from sea level to (almost) reaching the Peak, and down again via the gap...
A good summary of the last fortnight's run. Wouldve wanted to write a longer update but have really been far, far too busy. apologies.
The longest training run happened last weekend, 21.6miles from home, along the Thames and then through Windsor town centre, via the Castle, up the long walk of Windsor Great Park, and through quiet roads of Berkshire to Virginia Water Lake, ending at our friend's place for a lovely post-race feed. All of this with my hubby by my side, on the bike, as mobile hydration and motivation station. An almost 4 hour feat!
It was a cold morning, but sunny, and we both agreed we haven't seen enough of the lovely English countryside, the Thames heading upstream. The Windsor Great Park when I did a 4k fun run a few years ago (alongside my hubby's attempt at the Half Marathon) did not seem that steep. I must say this must have been an uphill climb that felt like it went on for ages - maybe 40 minutes? without gloves, my limbs were frozen. I had to stare at the bitumen because I had no hat and sunglasses.
Watching people out and about in Windsor, and so many of them around Virginia water lake on a sunny sunday, was amazing. and even so, thinking about how much one can eat (!) after this longest run is very, very rewarding.
With a fortnight's holiday ahead of me and unpredictable schedule..which turned out to be VERY unpredictable, I forced myself out, in the office at 7am, for a 10 miler before work on Wednesday. The sun was out earlier and it was easier, however, to make up that mileage in the Royal Parks wasnt easy. The reward of a breakfast at the desk and a day free of too many meetings away from the desk was as good as any...and then, I packed my bags, ready for Japan, all running routes mapped out, potential running 'dates' set up in Tokyo...gear to keep me warm all packed, and then..
"you're not going to Tokyo", was what my mum told me on the phone, on the way into Hong Kong station on friday afternoon.
"...."
Never had I imagined it to be a night of waiting, to get onto the news, seeing the continuous reportage of the devastating disaster...and the unexpected night, and then an extra few nights, in Hong Kong.
which meant, a chance to do my 3rd run here, via the hilly Bowen road track, and an adventurous unscheduled hill run to find Aberdeen via the tip of Wong Nei Chung gap, as I wanted to show my hubby the lovely hong kong countryside....followed instructions by a boy Scout, we went up and up and up...(need to research further, but last elevation said 260ft??) to Black's Link, and then down and down and down again through Wanchai gap road, where the road was grooved, and uphill hikers were walking backwards to lessen the impact.
the almost 2 hour effort was rewarded by a lovely HK style 'Cha Charn tang' breakfast of elbow macaroni in tomato soup, pineapple bun with butter, some french toast and a 'yin yeung' (coffee + tea combo mixed with evaporated milk).
off for a few days now to even warmer climes...unsure of any running yet, but will try! there will be more hills in hong kong when im back... :)
Any support towards my pledge to raise funds for Deafness Research will be appreciated! Please follow this link: http://www.justgiving.com/bonnie-wong
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