A one-live cat’s life

This was my first Easter weekend in Sydney.  Last year I arrived just a week after the long weekend.

Here in Sydney they do give more emphasis more of the reincarnation than the suffering that’s one reason why its is mostly cold Easter weekend, but the during the start of lent the churches did remind the people about the lent, sacrifice, charity and penance just like what I was taught in Philippines.  Ash Wednesday was not popular as well.  We worked on Maunday Thursday but had the days off from Good Friday till Easter Monday.

Went to Central Coast during the Good Friday and just stayed there for the whole four days reading Sissi’s book, which at last I finished hurrah! And The Secret.

Sad ending.  I liked it because the main character likes to run and well yea it was a good plot too.  It will be showing in the cinemas on November of 2009 and Eric Bana will be on it.

The secret is a book bout positiveness, appreciation, gratefulness, love, peace within your self and attracting the good things in life.

Fished for four days at Wyong river and it was on the fourth day I got my first fish.  Compliments from Terry did the casting of my line.

Duck Fishing, I was getting desperate for not getting fish

I caught a fish without the action shot coz left the phone i thought its going to be another catchless day.  But Actually almost got a fish the 2nd day but it swam away before even i can bring my line at the banks :(.  Fishing is a very patience testing sport.

1st catch! a Black breem when you leave your camera thats when the action takes place

It was a bit cold and dark gloomy weekend for Friday and Saturday.  Good easter was a beautiful day.  Had a short Easter run of 6Kms, and a a barbi lunch.  The only not so happy news is hearing that my lola father side is really getting old and she’s more doing bedrest and they had to put her with diapers now.  I was not able to talk to her in the phone but i am glad I was able to speak to the rest of the family.

My easter bunny chocs from Tezza's mom and Mia, classmate from pilates

It was not much of an outdoor weekend but I did appreciate the rest as it is only a week before THE run.

After hosting a seafood lunch with Sissi, Martin and Vera Joy, (Terry cooked) getting too drunk, anticipated the Mardigras parade which I missed because of the pissed condition, waking up with hang over and a 10Km race, the weekend was good except the bad running performance and the hang over, we went to Blue mountains, Katoomba and had picnic of what has been a left over from the lunch the other day.

Rode the World’s steepest tram which is one of the highlights aside from the picnic.

And saw the famous three sisters which is known to be one of the dreamtime aboriginal stories told where three aboriginal sisters got lost in this vast mountain ranges and never came back and grew into three stones amongst the area.

Its been like 2 months preparation that the activity has been posted by James in Couchsurfing that he is keen to do a Caving and Abseiling trip in Bungonia sometime in November. At last, November 29-30 the activity pushed through.

James is a caving and abseiling instructor aside from his normal job as a teacher. there were more or less 18 couchsurfers and 3 guests or so who joined the trip.

So us, who have no cars are divided amongst the surfers who have cars and Amy from last week’s trip volunteered to take me. I was having a surfer that week from Thursday and Friday night, Roberto from Spain, that I had to chuck poor thing really early as I was laving the house before 530 to catch the train and bus to Erskenville to Amy’s.

Roberto and I waited for the bus but it did not arrive, waited for 30 minutes and still no bus arrived and so we hitched on a taxi with this lady waiting on the shed with us, I dropped Roberto @ Newtown and just my luck the driver he does not have any sense of direction and do not know where Erskenville is and I am already 5 minutes late.  Eventually after 3 stops of asking directions, we made it through.

I was met by Dorothee waiting at the gates of Amy, then Vallicity and Amy.  We set off around 7am towards south of NSW.  Bungonia is around 58KMs away from Campbelltown.

James and party was waiting at the turn around point to the National park, where we were met by 3 more cars.  Then head off to the campsite.

First activity was setting the camping site. Tents and everything! You see, I never had any camping experience in my life.  My parents did not let me join the scouts when i was younger.  So this is very exciting for me.  But one aim was for me to find who can host me during the night! i did not have any tent but just sleeping bag.  Alas! Michael had a “mother” tent and not hosting anyone and I am lucky that he was accommodating enough to adopt me.  He even had some cots set up that we need not sleep on the ground! I am so lucky!  So i did learn how to pitch a tent (and depitch it on the second day).

After setting like 12 tents in the site, James oriented us the camping rules and activities.  He is only able to take in 8 campers in the cave each time and I was not sure yet as the last time i did caving a year ago i broke my toe.  So I did a bush walk with Tracey.  Did see the canyons and lookouts and geckos and ants and ant hills no major wildlife.

The caving takes at max 2.5 hours and James estimated coming back in two hours.  We waited at the mouth of the cave 15 minutes before they should be coming out as phone signal is bad that if they get distress or we get lost it is going to be challenging.  Right enough, they were back and complete in 2 hours, muddy with smiling faces.  We head back to the camp for lunch!

We had Sandwiches and fruit that lunch and had our picnic at the camp site.  Rested for an hour and James was ready to take the next batch for caving.  There were 11 of us but he took us anyway.

We did the same cave called Grill Cave.  We can go as far as 1.5 kilometer deep.  Its the safest distance we can go as if we go further, high level of Carbon Dioxide is high and so it is not good.  This is more of tourist friendly cave. and an easy one, to James (not for me!).  But I think this is easier than the Sumagiung caves in Sagada.  Just having short legs makes it difficult reaching the steps and careful not to slip.  Fair enough share of stalagmites and stalactites.  We came back at the entrance of the cave ad there was still daylight.  We were less muddy compared to the first batch.

We had our shower, and got ready for dinner time  We had pasta, sausages, grilled veggies, kebabs, and beer and chocolate.  Then we finished the night off with a game of Jengga Michael brought with him.

It was raining when it was time to go back to the tents.  It is good combination that i was tired and the beers and the cot! I was able to sleep well.

Following morning, i woke up wanting to do a run on the trails but i did not have any of my running attire so i just slept in and after I learned that breakfast is ready so I had two pancakes! And then as planned we packed the tents and got ready for the abseiling activity.

Again I was one of the last person to do the activity as I do have a fear for doing free fall activities.  Yet I was happy  I did it.  And now I think I like abseiling better than caving.

We went back to the campsite and had our lunch, left over pasta salad, sandwiches, fruits, chips and chocolate.  Our party went ahead of the group back to Sydney.  The rest of the grup were left at the camp and they did play cricket, frizbee and volleyball.  Before we left we were able to get a glimpse of a monitor lizard.  Some of the campers saw kangaroos while we were on the cave, echidna and we saw a possum.  It was very nice.  The trip was a tiring but fun weekend.

I ditched my Woodstock Saturday run this weekend because I scheduled to join a walk with CS friends to palm beach this Saturday. It was a good schedule i thought because i was meaning to do rest a day before i was suppose to do  the Sri Chimnoy half marathon the day after.

Even after a party the night before coming home past 1 in the morning, drunk, I managed to get up and be on time at our meeting point in Erskenville with Amy who volunteered to drive to the trip. It was raining when we started the trip, and the day was cloudy. It took us around more than an hour to drive up the Palm beach area. It was Amy, An-young, Alex and me and met Matt in the beach, where we walked towards the light house. We did cross over to the banks of Pitt water Basin before going up the light house.

Took us round 30 - 45 minutes to get there, according to Matt, who was a local in the area, it was the shorter but steeper route.

After which we had lunch picnic with the annoying cold breeze, and after we continued walking towards Avalon Beach. Along the way we passed Whale beach unfortunately we did not spot any whales that day.

Then it started to rain, and so we decided to just walk back to the car and go to the Arms Hotel where we were told that they do serve good cocktails. Inset is pink mojito which was yummy.

It was very windy that day that we did not do any sun basking, but we got whipped a lot by natural exfoliant combination of wind and sand a lot. We got back at the City by past 7pm. It was fun and tiring trip with lots of steep stairs to climb!

Two months has passed when the Spring season has started. Strange that it was still cold for me, specially withe the chilly breeze of Sydney, yet on day one, some people shed of their winter clothing and started wearing their singlets and shorts!

Aside from that, I did like the scenery as the trees went back from brown to green, and sidewalks filled with fallen flowers instead of dead brown leaves, and just flowers blooming everywhere, so colorful!

Locals say this Spring has a weird weather, one day we got 32 degrees and one day we get 19 and rainy. At least I haven’t not really placed my winter clothes away yet so it was convenient for me but have to be always ready to have an umbrella and shirt under a jumper in case the weather changes within the day (Melbourne weather they say-4 seasons in a day).

What I am enjoying most this Spring is the festivals. So far I went to 4 of them already. I thought it was a good time to go look for Christmas pressies and food!

Floriade - In Canberra
- flowers everywhere, very nice
- booths
- Shopped? - nothing

Balmain Arts and Craft show
- Nice display of paints, and crafts, and auction items from sports figures from footy to car racing
- Shopped: Christmas cards

The Newtown Music Festival
- crowded, lots of music going on and dancing and performances, with the midget ponies for the kids and jumping castle, more for grown up kind of festival

- Shopped - a small leather wallet for myself and food

The Glebe Street Fair
- crowded, lots of shops and food, performances
- Shopped - pendants, ring, jewelry hanger and food

The Drummoyne Family Fair
- not very crowded but the most kid-friendly festival i saw. Jumping castle, booths, trampoline, ride, slides, etc.

- Shopped: table runner for Christmas

This weekend no festivals going on, but i might be going to Palm beach.

What’s new? You’ll will hear me again saying i did not have enough runs last week because I do not have a life, and work did own my life. So i was hesitant for joining in the 16KM race having been an absentee for a long run (14KM++ x 2) a week I thought it would be punishing my body for something its not used to.

But then again, what’s new? It’s a stubborn leo talking! I did register myself for 16KMs for the Sri Chimnoy Race at the Iron Cove, its held in my domain so its a good reason to go.

Saturday morning, 4th weekend of missing out the Woodstock Saturday run, after a fun Halloween party on a Friday, I thought I also had leg work out there standing long hours and dancing till morning, means waking up late and no run and should rest before the 16KMs tomorrow. It was like battling a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde convincing myself I should not go for a run, not even a slow run. I decided to

go cycle at the gym and do a “swim.” Good swimmers in the pool I backed out, so just 8KMs at the bike. I was bit not sure how I will go on the race since its going to be my first 16KM race. I’ll just follow my motto: “finish the race, no walking.”

6am, set my alarm, woke up at 630am, got ready, geared up (after checking the temperature outdoor 3 x if its warm or windy as clouds in Sydney can always deceive you if I should wear the long sleeved uniform or my singlet). I figured out there would be no baggage counters, so i got into my singlet, placed a Gu in my legging’s pocket, cash and keys plus one endura gel in my hand. After wich, I did my stretching and By 715am I was already out of the flat and just jogged to the event as my warm up.

No Woodstockians in sight, so i got my bib and signed the waiver. After a couple of minutes Brendan arrived then came 12 more. Kerry, Dot, John, Greg, Martin, Mark M, Mark O, Thalia, Belinda, Peter, Linda, (and um sorry Mr. Woodstock-i-forgot-your-name)!

Around 2 minutes after 8, the race started off with the 16KM runners first, followed by the 8KMs and 4KMs. Very perfect running condition, not windy, not chilly, not humid, not hot, cloudy not sunny! The route is majorly flat with few sections of few meters of inclines. I did try to pace with Thalia but oh boy, maybe quarter of the 1st kilometer I gave up! She was running fast, so I let go from her.

Photo Borrowed SriChimnoy race Photo Album. No Stopping!! @ the forground: Mark resting while pacing with me, we were trying to catch Thalia, Mark did.

First loop, I was told by Brendan 5th place. I got confused of what he meant, grab the fifth place, or I was running on 5th place. But as runners coming back from turnaround, I was counting the runners and I was at the 6th Place, so I understood what he was saying. But not long after that, another lady just caught up and managed to overtake the the female I was trying to catch. That pushed me to be 8th (female). I was pushing really harder to get her position but she was a bit few meters form me that in the second loop my legs are complaining and I was I trying to think should I Gu or not, which i did not.

During the race, knowing the bay area, its popular for runners, walkers, dog walker/runners, so it makes it easier if you are just cruising along you will not get worried getting cutoff as you can always just run with the runners. Speaking of which, i did encounter 2 undesirable incidents. A mother pushing a pram towards me! so I was not pleased, 2nd is a unmindful dog owner who was wrestling with his dog to stay at the grass, just crossed my path with him holding the leash and the dog! I almost tripped over! It took out my momentum, so a Sydney Striders male runner saw the opportunity and took advantage of that.

I still can see Thalia’s back and the lady who overtook me so I am still doing okey. Loop 2 was tough as my legs and my glutes are already complaining, which the brain over ruled and brain told me to breath normally and relax.

Two more kilometers and i forced to pace faster, seeing the finish chute and the banderitas tried to sprint, finishing 8th in my age category (50 and below). Too bad only Top 7 finishers gets awarded. Good thing, this motivates me to do better next time. I was happy that i was able to try more or less pace at 5 on a longer run in 10KMs. Performance wise it was better than of my 14KMs and 12KMs pace.

Learned that, if there is someone faster than you and try to put her as your goal you get pushed to run faster, otherwise you tend to slack (its like someone who is pacing you and pushing you harder). Not getting a place is good, that means wanting to get one next time.

It was fun having the Woodstock cheering for you at the end, that alone is very rewarding (and they were even thinking i made it to top 7).. lol! Greg, John, Martin, Brendan, Kerry, Linda and Thalia placed in the race, half of the club did place in the race, how cool is that?

Race wise, enough water stations, well marked paths in every two or three kilometer and the free pancakes, watermelon, oranges and bananas.

the woodies!(Dot, Mark,Me-enjoying the pancakes, Mark) and backdrop is the 7th Female and the 1st Female

Event: Sri Chimnoy Race Series, Iron Cove
Distance: 16KM
Time: 1:20:29 - 8th (u 50)

Results:
4KM
8KM
16KM

The event commenced with a coffee at Grumpy’s with the Woostockians.

Sri Chimnoy Race Series, next race at NSW will be at the Centennial Park, Cross Country( 21KM, 7KM, 4KM), November 23, 2008.

On the 26th of October is the St. Mary’s Community Fun Run/Walk. This event is for the fund raising for the community primary school of St. Mary’s. I reckon the event already runs over 10 years. This race I was decided not to do it as it is far and i had plans going to Blue Mountains.

It took me hours before the day ends on Friday to decide should I be joining the St. Mary’s 8Km Run, as I promised John that I will be confirming latest Friday. Also this Sunday, I also got an invite for a run in Bondi to see the “Sculptures by the Sea” with other Woodstockonians. I’ve gone with my cousin and her family to see the Sculptures, so I thought to join the fun run on Sunday, since I already have missed plans this weekend and it is Charity work which makes the run more meaningful, so I was decided to join.

I never thought my routine will get busy when I do host someone at home, specially if they are close relatives. Because of it, my body seem to have caught up on being exhausted and I missed my Saturday Woodstock run, and i made a pass supposedly a planned trip to Blue Mountains on the same. As it seem that this weekend is busy with options to do. So Saturday was a rest, did a slow 8KM around the bay and Timbrell park.

I usually don’t do any run before a race, because I always feel the tension in my leg muscles on the day of the race, thus making me perform really poorly. Because I am stubborn, and i thought i did not have enough mileage this week I NEED to run! (The reason for my running already shifted from weight loss to mileage. I do feel if i don’t get enough I already would have forgotten to run j/k or just preparation for any long distance runs).

So John says, he will pick me up by 730 as the race starts at 900. So my phone alarmed at 645 and i snoozed until i woke up its already 721! so i dashed to the bathroom, got ready and put on my gear. I was looking at my mobile, how come John has not rang me yet or sent me a message, he usually is minutes earlier than his word. Double checked, missed calls from John, No, messages, No. I wondered so i walked around my flat checked that the Microwave time is an hour later than what i have so is with my bathroom clock! I realized that the time i have been looking is 1 hour advance so I actually got up by 621! So i decided to snooze a lil and just rest, And got up 10 minutes before John sent me a message he already is down the building.

We went towards St. Mary’s in the west, through the hi-way which made it really quick and we are already in the area after 35 minutes and we decided to drive by Mackas for cappuccinos.

Arriving at the venue, a few runners getting ready and parking their cars. We saw Brendan and Dottie chatting at the St. Mary’s Public School grounds, said our pleasantries and proceeded to do my on the day registration. So I see that I belong to the age category 16-29. Wow that’s a huge category i told myself, I would already be beaten by 16 year olds! So got my bib. Did some stretching and a few warm up jogs. they say its a flat course with inclines unlike the one in Maroubra last Sunday. But not as flat as Le Brighton.

By 900 runners and walkers lined up at the Start line. Looking around, it is sad too see that its not very much participated by a number of runners. And or the local community, considering its their own local school! Unlike the one when I ran the Bay run where it was actively participated by school kids and their parents.

Anyway, by minutes before 910, the race started. Bit of flat with some inclines. A few short hills and long ones which are not really bad hills! I do remember I was trying to catch up with the lady in aqua blue whom I lost as it seem that she really ran fast. I was already puffing not even on the half the distance of the race. And which was taken advantage by 5 runners who over took me. 4 males and 1 young female runner. I did jog for two water stations on the second lap, and at the second lap, the Sun is already starting to burn its heat, so it made me run a bit faster since i already have experience that bad heat last Sunday. Then on a few last Kilometers, one guy passed me (gawd he is over 60! i think). He the same guy whom i saw in Le Brighton and Maroubra, where I overtook him, but this time he overtook me. Few more meters i can see the school, and sprinted to the goal post, where the finish chute is.

Surprised to see from afar on the timer 35:5x minutes! in 8Ks! i sprinted trying to catch up with the 35, which i failed, so i clocked at 36:13 for the 8 KM. I was pleased! As i even thought my muscles were really feeling sore and tired from the run last Saturday (and expecting already to finish at 40 minutes). Well to found out with fellow runners, that the distance maybe a quarter meters less. Michelle’s watch registers at 7.60KMs. So let’s say, a minute and a half additional to my time, still it is faster than the one last Sunday!

The girl who overtook me is 14 years young! and had a time of 35:08 and she got the 3rd over all female. I can remember it is just one female, her, to have passed me and confirmed by Brendan who was waiting relaxing at the chute, no one came next to her but me, so that makes me 4th over all for the females! (So I’m happy again!)

We did wait for the awarding ceremonies, as the last St. Mary’s last September who were participated by the same Woodies, they almost grabbed all the category places, so it is expected that the team would be getting a few awards again. While waiting, I had another cup of coffee courtesy of John, and we chatted under the sun in the school grounds.

During the ceremony, it was correct that almost all of the Woodies got awards. I got 1st for the Age category, Brendan (who is a bit disappointed for just the 2 seconds! difference with the 1st placer) and John and Dot got Silver in their age categories! wow how cool is that? (Well run Woodies!) We were also joined by Michelle Warren who decided to do her walk, as she is preparing to do her 3rd! marathon for the year in Auckland (Well wishes Michelle!), and Eddie Mclean (one of our most senior runner at 70ish) whom crossed the line ahead of younger runners! Aside from the awarding ceremonies, goodies has been raffled.

The run was marshaled very well, well organized and enough drinking stations. The route is average with a bit difficulty on inclines except for the few meters less totaling to 8KMs. I also think that the organizers did not make money for the charity for the school they gave more than what they’ve earned due to small turn out on the event (although I’ve heard that it did improve in number already!). It is sad to see that there is not enough support from runners or the locals involved in the school (students, teachers and parents). Hoping that more runners from NSW, or other states would join this race next year.

Event:St. Mary’s Community Fun Run/Walk
Venue: St,. Mary’s, NSW, Australia
Distance: 8KM
Time: 36.13 (1st Age category)

Photos courtesy by Brendan.

As listed in my might-run-races, I have been contemplating if I would be running any of the fun runs this Sunday. Eyeing on Maroubra Fun Run, since this is the most accessible run, I was convincing myself to already register. But, it has been a tough week for me at work s i was having doubt.

It has been 2 weeks of 24/7 on call support an 3 consecutive days that have been working at least 18 hours, my body started to be on strike. Missing and forgetting Woodstock runs on Wednesday morning, Friday morning and the Club’s Saturday run. The Saturday even was a plan to get a longer run before joining which I was meaning to run and run longer before the 9Km one in Balmain, My physical body just can not get up. Frustrating, but what can I do.

Then on Friday morning, John sent me an email he is going to do the fun run, which confirmed myself to do the 8KM, after convincing myself to join even on a late start of 930 and temperature forecast at 29 degrees. Yes, I already have been mindful of the temperature as the heat from last Sunday is too hot for me. (Humid hot in Manila is very different in stinging hot sun rays).

Anyway, on Sunday, I did get up at 715, quick shower, had coffee, banana and a chocolate cookie, sugar loading, that is how i call it. A few stretching and by 757, John was already at my area. We drove to Maroubra ariving 30 minutes past 8am and so we are early by an hour even it it means registering on the day.

As explained by John, this fun run is similar to the one in Gladesville, a fun run sponsored by the Rotary Club, and does includes a fair.

And he was right. Race starts with at least 5 meter parade with the bagpipe band then they fire the gun. Just like the race in Brighton, narrow start, with all the 4km walkers and runners starting with the 8KM runners at the same time. I needed to struggle and run off-road. On the first left, you can see a hill. So what’s with this hills on a Rotary run?! :p. Was not super hill, tolerable not until you turn left and keep turning left the Hills seem to get steeper and bigger. that just made me puff and huff. Near the 8km runabout, you can hear the bagpipes and is a very steep downhill, that there is no way you can fly and take advantage of the hill as it steep and just end up knocking yourself over. Better to finish the race bruise free I told myself. I psyched myself that I still can do another round of those hills.

I tried my best to run as same pace as my first lap. I think i did slow down a bit on the hills, nearly giving up wanting to walk, but I just did not. The heat was hotter and all you can think is to get the race over and done with! 2 ladies caught up with me when it is nearly 500 meters away from the chute, although i did over took 3 people ahead of me initially nearing the finish. 3 meters from the chute I heard John called my name, yey! I finished the race without walking.

The organizers had a bit of a challenge sorting out the results as it was their first time to use the timing chips. Where the results came in by almost midnight the same day. The race I say is very well organized, maybe just lacking a few marshals directing and stopping the vehicles passing through and people cutting through the routes. Two water stops for an 8km race is enough. What I did like is at the finish chutes, marshals assist in taking off the chip, enough chairs where the runners can sit and take their chips off and marshals escorting runners out of the finish chute which prevented runners from crowding in the chute which usually happen in all races. Aside from that is the October fest mood, beer, food stalls, clothes, jewelry and handicraft stalls, camel ride , jumping castle and trampoline after the race made the event very festive.

John and I left the event after learning that the awarding will happen by 12 noon which is too late and John is 2nd on his age category.

For myself, Not bad that I was aiming to finish at 40 minutes more or less but the hills would have made it more difficult. BUT! I made it at 40.16 minutes chip time. Still 16 seconds over my target, I am happy, I really feel I made big improvements on speed compared 6/7 months ago and even with feeling a bit of arthritic pain on my left leg since my long run last Thursday.

Event: Maroubra Fun Run
Location: Maroubra, NSW, Australia
Distance: 8KM
Gun time: 40.34
Chip time:40.16

Results
8KM Run
4Km Run
4KM walk

What is orienteering?

From Wikipedia, Orienteering is a family of sports that require navigational skills using a map and compass, usually in combination with point to point racing, in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain. Participants are given a map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points. Originally a training exercise in land navigation for military officers, orienteering has developed many variations. Among these, the oldest and the one with the most “starts” per year[citation needed] is foot orienteering. For purposes of this article, foot orienteering serves as a point of departure for discussion of all other variations.

I was intrigued by what sport it is, as one of our Woodstock mates: Barry Cole, sent an email regarding the sport which is on this summer. It is a series of orienteering events in New South Wales region starting this spring till the end of summer.

So the event is called Sydney Summer Series.

The event is timed at least to run at 45 minutes having different checkpoints you need to go to. It requires or practices your navigational skills, physical speed and your quick mental capability on logistics. There are number of checkpoints the organizers scatter around the event area and whoever finishes or completes the search in the shortest time wins. Although the tallying is done for the first 12 highest events.

It runs every Wednesday most of the time, and started last October 8 at McMahons Point.

I thought it would be interesting to join, as it will be a variety of my running routine outdoors. I thought of like the “Amazing Race” kind of thing, and or I those activities I have had when I was in high school during summer Science camps.

I meant to joint the initial one BUT since AGAIN every time I tell myself I am going home early from work, work just keeps me too late at work. Anyway, I was able to join the 2nd one.

I posted the event in the Couchsurfing community, as someone might be interested to join me. A few did want to join but not sure of what time they finish at work. This second event i am glad that Marcusof Germany from New Zealand (haha yes it is confusing ) joined me.

Marcus loves biking and running. If i have lost at max 14 kilos, he lost 30 kilos from running. He did his first and only running race last Sydney Running festival. And guess what? he did a Marathon! Crazy isn’t it? No short distance races and broke a spine 4 months ago from a bike race,although he told me he at least do 80KMs a week.

Anyway Marcus and I, were first timers so we did not know how it is done. We need to go the shortest way to go to all checkpoints. In this event there are 30 checkpoints scattered in the area of Iron cove. So we were given a card where we can write and the map and the hint where the check points are. So we learned that check points are little buckets with the check point number and a letter pair written on the bucket bottom that we have to write on the boxes on our card as when we get to the mission.

We started at 1711 deciding to go first to the farthest and finding the nearest last. It was very different to running races as you have o cross streets with cars and you need to be careful, sprint to where the checkpoints are, stop and write, then think the next which target to go next. We finished all 30 checkpoints in 1 hour and 10 minutes. So we get deductions as our time was past 45 minutes. We finished at 1821. It is not like in a running race where you get to see the results immediately, every check point have different scores, which makes the result calculation more difficult.

The Iron Cove results are shownhere.

It was indeed a good activity. And i think it is good to do it with someone, someone who is keen in finishing the “race” as fast and efficient as how you want it to be. Still, again it is very subjective.
I still would join the other events as long as time permits and the location is accessible.