West Canal Run on 26 Jan`07 (Fri)

With juz one run on Wed, decided to do a mid-distance 15-18km run on Friday. Since I had to work during the weekend, left office early to start the run @ 6.30pm. tktan joined me and was my mobile water support (thanks!) :) Suggested we ran a shorter and less traffic route via PGP to SPI -- tktan was in the mood for longer run(or hill?!) and said we sticked to the original route via Kent Ridge Park. Well, cun slack with this run addict :P Weather was nice and cool as we ran along Pasir Panjang to South Bouna Vista Rd. Time check @ end of the killer slope was 18:10min -- nice 5:11min/km pace. Then we proceed to Alexandra Industrial Estate via the underpass @ SPI. To avoid the messy construction work @ Bouna Vista MRT, we took a detour to Ulu Pandan Canal via Dover Rise. Wah, it was still daylight when we started the auto-cruise mode @ Ulu Pandan Canal! Always like running on this stretch -- unknowingly, we picked up pace to 4:55min/km with tktan leading. Proceed on to Sunset Way Canal -- quite desserted as there was a light drizzle. I felt fine running to the end of the canal but felt pain on my right knee n hip for the return route (due to the slanted surface). tktan was still full of energy and we continued to run back to NUS via Clementi Rd. It was dimly lit and had to slow down to avoid tripping on the uneven surface. When we reached the traffic junction, I raised my white flag as the pain behind the back of my right knee was annoying :(

So we took a cool down walk back to NUS. The rain became heavier -- thank goodness we managed to hop on the shuttle bus to KRGH. After a hot shower, we grabbed dinner @ King Fisher Cafe -- share the Cantonese Style Horfun and Hot n Sour Soup.

P.S. Oh oh, my right knee pain seemed to worsen -- DTM didn't help. Gotta bear with it for another week before my appointment with my osteopath -- gonna take it easy next week. Meanwhile, will do strength condition for my quads...

Route : Start @ KRGH -> Pasir Panjang -> South Bouna Vista Rd -> Kent Ridge Park -> Sci Park I -> Alexandra Ind Est -> Dover Rise -> Ulu Pandan Canal -> Sunset Way Canal -> Clementi Rd

Distance : 15.5km
Time : 1h 25min
Avg pace : 5:30min/km

NUS Hill Run on 24 Jan`07 (Wed)

Weather was nice and cool -- thin layer of cloud amist blue blue sky. DR was the first to arrived followed by hohorunner, babumouse, ronnie, tktan and LM. Littetigger sms-ed that he was unable to make it last minute. George sms-ed that he was held up at work and would be late for 15mins. While waiting for him and fennel, we did our warm-up stretch and chat abt the KL 30km last Sunday. Hmm, still no sign of them @ 7.25pm. As it was getting late, we changed plan from running route 5(ulu pandan canal) to route 6(familiar route and would play catch up later) -- tktan would lead the group on the 12km route while I waited for fennel and George. They arrived juz when the guys turned out to Pasir Panjang Rd. Passed my locker key to fennel so that they could put their bags -- started to chase after the guys. Finally caught up with them @ SPI -- tktan was waiting for DR, hohorunner n LM who stopped for water break while ronnie and babumouse continued on. I took over the lead from here with DR closely behind. Briefly chatted with DR as we ran thru SPII -- he was nursing a cold and still able to run fast! As usual, I lag behind on the PGP upslope with DR leading infront. When I caught up at the end of PGP slope, we proceed on to NUH n NUS (oops, later found out that DR was catching his breath and would welcome a break). Finally, we reached the final slope -- chiong up and finished the run in 1h 3min. Good run!

LM took a short cut and came back via PGP. tktan and hohorunner came back shortly, followed by fennel n George who did the 8.5km route. Once again, thanks to tktan for providing ice and isotonic drink after the run. babumouse enjoyed his maiden NUS Hill Run, esp. PGP slope. DR, hohorunner and babumouse gotta rush off and didn't join us for dinner. After a quick shower, we had dinner @ the Taiwanese noodle place next to Feng Sheng/Cheese Prata Shop - fennel n me had stew beef noodle, tktan had ban mian, George had you mian, ronnie had fried hokkien noodle(not the black type @ KL) and LM had pineapple fried rice(a huge mountain).

P.S. Haiz, still felt pain @ my right shoulder and knee -- gotta bear with the pain for another week till my appointment with my osteopath next Sat. Better cut down on hill runs and replace with flat runs -- allow the knees to rest.

Distance : 12km
Time : 1h 3min
Avg pace : 5:15min/km

KL GE Pacesetters 30km on 21 Jan`07 (Sun)

Pre-race
Heard good review of the Pacesetters 30km run from DR and DO -- so many SgRunners signed up way in advance. Thanks to sotong, shutelup, freddy n renoh for the logistic support -- to book train tix, coach tix and hotel. While most of the group were taking the Friday overnite train to KL, 5 of us (LaoKaYu, fennel, George, tktan and me) opt for 2-way coach and set off for KL on Sat morning 7.30am. We took the Transtar First Class coach(16 seater) for the first time -- very impressed with the spacious seat, large personal LCD with wide selection of video on demand(VoD), meal served on board etc. With one toilet break, we arrived in KL at 12.30pm -- wow, that's fast and I had yet to finish my 3rd movie! P.S. Had breakfast of Thai Chicken Noodle @ Golden Mile Complex while waiting for the coach.


We walked from Pasarakyat Bus Terminal to Coronade Hotel in Bukit Bintang -- as the rooms were not ready for check-in, we left our bags @ the hotel and went to Lot 10 food court for lunch. Had hot plate yee mee and cold 'liu wei' dessert -- my yee mee had the same taste as tktan's "bee che mak" coz the same multi-purpose sauce was used. After lunch, we returned to the hotel to check in and went shopping @ Sungei Wang. Came back empty handed -- by then, the hotel lobby was crowded with many SgRunners -- waiting to collect the race pack from IMD's wife, Yee Hua. Everyone exchanging tales of train/coach ride and what food they had makan so far. Wah, my number tag is D911 -- nice! DO came by to strike a deal with me -- if he win any prize, he would give 100% to me; if I win any prize, I would give 50% to him. I readily agreed coz there was no chance of me winning any prize with so many fast runners :P This race was juz one of my LD training runs for Nagano Marathon in April :)


My sailing buddy, SL, had moved to KL and we arranged to meet up for dinner. tktan joined me and we took the LRT from Bukit Bintang to Hang Tuah (wow, the LRT was packed to the brim!) and transfer to Star Line to Sri Petaling where SL came to pick us up. Boy, it was pouring elephants and pigs! Due to some construction work near the train station, SL had some difficulty getting over. Well, we finally got into her car and she drove us to her apartment 20-30min drive away. Her husband. Yoo, is a rafting guide and he was out on a rafting trip. We had a good chat while waiting for her husband to come back and join us for dinner. But he was held up and unable to make it for dinner. So SL drove tktan and me to a nice local Chinese restaurant where they frequent. We had a yummy spread of ABC soup, steamed African fish (Teochew Style), house specialty beancurd and stir fry veg -- thanks to SL for giving us a treat (all these cost RM35 only)! Met up with Yoo at their apartment -- we had not met for 2 years! In the mist of catching up, we watched an action-pack video of his rafting trip. As we had to wake up early for the next day's race, SL sent us to the train station ard 9pm. Hope to meet up with them when they visit Singapore soon :) By then, the rain had stop and the train ride back was nice with view of the skyline. It was 10pm when we reached the hotel. After a hot shower, I packed my race gear and zzz at 11pm.


Race Day
Woke up at 4am and ate 2 raisin buns with water. Rub deep heat on my feet, shin and ITB. Went down to the lobby at 4.45am where the shuttle bus was waiting to send us to the start point. The bus journey was full of laughter -- everyone was in a fun and relax mood. First thing we did after getting off the bus was to head for the toilet. After a group pic and deposit my bag, tktan and me went for a warm-up run followed by stretching exercises. We reported to the marshalls, received a colored band and moved closer to the start line. The run flagged off promptly at 6am. Had a slow start due to the crowd -- managed to move ahead and settled in my cruising pace. Weather was cool and cloudy. tktan, who was strong in running upslopes, took the lead and soon I lost him in the crowd. At first, there were street lights and I could see with my prescriptive sunglass. As the run progressed, some parts of the route was not lit and became pitch DARK to me -- had to remove my sunglass and ran like a blind mice :( Slow down considerably for fear of stepping into pot holes. As warned by IMD, the terrain was hilly with slopes after slopes. Thanks to NUS Hill Run, I tackled each upslope slowly and "flew" down each downslope. Drank at every water station with half cup of water and half cup of endurox. At strategic point, we were handed colored bands.

Didn't spot any distance marker and kinda of running @ smell flower pace. Had company of same few guys -- overtook them @ downslopes and they overtook me @ upslopes. Was calculating the distance based on water stations (supposed to be at every 4km mark -- erhmm, I took 1h 22min for 12km (must have ran super slow in the darkness and at the upslope). Then I saw the runners in the opposite direction -- consoled myself that the half way mark should be near. KPO and searched for familiar faces at the runners on the return leg. Spotted Kumaran, teelee and DO and gave them the thumb up. No sign of my running buddy tktan -- maybe I missed him among the runners. Where is the U-turn point? The road was never ending... Then saw the sign "water station 100m ahead", picked up speed to grab the drinks. Collected a color band and asked the marshalls what was the distance -- 2 of them replied in unison "10km more". Haa haa, I had miscalculated the distance all this while - felt a sudden spur of energy and picked up pace, YEAH! Saw many SgRunners (BR, fennel, roentgen, shut, tigger, hohorunner, JT, gentle etc.) on my way back -- gave them all a thumb up. Then I heard IMD calling out names from behind -- shouting encouragement at the same time. Soon he was beside me and encouraged me with "good pace" before running "leisurely" ahead. IMD became my target and kept him in sight at a comfortable distance.

Overtook some runners and an Ang Mo greeted me with "Good morning! How are you doing?". I replied "Great. Keep going! We are almost there!". Saw the back view of Bee (she was running 20km and walking up the slope) -- gave her a thumb up as I ran passed. As I entered Lake Garden, heard a familiar voice calling out "Doreen, I am coming from behind" -- tktan caught up with me and asked me to chiong to the finish line. Hey, thought he was infront of me (found out later that his left knee hurt @ the 4km mark and he stopped to ease the pain)! I was conserving my energy for the final sprint till I see the finish line. Saw Ripley(SgRunners photographer) and gave her a broad smile with Victory sign. YES, saw the finish line 50m ahead -- widened my stride and dashed thru the finish line (kickjazz was snapping pic at the end point -- thanks!). Hurray, completed 30km in 2h 45min(unofficial) -- under my target of 3 hours!

Post Race
Was given a number card "14", returned the colored bands, collected the finisher's goodie bag and t-shirt. My shoulder blades cramped up and tktan helped to relieve the pain with shoulder massage. DR and Freddy came over to ask whether I was ok. Luckily this time was not as bad as SCSM06, the cramp subsided soon. Met DO and told him that I dun have prize to share with him :( He gave me an ice cream as reward for running so hard :) tktan and me then stationed ourselves at the milo van and gulped down 2 cups of milo and endurox each. Went to collect my bag and we did warm down stretch by the lake. We returned to the makan area and joined the rest of SgRunners. Everyone did well to meet the cut off time. I drank a bottle of water mixed with Recoverite, courtesy from George. There was a sumptous spread of food -- dou hua, fried bee hoon, nasi lemak, chendol etc. I had a bowl of dou hua while tktan ate dou hua and nasi lemak. Not sure whether it was the dou hua or Recoverite, I had stomach upset -- thanks to tktan for giving me his last supply of toilet paper.


We took a ride with the Safra runners to KL city and walked back to Coronade Hotel. After a quick shower and pack our bags, all of us checked out at 12pm. As we were catching the 3.30pm coach, we opt to have lunch nearby -- in case of rain. So 9 of us went to Secret Recipe @ Lot 10 -- tktan n George had lamb stew; fennel, Ripley, run3, LaoKaYu, babumouse had chicken chop; ronnie had fish n chip; and I had vietnamese beef noodles. After lunch, we walked over to MacDonalds -- I wanna get the Spicy Beef Foldover (craving for this since KL Mizuno Wave Run last year!). The coach ride back to Singapore was smooth except for a brief traffic jam -- reached Singapore @ 9.30pm. Oh, we took the premium class coach(37 seater) back -- definitely less spacious, smaller LCD and no VoD, but still good as the massage functions was great and a meal was served on board.


Water station 1 : 27:48min
Water station 2 : 29:56min --> 59:45min
Water station 3 : 24:25min --> 1h22:10min
Water station 4 : 26:55min --> 1h49:06min
Water station 5 : 26:55min --> 2h16:01min
End point : 29:48min --> 2h45:49min

P.S. A very fun weekend with lots of laughter and cheer. Ran with no expectation at a smell-flower pace. Enjoyed the hilly terrain and seeing so many familar faces along the route. Weather n traffic control were superb! Hope to do the same at Nagano Marathon -- enjoy the sakura and beautiful scenery while not being chase up the bus :)

Distance : 30km
Time : 2 h 45min
Avg pace : 5:30min/km

Calibration Run on 20 Jan`07 (Sat)

My right knee didn't feel right -- had this nagging pain @ the back of the knee, like a ligament/muscle pull. So I rested on Thursday n Friday and decided to do a calibration run on Saturday morning before heading off to KL. Woke up at 5am and did a quick run. Here's the per lap timing :-
Lap 1 : 4:51min/km -- legs feeling ok, can slow down abit
Lap 2 : 4:58min/km -- breathing was smooth, can i do another lap under 5min/km pace?
Lap 3 : 4:56min/km -- yes, i did it!

Did a thorough warm down -- legs felt good. OK, all set for KL 30km race :)

Distance : 3km
Time : 14:45min
Avg pace : 4:55min/km

NUS Hill Run on 17 Jan`07 (Wed)

This Run is attracting hill addicts -- rumours are spreading abt the shiok rolling hills of NUS and its vicinity. We had 9 runners (juz one short from last week) -- fennel, George, ronnie, littletiger, hohorunner, LM, IMD, tktan and me.

tktan took the lead and spring forward @ <>IMD asked whether he was training to break 2hr for 30km :) For a change, I enjoyed being sweeper and run @ smell-flower pace with first timers littletiger, hohorunner and IMD. At the killer slope, could hear hohorunner exclaiming that the slope was so steeeeep! Clap clap to all who make it to the top! Took a water break @ Science Hub and continued on from SPI to SPII. fennel warned the first timers abt the upcoming PGP slopes. After passing I2R, littletiger and hohorunner thot the end was near(KRGH was so near) -- but was shocked to see me turn to PGP. hohorunner did very well here as he was juz a few steps behind me. After the daunting PGP slopes, we proceed to run inside NUS. Stopped at the SRC track to wait for littletiger n hohorunner while fennel and IMD ran ahead. Encouraged littletiger n hohorunner that only left with 2 more small hills (actually more hills to come :P). And we dashed up the final slope and completed the run in good style :) Oops, lost LM @ SRC and he came back via Central Library -- clap clap to him for completing his first 10km run.

Thanks to tktan -- we gulped down the cold isotonic drinks gratefully. We proceed to The Cheese Prata for dinner after a wuick shower. George had a special treat for us -- homemade soup(consisted of garlic, onion, carrot, potato, chicken, mushroom, rice etc.). Yummy! We presented the NUS Hill Run finisher's cert to George and hohorunner -- littletiger n IMD. who didn't join us for dinner, gotta claim theirs from us @ next run.

P.S. Didn't start my stop watch, so no time taken.

Famous Four Hill Run on 13 Jan`07 (Sat)

Had a very nice pre-bday celebration with tktan (my running buddy n koibito) -- to carboload for the next day's 4 hill run :) We had dinner @ Altivo, Jewel Box @ Mt Faber -- escargots n salmon as appetizers, a clear soup n main course of cod fish with mushroom and whip potato from the winter menu.


Oh, had a yummy sharks' fin dinner @ Thai Village Goodwood Park on Thursday -- company and pre-bday treat :) We had claypot sharkfins (serving enough as a meal), crab with glass noodle, seafood fried rice, fried fish, scallop, black pepper deer meat n fruits -- total 7 courses *slurp*


Received sms from gentle @ 5.20am that his bike training was cancelled due to rain and he would join the 4 hill run -- great to have more runners and best part was he would give me a lift to NUS! roentgen was kind to pick up ronnie @ Somerset and tktan @ Clementi. fennel worked till 3am and unable to get out of bed to join the run :( So 5 of us gathered outside the Temasek Hall carpark, opposite KRGH. It was still drizzling -- we were tempted to cancel the run and go for breakfast instead. As this will be the last long run before KL 30km race, we all agreed to proceed with the run and stopped if the rain got heavier ( suggested going for the 12km NUS Hill Run route and see how was the weather before extending the route). After warning of wet n slippery ground, we set off for the run at 7.05am with tktan leading and me as sweeper -- ronnie was keen to run 30km, while roentgen was target for 25km and gentle 15km. tktan shot ahead like a bullet with ronnie trailing behind -- leaving roentgen, gentle and me smelling their dust! The first hill was Kent Ridge Park via Vigilante Dr -- QED for everyone :) As the sky was clearing up, I suggested running to Labrador Park for the 2nd hill. So we exit at Pepsys Rd (everyone welcomed the downslope with open arms after the killer slope). By the time we reached Labrador Park, the rain had stopped. We took a quick water break and ran one round the park before tackling the 2nd hill -- gentle took a shorter loop and elated to "overtake" tktan and ronnie :) roentgen was taking pics with his hp as we ran up the slope.

gentle n roentgen was prepared to run back to NUS but I persuaded them to give the 3rd hill a shot as the KL 30km was said to be 3 times of Mt Faber(MF) -- oh, told them we were using the gentler but longer route via Morse Rd (the steeper and shorter route is via Kampung Bahru). Well, it worked and we ran @ smell-flower pace to MF via Telok Blangah Rd. As we ran up via Morse Rd, could hear roentgen uttering that the slopes were nowhere "gentle" like I said earlier -- oops, oledi board the pirate ship! Took a 2nd toilet break @ Jewel Box -- the guys went to the "posh" toilet @ Altivo. tktan refuel with Gu gel but I decided to skip mine as I was feeling ok. From here, I lead as tktan was not familiar with the route. We "flew" down the slope to Kampung Barhu and turned left to Telok Blangah Rise/Way, passing Safra MF clubhouse. At the traffic junction, I suggested stopping the run @ AV and persuaded gentle n roentgen to run the 4th hill, Telok Blangah Hill. So all of us chiong up the last hill. Ronnie and roentgen were keen to run back to NUS -- abt 8km more. By then, we did abt 20km and gentle was low on battery -- could not be persuaded any more, he activated his "cab" option and took a taxi back to KRGH. The rest of us continued to Queensway and Portsdown Flyover. Felt pain in my right knee and asked tktan to take over the lead to SPI. roentgen requested for a short cut and we splitted with tktan and ronnie -- instead of SPII, we ran down PGP and back to KRGH. Clap clap to roentgen for completing 25km -- running 4 hills and MF for the first time! Oh, ronnie did 1 hill more than the rest -- NUS Hill!

Met gentle @ the car park -- he had his breakfast @ bizad canteen while waiting for us. After a good chat, he left for home while the rest took a good shower. roentgen drove us to AV for tktan's favorite Bak Kut Teh. The guys enjoyed the hot soup while I had seafood horfun and avocado shake. YUM YUM!


Had another round of bday celebration with fennel, George and tktan -- Korean BBQ dinner at Se Ra Bel @ Furama Hotel. We had apperizers, marinated pork, chicken n beef for BBQ, ginseng chicken soup, stir-fry glass noodle and seafood pancake. Many thanks to tktan for the cake n handmade card and fennel n George for the present!




P.S. Thanks to tktan for leading the run, gentle for the lift to KRGH and roentgen for the lift to Dhoby Ghuat MRT. Oh, my fuel tank was low when we reached SPI and I regret not refuelling @ MF. So, for future runs > 20km, should make it a point to refuel.

Route : Start @ KRGH -> Kent Ridge Park -> Labrador Park -> Mount Faber -> Telok Blangah Hill -> Queensway -> Portsdown Flyover -> SPI -> KRGH via PGP

Distance : 25km
Time : 2h 52min (including rest stops n toilet breaks)
Avg pace : 6:53min/km

NUS Hill Run on 10 Jan`07 (Wed)

With the attraction of finisher's cert and goodie bag, we had the largest turnout of 10 runners for the first NUS Hill Run of year 2007 -- nyquist, LM, fennel, DO, ronnie, cosmic_wind, DR, sotong, tktan n me. The run was scheduled to start at 7pm(half an hour later than our usual 6.30pm) so that those working in CBD can join in. Wah, DO, ronnie, cosmic_wind and sotong wore the luminous orange HWA T-shirt! After a quick group pic, we set off for the run with me leading and tktan being the sweeper.


As usual, my initial pace was faster (hmmm, found out later that it was 4.40min/km pace! *faint*) with DO, ronnie, DR closely behind. Everyone enjoyed the killer slope @ Vigilante Dr and welcomed the recovery downslope @ Kent Ridge Park. Took a quick water break at Science Hub and picked up the pace as we ran thru SPI. At the junction of South Bouna Vista Rd and SPI, the group was given a choice of 8.5km or 12km route -- wah, first time majority opt for 12km route. So I led them thru SPII, passing my company, and then up a secluded slope back to NUS. Developed stitch at this point and asked the rest to proceed ahead. tktan caught up from behind and I asked him to take over the lead -- he had to chase after the guys infront to direct them to Prince George Park(PGP). Haa haa, the guys that the worse was over until they saw PGP -- never ending upslope when running with low reserve! tktan "effortlessly" ran up the slope while the rest followed behind -- my stitch eased slightly at this point and I slowly "crawl" up the slope. Overtook fennel who was having ITB pain. Before the guys could take a breather, I reached the end of the PGP slopes and took over the lead thru NUH & NUS. cosmic_wind(who DNF @ the last NUS Hill Run) suddenly experience a new burst of energy and took over the lead with DR & DO at SRC. I followed closely behind to shout directions to them. At the final slope, we all chiong up to finish in 1h 3min -- that's a decent 5:30min/km avg pace! Thanks to LM for the post-run isotonic water and tktan for the ice -- all of us gratefully gulped down the ice cold drinks after a tough run :) Everyone was happy to receive the finisher's cert n goodie bag -- consisted of Hokkaido goodies from my recent ski trip.


Took a quick shower and had dinner at King Fisher's Cafe. We ordered dishes from the "Tai Pai Tong" promo -- Stewed Eight-Treasures Chicken, Wok Baked Mongolian Pork Ribs, Rojak Flavoured Prawns, Special Crispy Beancurd, kailan and hot & sour soup. YUMMY! With sotong around, the food was "cleaned out" :P


P.S. It had been a long time since we last ran the 12km route. Siong but shiok :P Thanks to tktan for designing the finisher's cert. It was a fun run with so many runners -- always enjoy showing the rolling hills of NUS :)

Distance : 11.5km
Time : 1h 3min
Avg pace : 5:29min/km

Recovery Run on 8 Jan`07 (Mon)

After the 3-hr PAIN theraphy of DTM on Sunday, I was advised to do a recover run. So I went for a quick run @ NUS after work. Oh dear, felt a sharp pain on my left knee when I ran down the first slope -- ok ok, better slow down. Undecided about the route, I juz ran along Pasir Panjang Rd towards South Bouna Vista Rd. My right shoulder was still sore and my right thigh n ankle felt stiff from DTM. At the foot of Vigilante Dr, I decided to run up -- abeit at a snail crawling pace n grasping for breath! Reached the end of Vigilante Dr in 19min -- slower 5.45min/km pace. After the killer slope, the rest of the route was a breeze... Without the "slave master" chasing behind, I ran "leisurely" up the final slope to KRGH. Completed the NUS Hill Run route in 48 min!

P.S. Didn't feel good during the run as my right side (shoulder, thigh n ankle) was sore. Hope the soreness would go away soon.

Distance : 8.5km
Time : 48min
Avg pace : 5:39min/km

Three Hill Run on 7 Jan`07 (Sun)

Safra MF runners were doing a 30km 3 Hill Run, with additional loops in Kent Ridge Park, Labrador Park and Mount Faber. Decided to join them for my first LSD of the year -- would skip the additional loops as dun wanna ramp up my mileage too fast. Wah, a big group of runners gathered at the clubhouse when I arrived at 7am -- happy to see familiar faces like fennel, cosmic_wind, DO, DR, Bug, cokiee, BR and SV. With some delay, the run finally started at 7.30am. Kumaran n Bug lead the way and I gave chase -- wah, they were FAST and I soon lost sight of them along Depot Rd. Ran solo along Queensway towards Portsdown Flyover. Heard someone shouting "Oei Oei, this way" from behind -- oops, one of the Safra runners thot I went the wrong way as they turned off to the railway and I was going straight. Paiseh, later heard that he had to chase after me to get me on the right track. I sticked to the route I was familiar with -- went straight and climbed up the stairs to Portsdown Flyover. At the traffic junction, crossed path with DO and we ran together briefly to Kent Ridge Park(KRP). DO got a little lost and ran up a slope instead of turning left to Science Hub. I chased after him and lead him out after a slight detour. Joined up with fennel who emerged from Science Hub and ran up the slopes in KRP. While the rest continued the extra loops, I ran on to exit via Pepys Rd -- saw Kumaran waiting for the rest and told him I was heading to Labrador Park.

After the jumps on/off the pavement @ Pasir Panjang Rd, I saw the troupe of Safra Tampines runners exiting from Labrador Park -- waved to Bee and suanxing. The heat was getting to me and I could feel my CPU heated up. Increased pace as I was looking forward to the shades and toilet break. Did a loop along the perimeter of the park and gulped down mouthful of water from the water cooler (trying to conserve some water in my camelbak for the last hill). Then embark on the hill climb up to the Olive Restaurant. On my way out of Labrador Park, saw some Safra MF runners running in to start their loops.

Entered the last hill, Mount Faber(MF), from Morse Rd. Didn't know Kumaran was behind me and he shouted "this way this way" -- informed him that I was running my own route (their route was to run to Harbourfront and enter via Kampung Bahru -- wanna avoid this stretch). As I slowly crawled up the hill to top of MF, met many strollers coming down and they cheered me on :) Did half of the MF loop and proceed to run down, passing Jewel Box. Saw Kumaran and he was walking and uttered that THIS slope was killing him! Cheered him with "the end of the slope was near"! The last stretch to the clubhouse was nice and shady -- so happy to complete the 3 hill run of 18km in 1hr 44min!

Emptied my camelbak and did my warm down stretch with Safra Tampines runners. Stomach felt upset and went to toilet to clear the system. By the time I got out, fennel, DO and DR were back. Waited for 1hr+ for majority of the runners to come back. Collect our bags and brought out my Japanese goodies to share -- corn coated with white chocolate, Royce's apple chocolate and black sesame cookies. As I had an appointment for DTM, need to rush off -- didn't join the gang for lunch. fennel joined me for beef noodle lunch at Harbourfront before going on shopping spree.

P.S. It took a bit of getting use to running with camelbak and under the heat! Good training and I did enjoy the solitude while running thru the 3 hills -- smell-flower pace and watching people. Haiz, gotta start from square one for running upslope -- crawl like a snail! With the KL hilly 30km juz 2 weeks away, better throw in more NUS hill run next week.

Distance : 18km
Time : 1h 44min
Avg pace : 5:49min/km

Calibration Run on 6 Jan`07 (Sat)

Gotta get back my sense of pace -- gone haywire after 3-week break. After a nite of merry feasting n drinking @ Dempsey Rd, was kinda of amazed that I could wake up @ 7am :) Ran on an empty stomach and here's the timing per lap :-
Lap 1 : 4:39min/km pace -- wow, improvement from my last calibration run in Dec!
Lap 2 : 4:52min/km -- still a tad too fast for cruising
Lap 3 : 5:02min/km -- getting comfortable
Lap 4 : 5:12min/km -- very comfortable
Lap 5 : 5:05min/km -- about right

Had to stop at 5th lap as my growling stomach was protesting!

P.S. So glad that I have not slacken too much :)

Distance : 5km
Time : 24:50min
Avg pace : 4:58min/km

RL Run on 4 Jan`07 (Thu)

Had a great ski holiday over Xmas n New Year in Hokkaido, Japan -- pure joy to spend the days juz eat, sleep, ski n onsen :) After 3 weeks of zero mileage, I was looking forward to my first run of year 2007. RL was having a promo of 1-for-1 socks promo for the runners and that attracted a few rare guests from SgRunners (or were they tempted by the mention of me bringing some Japanese goodies?!) Haiz, at 5.30pm -- it started to pour pigs n elephants EVERYWHERE! Took a lift from my colleague to Tanjong Pagar -- the rain was still heavy. Sms-ed to tktan that we should skip the run and go makan! To our surprise, the rain reduced to a drizzle when we reached City Hall -- no chance to slack! A group of runners already gathered at RL when I got out of the changing room -- among them were Eddie, DO, Terence, Ayin, ronnie, cfred and SV. The RVP gals came but decided not to run due to the impending rain. After some delay, we went ahead with the run -- did our warm up outside RL. The route was Esplanade -- suit me juz fine as I needed an easy n flat run :) Started the run in the drizzle. Surged ahead as I lost my sense of pace -- maybe I had rested for too long and my legs were too eager to run :P The guys caught up @ Marina Promenade and we were running abreast while chatting abt upcoming KL 30km race. Soon some of the guys(Eddie, Ayin, Terence, DO, tktan etc) picked up speed n sped ahead. cfred overtook me at end of Marina Promenade and I tailgated him to Kallang Riverside Park. After the U-turn point, I started to have stitch and slowed down to control my breathing. No sign of relieving the pain but mid-way at Marina Promenade, the stitch juz disappeared! Widen my strike and finished the 10km run @ 53min (forgot how to use my stop watch and registered unbeliveable timing of 39min! A check with cfred on his timing -- he did 50min+, so I should be 2-3 mins more)

After a quick change of clothes, DO, SV, cfred, tktan n me met up with George n fennel @ City Hall before proceeding to Marche @ Suntec for dinner -- to celebrate George's bday. In place of a cake, we had dorayaki for George -- with a lit candle. Everyone got a taste of dorayaki (doraemon's favorite food with red beans and chestnut filling) -- specially handcarry from Otaru, Hokkaido.

P.S. It felt good to be running again! Could feel the strain on my right shoulder (from a bad fall while skiing) and didn't push hard -- juz enjoy the run. Good to know that my pace was still 5:15-5:30min/km :) Gotta go for another calibration run to get back my sense of pace.

Distance : 10km
Time : 53min
Avg pace : 5:18min/km