Running on a Hot Day

After finishing work today, I participated in a charity fun run to raise money for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. It was a 4km run that started from Federation Square and went along both sides of the Yarra River before getting back to Fed Square. Although the 38 degree heat didn't materialise as expected, it was about 33 degrees by the time the race started.

My normal running shorts just got washed so I had to put on my basketball shorts which are terrible for running. Rubs on the knees and traps a lot of heat. PLUS I was the odd one out!



The first two kms were relatively easy but by this time my T-shirt was fully soaked with sweat. The final leg was a test of perseverance. I could feel that my throat and my lungs were drying out in the hot dry air, pace was dropping constantly as the finishing line neared. I saw the time blinking "19:55" at the finish line and tried my very best to beat the clock before reaching 20 minutes. Missed it by 5 seconds... Doh! Collapsed at the finish line exhausted and dehydrated. I rested for at least five minutes to let my breathing to return to normal.

After having some water, collected a bottle of "Emma & Tom's" Fresh Apple Juice. LOL! Tom's Life Juice for Tom!

Night Ride

I had a really busy day at work today, started work at 7:00 and finished at 19:30. With travel time included, 15 hours in total. I was fairly disappointed to have missed my weekly indoor rock climbing session at Hardrock.

Instead of watching TV as planned, I arrived home at 20:30 and decided to put on my helmet, brought out the camera and tripod and went for a night ride around home. I have discovered that riding at night is very different from doing it in the day. There's hardly anyone around on the bike trails except for one or two people walking their dogs. Yet, because of the darkness, it is impossible to ride fast as visibility is nowhere as good as it is during the day. Every corner and every stretch of path without street lights require the most careful and delicate manoeuvring. On the other hand, the other senses are greatly heightened: I can smell the freshly mowed lawn (and what my friendly neighbours are having for dinner!), hear the water running down the tiny streams and feel the most gentle of breeze in the air.

I took the above photograph on the Belford Street Bridge over the Eastern Freeway. 6s exposure.

Fun Run this Friday!

It's going to be hot (38 degrees predicted) this Friday but if all you are going to do is to go to the pub after work, why not come for a fun run??? This Friday 27th Feb at 7pm, I will be joining a 4km fun run which starts from Federation Square and goes along the Yarra River to raise money for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Details can be found here. $30 entry fee and all proceeds go to helping the bushfire victims. See you there!

Cycling - Making it Interesting

It has been nearly two months since I started cycling regularly to improve my fitness. Lately, I haven't been able to do much hiking due to the bushfires, the extreme temperatures in Victoria and just too many things to ponder. In fact, I haven't hiked since my trip to New Zealand late last year.

So cycling has become the next activity on the list. I've set myself a very modest target of roughly 50-60km a week which I have been able to meet and exceed every week. I still don't understand how my friends can ride 210km in one day around the Bay! I keep my riding interesting by listening to classical music, taking rest stops and doing photography as well as geocaching. I personally think there's nothing more relaxing than riding with the breeze, taking in the different fragrances of the surrounding gardens, saying hello to the fellow users of the bike trails (4 legged ones included!) and listening to my favourite tunes. Reminds me of the tragically beautiful scene in the movie City of Angels when Meg Ryan's character was riding her bike, eyes closed, hands off the handlebars... (and no, I don't intend to repeat the next bit in the movie!) If you regularly use the exercise bike in a gym, you don't know what you're missing!

The dream of Alpamayo is still alive. Someday, someday when I'm ready.