Starting To Get Warmer

Seems like the weather is getting warmer lately, which is a good thing. However, it's still not as warm you think it is. I still have to wear 2 layer of clothes and putting on hand gloves (and beanie at times) when going out for a run, with the exception of today. Sun was up today but after a few laps around the park, it was freezing.

I didn't do anything on Mon, thought I rest up my legs, which getting a little sore. On Tue, went for an hour run around Fawkner Park. Last night, I ran to Genesis Fitness Centre, Freshwater Pl, to join the training series run organised by the Melbourne Marathon organiser. The centre is about 3.5km from where I stayed, so I ran there to log in some mileage for the day. Reached there and saw there were about 20-30 runners waiting. Then a guy came out and asked everyone to gather around. He divided the groups. There were 8km, slow group, medium group and the other will be 12km group, divided into slow, medium and fast group. I was contemplating in joining the fast group but I thought I better not "kepo" in joinng the fast ones. A lot of them went with the fast ones, probably be doing 4:20-4:40 pace I think.

Anyway, it was a good decision. The medium pace group was at the speed I was looking at around 4:50-5:00/km pace. I just want to get my mileage in. The run started at around 6.10pm. There are 6 of us in the group and we started with a slow pace, running along the Yarra River and out around the Tan Track, then we went across the river to the Melbourne & Olympic Parks, better known in hosting of the first tennis Grand Slam each year, The Australian Open. The arena are also used to play host in some of the big concerts/events. Looking at their webpage, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, II Divo, Liza Minnelli, Nickleback and even Britney Spears will be down to perform. Melbourne will also play host to the coming UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics (Link). Speaking of which, Josiah actually lives where I am staying right now. Haven't got the chance to meet him yet, as my cuz told me that he is away in Japan for some track races. But he will be back for the World Cup. And oh....it's held on the day that Im flying off from Melbourne. Since my flight is at midnight, will be catching some of the events for the night session and head straight off to the airport after that.

Now where was I? Oh...we ran pass the Melbourne Park thru to Melbourne Cricket Ground or better known as MCG. MCG is the largest stadium in Australia which can hold a capacity of over 100,000 spectators. This stadium is packed every Sat due to the football game...no we're not talking about soccer you idiot. We're talking about the fiery game of Aussie Rule Football, the Footie. Everyday you take out the newspaper and turn to the sports page, you'll have 3-5 pages on footie before you have the other sports news. And everyday, you'll have at least one show or more on TV. These people are crazy about AFL (yeah, not EPL). Even my cousin, Alissa, can sing and dance to her favourite team theme, St. Kilda! Well, MCG of course did play host to the 1956 Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Back to my running. We passed MCG, then went on to run around Fitzroy Garden. Can't see much as it was already dark. But running in the dark, you are able to see the beauty of the city, where Melbourne's skyscrapers are lighted up manigficently. The run was pretty much a tour around the city for me, as one of the guys put it. We then ran across one of the bridge back to where we started. I ran slowly back to Kheng's place after that. Took a quick shower and had fried rice leftover I cooked in the afternoon. I think I logged in about 19km yesterday, I was pretty satisfied with it.

Today, as I went out to do a tempo run, my lower back hurts at the start of the run. Thankfully it felt better after a while. I cut short 10 mins off what I wanted to do. I've been feeling the lower backache lately, so I think I better not run for tomorrow. It could be the cold weather which is affecting my lower back. Even with the "koyok" I stuck behind my back is not helping at all.

Cooked some rice and as for vege, I dumped the mince meat, carrot and cauliflower into the wok and stir fry. Easy meal. Nothing delicious thou but it did fill my hunger. Mmmh, next time I should take photos of my cooking (well, some really look or taste like shit! Who asked me never learn it from my mother).

Oh, here's a photo of Lamington, generally found in Australia. Basically it's a sponge cake, with chocolate icing with desiccated coconut.


Boy, I wish I could have a massage right now for my backache!