my breathing. As we "melted" under the hot sun, tktan asked me to go on as he stopped for walk break after the tennis centre. Then saw George at Marina Cove and signalled to him that tktan was walking behind. Continued my solo run towards Fort Road -- hmm, no runners for me to overtake. Saw Bug resting near B1 toilet -- the Safra runners had finished their LSD. Finally, saw the end of the path and completed the run @ 2h 55min for 31.5km -- cool avg 5:33min/km pace (slowest pace was 6:11min/km for the last stretch). Soon after, tktan also completed the run and we waited for George under the shelter while doing our warm down stretch. Apparently, George was experiencing pain on his feet and unable to run -- he had not been running for 10 days due to work. Also, he got lost on the way to ECP and backtracked for 3km+! When George finally reached Fort Rd, he was happy to sit down for a rest finally!

We took a cab back to Suntec, shower and had lunch @ NUS Guild House -- fennel joined us for lunch after her own heat run @ Ulu Pandan Canal. We ordered the 3-course set lunch for Savour Britain food promo. I had appetiser(Mosaic of Shrimp and Avocado In Scotch Whisky Dressing), soup(Carrot, Sweet Potatoes and Coriander Soup with a hint of Indian spice) and main course(Grilled Half Baby Chicken topped with Sherry and Stilton Cheese Sauce). The rest had appetiser(Cobb Salad with Grilled English Sausage) and soup. tktan's main course was Roast Beef accompanied by Yorkshire Pudding, Gravy, Roast Potatoes and served with English Mustard, George's Slow Roasted Traditional Oxtail Stew with Creamy Leek Mashed Potato and fennel's Pan Fried Smoked White Fish Fillet on a bed of Mashed Peas and served with Grain Mustard Sauce. English tea was served after the meal. Parted way with George n fennel as we returned to Planet Fitness for Body Balance class -- combination of tai chi, yoga and pilates. Good stretch to loosen the muscles after the LD :)

P.S. Was worried that my sprained ankle may cut short the distance drastically. Glad that I pushed on at Indoor Stadium and went on to complete 30km+ run. Yeah, dutifully ice my ankles and hopefully the pain would go away before my next run. Happy to get accustom with my cruising(5:30) and slowest(6:11) pace. Oh, had a black big toe :( Loosened my shoe lace so as relieve the pain @ my right ankle -- haiz, felt my feet sliding forward during the run. tktan was not in tip-top condition as he rested for 2 days -- guess he could only afford 1 day rest inbetween his runs to keep his "engine" warm. He experienced cessation of sweat and hip pain during the run, too. Hope he would be in better form for the next heat run!

P.S.S. Had craving for Korean zha jiang mian and cooked it for dinner -- here's pic of the before and after mixing the sauce. Yum yum

Route : Start from 1st toilet @ Marina Promenade -> Marina South -> U-turn to Marina Promenade -> Kallang Water Sports Club -> Kallang Riverside Park -> Cross Sir Arthur Bridge -> Stadium Rd -> Indoor Stadium -> Cross bridge to Tanjong Rhu -> Fort Rd -> East Coast Park -> Lagoon Food Centre -> U-turn and end @ Fort Road

Distance : 31.5km
Time : 2hr 55min
Avg pace : 5:33min/km