Victorian Road Runners New Year's Eve Run - 8km around the Tan

Lena's cousin, Brian is here from France/Singapore for holidays and I have the pleasure of showing him around Point Cook with short runs around our area in the evenings. Oh, Angel also joined us for these running tours and so far, she has been able to keep up with us...

So when I found out that The Victorian Road Runners (VRR) has a New Year's Eve Run around the Tan, I asked Brian to join the run as a way to explore one of Melbourne's most popular running route, the Tan... This will also mark the last run of the year for me...

I had set my alarm for 5:30am this morning, but forgot that my phone was on silent... Luckily Lena woke me up at 6:10am (thanks babe, you are wonderful...). Brian and I were still able to have coffee and a bite before we head off to the Tan... As a result of the rush, I actually forgot to wear my Garmin FR610... Yes, what an idiot... I know... Good thing I can still use mapmyrun on my iphone to record my run...

So here it is, this morning's 8km (2 laps) run around the Tan at 7:30am... yes, that is 7:30am in the morning on New Year's eve...

The crowd slowing pouring in to the registration area...

Starting point at the Pearls of Wisdom... And no, we are not racing the Greyhounds...

Race Director's briefing before the start...

The famous (at least to the locals) Anderson Street hill... My camera angle did not do the hill justice...

Post run food across the Tan along Yarra River...

Croissants and champagne to fill the tummy...

Race Summary:
Cost: $16 (non VRR members) and this includes drinks, champagne (only after the race), and croissants with butter, jam, honey etc... yum yum...
Weather: Near perfect, 22 degrees with no wind with most part of the course shaded...
Course: 2 laps clockwise around the Royal Botanical Gardens aka the Tan... Yes, you do not need to enter a race to run the Tan... it is a public area...

I have no timing expectation for this run.. just wanna enjoy the last run for 2011... For the record, Brian (who is younger and used to compete in triathlons) finished in 40:56 and I finished in 41:50...

That's all for 2011... Until next year, wishing you all a very Happy New Year!!!

Time flies... Already 8 weeks into my lifelong marathon...

It has been 8 weeks since Angelena came into our life... Here she is, from the very beginning...

Angelena's first breathe... and yes, she was loud...

She came into this world weighing 3.6kg. 8 weeks in, she is now 5.5kg, gaining 53% over 8 weeks...

Love at first sight...

now you see 1 eye open...

now you see both eyes open...

The many faces of Angelena... Week 1

Week 2...

Week 3...

Week 4...

Angel & Angelena getting to know each other...

Week 5...

Week 6...

Week 7...

Week 8...

I love my daddy...

That's all for now everyone... like my dress?



Sri Chinmoy Williamstown Foreshore 10km Run - Pictures

Thanks to the team from Sri Chinmoy, here are some of the pictures that I have extracted from their website: http://gallery.srichinmoyraces.org/australia/scc-melbourne_williamstown_foreshore2011/

Pre-race registrations and baggage drop off...

Told you the weather was s#@*...

Managed to find 1 picture of me...

Pancakes to fill tummy after the race... Yummy... 

Lollies and bananas also available to replenish energy...

Once again, I highly recommend everyone who enjoys a run in a nice, relax and friendly atmosphere to at least try one of the many Sri Chinmoy races... See you at one of the runs next year!!!

Sri Chinmoy Williamstown Foreshore 10km Run

Blah... blah... blah...

It was real tempting not to get out of bed today for this run... There was rain overnight and the temperature was around 16 degrees (what happened to summer???)... Also didn't have much sleep, thanks to Angelena... I was determined to do this run, rain, hail or sun as I was trying to beat my target of 53mins... Got out of bed, did all the pre-race routine and got out of the house at 6:30am...

Race starts at 8am, but I was already there at 7am... got myself a good parking and decided to wait for another 15mins before getting out of the car... Why? It was so damn bloody cold and windy!!! The wind was at least 40km/h... Hence decided to not take my phone or camera for this reason... sorry, no pics for this post...

I must say I am impressed by the organisers... Despite the strong wind, tents were set up for registrations, pancakes, yes, pancakes, and also baggage area... The pancakes smelled so good, was so tempted to take 1 before the race but I managed to fight the temptation... Also have to keep moving around to keep body warm as the wind was a real killer...

Gathered at the starting point 10mins before and get ready to race... After the race director's briefing, 8am, race starts, I keep telling myself not to go too hard too fast... it's a 10km race, maintain the pace... I was tempted to go under 5mins/km, but I maintained my pace at under 5:15min/km cos my realistic target is to complete within 53mins...

As for my timing, I am happy with my result, 51:41, which is under my 53mins target... came in overall 212 of 428... here's the link to the results... http://au.srichinmoyraces.org/files/au/events/melbourne/MelbourneResults2011/WilliamstownFireshore/Results%2010km%20Run-2.pdf

and the link to my garmin connect... http://connect.garmin.com/page/activity/activity.faces?activityId=133779429&actionMethod=page%2Factivity%2Factivity.xhtml%3AuserSwitcher.switchSystem&cid=4786415 stats don't lie... my pace dropped off between 7-8km... think I was managing a slight stitch... either that or, the headwind is too strong...

All in all, the run cost me $20... This includes chip timing, post run pancakes and bananas... what else can you ask for... I am very happy with my first Sri Chinmoy run and I will definitely join more of them in 2012... Here's a glimpse of what's coming up http://au.srichinmoyraces.org/events in 2012 if you are interested...

New gears, new motivation, new route...

With daylight savings now, I am able to explore new routes which I wouldn't be able to in the dark... This is one such route, where I dropped off at Westona train station and run via the Truganina Swap... Although the route is less than 5km, the run is actually quite enjoyable... It is good for me as I do not wanna clock too much too fast while transiting from normal to minimus/barefoot shoes...

Here is what my FR610 had recorded... you can also follow this link to the web page...

Stats galour!!!

Here are some of the pics I took along the way... Enjoy!!!

Dropped off at Westona station...

800M from the station, here comes the SWAP!!!

Lots of birds and ducks having fun in the water...

Hitting the gravel trails and let MT10 does its magic...

Along the outside of Kooringal Golf Club

Spot the flag...

The bridge around the 1.9km mark to cross over to the other side...

Crossing the bridge... drivers must be thinking this guy is nuts...

On the other side now...

Concrete or trail? I choose trail...

End of concrete (well at least for now)...

Came across 3 owners and their dogs... The dogs are well behaved and well trained and let me passed... No dramas...

Exit ahead...

End point, under the bridge... Laverton station is just after the bridge...

Last but not least... Angelena says hi!

New Toys... I mean new gears...

So excited!!! My New Balance MT10 and Garmin Forerunner 610 with Heart Rate Monitor have finally arrived yesterday!!! It's time to get serious!!!

Garmin Forerunner 610... Fresh out of the box!

The slick NB MT10 Minimus Trail

I have been holding off these purchases for a while as my budget now has another line item named "Angelena"... But I decided that I should continue running and the only way to get me motivated is to spend some money on new gears so that I have excuses to use them and continue to run...

Why MT10? As you may be aware, there is a big push on running barefoot as since the beginning of time, human beings are born to run barefoot... Nowadays, there are a lot of shoes that are designed to make you feel like running on barefoot. MT10 is just one of the many products out there... After conquering 2 road marathons, I am now pushing towards trail running... Have always like the outdoors and I think I will enjoy running with nature... as for the type of races? TBA...

Why Garmin FR 610? Well, it's all about the statistics isn't it? I do not want to get too technical, go google the610 and you will know what I mean... I also choose this because it actually looks like a watch and not a mini laptop (FR310XT) on your wrist...

So what did I do after coming back from work yesterday? You guessed it!!! As soon as I know Angel has not done her walk, I eagerly volunteered to bring her out for a quick run... The boxes were unpacked in a matter of seconds and we were out of the house to test drive the gears... And we did a quick 2.8km in 15mins plus... I have also uploaded the run onto garminconnect... Check it out http://connect.garmin.com/activity/128635866#.TsDxWMQtDNQ.email

Verdict on MT10:

Loved it!!! It is like wearing a pair of slippers to run while it stick to your leg and don't fall off... The material feels very flimsy and I seriously thought that it will fall apart anytime... I love my NB MR890, but now I think I love this MT10!!! It just feels a bit hard on concrete pavement but when running on dirt and grass, it does provides better grip and more control... Can really feel the rocks and all that was underneath my feet... was actually quite sceptical that the rocks will puncture the shoes... But I have faith in them and just have to trust the shoe and just soldier on and throw this thought out of my mind and continue on...

Verdict on FR610:

If you are into statistics, the data from this machine will blow your mind away... The touch screen needs a bit of get used to but the FR610 feels solid and well built... Menu are easy to move around and very user friendly... I have since tried the HRM and I must say you do not feel like you are wearing it at all as it fits nicely and the strap is very comfortable...

I truly believe these toys will motivate me to achieve better results in 2012!!!

The learning curve...

We discharged from the hospital last Friday 28-Oct... Felt happy because we finally get to welcome Angelena to our home... Felt very daunting because all the help and support we have from the nurses and doctors from Frances Perry House is now history... We are on our own (with help from my MIL and FIL)...

All set to go home...

Everyday we learn something different... just like running, we learn to improve our techniques to increase our efficiency and also learn to do things correctly (at least according to us)... We learned that sleep is a luxury item and we should catch as much sleep as possible as the baby will wake you up at a time when you most want to close your eyes... We learn how to persevere and think positive... we learn how to be more efficient in time management... We learn to be patient with each other and think about the bigger picture...

And I am sure many of you will say:"Mate, this is just the beginning..." Oh well, all I can say is:"Bring it on!!!"...

Enjoy the pics of Angelena...

Angelena's first bath...

Shiok man...

Ok, this car seat passed...

P.S. I did sneaked in an evening run (4.8km) with Angel yesterday... Felt real good as I have not run for over a week... But I did paid for it as it did affect my "night shift" performance...

My lifelong marathon... Angelena Cheong

Date: 23-October-2011
Angelena Cheong decided to be a Scorpio and came into this world on
Sunday 23-Oct-2011 3pm, weighing in at 3.4kg. Angelena and Lena are
both doing well.

As for me, I am super happy!!! Overjoyed!!! Elated!!! Over the moon!!! And all those words and phrases that describe happiness!!!

Stay tune for more pics on my lifelong marathon...