.... the jackal rides and run....

Back to trail running with PTR. This time around ; JM, JvM, Ryo and Kuan joined. Met at the usual place (Casuarina Drive carpark) and started off at around 6am. This time I had my Salomon with me, I think this helps a lot in getting my mind off stuff on my hands and concentrate better on the trail. It does get a bit warm though! We did the usual ~20km route covering part of Macritchie, Rifle Range road and Woodcutter's Trail. Starting out, the pace was quite fast for me on trail and I fell back after couple of kms into MR and RR but eventually they slowed down and I caught up. I decided to control the group pace a little going into WCT....I got a bit tired and gave the lead to JM who took it faster! The trail was muddy and wet but still not too bad. At Old Upper Thomson road, we all went barefoot until Casuarina. I felt relieved to get those muddy we shoes off! This is the first run I did on this route where I finished feeling still relatively alive! Covered 105km for the past ...

Did a short 11km run at Macritchie trails on Saturday. I just want a short workout as there a big ride the next day. It was great opportunity to also try out the Salomon XT 10+3 Hydration Pack. I tried mounting the light on the straps but it kept hitting my shoulder blades during the run so I took it in my hand. All in all the pack felt pretty comfortable but it does get a tad hot. I need to adjust it better as well to get it higher up to the body and tighter for a more snug feeling and not have it sloshing around. Its better not to have things in the hand especially for someone like me who tends to fall a lot! The run was good. Ryo was kind. Did a modest pace of 6:27 min/km so its pretty decent for a trail run. I think Ryo can easily do this within the hour. I can too, with more practice of course...

Back from China. En route back via Chep Lap Kok (HK) Airport, I had to get my siu yuk (roast pork) fix. for the record, I'm not claiming this for my travel claim. This is one serious piece of meat.....crispy skin, fat fat belly meat and yellow radish dip. Heaven. I managed to RUN on a treadmill on Wednesday morning in the hotel at Shenzhen. Its the longest time I've been on one....for 10km!! At the 3km point, I was begging to get off the damn thing. Just something very unsettling with 'running on the spot'. Well at least it made me feel better about eating the above later that day! Thursday morning....back on the bike and man I shot out from go. Pushed and pushed and felt great throughout. Must have been the fat meat I consumed. Managed to do the usual 30km ECP - COASTAL - ECP at an average speed of 33.4km/h.....just 0.1km/h off my best...damn. Fast. A pleasant thing once I got home was the CRC order waiting for me....the Garmin 'Premium' Soft Strap ...