Sunday, May 04, 2008
The Great Train Race...!
Days like this don't come very often....
Woke up, threw on the Macpac, then rode my SS to town to catch Liam's bus to the start of the Great Train Race. I was very happy to see Elaine and Iylia already there, and soon Ray joined us.
Now, Ray i haven't seen for a loooong time (not since before XPD 2006), so it was lotsa catching up to do on the bus. Ray brought his camera, which we put to good use (led chiefly by Elaine) taking all kinds of silly shots throughout the whole trip.
The run went well. I was so grateful to be running healthy and at a brisk pace (contrast with last year, when i was a wreck and a mere passenger on the train). Elaine, Iylia and Ray had run a race just yesterday, but their enthusiasm was such that they could just clip off another 13.2 km today. Kudos! I ran comfortably on the whole (although i did feel like going for a number 2 at some points!).
The bus ride home was quite long due to the jammed traffic away from the finish line. Ray had thoughtfully brought fruit and chocolates to share. The ride itself was filled with more neurotic misbehaviour, candid photo taking, snoozing (Elaine and Iylia), and all-round chit-chat, so time - for me at least - seemed to fly past. Of course we were hungry as heck by the time we returned to Liam's studio. At Iylia's suggestion, the four of us Sinkapolians headed up Smith St to this cosy little restaurant for lunch (Deelish). The long wait for the food did not help, but it sure tasted good when it did come. Ray had beef lagsane, Iylia had a veggie pizza, and Elaine had scrambled eggs and sausages on toast. I ordered an item called Eggs Royale, (which sparked off a discussion of the movie Pulp Fiction between Iylia and Ray).
In the past years living in Melbourne, i honestly can't remember the last time i was part of a group conversation over a good meal - after having accomplished something worthwhile that day together; in nice, relaxing surroundings; as people with common interests - all talking with Singaporean accents about a wide variety of subjects which i really liked - and who i really appreciated being in the company of.
Rare... all too rare. =)
After that the Melbourne Uni' trio headed down Smith Street to stroll off their lunch, while i had to toodle back home, drop my gear, change into bike kit, and do my afternoon session. Was feeling lazy initially, but once i hit Beach Rd, there was a fairly good tailwind from the north. So the P2C and myself sailed down to Frankston BP before turning around. On the return journey, i was daydreaming for a bit on the aerobars and almost joined the parked car club: i nearly slammed into a van parked on the road side! I could have very well ruined this very rare (and thereby, very precious) day by just allowing my attention to slip. I backed off after that but was very focused the rest of the way.
Coming back home, i was feeling so-so (even into the headwind), but after a one hour easy run (about 11km of laps around the oval) i was intent on finishing off the day on a good note - ideally with a good meal. Focused on technique and feeling loose all the way, and stretched well after that, so i knew i would deserve my big makan to replace all the proteins and carbs and fats! Went to Sofia's for minestrone soup and a medium Tandoori Chicken pizza.
Now i'm officially knackered from the day. But like i said, days like that don't come very often.
Woke up, threw on the Macpac, then rode my SS to town to catch Liam's bus to the start of the Great Train Race. I was very happy to see Elaine and Iylia already there, and soon Ray joined us.
Now, Ray i haven't seen for a loooong time (not since before XPD 2006), so it was lotsa catching up to do on the bus. Ray brought his camera, which we put to good use (led chiefly by Elaine) taking all kinds of silly shots throughout the whole trip.
The run went well. I was so grateful to be running healthy and at a brisk pace (contrast with last year, when i was a wreck and a mere passenger on the train). Elaine, Iylia and Ray had run a race just yesterday, but their enthusiasm was such that they could just clip off another 13.2 km today. Kudos! I ran comfortably on the whole (although i did feel like going for a number 2 at some points!).
The bus ride home was quite long due to the jammed traffic away from the finish line. Ray had thoughtfully brought fruit and chocolates to share. The ride itself was filled with more neurotic misbehaviour, candid photo taking, snoozing (Elaine and Iylia), and all-round chit-chat, so time - for me at least - seemed to fly past. Of course we were hungry as heck by the time we returned to Liam's studio. At Iylia's suggestion, the four of us Sinkapolians headed up Smith St to this cosy little restaurant for lunch (Deelish). The long wait for the food did not help, but it sure tasted good when it did come. Ray had beef lagsane, Iylia had a veggie pizza, and Elaine had scrambled eggs and sausages on toast. I ordered an item called Eggs Royale, (which sparked off a discussion of the movie Pulp Fiction between Iylia and Ray).
In the past years living in Melbourne, i honestly can't remember the last time i was part of a group conversation over a good meal - after having accomplished something worthwhile that day together; in nice, relaxing surroundings; as people with common interests - all talking with Singaporean accents about a wide variety of subjects which i really liked - and who i really appreciated being in the company of.
Rare... all too rare. =)
After that the Melbourne Uni' trio headed down Smith Street to stroll off their lunch, while i had to toodle back home, drop my gear, change into bike kit, and do my afternoon session. Was feeling lazy initially, but once i hit Beach Rd, there was a fairly good tailwind from the north. So the P2C and myself sailed down to Frankston BP before turning around. On the return journey, i was daydreaming for a bit on the aerobars and almost joined the parked car club: i nearly slammed into a van parked on the road side! I could have very well ruined this very rare (and thereby, very precious) day by just allowing my attention to slip. I backed off after that but was very focused the rest of the way.
Coming back home, i was feeling so-so (even into the headwind), but after a one hour easy run (about 11km of laps around the oval) i was intent on finishing off the day on a good note - ideally with a good meal. Focused on technique and feeling loose all the way, and stretched well after that, so i knew i would deserve my big makan to replace all the proteins and carbs and fats! Went to Sofia's for minestrone soup and a medium Tandoori Chicken pizza.
Now i'm officially knackered from the day. But like i said, days like that don't come very often.
