 | Bus Stop | May 17, '12 6:34 AM
for everyone |
One of the rare shots where I could get a shot of Miss Owlet waiting at the bus stop for her school bus. Darn the middle fence blocked most of the view. I could very well be in trouble for holding a camera in the car. I was waiting for the lights to turn green, so you need not be alarmed. The mornings have been unceremoniously cold for the past week. It did feel like winter came early. I begin to dread the winter underlay I'm faced with. Not much and colours can be dreadful. My winter wardrobe is of black, grey and white. The kids have more choice luxury though unfortunately, they outgrow them ever so soon! Even the school blazers are oversized so they could sit on them for at least 2 years. Looking good is not an option when price tag commands that premium.
The 14th birthday without much of a fanfare. Cakes are getting out of fashion. Steamboat is still a good trend to follow so far since that's quite a rare feast to have. My definition of feast is laying out more than 3 plates of food on the table. Yeah...
Got Possum a college bomber jacket.... still a tad too big and I reckon he'll grow into it very soon.
The First Lap
Breaking my XC virginity is not a bad idea with just 48 hours of confirmation of my team involvement. There were 2 ladies relay teams for the Victorian Masters Athletics (VMA) and one team for the men. The rest of the men were running for the Open in their age categories. I knew quite a good number of runners here with our paths crossing either on Tuesdays or Saturdays. Being comfortable in this environment helps as you can read later in this post.
The Men Over-40 Division at start line Seemingly innocuous is the elevation of Jells Park. No matter how many training sessions I have on the hills, cross country is immaterial to road speed. I consciously made the worst athlete's mistake of not warming up (thinking the downhill start would be a warm-up). I paid the price when the flats and subsequently uphills kicked in after the best downhills. This 3k lap is relentless whether you're a fast or average runner. Almost parallel to the hill sessions, the route demanded more unexpected hairpin bends and by the time I'm into my second 3k lap, I was almost 'cooked'!
For starters, my team started 2 minutes late after gun-off as the first runner was still in the toilet! I was the last runner for the team so I had spent more time chatting with others. Coach took care to explain not to run out of gas in the first lap, be comfortable, she said. Usually the catch-up is on the second lap where the rest starts sh uffling. I did not have the chance since we started late. The best part of this XC is that the corralled starts helped the field to be constantly busy. It didn't matter if I was probably the last in the field due to the blooper, there were always runners lapping. My first lap and second lap were cheered by various VMA runners as they had finished their efforts. It did help to relieve the tired quads for a while. I was never alone....
Finishing the 6k in 30mins was a huge accomplishment as a first timer. I was reduced to shuffling on the 2nd lap hill climb. I felt the worst and terribly humbled. Congregating at our tent, coach was delighted that I managed a decent time close the regular ladies team. She'll definitely want me to in VMA to score some points for the club.
The turnout for the XC was huge. About 30 clubs came to compete. More importantly there were many young guns, U18. Their gun-off was about 15 minutes later than ours, thus explained the ever busy laps. The weather was a cool 15deg with some sunshine. I think we can't get any better than this for a race day.
Footnote: I was the most easily recognised runner being the only one with a skirt!
Running my first x-country relay for the ladies team. Coach called this morning to check on my interest level. Though I'm not exactly a keen cross country runner, I wouldn't mind giving a go at it. It's an invitation team for me to try out the event. Ten cross-country races in every 3 weeks or so and the locations are varied. The starter race is right at Jells Park, my summer training venue. I should be all right with 6k. Only that grass running may prove to be a different affair. It should all be quite fun with a big turnout except it's different from a normal race. There are the elites divisions and the mortal divisions.
The race route of this course overrides my expectations given the spikes in the uphill surges especially at the most unexpected 11k where the steep Collins Street awaits. I didn't see that coming and this stretch almost reduced me to a glacier pace. My buns were getting a little sore by then after the Bolte Bridge ascension. This is a 14.38km route and the last I did was in November's City2Sea 14k. Given my net time of probably just below 72mins I aced this. Importantly I passed the 10k marker at 49mins. Yay! And out of the total female finishers of 9343, I am placed at 475th. Elated! Running through the Domain Tunnel was to be the emergence of undulation. So it was double happiness having reached this sub-50 milestone and bettered my total race time by a minute.
The unique experience of being way up front with the Elites was that I was perpetually being passed. I was being overtaken so badly that I felt tortoise-paced when the very fit strong women started running past as well. A very unusual yet punishing experience as my pace was not the fastest but it was uncomfortable enough for me to slow to my above average pace.
It is a great fun run event with thick crowd support wherever possible since a majority of the route was in the Tunnel, highway and bridge. Another attractive aspect was the Good Friday Appeal where $29 of the $50 entry fee is donated to the Royal Children Hospital. I'm not sure if I'll run this again as it is punishing and I almost committed the cardinal sin of walking (ascending Collins St). Not that walking is disallowed but it is the most defeating runner's thought I could ever have in a short distance race.
The finishing line reminded me of the marathon lines in New York. Tons of folks cheering and shouting. Man, it was a great finishing feeling. The fastest finishing runner in our club did a 53mins with many a sub-70 whilst Fastdawg a 61mins.
Next run is Puffing Billy The Great Train Race. This is a killer run with more hills. My weekend will be dedicated to Hills! I've gotta beat the woman's train with a bigger margin this time.
P/S At the start of yesterday's speed session, I was forever stumped when coach Bronwen let out that 2 gutsy runners jumped over the fence to the Elite front just before race start. Guilty as I was since Fastdawg was nowhere around, I smiled meekly. Geez, how on earth did she know when she was never even there..?! There must have been some eyes around.... Collection of bibs was hassle free and there are no goodie bags typically as this is considered low-cost country race. The goodies are intangible in the form of country charm friendliness, cosy-sized competition, great running atmosphere all along the route and entertaining announcers.
We warmed up to a slow jog at the end of the race route of less than 2km before deciding it was time to turn back to the Oval as the race was to start in 10 mins time.
Met up with a few more runners before finding my way to the start line in the Oval. I have never fancied starting on the green and this will be the finish line after completing a lap. Crowd was not thick though I was standing in the middle just a little ahead of Sam and another 2 running friends. Fastdawg had to be way in front as he's a sprinter. And I never did see his back from start to finish.
There are no timing chip though thankfully a huge digital timer as just sitting at the finish, good enough to know your time and even better your net time if you care to look at your handicap start. I reckon I was about 5 secs to start line. Just 500m out, there is a sharp hill to ascend before turning left to the another part of Warby. I knew and I was getting a little flustered having to slow down on hills at such an early stage. Before 5km mark, there was another longer hill and this would mark the highlight of the route, just 2 elevations, and we're on our own to run the flats.
The sun was little to be seen with the windy condition at some stretches. I was darn happy that I wasn't going to be toasted in the morning sun. With the humid 34deg forecast, it was my greatest race fear. I even brought along a cap on the trip just in case albeit in the end, I turfed it and went with just my sunnies.
I was having heart palpitations for almost half the mileage as I drank 500ml of V. Anxiety also gave rise to the pronounced feeling. I wasn't sure if I was running fast but I was darn sure I was running hard with my brick-heavy quads. Maybe I hadn't rested them enough. Who knows? The body is so intricate in nature that I never know when my legs are fresh till I start running in them, even with the best intention of getting them soothed.
Country roads are best run in the morning or just any time of the day - hardly any cars. The mind is taken off the pain when sights of House For Sale came along. I'll be taking a long look and wonder if that is a house I'll buy. Silliness is good when suffering is in action. I overtook a couple of runners, including some male runners and what sets us aside was my heavy breathing.
I could only, and only think of the soy latte and brunch post race. There was no inkling of time factor, in fact I totally forgotten about looking at the clock when passing the finishing line. There were 3 drink stations in the 10k route and I hydrated only at the 2nd and last stations. I was a little concerned that Sam may just catch up on me! as well as the ones I overtook. The two U-ees we made did not see anyone close to my hind. That's a little good news.
The trail begins at km 7 along the Yarra creek. This is much easier to run though I was already quite flat out. Thoughts of walking did whiz by, "get that outta my mind"! I didn't see anyone walk from the start. At least this is a mature group of runners.... I abhor runners dashing out and walking in a kilometre or less. It's rather selfish, they should be way behind not to choke the front traffic.
If not for the warm-up session earlier, I wouldn't have recognised the landmarks of nearing the Oval. Smiles on my face as we close in. The last 200m saw 3 of us sprinting to the finish. One male and a female. That was fun and dynamic. Fastdawg was already having his refreshment before I did the finishing lap and cheered me on. I looked Agony!
A big congratulatory hug as I was told my time. 50mins 15sec. Sam was about 30 secs behind and boy, he was fast to give a hug and kiss. Sweaty.... Can't run away from him, can I? I didn't know he was that close!
Stayed a while to watch the rest coming in and we went on to Three Sugars for brunch. Something about country towns and roads is the Harley-Davidsons parked there. Short of profiling HD riders, I can safely conclude they are usually bulky and ugly. You actually need bulk to straddle the HD's. I doubt the HD is one I can manage. Postscript: Fastdawg and I came in 2nd in our Age Categories. Yippee!
Last February, it was wet and wild. This year, it was dry and humid with a high temp of 34deg forecasted. I would be two-hearted about this heat and was thinking of a retreat. Fastdawg didn't allow that to happen since I was to be picked up early. Warburton is around 78km (linear distance) from Melbourne. The roadrunners club organizes an annual bike ride during summer along its scenic trail and finishes at one of the many cafes dotting the main street. My favourite is the Three Sugars cafe. The selection is impeccable that comes along with good old country service.
Online registrations are generally $5 cheaper in numerous races especially the country ones. Though medals are not commonplace, the reasonably priced entry fee of $35 contributes decent cash prizes for the podium finishers for both male and female. This may be an annual run for me if I can.
We collected our bibs at 8ish from the clubhouse at the start/finish Oval. We met a handful of familiar runners mainly from our speed sessions, one of whom caused a little 'grief' for Fastdawg as she is a rocket runner and is still breastfeeding. OMG!
Race for 10km and 5km starts simultaneously at 9.15am. This run doesn't have high numbers so there is no fear of crowd thickness at the start. There is a 2km kids run as well as 5km for walkers that started earlier. Kids run started around 8.30am. You may be surprised the number of kids here from all ages. Some parents run with them to guide them in the right running direction. 2km from a child's perspective is like a neverending 10km.
The support by marshals and parents are unequivocally the best in such events. The announcer knows their names from their tags and announces them as they run the Oval lap to the finishing line. Likewise for us, the 10km will finish when a lap is completed. That gives the support crew and announcer adequate time to record and to get hold of the names of incoming runners.
The First Girl Warburton has quite a good number of bridges, some of historical markings. The kids ran across bridges of 1.5 persons width, likewise for the adults. Our run takes us to approximately 7km on road and 3km of trail. You'll love running on these roads with the beautiful gum trees and nature just being with you. Extremely low traffic. Road marshaling was excellent. The route was rather undulating with 2 sharp hills, one of which at the beginning (that took my steam) and thankfully, as much as I slathered sunscreen, the day was windy enough not to have the full merciless sun blazing on us. The clouds were great huge umbrellas!
Parents accompanying their kiddoes and later running in the 10km
Monday - The dashboard showed a red message prompt for a tyre pressure check on my way to a massage appointment in the late morning. Very quickly my ears, like antennae, listened for anomalies and as much as I feared, there was a problem with a tyre which sounded like a flat. I continued on for a bit till I reached a side road. Came out and saw the flat and a rip where the tyre happened to sit on. It's a sports tyre so it didn't look that obvious. Nonetheless, I went for my massage before coming back to call for roadside assistance. This would have been my second time with them with the last in 2009 out in the country farm. It was absolutely boredom to sit and wait.... the next thing I did was looked at the spare in the boot. Not only was there the expected spare, but the whole kit of jack and spanner with a clean pair of gloves sitting there!
I thought it might just be worthwhile to dweedle with this while waiting. First I've to figure out the handy jack and its workings. Then next is the placement of it under the part of the car (which part?). It's rather idiot proof where the label on it illustrated exactly where to put under. If I can do it, so can any heeled ladies. A runner friend quickly pointed out that I wouldn't have to change it in the end as truckies or drivers normally stop to help especially for a woman.... Well, just let me get it rolling first. By the time I get to jump on the first nut, an old bloke walking his dogs offered. Very kind but I waved him on with the comfort that help is coming anyway. By the time I was up to the third nut, a podiatrist came along as I was just parked outside his clinic. He didn't seem to want to go so I let him have it. It was rather odd to see a groomed man in business shirt doing the dirty work. Thank goodness I always keep a big pack of wet tissues. No sweat here.
The All-you-need Kit is neatly kept in another 'wheel'
If the story went in the way of movies, we'll have coffee thereafter and a date...... Haha. No.... that wasn't how real life is especially when I'm not a sweet young thing. A man with half the brain will know that a woman driving a Merc is not going to a single sweet young thing. In any case, I shall visit him one day as his clinic has another podiatrist whom I used to go to.
Now I can safely say I know how to change a tyre! Graduated with flying colours!
The winning piece of Miss Owlet's checkmate. The road is long and arduous yet the journey can be occasionally sweet. It has been 3 years since she started playing and the victories she had were few but sweet.
She played unexpectedly well considering her opponent's chess rating is 1001 whilst hers is around 600. By the end of this tournament, she'll be over the moon with her latest rating leap.
David and Goliath last night
It has always been daunting to face the many strong players in the roomful of men but she persevered in part due to my persistence. Soon enough this may not be her sport anymore as she fills her time with more girlish activities. Chess is a bloke's game after all.
This pair of boots from Gap saved my toes in Paris. I hadn't thought of getting them till I saw this pair of indubitable troopers. They are actually gum boots and I absolutely have no sane idea why are they stocking this in hot and humid Kuala Lumpur! It is impossible to walk in them without suffocating the toes or ending up with stinky feet. It was my gain anyway when the offer of 50% was too good to refuse! With its high insulation, my feet were still a little numb traipsing the Parisien streets. For a week, my feet were just nakedly clothed in rubber till I discovered that the socks did the trick and walking in them was a whole lot less clumsy. Without socks, I tend to trip; With socks, the boots seemingly grew some eyes.
I'm going to experiment the Mother of energy drink later today..... this will be the trial run of Sunday's pre-event drink. Just going by today's menu, I had a raisin toast, 2 mugs of coffee, seeds and nuts, 2 eggs. And some solid food... muesli later. Either I'm going to have a stuffed up tummy or a rocketing performance tonight of 2 sets of 4 x 400m. I hope it's the latter ;-)
The late nights have not been doing me a favour. Always felt like the bed is my best friend.... Always have been but never had to chance to sleep in. Darn! If only the kids can go about doing their morning ritual without me sometimes....
The post-run drills are always rewarded with watermelon slices. Yummmy!!!
I've been quite hooked on this ever since the water melon offerings. And it's the best thirst quencher you'll ever find. I never dared much to consume water melon in Asia due to the hygiene condition. Yes, I'm biased..... but that's what I am. Found this 'cracked' watermelon and I'm in for a sweet treat later!
Motivation appears in many forms and sometimes, we all at some point in our lives, are 'picked up' by the mere presence of eye candies. As shallow as it sounds, we all need distractions amidst our rough and tumble sessions. And a technical watch does not distract me..... it annoys me.
This morning's short 15k was a tad too swift when I was tagged with 3 other faster male runners. Two of whom run with me on speed days. One is adorably handsome..... dark tight short curls with good looks to match. He's fairly bulky but runs freaking fast.... like a caffeine-shot bulldozer. I'm like trying to keep up with the other older man who kept me honest and entertained. He paced me like 'hell' almost like my 2nd half of the 20 x 1 min session recently. Only that this has no recovery till we hit the water stop kilometres away. He kept my pace for almost 12k..... I'm lucky today for a pacer! Hit the dreaded hills for the last 2k. My quads are protesting and haven't reached the screaming stage. I'm a pretty good owner to my body parts.... I don't let them suffer too much.... Only suffering is my heavy breathing or puffing that says alot about my style....
Older runner said I was naughty and nice when I jokingly mentioned that I'll like to chase the dark curls runner. It's stratospheric by the time my pace is able to match anywhere near his. Man, gotta work hard again.... more reason to chase the speedies. Fastdog gave me an extra speed day a week to go chasing hounds. That helped ;-)
Oh did I mention that I wore a 'tennis' skirt this morning..? Counting down to autumn where running skirts are going to be rare.
Yesterday's thunderstorm from the West brought along some hail and heavy flood in the ranges. I was at Jells Park with Fastdog. We belted out quick or should I say, I had to quicken my pace as my 2 strides is his One. The very very optimistic news about running with Fastdog is he is damn fast normally in the wildebeest stampede.
The rain started belting in less than one kilometre after we started. I love the wet run, as long as it's not wintry cold. My pace was much faster in the return leg and I was almost flat out by the time I reached that kilometre marker gate. I was happy having attacked some hills given the condition. A good run with no empty mileage. I've now learn that running too many miles may just be empty. Better to run a quality mile fast....
Thankfully I somehow brought along a change of clothes which I do not normally... That saved my skin! That was a fortnight ago after a short 15k run. 
There's always a reason during summer for a barbie or just plain having social fun. I haven't gone too far with eating these after a run. I had the alternative of cereals and fruits at the other table which went down perfectly well. The Roadrunners Club compiled a members profile directory annually. Two weeks prior, the President will call for members to send in a blurp or risk having them put up for you. I went with that naughty risk, knowing that it cannot be that bad ;-)
After the run, I stayed for a while before shuttling off and I missed that loveliest looking birthday cake. It almost looked like a 3-tiered wedding cake. Darn, forgot to take a picture of that.
I'm totally flabbergasted by the number of showers an adolescent boy takes in a week. And in my already miffed mind, it is quite puzzling why showers are such a bane for a boy. Being the direct opposite, Miss Owlet loves the shower. Is that a typical gender difference in during puberty? I never had any brothers so it's all quite new to me. Well, as long as I don't get a note from his school about body odour or anything related to that, I'll just have to keep him on his toes if I don't miss it.
Possum's first ever lit-up of a chain of firecrackers  Possum, in his frequently annoying ways, has been selected by the school to participate in the Mathematics Enrichment Program. This would mean he would come out of his mainstream class one lesson each week to participate in the program.
This is typically an honour as only the most capable students (usually 30 out of that year level of about 220) are invited for any one semester. The involvement is reviewed on semester by semester basis. Naturally, the workload in enrichment is considerably more than that in mainstream and he is expected to complete the work he missed in his mainstream class as well as complete the homework from the Enrichment Program.
I don't know how he's going to go through this knowing his nonchalant nature. If not given a choice, he'll just move forward. This is going to be a dinner topic tonight. Interesting to see what he's gotta say.
On a different topic, Miss Owlet has been moved to train with the school's orchestra in the First Violin. I hope she'll find the group engaging especially when there are 2 school orchestra and ensemble performance annually.
So far, Miss Owlet is still grappling with her 'growth' and she's pretty excited with her growth spurt recently. I'd to go as far as buying her summer dresses 2 sizes up. No training bras yet but she's wearing extra support and that should ease her into her first brassiere later.
Her mood swings are different from Possum. Girls are more sensitive to environment than boys. Possum just received his belated Christmas gift in the form of WWE PS2 game that was ordered in January online. I just don't know how I'm going to handle all these if they should coincide with my mid-life crisis (if that does happen).
============ Be Calm and Breathe Deep ============
This has been a year of metamophosis...... mainly for Miss Owlet and me.
Life changed after our 6 weeks of total vacation and careless-ness in Paris, Malaysia and Singapore. A watershed year and I hope it's for the best.
Hot summer day after school with a Macca Milkshake!
On a personal note, I left the abundance of Map My Run tool to its restful place. I am no longer as interested to track mileage as years ago. I suppose the interest was lost due to new bearings in life. Miss Owlet's ascent to high school in the neighbouring suburb has altered the morning ritual. We walked to the bus stop every morning, if I'm not already gone somewhere, and that 8-10 minutes mother and daughter time allows us to talk about school, mundane stuff like how bloody heavy is that Macbook in her pack. I'll usually leave her at the stop with another Yr 8 girl.
Life changed for Miss Owlet within weeks...... the woes of carrying her gym bag, tennis racket and other activities that warrant additional weight to her already small framed body.
Charmed by the girls at Mandarin school I am beginning to suspect that she'll love her new all-girls high school as I already felt the unwavering warmth the school environment exudes from the staff to the students. Her homework after school is only for an hour which is quite a breeze. Subsequently, the homework hours build up to 3.5 hrs per day by Year 12. I have absolutely no worries about Miss Owlet's capability and responsibility in this area.
Possum's new year kicked off with a registered morning church service on every Tuesday for the Year 8's. Last year was his honeymoon even if he had slacked a bit on turning up late for mass. From this year, it's serious business.... he has just gotta get his butt out of the house by 8am.
My speed has seen a marked improvement in endurance for the last 3 sessions since I returned. I attribute this mainly to skipping my running logs. Keeping my runs to a minimum number of days improve my rest and my performance. Yesterday's 20 x 1 min speed didn't seem intimidating till I made the mistake of going too fast too soon on my first 5. Man, that was a big caning when the ladies caught up with me during the minute recovery. I worked pretty hard with the aim of aceing my relay next month. Another eye-opener would be the Warburton run next Sunday. 10k of trail and road.
Yeah, I'm mentally cactus with this 6-weeks long vacation. I should be very happy for one, I don't have to remember I have school to go to. Secondly, I have been quite diligent in my cardio activities. No slacking here when there's no studies and work to think about. ;-)
Been running almost every day and I'm a happy soul. The running folks were happy to have my presence back as there is one more person to talk to. Or so I think.....
School starts tomorrow, Feb 2 for Possum and Miss Owlet. It is awesomely exciting for Miss Owlet as her uniforms are totally different. Doubly new is the morning school bus pick up. The pick-ups here are unlike in Malaysia or Singapore where it is at the door-step. She has to walk for 400m to the bus stop. I reckon this is a good small step to Miss Independence.
Have been waking up at 4 to 4ish these mornings and it's a full stop to sleep continuity attributed to jet lag naturally. The kids have been sleeping in and out of arvos whenever they are kept 'still'. As in just sitting down. I was sleeping my head off during bus journeys with lids so heavy that a crowbar may just be handy. Korean and Taiwanese dramas are my wee morning fillers. The drowsiness usually hit me in the arvo while I'm out. On one occasion, I could hardly keep myself awake standing in the crowded bus. While tax and deaths are renowned inevitables, sleep attack should be added to that list. Went to the dentist today to get my molar cavity re-filled. The old silvery patch has seen its time and bits are spitting out. I am almost definitely sure the fee of S$60 to patch the little 'pothole' is cheaper than in Melbourne even after health insurance rebate. My little milk tooth was given the death sentence by the dentist. It's a time bomb as he gently puts it. The recommendation is an implant which definitely will outlast my lifespan. Cost is the bomb but if I choose to have it extracted (I'm still highly reluctant) two thirds of the S$3000 is borne by Medisave. Not a bad deal.... Been busy with running and gym yesterday. Morning on treadmill with a short run and evening with my brother-in-law from Normanton Park to around Canterbury Road and the Treetop trail walk. My legs were kinda fatigued by evening as I skipped in the morning as well. Too much energy to expend without having any housework and cooking matters. In addition to the fact that I am a rather restless person. I'm going to skim my diet a bit to alleviate the sleep debt attack. That should ease up a bit. I changed my flight for 2 reasons, well for one major reason, so I don't have to lug my unstable Samsonite to Roissy Bus by myself and two, to spend more time with my Alzheimer-stricken mum. She's not at a worrying stage yet but it's always nice to pamper her with my company. Okay, just some self-inflated ego talking here...... After offloading almost a chunk of my winter wear to hubby's 30kg (possibly 35kg) check-in allowance, I'm still left with a 20kg luggage. He's flying back while we continue our long journey. Well, someone's gotta bring in the bread and butter. I only supply the cutleries and prep work. Darn! Why I am seriously jettisoning personal effects? I have another luggage left in Kuala Lumpur with summer wear and I bought only 45kg worth of luggage weight on our last cheap leg back to Melbourne. Nowadays, they even weigh your carry-ons. It must have been a long time since I travelled with all the new percuniary measures. Long haul flights are definitely worth travelling full-service airlines. Air Asia is starting to kill my budget spirit though it is a unpleasantly manageable 7ish hours flight time. But Europe, no way on budget. Thirteen is just too long to suffer any possible DVT. After spending enough time in Paris and taking our own leisurely pace, it's a wonderful cultured city to be in. The main change is racial demographics. I see more Africans than Asians. They're just everywhere! But add that French, I do see them in a different light. Ooh lala... Possibly being in French colonies did help them assimilate better. More interracial relationships..... I'm very fortunately to be able to do 4 solo runs in the dark mornings and yet still feel safe. I ran past harmless hobos and even say hello to one of them on my return runs. The rest of the runs were with a group called Expatries. Bob, a Scottish looking between a Bear Gryll and Jake Gyllenhaal, happened to be the organizer for the runs I joined. Just as well I got lucky to find their runs start under the Eiffel Tower and they were scheduled for runs other than their bike and swim. Met some of the nicest strangers you can find. Well, runners are easy to talk to and with. We're simple folks like my hubby always say. We run, get all hot and sweaty, and feel damn good. I ran on Thursday's track session. The inside story was complicated. My sister's mother-in-law was training to Paris and we're supposed to meet her at the Montparnasse station. Given the time and train change distance and my dying eagerness to run. I requested that I'll meet her and get us all to another train stop where I'll meet up for the track session. This has irked my hubby a lot. Then again, I felt that if he had been a little more supportive (not that he isn't, he has always been) this time, he could pick her up at the train station and meet me where my track session was. That'll certainly save time and hassle. Of course, he doesn't speak French and she speaks little English. I'm not a French speaker but we get by with my key words. Anyway, this is not about harping on what could have been. But I managed to kill 2 birds with a stone. They waited a while at the cafe and I rushed back after all that hard work. If I hadn't gotten that track session, I'll be in the worst possible moods. I know, I know, I'm not perfect just as I have always been. My flaws are some good ones, like Bob says, it's a safe drug. Haha! I like Bob, he's a nice gentleman who did bother to ask if he could help me with my backpack while we ran as I had stuffed my change of clothes into it in addition to my wearing a leather jacket. You can't walk around in running outfit to take a train..... too un-Parisien. Not cool...... My one rant so far is the lack of toilet facilities. Unlike Australia, it's hardly any you can find. Countable public toilets have been set up which thankfully are 'gratuit'. If you can't wait, get into a cafe for a coffee to use their WC or Toilette as they call it. Damn, even Maccas have codes to get in. I just waited outside for someone to get out if I don't desire their McCafe coffee. Starbucks taste much better ..... unfortunately they do not have any such facility! In general, this city is definitely not senior-citizen friendly. I think I've seen so much conveniences made available to the Aussies that it has been taken for granted sometimes. While I'm writing this in my zombie mood, my back is wet with perspiration. Who needs sauna! Just a short note to say thank you to Paris, you've made my stay wonderful and I love it! My runs are one of the best there. It's the new company that counts. Serendipity has its way of luring me to King Island. An island between Melbourne and Tassie. No ferry ride, only small planes. This island is known for its beef and cheese. You may probably know that the cheeses are in the goodie bags. The race is not expensive only the plane ride is relative to the distance. Given the well-known hospitality of the organisers, I'm sure the race will be fun and hopefully get a tail wind. The island is small as you read it's only 32km run. The eve will see some daring souls for a Free Willy dash of 100m. That is if you don't already shrivelled.
I was interested in the 32km island run at first. Then news got to me of an empty slot in the relay team. It's 8km x 4 runners. Naturally 8km is more than doable. It is the speed I'm targetting. I really want to ace this distance and probably die running. haha!
I'm going to run harder on Tuesday sessions to see the fruits in March. Can't wait....
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