Warm, Windy Saturday and Racing in Cold on Sun

What a relief on Saturday. It was one of the warmest day I've felt since reaching Melbourne. I didn't know what the temperature was and didn't bother to check it as I was enjoying it. Found out today in The Age report, it hit a record high at 29.9 C. Didn't do much in the morning till late afternoon, woke up late as I was watching a movie till late online. Felt like going out but wind was so strong. It was reported that certain areas, powerline were bought down in the mountain areas that causes blackout.

Anyways, I felt an itch to go for a ride, then thought maybe I should head out to my cousin's place in Sandringham, which is just by the beach. I could take some photos by the beach on the way there. Checked out Google map in a hurry and found that her place was about 17.5km from where I stayed. Not too far, I thought. So I just drew a rough map and quickly changed into my cycling clothing and head out. I rode and rode looking for the turning to her place but either I missed it or my map was wrong. I can't visualise the map I saw earlier as I had a quick glance. I went pass 15, 16, 17...20km, this can't be right, I decided to make a U-turn back. The sky really got dark and also not promising as the cloud gathers. Told myself I'll go to her place another day. On the way back, I saw the road heading to her place, then realised that I've been looking at the wrong side. I should be looking out for the road on the right instead of left, no wonder I missed the turning. Should I go or shouldn't I (go to my cousin's place)? What the heck, might as well. I got a good tailwind (easily can reach 40km/h) at the start and was little worried heading back when I made the U turn, but luckily it was ok, then when I made the left turn to my cuz's place, it wasn't that bad. Finally reached her place and saw her cooking. She invited me to stay for dinner and she'll drive me back after that. Well, sounds good to me!

Bike parking

Master Chef Alissa

Foodie Goodie

City view from beach

She drove me back after dinner. Then, me, her and Kheng went for a drink at Rosco's Cafe just down at Kheng's apartment.

This morning I had to get up early at 6am to hitch a ride from a fellow runner from Melbourne. I had posted in the Cool Running Australia forum that if anyone out there who is passing by my place would be kind enough to offer a ride to Sri Chinmoy Yarra Boulevard Half Marathon. I was pretty surprised that I actually got a reply. A lady, Grace, offered me ride and she has 2 other runners car pooling with her. Well my back up plan was to follow the Melbourne Marathon training series run which is just a few blocks away if I am not going to the race. Anyway, I took up the offer and went for the race. In the car I met 2 other runners, Lara and Ross.

There was a 10km option but I opted for 21.1km since I need to access where my fitness stands at the moment as I've only put in about 2 weeks training. Prior to the training, I wasn't really doing any consistent training at all after my KL Marathon. Paid AUD 28 on-the-day entrance fee and no finisher's medal ya. Only top 5 in each category gets medal. Grace, Ross and Lara will be doing the 10km, so I took out my bag from Grace's car just in case they are leaving early since both the events will start at the same time at 8am. Either I hitch another ride back or run back. Luckily for me, they were still around when I reached the finish line.

I wore my singlet today in expectation that the weather will be warmer or my body will get warmer after a few kms. The race is actually run in loops. The 10km runners will run 2 loops of 5km, while the HM will be running 4 loops plus a 1.1km turn. The race started with a moment of silence. Not too sure why they did it, but we were briefed that it was their tradition to have a moment of silence before race starts. No guns, just a shout of Ready, Set, Mark and GO! The 10km runners runs in opposite direction. There were about 200-300 runners from all categories.

I started the race pretty well. I was going slightly above 4 mins pace and feeling good. I didnt start from the front though, so slowly made my way up front, but didnt manage to get up with the leaders. I was maybe in the top 30 position for the first half of the race. My split time for 10km was 42'16 and thought I would be good for a sub 1h 30mins finish today. Suddenly, I felt tired and my body temperature kind of drop and started feeling cold. We had isolated shower during the race, weather was cooling, maybe around 14 C but I was freezing. Then more runners started overtaking me, couldn't keep up with my pace. 15km split was 1h 04m 15s, still good for a sub 1h 30m finished but I need to increase my pace if I were to do it. My hands were freezing, so I thought I just try to push in my last 1.5km and hope for the best. When I saw my watch passing 1h 30m with maybe 150m left to go, I just slowed down. Stopped my watch 1h 30m 44s. It was ok, as I was expecting it to be around 1'32-1'35. I saw Grace, Lara and Ross. Told them I was freezing, they were kind of surprise. Then Ross said to me, "Kiat, you having goosebumps on your hand!". I know. I saw 3 of them were having medals aroudn their neck, so they must be in the Top 5 in their categories. Good on them.

These are my 5km split times (Start/Finish line):

25'08.75 - 6.1km

21'37.85 - 5.0km

22'03.11 - 5.0km

21'54.61 - 5.0km

Quickly took out my singlet and put on my shirt and jacket to keep myself warm. There were pancakes at the end of the race for runners, with bananas and syrup for the pancakes. I had one pancake and had a few drinks. Then, off I went with Grace and friends to head home.

Stop by a cafe down at the aprtment to have a cup of latte to keep me warm. Had my shower then my brunch, toast again with ham, carrot and egg.

Then watched US Open semi final for women between Serena Williams vs Kim Clijsters. Boy, what a bad end for Serena when she was called for a foot fault which gave Kim the match point. She appears to be unfazed for a moment but then she walked to the line judge and started swearing at her, while swinging her racquet like threatening her. Poor lady...from Asian ethnic. She looks so scared and quickly walked to the umpire and told her about it. Then she walked back, Serena saw it, and went at her again. the petite lady quickly walked to the umpire again. The next thing that happened, the tournament referee came out, then Serena just walked off to her chair and threw her racquet and walked up to Clijster and shook her hand. Found out from the website (link), she was given a 2nd code violation and a point was awarded to Clijsters which ultimately ended the match. What an end! All I heard was "I threatened to kill you, are you serious" looking at the line judge at the umpire's chair. This was her press conference interview.

The Course Map

Registration and Baggage Tent

Volunteer preparing drinks

Pancake served

Lara and Ross

Grace, Ross and Me

A Hearty Dinner

I woke up early again on a cold and breezy Sun morning, anxiously wanting to join a running group for a long run organised by the Melbourne Marathon organiser. I washoping to join one last Wed but I was a little late so ended up running myself. This time I reached there at 7.55am and was hoping to see 20-30 runners waiting at the Genesis Fitness Centre which so happen to be walking distance from my cuz's place.

So, what did I see? No one there!! I waited till 8.05am before I gave up and ran myself. I went to Albert this time to change the scenery a little. A lap araound the Albert Park lake was about 4.7km. I was thinking of hitting above 20km but ended up doing only 1hr 20 mins run. Did 3 laps around the lake. I was pretty exhausted after an hour of run. It was pretty sunny day but still cold and sweat was not visible, well, maybe a few drops. This is the time when I need a group of runners to motivate me, but so disappointed that I didn't get to join one. I went back home and check the schedule again and found out it's actually an 8.30am start! First time I got there late, second time too early! Anyway, can only join 2 of their runs, Weds and Suns. Wed is also at Genesis Fitness Centre but in another branch slightly further away, near Crown Casino/Hotel by the Yarra River. I got lost last Wed, that's why I was late for the run. Anyway, will try to make it this week.

Alissa came over and took me to Safeway to get some food supplies. She then told me she'll cook for us. A way for her to "take care of us two boys". She even bought fresh oysters for us. She baked a meal from her own recipe she says. Well I forgot to take the photo before we ate, so that's already half gone. Arina (her sis) came back after work and took half of what you see in the photo. Haha. What's inside? Onions, Corns, Mushrooms, Chicken, Bacon, Eggs, Cheese, Tomatoes...really good stuff! Delicious!



Here are the oysters...



After that, it's dessert time....Sian Chao...or better known to ang mo as Grass Jelly and the Mala - Cin Cao. She used gula melaka but somehow it hardened



The gula melaka somehow hardened before it made it's way to the cup! Haha!



Didn't do much today. Watched some US Open matches online in the morning. Afternoon, was just too lazy to run, as need to rest my legs a little as I've been training on my racer so nto giving me much support in terms of cushioning. Then cooked pasta in the evening for me and my cuz.