Portsdown Run2 on 6 Nov`06 (Mon)

Instead of having 3 consecutive runs on weekdays,think it is better to have a day rest after my weekday LD followed by 2 short runs. So I started off the week with 18-20km LD on Monday. Carbo-loaded with Sarawak Kuching Kolo Mee @ Bedok the night before. Hmm, taste so-so -- maybe my expectation was too high after reading good reviews. Dessert of mixed fruits ice was much better - my body still felt warm from Sat's run and the dessert helped to cool down :)


tktan was planning to go gym to "put" back his muscles but changed "camp" and joined me for the run -- the distance was too tempting (he is confirmed a run addict!). It rained in the afternoon and weather looked nice & cool when I gave him weather update @ 5pm. Duh, it started to rain again when I got onto the bus, on my way to KRGH! Sms-ed tktan about the weather change -- he was already on his way and would meet me @ KRGH anyway. Contingency plan was to hit the gym lor. Thank goodness, the rain stopped @ 6.50pm and we proceed with the run -- yeah! Weather was a tad humid after the rain and we were cautious of the wet grounds -- also first time starting the run in the dark. It had been ages since we ran the killer slope @ Vigilante Dr -- tougher as it was slippery and I was panting as usual *sweat*. tktan felt a bit out of sync as he could normally ran up with ease -- this time, he felt a bit breathless (maybe due to his new shoes?). Time check @ end of Vigilante Dr was 15min for 2.7km -- nice 5:30min/km pace. Recovered our breath @ Kent Ridge park downslope and continued on to Portsdown Flyover. Enjoyed the slight hilly terrain @ Portsdown Road, followed by North Bouna Vista Rd to Bouna Vista MRT. We skipped toilet break and continued on to Ulu Pandan Canal. Quiet evening with few runners -- breezy and great for cruising. tktan sped ahead and I maintained my comfortable pace -- managed to close up the gap towards the end. Both of us felt ok to continue on to Sunset Way Canal. tktan overtook me and I played catch up later -- add some fun to the else monotonous run :P Took a break @ the end of the canal --tktan needed to re-fuel with Gu Gel. We increased speed @ the return leg -- avg 5:15min/km pace for this stretch of 4.6km. tktan was a bit tired (he had a busy day at work) and we took the shorter route back to KRGH. At the final upslope, we dashed up with him pushing me to go faster -- I could only increase my stride frequency but not stride length :( Thanks to tktan for the mobile water station and after-run ice milo! Boy, he was one busy man -- had to return missed calls from work while doing warm down!

After feeling fresh from a hot shower, we had dinner @ The Cheese Prata Shop -- ordered onion prata, roti john chicken, seafood pattaya with maggie, teh tarik and fresh lime juice. Wah, finally gotta eat the roti john that I have been dreaming of since last Wed! Yummy!


P.S. Felt good and happy that my sense of pace is coming back. Comfortable pace along Sunset Way Canal -- hope to maintain this pace for this Sat's heat run :)

Route : KRGH -> Pasir Panjang Rd -> South Bouna Vista Rd -> Kent Ridge Park -> Normanton Park -> Portsdown Flyover -> Portsdown Rd -> North Bouna Vista Rd -> Bouna Vista MRT -> Ulu Pandan Canal -> Sunset Way Canal -> Clementi Rd -> KRGH

Distance : 18km
Time : 1hr 43min (including traffic light stops and snack break)
Avg pace : 5:43min/km