Chicken run and melting 'Mo'-ments

The Olympics are finally over. Leaving a void as there's not always something inspirational on TV.
I've really enjoyed spectating at Olympic events and especially last Wednesday, a full day off just for London 2012 starting with Hockey in Riverbank Arena, spending a good part of the rest of the day lying on the grass watching the big screens, feeling the BMX cycling nearby and finishing off with watching USA play against AUS in Basketball Quarter Finals. Still yet to fix up my pics but a screenshot of our time on TV at the badminton finals (me to the left in the red top)

Training has not been too bad this week, though still under 30 miles total. Due to a few appointments from lunchtime and a relatively late start (8:30am) - I've done my first 3-hour run (17miles) to a new diversion on the Thames path near weybridge and back.
Had the company of the usual ducks, dogs but had a chicken joining me out of a gate for a short while in shepparton!

I worried about its safety luckily no car ran over it. Chicken decide to turn back home after 50metres? Hope it manage to find its way back okay.

Need to retune my iPhone holder as Voice control kept on coming on and messing my music. Also my nutrition needs to be fine tuned as our ginsting gels are running out!
Glad to spend rest of weekend putting feet up and watching another Mo-ment in the 5000m the marathon start and finish. I now use his 10,000m final 6 laps as an imagery for winning the race in the final moments. Sure enough, this has worked when I overtook a guy who was right ahead of me in my morning run, on my last mile home.
7ish weeks to go til Brussels Marathon. I've booked our flights and hotel, and checked the course map and nutrition stops. Reviews say its not a PB race. Scenic but undulating. Hmmm.
Only 'consolation' is 2 hilly long runs coming up that might prepare me for this.
And then there's Palace to Palace bike ride. Training guide came out - saying 30 miles on the bike weekly.
How will I ever find the time? I'm not full timers like this lot...



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Celebrating 1000 miles logged on Runkeeper!

and a fantastic night of GB Athletics at the Olympic Stadium!

A late start on Saturday's 16 miler, avoiding a dump of rain and missing some, being overtaken by hubby early in the course and then later at 3/4 of the way, was glad to have received this milestone update from Runkeeper - the gps app on the iPhone tracking mileage on running, cycling and a little on the treadmill.

So, how far is 1,000 miles?
4,000 laps around a track
14,664 football field lengths
32,180 Olympic pool lengths


decided to tally my old Nike+ app that was another 909 miles since July 2008 before I ever signed up for anything more than 14km (Sydney city to surf)


So that's at least 1900 miles invested over 4 years, prepping for 4 marathons, and other races in between. Mileage completed in the UK, Europe, USA, Hong Kong, Australia :)
and counting, because the training is not over yet and I'm under my weekly mileage!

The Olympics have been inspirational so far. Good to see China keeping on top of the list since hosting their games at home. Team GB have had an amazing performance in the last few days so I'm feeling happy again, since comparing to the top of the charts Team AUS achieved in the first days in the pool in Sudney 2000, their success came later. Disappointing results for AUS this time, and media reports have been pouring in as to why. In fact, reading how different countries report on their countries athletes performance has been very good reading.

2 great moments to share:
Women's Kieren Track Cycling, HKG's Lee Wai Sze takes bronze, a 3rd medal for the SAR in history! And on TV too in such a high profile race!
Inspirational to the the people of Hong Kong to get out there and cycle ( in the countryside) I hope!
Love the flags, last seen in 1997..


The other one that captures me is seeing Mo Farah take gold in the 10,000m in the Olympic Stadium.
The last 6 laps saw him take up speed and go right past his opponents and leading a good distance away into the finish. Determination was in his face. His training mate from the USA took silver - truly good to have people who push each other to the top.

Read Mo's page on London 2012 website, inspirational quotes:

"No pain, no gain. Train hard. The harder you train, the less likely you are to lose." (telegraph.co.uk, 12 Mar 2007)



Sporting philosophy / motto
"I'll do whatever it takes to get close to a medal, to become Olympic champion. You have no choice. If you want to be the best you have to do that. There aren't any mornings when you wake up and think, 'I don't feel like going for a run today'." (bbc.co.uk, 26 Jan 2012)

"If you train with them [Kenyan athletes], mentally you think, 'I can compete with these guys, I know how they do what they do'. It makes you feel stronger. It's like if you're in a football team and you've played with someone before - you know what that player is capable of. They've shown over the years that they're the best in the world by far, but we can compete against them. The mentality is changing now. We can do what they do." (bbc.co.uk, 26 Jan 2012)

Now, as the gun goes on the Women's Marathon at the Mall, I'm off to Wembley arena to see the Badminton Finals, will I sing 起來? Or would I see Malaysia take their first Gold Medal in history?

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London 2012 - a duathlon/marathon over 2 days, and more.

Sounds crazy, but true ;) stayed in London this weekend and did 22 miles on foot and a bit more on the Boris Bike!

It's Day 5 of the Olympics and hubby's already put his Games Maker outfit in the wash after 3 days of exciting Road Cycling Marshalling...which got me the accommodation for the nights before in London, near Old St. Reliving the Shoreditch Dreams  (this probably a sentimental post on my last night there).

The days that he have been working, I've used the location to my great advantage - hence the distance covered over the weekend, and a little bit this morning before heading to work in the office by CS7!

Saturday -after the amazing Opening Ceremony in Stratford the night before, London was strangely quiet. I met up with some girl friends who were training for late Oct/ Nov marathons at 9am at Tower Bridge, but not a soul was to be seen about, apart from a 'National Nine News' reporter (jet lagged from Oz?) and a few people in sports gear. It was a very nice run when we got to it - me being no stranger to the Thames Path except for Saturday mornings. Heaps to take pictures of (Olympic ring 'island' at tower hill had moved to Waterloo bridge) and as we turned into Birdcage Walk more and more people started to gather.

Our run came to a standstill around the Mall and Buckingham Palace because...they were all after the best spots to watch the start of the Men's Road Cycling! Eventually we left SW1A, continued along south side of Hyde Park and decided to call into Giraffe for a morning drink (my mates carried no water bottles). The sun was shining and it wasn't even lunchtime yet! Feeling under my mileage, I tried my luck with the Barclays Bike, had some glitches with the credit card...so decided to take the tube east.

Got off at Chancery lane and ran the last 2 miles back, revisiting yet another of my old workplaces' - through Smithfields, Barbican, Whitecross Markets, Old Street...and all this, for a Banh Mi (Vietnamese Baguette) 'lunch' .....

Saturday morning run: L-R Thames Path to Hyde Park; Chancery Lane to Old St;

Tower Bridge; Waterloo Bridge; Outside Buckingham Palace; metres from the Cycling Finish at the mall; Banh Mi shop and the pate, pickled vege and slightly spicy baguette

before setting off for my accupuncture 'fix' in Chinatown. I was determined to ensure the Barclays (Boris) Bike hire scheme worked on me...so spent a bit of time walking around, trying to find a dock, and bikes in good condition. I had to walk 3 stations before I found a bike, which squeaked and was a pain to ride. My last and only ride was in May last year (thats why my credit card didnt work as they didnt take the money off me !) and I had forgotten how heavy these things were. I was able to thankfully found a few relatively quiet roads (yes, Smithfield markets again) and eventually gave up near Somerset House (the back light flew off as a farewell - ref the picture). At that point, helicopters were over our heads and I know ... the Road Cycling were about to finish. Took another bike out quickly and had a lady saying 'sxxt' instead of using the bell, and eventually (after another 3 blocked docks and queues), docked in Pall Mall East. via Waterloo Place...stood 5 deep...only to hear, from the radio...it wasn't Cavendish first across the line...
oh well. I know it takes 7 mins to walk from Admiralty Arch to Chinatown....so just got to the needles in time. Ouch! the pains of training!

Saturday bike routes from Old St- Somerset House - Pall Mall east; some Cycling Finishers at the Mall (as far as I can zoom!)

Sunday morning - I wasnt going to let a sunny day go to waste. Downloaded the new Barclays Bike app (!) but it said 45 mins to Regent's Park and I couldn't, couldn't avoid busy Kings cross. so I gave up and adapted part of the Serpentine's 16 mile canal route to the following loop around the east bit of the Grand Union Canal.



Lovely day, but got too excited running through the quiet square mile and taking bit detours along London and Tower Bridges, so by the time I got to Limehouse where the canal starts, it was already almost an hour. This eastern part of the canal (which I ran last year on a wet morning) is quite busy on weekends and very narrow at times under bridges. There was a canalside market near Victoria Park, selling pizzas and all sorts of sandwiches - but I wasnt to be tempted (after going offtrack to view a sculpture that resembled sausages and poached eggs - near the lily pond on the top right hand picture below).

My legs were tired and I knew it. left the canal after viewing a funky canalside cafe at the top of De Beauvoir town, and headed south back to the hotel and for a shower...before heading to my first ticketed event. Table Tennis at the Excel, supporting Team GB and also Team Hong Kong!

L-R from Top - Tower Bridge; before Mile End; Lilies near Victoria Park; Canal markets near Victoria Park (all except bottom left); bottom left: Canal and funky alfresco breakfast cafe with Thai massage from De Beauvoir Town, north of Hoxton

Wednesday morning - after a night at home and then tuesday night back in Old Street - this really was my last chance taking the 46 south to London Bridge and having a <30minute commute within Zone 1! I took an early start and it being a sunny day. I was ambitious and thought I would cover the northern bit of the canal route (after all, back in 2008, I'd do morning 5kms from Finchley Road via Primrose Hill/Regent's park and take the tube back home before starting the day...). The annoying bit really was, heading back to the canal from the hotel took a precious mile, and after reaching Angel, there were the busy Upper Street to cross, and also a few other meandering streets before I was to see the canal again (this includes non-flat roads through 'residential' areas ). I almost gave up and was going to turn back, lucky that I didn't!

Managed to find the signs to London Canal Museum...rejoined the canal near King's Place (funky arts venue near the Guardian's HQ) and followed the canal to Camden Town...with 'Thames at Limehouse 6 miles' to the left, and 'Little Venice 2 1/2 miles' to the right...if only I'd started earlier!  This also meant that I have covered (over the years) this canal from limehouse all the way to paddington :D

Had to take the Northern line back. wasn't very pleasant at all. oh well.

L-R from top: Old St - Camden Town route; Camden Town Tube; signs at Camden Lock; boat at Camden Lock (sign to liverpool!); view of St Pancras station clock tower from the canal

Enjoyed my time in the city, but the price to pay was a heavy luggage with all my gear, and very heavy legs. It wasn't quite the same doing my usual route this evening along the quieter stretch of the Thames, but life must go on...and the miles must build from now.

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Crossing ahead: visitors, ducks, dogs and the Regatta

A 30-mile week! (excl cycling & walking) - a first in a long time..
It's been a busy week with a few days off to spend with my folks in town. Since they are slow starters, I've had a good chance to catch up on some time on my feet in the mornings, before it rains! The runs have been slow but all 4 mile+, one incl intervals and another at conversational pace (on hubby's bday, shortened from a long run due to v tired legs!).
This morning's a killer - my first half marathon + , I made myself do 15, and slow start was helped by distractions from the staines regatta, with rowing boats straddling my usual speedup to the Lock! Sharing a few pics of this place transformed...


My halfway point was at a new reconstruction of the Thames path after walton bridge , path obstructed by my friends

Curious where the nice path links to as it appears across the river from my stretch along shepparton - many canoes there too...

I can't believe all this took approx 2:45! Not used to being out for this long and am knackered. The concert @ somerset house is tomorrow and I can only manage a mediocre practice after cycling to town for errands ( relaxing on the pedals! I must learn to think after Brussels and before palace to palace).
Before a snooze, another slice of this lovely BFG cake for hubby's birthday! Chocolate sponge is great recovery food, especially so soft!

12 weeks before Brussels ! Lots to get on!
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2 races in 4 days!

After MK Half last Sunday, I found myself donning another racing bib on a Wednesday night (both bibs with race numbers ending in 8!) at my 5th JPMorgan Corporate Challenge at Battersea Park.
The 4th one with my professional body, outside of those 'expected' hospitality from those tents sponsored by the Big Banks, I started with a bit of hot air, in familiar environment with unfamiliar people trying to make small talk at the starting line, or those who would want to, even if not affiliated. And if course if one's got a prominent name on their tshirt, they gotta run faster right? Or slower cos there will be someone giving them a good rub down, plenty of booze and gourmet food afterwards..
Me with the names of a south Australian pie manufacturers name behind my back, completed my own course record in this 5.8km race in semi wet terrain, a minute faster than 3 years ago, 2 faster than 2 years.
Free shoulder rub down by sponsors, and a cask wine, peanuts and chips, catching on old times, going home with a bigger than normal tech shirt (I'm a small, after all).
The starting line of the group behind.

Other updates:
Race photos from MK half came through, not the nicest and shows me heel striking!! No! It also confirmed I was mad at the wrong girl.. Not miss C , but Miss G came home 4 secs after me (yay!)

Also a lill jealous at hubby looking cheerful in all pics - maybe I shouldn't have tried to look good?
Results also comes with a useless pace comparison tool with any competitor. Hmm, not too helpful when mile splits ont provided and I know I need 2x as long to do my mile than the winner!
Weekend long run less than 13.1 due to late start and having to entertain visiting parents and save energy for road trip after. Big blister opened on left. Totally drenched on last mile after a pit stop. Hmmm...
I'm not enjoying training in this heat and wet weather...


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Meatballs, 13.1+ and the start of Marathon training!

At 4 miles : "Hi darling" - a familiar voice
At 6 miles :"You've been morphed" - a group of loud NSPCC greenies in their morphed suits.
And finally, at the finishing line - miss C in her orange full outfit, once clad with a battalion of gels, and 'just out of shower long hair'... start-stop-start-stop...she blocked me in my finishing line video...crossed it 7' of a second ahead of me...

As the announcer announced ..just crossing the line is Bonnie, Bonnie Wong (full name! When bib only said Bonnie W.)

First summer half marathon completed in Milton Keynes. Another half this year that I went to the starting line expecting sub- optimal results.

With my black, blue and red legs out of action for almost a week, lacking sleep and sufficient exercise (no biking to work most days, and a weary wrist)...I switched my focus on relaxation and rehabilitation.

There's only so many hours in a day, and weather being wet and humid...not the easiest remaining positive!

After a full Saturday enjoying my fave flower show at Hampton court palace with feet in wellies in anticipation of rain



I was expecting lots of it on Sunday. The drive up wasn't positive....torrential rain enveloped the car and all we can think of is keeping warm and the change of clothes afterwards.

Glad that it was almost bone dry in MK. The race itself was laid back, well marshalled and spectated. Mainly good natured fellow runners (refer to mentions at start of entry). Twists and turns on mainly soft but not boggy ground, along the canals, wooded walkways, in a New Town, well planned for industrial/residential use.

It almost felt like home. Except it was a paid race, I should make a good effort. I started too fast. Slowed down. Couldn't pick up again...bottled water to wash the one gel, and raisins. An electrolyte drink would've been good...

No music (organisers said I shouldnt bring iPod, but not many obeyed)! My mind playlist only did a few tracks / mantras as had to focus on not jarring knee or falling. Price was too high to pay... Not easy at all, although I enjoyed the free feeling of no wires and technology to fumble with, no bottle weights to balance.

Oh well. Got to the finish, collected the medal, gathered the 3 of us runners and spectator - for a Swedish style recovery meal in the famed furniture store. Lingonberries made it more palatable to absorb those well needed carbs/proteins!


Drove home with exciting Wimbledon finals on the radio, and then crashed on the couch, ice cream in hand, watching Federer finish off Murray.. Federer the eternal sportsman top of his game. I feel for Murray - to be almost there but not quite.

Clearly I, like him, has lots more work to do, to grab that PB.

Welcome to 13.1+ long run weekends.. For the next month or so. And more feet time during the week. In 18 hours approx!

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Our first Cycling Weekend away!

(and a first dualpost on my Blogger & Wordpress blogs!)
Hi from a homebound south west trains again..(this time passing New Forest in Hampshire - see horses?), it seems the only time I get to write up my blogs!

It's the first of July and it feels well into summer - and a first cycling weekend exploring Guernsey and the lovely beaches from Poole to Bournemouth!
A cheap day trip deal on the Condor ferries and a bit of logistics made this trip possible- for a first ferry out to Guernsey on a Saturday(one of the english channel islands), it's best to stay near the port of Poole, and then why not stay the night in Poole for a start of more biking to explore the coastline?
The ferry out was a 4 hour journey (30 mins longer due to technical issues) and our bikes had to sleep within the cushions next to all of the big boys (cars) whilst we relaxed upstairs despite the choppiness and rainy ride to the port.

The beauty of being a foot passenger avec le velo is that you get off before all of the foot passengers and cars! The joy of pushing off the gangway and riding on the quiet roads of the port...especially on arriving in Guernsey with no passport control and being cooped up indoors for so long (and the seasickness building up), it was good to feel the fresh breeze, blue skies and sunshine.

Guernsey is picturesque, a feeling of rural France in its vegetation, adorned with British-style houses, and well maintained gardens. With only short of 4 hours on the island, we explored the northeastern part of the island, which were the flattest.
Taking in coastlines, cliff tops, old forts, beaches and golf courses along the Ruette Tranquilles ( quiet back streets) and some major roads of the island - it was fun! And noticeably warmer, similar to our time in France in early June.

Even had time for a bit of roadside duty free shopping via an honesty box) and a lunch in a Brasserie...

Paid for by our Guernsey currency ( taken from a local cashpoint, which wasn't a good idea as we'd need to go to a bank for exchange).

Then. Back to the port and to the mainland, didn't arrive til 8:45 pm. Trip was too short!

After a good night's rest, dinner and cooked breakfast, we set off to head a few stations closer to home.
The weather forecast was wrong and we had blue skies and a breeze. Riding along the main roads towards Sandbanks (which i presumed was downhill -not!) we reached a bay with many kitesurfers about, a sky full of little sails.
The beach was lovely, one can see all the way from the chalk cliffs from Poole harbour and around to Bournemouth . A sunny day, lifesavers flags out. It really has been a while since I've seen a beach!

On a day like this, it could've felt like we're in Oz :)
First of July just after 10am is when the restrictions kicked off,

which gave us a good chance to have a romantic stroll promenade abreast with our new brompton family members and to admire beach huts - certainly an English thing to shelter from the elements for a cuppa whilst on a day out at the beach.

Bournemouth was commercial as one would expect. Boscombe was more laid back and bikes were allowed on the promenade..after Boscome, then we had to cycle on a clifftop road to Christchurch to the nearest station bound for London Waterloo .

Rode into Christchurch festival as the last highlight before hitting the station.

Almost 26 miles with the bike this weekend, not quite enough, but good for a taster traveling with bikes!
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