.....times of refreshing.....

7.5.18

This was my third consecutive half-marathon with Income Eco Run, which was organised by NTUC Income. It was also my fourth run with them, having did my 10KM on my inaugural run. Thus, this is the marathon I almost joined annually for the past 4 years as well as the most runs I did with the same event. What impressed me most with this run was it is the most affordable among all the running events in SG, well-organised, lots of hydration points with bananas and gels given out even for a HM and finisher-tee. This was also my first run of the year after 'considered' recovered from my plantar faccittis (Heel pain) injury.


My third HM medal from Income Eco run!
I gotta woke up at 2.30am on a Sunday morning in order to board their shuttle bus. That means I gotta sleep at 7.30pm in order to have enough rest for the run. After a simple breakfast of a protein shake and two wheat buns, I started out around 3.15am. It was a 20 min walk from my home to the MRT station to board the bus but I took a cab instead, as I don't feel like walking in the early morning. Once I am on the bus, it pass by some of my running lanes around the neighbourhood and I was tellling to myself, well, that's my preparations. Anyway, I didn't really prepared well for this HM and it was one of the toughest HM for me!


Reached the F1 Pit building at 4am and the run starts at 5am. All folks slowly walking in.


Some thought its a good idea to clear the bladder first 
 
I was at the pen which was not opened yet. 

At the first pen and selfie with my running buddy, Ravi.
The starting of the run was smooth and I found myself following a group of 2:45 hours pacers. I thought its a good idea to follow them since I will be slow anyway, due to lack to training. However, my short evening runs of 6-7 KM training doesn't really help me much as I 'hit the wall' after 6KM. I was worried that I might not complete the race as when I look ahead, there are still 15KM ahead!! The pacers were slowly leaving me behind and I decided to relax by going to the loo at a nearby toilet. I took a GU gel later at 8KM and started to run slowly combined with brisk walk. It helps me a bit as I seems regained some energy but it was a struggle all along till the finished line.  *phew*

This was taken around 12KM where we are on the way to Gardens by the Bay from East Coast Park and Stadium.

My mood always lightens up when I see the 15KM signage, which means I am into my last quarter of the run.

The last 3 KM seems longer than usual or maybe it's just me! from 17KM to 18KM seems short but 18KM to 19KM was like forever! Anyway, I recorded 21.91KM in my GPS and most of folks also commented it seems longer than 21.1KM. However, I was glad that I managed to finish the run! It was also a humid run!

My sweet finisher tee!

Yours truly in action, nearing the finish line.

12.4.18

The last itinerary for my 5-day trip to Southern China was a cruise along the famous Pearl River or affectionately known as 'Chu Kong' to the older generations.  It was the third longest river in China and I visited the huge river earlier at Zhuhai where I took a few pictures along the banks. Well, this time, we were taken to night cruise along the Pearl River to enjoy the night scenery of Guangzhou. I was very amazed by how developed the city was as there were beautifully designed high-rise buildings along both sides of the river. 


A view of one of the modern cruise ship 

Inside the cruise, it was fully carpet with free drinks served as well as free shows and an auction event of calligraphy arts.
Picturesque view of high rise office buildings while cruising


They seems purposely changing the colors of the lights 

Another view of the river 

Passing along the beautifully lit up Haiyin Bridge

The Canton Tower, where the cruise move nearer and nearer to it until we got a good view of it. The colors of the tower kept changing to give us a nice show while the cruise stand still for a while nearest to the tower. I even saw the lift speeding up to the higher levels.

The amazing Liede bridge, with the oval shape supporter that make it unique. We were actually cruising under both bridges and we seems so near to the 'ceiling' below the bridge while passing by.

It was really great to be able to enjoy the cruise and night scenery. 
After the cruise, it's time to say good-bye to Guangzhou as our tour bus headed for the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Our flight was at 3am and we waited a while at the airport.


Getting ready to go home, directly back to JB.

Snapping pics around the airport

It's kinda quiet at those hours
Overall, it was a great trip especially my ancestors hailed from this part of the world and I thought 5 days were quite short and how nice if the trip can be 7 or 8 days like my previous year-end trips.  The tour group was also a small one which makes it less complicated as most of the folks there were a friendly lot!

Pix for a souvenir!
We reached Senai International Airport around 6am+ . Will be looking forward to my next vacation!

6.4.18

It really has been a while I never enjoyed Japanese ramen regularly as I used to have a bowl almost weekly before Men-ichi Ramen moved their operations away from nearby Northpoint Shopping Centre. Now. with the new Northpoint City wing recently opens, there are really a lot of ramen for me to choose from and well, I am really spoil for choice. 

I tried Volcano Ramen there and though the choices are not as many, the ramen there are still the authentic type. Well, glad I can have my ramen fix back but too bad, they don't serve chawanmushi although they have complimentary hard-boiled eggs. 


Initially, I thought they served spicy ramen there!

Just a small shop located in Northpoint city, I chance upon this stall while shopping for a new iPad.

Complimentary hard boiled eggs, you can have as many as you can ... hahaha.. I usually had two eggs.

I ordered a Shio Ramen ... love their broth and  their thick half-fat chashu.

I shall explore more ramen after my workout ... *burp*