A one-live cat’s life

I flew to Singapore last week and of course did requested to be flown by Singapore Airlines aside from topping up my frequent flyer, KrisFlyer, with points, they are the cheapest going to Asia and never failed excellent service from the staff for me. And guess what? I am flying on the airline’s jumbo jet A380 and its my first time to fly the A380 jumbo jet!

It was a huge plane, and i chose the aisle seat (always do on the long haul flights) near the bathroom., and at the main deck of the plane. Luckily, no one is seated beside me aside from the two other Indian guys two chairs next to me, so I am happy. Not that i am anti social, i just like my own (spaciuos) space during flights.

Obviously, this two Indian guys also are first timers to ride the jumbo jet. Not very surprisingly a lot of the passengers are! Number of us were carrying cameras and video cams, taking pictures, and soon-t-be-posted youtube videos of themselves, well at least i did have reason and not felt embrassed that it is just me who was excited to ride the new plane.

Okey, the seats have different color of the usual SQ flights they are of grey and green. Dynamically designed chairs more compact but more spacious for the passenger.

What is new is they do havea TV out jack, a USB port, a LAN port for your own for your laptop, and an outlet for your power.(bummer i placed my adaptor in my check-in luggage). The USB port can be used to view Microsoft applications that you can edit using the console and pictures you can view you took from your holidays or trip or whatever on your own screen.

The video screen is wider, ALTHOUGH i noticed that the system is slower than the usual. And I’ve noticed a few passengers complaining their videos do not work. Luckily mine did! or i wish i would have transferred to a higher class ;-). Anyway, i did watch the Indiana Jones, The Binge, Forbidden Kingdom and run fat boy run (to psyche me for my half marathon in the next 7 days).

Wow! the fleece blankets are Givenchy, mind you, (oops for those people who are fond of bringing home plane stuff!! oh please!) . And i am sitting at the economy the old planes carry the wool SQ colors.

Flight wise, it was like not flying with a jumbo jet, The pilot was good its just like the other planes. As usual, excellent hospitality from the staff with my bottomless peanuts and cocktails.

verdict: Good.
Recommend to others: yes
Downside: On arrival since it is a Jumbo jet, all bags come in on one carousel. I imagine waiting for your bag amongst all 400 passengers luggages! I did wait for some time, but i did entertain myself eyeing on 4 Louis Vuitton luggages on the belt and i am playing paparazzi who is going to pick the bags. Oh well i got my good reliable 7 year old luggage ahead of whoever is picking it up.

I booked my flights to Philippines for Christmas and i chose the schedule that is flying with the A380 again. (well aparrenly, they are the chepeast flight going to the Philippines during this peak season. I do not really mind the stop over as there is always a lot of endless things to do in Singapore airport and i always can stop by in a friend’s house for an overnight.)

side note: Fat by run script excerpt from libby to Dennis “run a marathon?, how do you think you can do that? you can even never finish anything in your life” this would be a good something for me to play in my mind when i do the half. I will not be too had for myself. I am running because I love it, I run because of health reasons and the stress theraphy it gives me. Although I will still try not to be at the back of the pack.

Its September 21 and i am doing my first 21 kms, half marathon, in my running life in the Blackmore’s Sydney Marathon Running Festival I can remember myself saying last year, I will be coming back to Sydney to do the half. And i did. I did not plan for it, but it seem like i was fated to do the half on this event as I am really meant to be in Sydney on this date.

I arrived at the same time almost all of the runners doing the half marathon arrived, so it was busy going through the gates. Finishing my energy drink as i realized i only have 2 GUs left that i had to reserve during the run, which i stuck on my shorts pocket.

Then, I started looking first for my Woodstock mates, but unfortunately unable to find them. Did another stretching routine and queued on the portaloos. Was standing there for 15 minutes! Too many people. Just i got out from it its 1 minute before the gun start, few seconds just took off my long sleeved top ready for the baggage trucks, i heard the gun start!hurrying i placed my waist bag on the bag provided and literally chuck it so fast in the truck that i cant remember if i did knot the bag twice or once and i was worried. Anyway I did run at the start shoot i am glad to hear the announcer saying that it would be a few meters walk until the runners start running ahead as there are quite a lot of participants for the half marathon. The Half starts earliest amongst the 4 events on this race day.

I am glad i was not really the last runner to start so i did my slow pace as b3n suggested at 6km/hr. Although i intended not to wear my watch i did guage myself if i was running too fast or slow. As I remembered Stephen, of Woodstock, told me that the toughest is the uphill from Millers point park going up the Australian landmark Sydney bridge. I did it slow, pacing with other runners and still end up panting.

As we are bout to pass the old Pyrmont Bridge road, i realized my sunnies is not on my head! i did lost my sunnies while taking off my top! there goes one of my only favorite sunglasses! So that took out my focus. Anyway i did continue running as when we arrived Norton Road, the sun is already up and it is getting really HOT not warm and not humid. That’s the point when we saw the elite runners doing there turn about. Led by a Kenyan runner. I was doing well, although there were a quite few hills, which i tried to concentrate on. Short steady steps.

It is when we arrived at Sussex street, i started to psychologically give up! As i remember this route whenever i do my weekend training long runs from Rozelle to the city, as this is where my legs always start to hurt. Well i was alternately doing a jog and a run trying to keep up. Marking the the runners i was trying to keep up with. Well i did stop in the water stations except two, where one was too overcrowded. Took 3 GUs (took 1 from one of the water stations). I think i had too much liquid as i can feel my stomach having reflux that i wanted to barf so i slowed my pace as i don’t want to embarass myself. Aside from that, I saw a number of runners fainting! I do not want to be carried off the stretcher with thousands of crowd watching! There were no more markers after the 38th(Full Marathon) Marker so the effort of my brain doing the calculation of the distance did take off my mind i was already exhausted, which is good. I can see the Opera house in about 1 Km. I did gauge i can sprint to the finish yet. Arriving the opera house, I did sprint but just like what happened last year, i almost choked and barfed! I slowed down coughed but still continued running. 50 more meters i told myself to just run as fast as i could. Reaching the shoot at clock time 1:54:xx. I was pleased with my time as i was trying to gauge i was going to run it at 2 hours for my first half. Not much pain but i was tired. Lungs was tired, legs were not.

Reached the baggage area, and yes as i expected my bag is missing! i stood there for 10 minutes and i would have guessed it was misplaced. My ATM, my phone, my camera and my change clothes!! Well i can not afford to loose more things after loosing my sunnies i told myself. Thankfully before i started to panick, one of the volunteers did handed me my baggage and everything is there, well minus my sunnies- boohoo!

After the race

Japanese elite half marathon runners

I handed my timing chip and disappointed to receive a keyring medallion compared to what i got last year which was really a medal and the registration is even more dearer than of last year. So i did line up for all the freebies as i thought the registration fee was a rip-off. I also did register to receive my time through SMS, i was notified i did the race at 1:53:02 hours. I did not see any of my Woodie mates so i decided to just wait and watch at the finish shoot to await Martin Amy, one of our Woodie mates doing the Full marathon with a sub 3 goal. Had a few of our mates who were not running the even waiting for him and to cheer for him for support at the Norton-city west link at the 32km marker. I was told by John he just crossed it around 915am so he prolly be making his goal at sub 3. He did arrive the shoot at 2:55:59, very focused and not looking tired with full on Woodstock colors. Congratulations Martin Amy!

Congratulations too to all the Woodstock runners to did the run, well run :). Good work for all the volunteers at the water stations. Thank you as well for the well wishes and the cheerers for keeping the runner’s spirits up. The event was participated by 25, 300 runners for the four events. Full Marathon, Half marathon, 9KM Bridge Run and the 4KM family fun run and is participated by 960 international runners.

The event did have enough water station, enough energy drink, GUs and Jelly beans. (although, ive heard that in the marathon if you were at the pace of 5 hours plus, there would be not enough water for you to hydrate on.)

After which we proceeded after midday at Martin’s crib for drinks and bar-b. Next year? don’t know, if the weather is as hot as yesterday, I am not sure if i would be running the full marathon.

Photos by Marathon-Photos

Distance: 21.0975km
Chip Time: 1:53:02
Clock Time: 1:54:59

Kenya’s Julius Maritim who won the 2008 Blackmores Marathon for the fourth year in a row with a time of 02:19:01, breaking his own record

Yes, I did finally decide to do the half marathon 2 weeks ago for the Sydney Blackmore’s Marathon Running Festival, a day before the event organizers raised the registration fee for non-early birds. I chose running a half over 1) staying in Singapore for holidays and watch the 1st ever F1 night race 2) take days off and go home to Philippines for a week. The Sydney Bridge Run is on September 21, 2008 with walker and runners for the 9kms, and a half and a full marathon.

Unprepared, if that’s how i will call it. Cramming! I have been lazy the past two weeks when I registered, no long runs longer than 20KMs and to top on that is traveling to Singapore meaning i might be stuck at the Hotel gym, for shorter limited time. Although fortunately i was able to fit 3 runs outdoors and 1 run at the treadmill during the business trip.

recap:
Sunday: 10KM Race
Monday: 10KM Singapore (5xpark)

Tuesday: 4KM Treadmill, Singapore
Wednesday: 7KM Singapore

Thursday: Rest
Friday: 7KM Singapore (with colleague KweeChuan @ Alexandra towards the canopy walk and no idea it was up hill!, although it was )
Total pw:38KMs

It will be my first half marathon. So i am nervous, unpsyched and worried i might be too tired to run because of my trip. To add that, flying do get you dehydrated. I did only drank 1 cup red wine as it is health and kept on drinking water in the flight. Always asking for two cups instead of default 1. Lucky it was pasta for tea so i was also starting to carbo load aside from the chicken rice i have been having on that week!

Race packets needed to be picked up from that week, but i am in Singapore, so i asked my roomie to pick it up for me.Thanks Aileen! It did include my bib, magazine and information phamplet and my chip.

Arriving “home” past 7pmish of 20th of September at home from a trip from Singapore (I’ve done this before, going home for a weekend to race but for 10KMs not half!!) and on my way home I rang John as I arranged to pick up my Woodstock Cap. So I dropped my bags off and literally jogging to John’s place to get the cap so i get enough rest after. Why the cap? I decided to wear both colors of my club back my home country Philippines, h@ppy feet, and my Oz running club Woodstock. (Thanks John and Dot for arranging this for me!) I headed home with a box of pizza for dinner (carbo and high calorie loading).

Slept 1130pm, booked a cab for 510am of the 21st. Set my alarm at 420am.

I did have good rest but not enough sleep, since my body is still running at Singapore time and 420 means 220am. Finally got up by 435am. Had my shower, changed to my gear and did some good stretching. Cab arrived on time and reached the starting line 30 minutes before the race start at 620am. Continued on Part 2.

I am flying to Singapore today, next week is a compulsiveness entry for my first ever half marathon and our running club Woodstock Running Club is co-sponsoring the Bridge to Bridge Run in Gladsville

Barry Cole, has been coordinating this fun run since back and been encouraging the club members to participate either run or marshal. I would have been happy to do the marshaling but since i do have a flight to catch, i decided to do the 10KM run.

The night before this run, 2 consecutive nights actually, went out with a friend Stephanie for her birthday celebration and did a bit of dehydration and carbo-loading (boozing from beer but not getting drunk). I am really bad, but you always need to balance your life! I am not a pro-runner you know ;-).

Anyway, left Steph’s party this morning at 1.30ish am got enough sleep. But waking up with dark skies contrary to the 27 degrees nice weather yesterday! Looking at my balcony it was raining. John and I were suppose to go together to the run but i sent him an sms if he is going as it was raining. He says he is. Still looking at the window, i do feel bad for Barry as he was organizing this like months ahead and the weather is ruining it. I thought of going to support his cause (and as part of the registration also goes to our club). On the other hand, I did not want my running shoes getting sloppy and wet as i planned to bring my New Balance to Singapore and use my Nike for my half. So i prayed, and asked for signs should i go or not? 1. If the rain stops a bit i should go 2. If i do have 15 dollars on my wallet (not aware after going out not withdrawing enough last night not knowing how much cash i have) then i should go. Well both of the signs were positive it was 5 past 8! and i should be going!

So it is raining i though it is not wise to wear long sleeved shirt as its going to be cold and wet so i decided to go with my singlet and my skins. Put lots of petroleum jelly on my arms to keep me warm. grabbed my jumper, change of clothes, gu, and a banana and took a cab.

Im glad to see a lot of Woodstock members both running and doing the marshal. At 9, the weather is not getting any better as it is starting to drizzle again. Oh well it waas not too cold it was okey so it is all good. The course has been designed by Barry and he kept on telling us it is a tough hard run, with stairs and hills! Well indeed i did find out it was a hard run! A lot of hills, never ending hills! I am glad to have seen woodstock club members at the top of the hill cheering, but just the first 300 m was a hill and have gotten all your energy and i end up panting. Swear, the hills! A bit of a bush run, and stairs with puring falls from the rain. It was a very different experience. My first 10Km actually since i arrived oz, my first raining race. I though i was the last as i never hear anyone from my back anymore and you can see marshals walking towards the finish so i do have a feeling anyway to have finish the race at 56 mins because of the so-heard hills.

Well i made it, i saw the bay, Woodstock cheering you is a good feeling to just go sprint. Hard run, hard race that’s what i can just say about it!

Event: Bridge to Bridge Run
Distance: 10KM
Time: 51.07 mins
i was told that in my gender-categoryPlace: 3rd

Almost all of the Woodstock runners who participated the run placed on the fun run. Congratulations!

results

my running logs for the week

Sunday:10.7 KM; Treadmill
Monday:7.58 KM; treadmill
Tuesday:7 Km; Bayrun
Wednesday: 7Km; Bayrun
Thursday: 7.37 Km treadmill
Friday: rest
Saturday: 16KM; Rozelle Bay-Bayrun

I’m off to Singapore and goodluck on my cramming for the half the day i get back from Singapore. Prolly i will just take it easy its my first half so (excuses.. excuses)!!

Just like any of my races, I was looking forward to this run, well i call it still a race. Unlike in the Philippines if my schedule permits i run races every week. But since i am very immobile that races are not really near each other i have limited chances of joining races lately, just like when i missed the pub to pub race.

Anyway, the Handicap run is a quarterly run the Woodstock running club hold for its club members and interested visitors. Its a friendly 7 KM competition amongst the members around the bay. The rule is nominate your estimated time and should be able to keep up with that time, staggered start so everybody finishes at the same time. And whoever finishes the line wins. If you finish your run more than a minute of your nominated time you are disqualified in winning any prize.

From that week, i only had 3 runs and missed 3 days of running because i was feeling not well for having fever. I wasnt really feeling well but i did want to run and i feel i am going to feel more sick if i don’t run. So i went. I emailed our current committee leader Colin Townsend my time prior to the race even before i was feeling sick, estimated it at 35 mins. But then i am not feeling well and i was having doubts of finishing it at 5min/km. Still pushed through with my nominated time. So this is my first Handicap with the group eversince i joined them last June.

I was running well not until in the middle of the route i felt sicking feverish and stomach pain! which slowed me down. i told myself to keep on running as i will finish the route, thinking it would be 2 minutes more of my estimate. their were 5 of us in this group, and three of my mates went ahead of me, Daniel, Rick, and Dierdre whom i went ahead of before them! So i say if Jeff goes ahead of me im doomed! (exaggeration!)

Seeing the Iron cove bridge i know its just a few more meters to the finish. Still able to see Rick and Dierdre’s back i finished seconds after them. To my surprise i did well. 34.58. 2 seconds lesser of my estimate. Not bad! Although i did not win any movie ticket or wine, i am happy. Since this is my first Handicap with the group i get 15 points.

My mates are really fast! (attached are the results). What’s good after the Handicap run the club holds free barbi breakfast for the members and is open to whoever is interested to join at Brett park . We had sausages and buns, cake, bananas and licorice. It was yum! And after which we went to the Bower’s bakery, where the group usually go after the Saturday runs.

Event: Woodstock Running Club Handicap run
Distance: 7KM
Where: Bay Run
Time: 34.58

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Week 34
Friday: 10KM - threadmill

Week 35
Sunday: 14KM - bayrunx2
Monday: 7KM - Bayrun
Tuesday: 10.4 KM threadmill
Saturday: 7KM Handicap run

Week 35
Tuesday: 10.4 Km - Threadmill, Glenwaverly, Victoria
Saturday: Balmain Shores - 9Km
… ive been missing my runs! and i registered myself for a half marathon! uh-oh! its difficult to juggle work(ing until late to early mornings), travel and running