NUS Hill Run on 8 Nov`06 (Wed)

This week, 2 new SgRunners, nyquist2000 & charlene73, joined in the weekly NUS Hill Run -- welcome welcome and nice meeting you in person after communicating in the forum. It had been a long while since we ran the ORIGINAL route -- always enjoyed showing new runners the "rolling" slopes of NUS :) The usual suspects, tktan & LM, were already @ KRGH when I reached there @ 6.20pm -- tktan actually took a cab from his office in Woodlands! nyquist2000 & charlene73 were early, too, and waiting @ the reception of KRGH. After handshaking and introduction, nyquist2000 & charlene73 saw tktan's new shoe(Mizuno Elixir2) & yanz lace and they launched into discussion about them. We started the run @ 6.50pm after a brief description of the route with option to extend to Sci Park II or West Coast Park. As I "rolled" down the first slope from KRGH, heard charlene73 commented "y so fast?!!" -- oops, sorry guys, prefer to take advantage of the momentum rather than resist. On the flat stretch along Pasir Panjang Rd, the group closed up and I chatted briefly with charlene73. As we approached Haw Par Villa, I pointed out the route that runs through and nyquist2000 & charlene73 gamely took on the challenge (hmm, they were blissfully unaware of the upslope ahead!). nyquist2000 was transported back to his childhood day when he saw the God of Mercy @ the entrance(same as the one that he took picture with when he was a kid) as we ran up the slope. tktan was encourgaing LM and charlene73 while nyquist2000 tailgated me up the slope -- well done for the first slope of the run. Recovered our breath as we ran down Zehnder Rd -- charlene73 noted that downslope always seemed shorter than upslope! Next to come was the killer upslope @ Vigilante Dr. nyquist2000 was going strong and matched my pace up the slope. charlene73 was taken aback by the steepness and walked up. Clap clap to LM for finally conquering the slope for the very first time with slow jog! Everyone welcomed the downslope @ Kent Ridge Park and picked up pace @ Sci Park I. At the traffic junction, we had the option to turn left to Sci Park II(12km) and turn right to NUS(8.5km) -- wise choice for nyquist2000 & charlene73 for choosing the right turn (that'll avoid another steep uphill to NUS). We "flowed" through the gentle slopes as we passed by NUH, Science faculty, SRC and UCC. Knowing the end was near, we up the pace along Clementi Rd. At the traffic junction, again we had to option to turn left to KRGH or go straight for another 3 km @ West Coast Park. nyquist2000 raised his white flag as he oledi used up 100% while charlene73 still have 10% reserve :) Consenus was to head back and we used our last ounce of energy up the final slope to KRGH! Time check was 47min for 8.5km -- that's a nice 5:47min/km pace :)

Well done to nyquist2000, charlene73 and LM for completing the "famous" NUS Hill Run! Oh, they were disappointed that the distance was ONLY 8.5km -- felt like 10km!! Thanks to LM for the 100plus and tktan for bringing ice -- the ice cold drink was great! As we cool down, the conversation changed from running, marathons to triathlons etc. We finally parted way as nyquist2000 & charlene73 headed back while tktan, LM and me went for shower followed by gourmet feast at KRGH. The guys had appetizer(Dill Cured Salmon with Sweet Mustard Sauce), soup(Homemade Traditional Cream of Carrot) and main course(Layers of Chicken Breast & Chicken Liver served with Potatoes and Veal Sausage braised with Swedish Beer) while I had appetizer(Sauteed Scallops, Mussels and Morel Mushrooms with Asparagus and Broccolli in Noilly Prat Sauce), main course(Steamed Lake Superior White Fish with fresh Avocado Sauce, Fricassee of Crayfish, Pimentos and served with Parsley Rice) and dessert from buffet spread. Yum yum :)



P.S. Haiz, guess I have no chance to slack during my runs! nyquist2000 asked me to bear with his "slow" pace -- like that called "slow", then I wonder what is his "fast" pace *faint*?!! charlene73 is another good runner -- can pick up speed fairly quickly on flats.

Route : Start @ KRGH -> Pasir Panjang -> Haw Par Villa -> Zehnder Rd -> South Bouna Vista Rd -> Kent Ridge Park -> Sci Park I -> Lower Kent Ridge Rd -> Kent Ridge Crescent -> Clementi Rd -> Kent Ridge Dr -> End @ KRGH

Distance : 8.5km
Time : 47min (including traffic light stops)
Avg Pace : 5:47min/km