2013 09Sept15 - City to Bay 2013

Annual Adelaide's City to Bay run.

One event that I don't have to pay registration fees for =p

Sponsored by my company, I ran my first event last year.

Upgraded to a dri-fit shirt compared to last year's cotton.

But a little too long & thick material

*complain complain complain =p*

Team photo

Bigger group compared to last year.

Mixture of groups participating the 3km, 5km & 12km category

Same route as last year

No camera with me this time.

Just focusing on the run.

Pushed too hard in the first 5km trying to maintain at at 5min pace.

Once I reached the 6km mark, I slowed down to 5.30min pace.

The finished line was packed.

The stupid thing was, everyone thought that once you cross the banner, the time stops.

But actually, u have to keep walking straight until this guy with a lazer gun zaps your bib (where your timing chip is), that's when the timer stops *WTH!!!*

Last year, I ran with the camera, I timed 1hr 2mins 30secs

This time, when I'm focused, I ran 1hr 2mins 11secs

I might as well had just carried the camera instead *ggrrrr*

Wanted a sub 1hr =(

Oh, unfortunately, the timing chip had a glitch and everyone's starting time wasn't recorded but the finish time was. Weird...

So they just took the gun current time for your category and difference it with your finish time.

I have no idea how i got the time in the cert.

Oh well....

2013 06June25 - Adelaide Half Marathon

My 2nd year running the Adelaide half marathon 21km

Still no temptation in running the full 42km (2 loops).

1st year blog click here

The route is somewhat the same and different at the same time.

Finishing is at the Elder Park instead of the stadium.

About 50% of the route is at the torrens which is my usual Nike run route.

Still dislike running through Botanical Garden. Narrow zigzagging pathway.

North Adelaide (top left cover of the map above) was the steepest route (2-3km worth).

My goal?

Well, last year i timed exactly 2hrs.

Of course I want to get better.

The weather was still pretty chilly.
Had my compression arm sleeves on, Rotterdam's bright orange shirt
My loyal Orca long compression tights.
I had this tights for nearly 3years and only wear them for marathon races.

Sprinting to the finish line with my signature V pose

Freaking happy!!

Shaved off nearly 8mins from my previous time!!!

Woohoo!!

Like usual, there's no catching KS...yet. muahahahah

Surprisingly, we received a Finisher Shirt & a medal for half marathon.

I remembered that last year, I wasn't shy to ask to a medal & was told that only full Marathon gets it.

That night, 2 pairs of feet were against the wall for recovery.

2012 10Oct - Drivers License in Australia

One of the things that I never got to do when I first moved to Australia in hmm...2005 was to obtain an Australian drivers license. I had never thought of the necessary for it since Australia public transportation was reliable (compared to Malaysia). It was never quite a necessity to even catch a cab. And our Malaysian drivers license is also valid in Australia. However, the matter of carrying your photo ID (aka passport) is somehow a safety issue as well. Usually, we would only need to carry our IC. Anyway in Australia, their IC is the drivers license or Proof of Age card.

For South Australians, surfing the website service.sa.gov.au provides the most information.

Since I already have a full drivers license from Malaysia, I wasn't quite sure how to proceed. You don't expect me to learn from the very start eg. Ls etc.

LIke usual, we would need to learn our theory first. Was recommended to surf the RAA website for some basic information on driving and test. 

Trying out their Learner's test before heading to Service SA for the theory test is a wise choice.

In Australia, the GIVE WAY questions are very important. If you fail any of the 10 questions, you fail the whole thing. I was advise to try the test for nearly 50 times, and its a guarantee pass. 

This was my highest test score online. But don't go taking your theory test yet until your practical school ask you to. The test is only valid for 1month. Within that month, you'll need to take your practical driving test. *Phhsttt...I only had 1 wrong in the official theory test* =p

I was recommended by a friend to contact Tony, driving instructor. I had to go for about 6 practical classes @ $65 per hr. Not happy that I was charged extra from the cost I see in his website.

But then Tony is a typical Australian, nice patient man. I just needed to gain my confidence again on a foreign country road.

This sheet of carbon paper states how many points I had obtained & where I did wrong during my practical test. Full marks is 100 and passing mark is 90. I got 92...as long as I passed it

After 6 classes x $65 = $390. I was scheduled for my practical test. Another $65 x 2hrs = $130 (1st hr as a refresher and 2nd hr is rental of Tony's car) + $150 exam fees. On a Thurs morning, rush hour. WTF!! And guess wat? I F*cked up. Who the heck would not panic & nervous when you have like hundreds of cars trying to pass you, plus the examiner practically rushing me. A typical a**hole. Guess where he's originally from? Not gonna say it here *grrrr*

Rescheduled another test the following weekend, where the traffic would be better. Another $130 + 150 = $280 down the drain. Same examiner again but Tony had a chat with him. So crossing fingers on the better condition. The speed limit was a slight problem. 50kmph at housing areas & 60kmph on the main roads. I felt like I was crawling.

Thankfully once that was over, I was provided the a Certificate of Competency.

This is the shorter way to obtain a Drivers License called the VOTR - Vehicle On Road Test rather than taking the L, Provision Stage 1 then 2 and finally to Full license.

With the certificate, I went to Service SA office to register for my license.

Oh, another thing about driving examiners. There are such thing as EXTERNAL examiners.

They don't work for the Government, but are registered examiners.

Anyway, 10days later, my license came in the mail. Damn!! I had a hair makeover after the picture was took. I needed my license before my MurrayMan race and the makeover was only after the race.

And that was my ordeal on obtaining an Australian driver's license.

KS had to get me anti-stress tablets to calm my nerves down during that period.

*STTTRessssss*

2012 June6 - Queen's Birthday Fun Run

Not really been active in my workout since I got here. 

Guess with the lack of motivation and races, and the weather really plays a huge part, I could barely get myself out of the house.

Yeah yeah...excuses =p

When I saw this, I was like hey...its a nice short run nearby. 

5km for $10

Remember when I said that "barely wanna get out of the house"?

Well, since registration was only on the morning of event, the night before I was actually having 2nd thoughts. 

I could do an easy 5km near my house....ahhaha...save $$$

Anyway, was able to convince myself to go for the event.

9'c temperature cycling to the venue in the morning is no joke.

By the time I arrived, my hands & feet was numb from the cold.

School kids trying out for the run..next junior olympian

How can they bare the cold? Brrr...

Briefing

The route was just around the park x2 rounds.

Food (not free) after the race

There's a Turkey contest for the 5km distance.

You predict your finishing time & the closest wins a prize.

Of course, you aren't suppose to be wearing a watch or time yourself during the run.

I gave myself a time of 30mins for 5km coz that is generally my time.

But I forgot tat majority of my "serious" runs consist of water stations =p

Asking someone to help me take a picture

One of the sponsors was Adelaide Triathlon Club

Lucky me...I might not had qualified for the Turkey contest but got a lucky draw.

Prize choices was either a sports water bottle, a bottle of wine or this Race Pack

Yeah yeah! Everyone would be shouting that I should have taken the wine..hahah

Gels..ahhah...no need spend money buying gels on my next long distance race

As for my results, 4 mins difference....I sure take alot of time lingering at water stations =p

Next big race....

August - Adelaide Marathon

Sept - City-Bay

2012 May13 - Mother's Day Classic Run

Due to the fact that I'm alone, (with very few frens in a strange city), 

I'm always in a lookout for things to do to occupy my time, then I won't feel so lonely. 

Every fortnight I would surf City of Adelaide website to see the happenings around. 

Coincidentally, I saw a Mother's Day celebration run on their website.

But being the stingy aka "kiamsap" me, I didn't feel like paying $30 for 7.5km.

Alot of things in Australia are considered charity, but as I am unemployed, I'm considered a charity case too.

With the lack of funds, I volunteered my services to charity instead.

Few days before the event, we all gathered at their office for briefing.

I was allocated to the Goodie Bags Distribution station.

That night as well, we helped to packed up Goodie Bags.

Lots of pamphlets, rolled up shopping bag and a medal.

That very morning, I left the house at 620am as we were expected to meet up at 7am for final briefing.

But at last, the unspeakable happened. I got a flat. 

You might think that a cyclist like me would know how to fix a flat. But since this is a normal hybrid, and all my tools are still in M'sia, there's nothing much I could do but slowly cycle then push the bike to the city.

I was about 45mins late. Thankfully weather was beautiful with a slight chill.

The crowd of pink on a cloudy day.

Waiting for our customers

That's the Finishing Line where the racers would come thru. 

This is the first time I'm seeing this view coz usually I would be the one charging thru those gates.

Didn't grab a picture during distribution as I was busy "working".

Lots of smiling around. Encouraging words. I remember the time when I ran in Tokyo Marathon.

The volunteers would greet everyone with their 45deg bow and say their congrats speech.

Once the last of the runners had cleared, volunteers were relieved from our duties.

I wondered around to see what was left.

Ohh...free massage. The masseurs were really trying to finish up.

2 masseurs on each leg

Our appreciation? FOC breakfast...thank you

I love a good aussie sausage. Simply delicious.

We were also provided a pinkie goodie bag. Yeah!!

Its so funny. We got blue shirts instead of the standard pink.

But then I realised it was a wise choice coz it made us standout more.

Would I do this again next year? I don't mind...but then KS might have me doing my long runs instead on a Sunday mornings =p