Happy 2012!

Happy New Year! 

Sorry for being so quiet recently from blogging. I'm amazed how Christmas baking and my work in hospital have been keeping me away from blogging. Considering we are still in January, I hope that you had a fantastic Christmas, a fabulous and energetic new year! January is always en exciting month, the old year has gone, and we all are excited about the coming new year. 2012 is quite a special year, especially in London, where Olympic games will be held in August. Hence, it is making my marathon running in this year more exciting and challenging. I definitely want to do so much more better than my debut year of marathon running, especially, it ended in such a high note (a PB was made). Therefore, I am aiming to complete my London marathon around 4 hours. Yes! 4 HOURS! It is a high aim for me, if there is no challenge, why bother to do training? Therefore, I have started my training already for my London April Marathon. From my last year training experience, I have studied many different training programs in order I can do better in this year, and yet it works with my crazy shift work schedule. I have even studied Paula Radcliffe's training plan in her latest book (who doesn't want to run like Paula?).

However, her plan just doesn't work with my shift work schedule. With some wisdom from a runner in the Nike running club, I was introduced a training plan that is challenging and yet fitting into my schedule. I won't say that it is going to be easy. To aim for a good time in marathon, there is no easy way to do it. Better timing, harder training. The training plan involves 4-5 runs a week, hill, interval and long runs. With the training plan, I also have registered to do couple half marathons before April in order to monitor my progress. 


 Apart from London marathon, I'm actually aiming to do about 3 marathons run and other runs this year... So far, this season, it will be looking like this... 
15/01/2011 - Nike+ half marathon 
19/02/2011 - Brighton half marathon 
04/03/2011 - Milton Keyes half marathon 
22/04/2011 - Virgin London marathon 
27/05/2011 - BUPA 10k City run 
18/08/2011 - Helsinki marathon (planning) 
11/2011     - Eden Project marathon (planning) 


 Here it is.. My year 2012. Maybe not that much of traveling but I believe that it is still going to be very exciting and challenging year. As I'm training hard for this London marathon, I would like to draw your attention on my charity, VICTA. Without their given opportunity, like they do for all children with impaired eyesights, I would not able to take part of this great event. As you are reading, please go to my personal website (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MaySzeRunning)  to support me and my charity. 

1 week already...

Last week, I was electrified by the personal best that I made in my last marathon in NICE.. now, I'm sitting in London and rekindling this sweet memory.

I actually still can't imagine that I have achieved 4 hours 15 mins in this difficult course.  It's truly a major encouragement for my 2012 marathon preparation and a wonderful way to finish my first year of marathon running.  I was reading my diary again about that day and I still can taste the tiredness on my both legs, the cheers from the crowds, the electrifying feeling and the thrill... I think it's gonna to be in my memory bank for the rest of my life.


Back to London after another 2 days in Nice. The first thing that I did was to celebrate another completion of the marathon... what did I do?? Hahaaa... a BIG HUGE Bunch!!!! It's kinda routine for me now... a BIG HUGE BUNCH in this funky eating place called... The Breakfast club in Spitalfields market. They truly know how to make a nice and yummy English breakfast (well.. I'm vege, but they do have vege twisted fired up!), with eggs (proteins), hashbrowns (carb), tomatoes (Vit C), mushrooms.... Yum Yum Yum! These all help me to recover after the 26.2 miles of running! This time, I had my lovely friends, my fellow workers, Lianne and Polly to go with me! Can't be better than this! 


Before heading to Nice for this amazing run, I did think about what I'm going to do after the race.  After all, I have been training for marathons, one after the other from the beginning of this year.  I still remember how I spoke to one of the following runners in my church about training for my first marathon (Paris) at the beginning of the year.  I sounded so naive and inexperienced.  After all the races, I was planning to have 2 weeks off from running so that I can recover properly. How can I resist the temptation especially the sun has been so lovely in London? On Thursday, for the month of Movember... my running club, Nike had a Movember run.  For guys, no shaving for 1 month and running with the mustache; for girls.. well, no hair to grow.. so stick one on! Like this...

 I won't say that I looked handsome... but I do think that I look better without it!! Would you agree?

Fellow runners in the Nike running club in Stratford

What next? To be honest.. I don't know.  I have started to look into different training programs and then to plan my training program for next year.  Meanwhile, I will take running easily.  Just enjoy the moment of running, lovely winter sun shinning on the face, gentle wind breezing onto my face, the sound of the trees like dancing with the wind...and there is nothing, no pace, no distance, no time, in my mind, but just let the body to take control and run as the body is pleased.... A little rekindle of running.. why not? I love running...

P.S. if you are reading this, and having any good marathon training program, please let me know!

Personal Best has created today! Wow!!!

The time is 4 hours, 14 minutes and 46 seconds!!!! It is the time on my Nike plus; official time may come later this afternoon. I just can't believe that I have done my PB on this course actually not that easy at all! One thing I do know, my mind was focused and ready for the challenge. It is also a course that I ran all the way from the beginning till the end!!! I'm electrified! What a way to finish my first season of running, especially after my disappointing time from Berlin!

Details come lata! Now, it is a celebration time!!!!

9017... 3 days to go and I have a question....

How much exercise is enough in the final week of tapering?

Yes! 3 days to go... I have arrived to Nice today and collected my bib number! 9017. As I open the package, I have realised that I have put 4 hours as my target time. Now, I really don't know how to give that result, since my best result remains 4 hrs and 24 mins. But will see.

This race was truly introduced by my running buddy in USA, Kathleen. She did this one last year. And now, I'm doing it. How do I feel right now? Actually, I'm overwhelming tired since I didn't get any sleep at all as my flight was 0720 in the morning. There isn't an overnight service from my place to the airport. As a result, I stayed overnight in the airport last night and finished one of amazing books.

Since I have arrived in Nice, I have not been stopped. I walked in Vienx Nice and went to the expo for the bib number. Now, I'm totally tired. I always find that it is a very fine balance between tapering and exercising during the final week before the race day. How much exercise is enough in the final week of tapering? Last time, when I was in Berlin, I realised that I might have overworked my two legs too much a day before the race day; therefore, my 2 legs weren't fresh as I was hoping for. This time, I don't want the history repeat itself again. That's why I'm in my hostel room and typing this.



Anyway, I still have 2 days to go. I will chill out again in these two days for this Sunday. If you have any answer for my question, please be free to throw in.

Virgin London Marathon & VICTA & me.......

What is the relationship between Virgin London Marathon (VLM) and VICTA?


On a paper, they both start with the letter 'V'.  Apart from that, you may not able to see more.  But if I tell you that, VICTA is a non-profitable charity for visually impaired children, then you may begin to see the link.  

VICTA stands for Visually Impaired Children Taking Action (registered charity number 1065029).  A local charity based in Milton Keynes, was founded in 1987.  This local charity took actions into their own hands to help children with visually impaired children and their families to have sufficient support and provision in their normal daily life.  The charity raise funds for practical technological help such as braillers, canes (with sonar), computer with specialist software (for speech, Braille and screen magnification).  They also raise money for 'life changing' activity vacation weeks and computer camps for visually impaired children.  I said that it is a local charity but their activities does not limit in their local area.  They also raise money to support the National Library for the Blind.


Certainly, this charity has touched so many lives that we all can imagine, and made many dreams come true, not only the children and runners!


I'm privileged to be on Team VICTA for London Marathon in 2012.  If you have followed my blog, you know how I was inspired in the Berlin marathon where the locals were cheering their loved ones during the race.  At that time, I was truly thinking how good it will be if I can run in a city where I know very well and the people I know. London marathon is notoriously difficult to get a spot through ballot system.  I have failed twice already.  This year was my 3rd attempt.  With my two failed applications in the past, it makes me to run this one of the world marathons even more, especially next year is the Olympic Year in London.  However, it is what I got....




and a lovely red jumper with a big 'SORRY'! 


'Oh no! didn't get a spot!' That's my first response when I saw the package in my mailbox (The face you can see on the magazine, it's the face that I had when I got the package). But this package didn't defeat me! 'I should try something else.' I told myself.  Charity! As I always have one charity event in every year, what a great way to makes this marathon experience more special if I do it for a charity cause.  So, I tried different charities and VICTA is the very first one replying me and giving me a spot to run this marathon! Oh! Wow! I'm electrified! 


VICTA has done many amazing work to the visually impaired children and the families.  They are what they are on the paper... taking action and being an advocate for them.  I like a charity who mean to their work and cause (http://www.victa.org.uk) Therefore, I'm very delighted to be a part and run for this wonderful charity in 2012.


This is the beginning of the story for this special event! The story will be continued with your help. Your giving is a blessing to the children and their families, and an encouragement for me to run this great marathon on the 22/04/2012. Here is where you can help me to continue my history...


Two ways to make your donation easy:
1) Virgin Money Giving Website (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MaySzeRunning)
The easiest and most direct way! Just one click... the website will tell you how to do the next.  It's safe and no hassles!


2) If you are reading this from Australia, and want to help me out.  You can also make your donation in my Australian account! The details are as following...
Name of the Account: May Sze Chang
BSB no: 342012
Account no: 366688412


Your generous giving mean more than words.  Everything that you give mean that your care about the children and their family.  Everything that you put in mean that you are at my back when I am on training for the marathon and running it on the D Day! 


I will keep you in post about my training... meanwhile.. please take this little extra step to help me making this history.

6 days to go.... for my last marathon of the year!

Wow! 


I just simply cannot believe that we are in November already.  To make your heart pumping faster, we are actually almost in the middle of November.  A time to talk about Christmas shopping, Christmas cooking, Christmas eating, Christmas dresses, Christmas parties... list is just going on.


For me, the 'Christmas' topics haven't hit me hard yet as I'm still in training for my very last marathon in this year 2011. What a year! This will be my 4th marathon in this year, my very first year of marathon running.  Some people, my workmates especially, just can't really get how I can do 4 marathons in one year.  Don't I feel tired? How would I use my annual leaves to go different places to 'suffer' (26.2 miles of running... it can be too much for some)? I have a list of questions that I have been asked in this year... I may save my answers to my next blog....


One thing that I can tell you is that, it's all about the love of running.  26.2 miles indeed is a long run. The thing is, it's like everything else, you can get addicted to it. Just like one of my running friend said 'you got the running bite!' More you do, more you want to do.  That's why I'm still excited for this very last marathon....


Where is it? 

South France, running from Nice to Cannes


When?
20/11/2011, only 6 days away 


The route...
We will run through 4 cities between Nice and Cannes:
Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Antibes Juan-Les-Pins, Vallauris Golfe-Juan
It is a coastal running... the scenery won't be bad at all but as my running friend, Jennifer says, who cares about the scene when you are struggling the run? Well... it's kinda true too.  But as I love nature and sea, the beautiful seaside scenery definitely is a booster for me!


It's just only 6 days away, it is a time to see how I feel about it now. To be honest, I feel slightly worried and yet excited about this run. Since my last run in Berlin wasn't too brilliant, I would love to do better in this one.  I did a 21 miles run about 2 weeks ago. It was a fabulous 21 miles that I didn't want to stop! Since then, I have already in my tapering preparation. I do think that I'm still very positive about the run.  The worrying part actually are my legs. I found them slightly tight in my last 12 miles long run.... don't like tights legs....  I need some good sport massage. But where I can find one???


I'm in my annual leave now as well.  So, all I need to do right now is eating well, sleeping well, chillaxing and getting some mental pictures installed in my brain... and just keep blogging till it comes... it's only 6 days away!

I like this motto at the end, 'Yes we CAN... The marathon is nice....' Good one!

Hilly and wet half Eden Project marathon

It's actually my long run for this week training. But I have soon realised that it is more than I hope for.


Why did I go all the way to Cornwall to do this race?
Simple. I like Cornwall, since my last visit. And I like Eden project. In my last visit here, I found out about the half marathon run. Since I have this weekend off by chance, so I decided to book a spot for myself. Then, I found out that running by myself probably isn't that much fun, I was able to pull my new running friend from NZ, Jessica, last minute.


But before to talk about the run, Jess and I had a very remarkable experience in our stay in Cornwall. Even though it was my 2nd visit in Cornwall, finding a cheap accommodation, like hostel, is impossible in St Austell area. In the Cornwall official tourism website, I managed to find a place, which was written as a place for backpackers, and it only costs £10 a night. We have had a few email corresponding, she sounds very nice person. I gave it a go....


Jess actually got there first and she found out that it was actually a caravan that we were to stay. I didn't know about it at all till she texted me and asked me about a sleeping bag as the caravan actually was quite cold. I never had stayed in a caravan before. There were actually no electricity and water in there, but there was a lamp that is lightened up by manual generated power. It is unbelievable. I truly didn't prepare for that. But I guess, costing £10 for a night. It is kinda reasonable. But the owner of the house, Linz, is a very lovely and friendly landlady. She is actually renovating her house (that's why her place looks quite messy everywhere) and has just returned from a road trip from Portugal. She knew that we didn't have a sleeping bag, so she lend us blankets and duvet to keep us nice and warm. With a wet and gary weather outside, staying in a caravan was less ideal. But at least, Jess and I had a good night sleep as we needed for the half marathon.


Back to the race, it is official to Jess and me that it is one of the hard half marathons. My PB in half was 1 hours and 46 mins, but it was on the flat surface. It isn't a flat surface marathon. It has hills.... LOTS of them. Some were small but some were quite steep. You can say that, there are ups, there must be downs. But running up and downs one after another is tiring. And there was a significant length on off road trail... With the rainy and grey Cornish weather, those off roads have become a muddy roads, which made my run even harder. My Eco Brooks trainers were covered with mud, so as my calf as well.

The Muddy Brooks trainers....

Pasta Party in Eden Project

About 1400 local runners in this 3rd year running event. Supportive locals and marshals cheered us up whenever we passed by them. It was actually a good organised event. With all those ups and downs, the good news for us was that we were actually running downhill to the finishing line. As we were approaching the finishing line, the Eden Project was right in front of our eyes. It was actually quite a good view. I was clocked in 2 hours and 6 mins; Jess came just a few minutes after me (a very good effort for her as she didn't train at all prior to the race). I guess, it is hard from city runner since it is almost flat surface in the city. That's why I was quite ok with the result, even though I wasn't able to complete it under 2 hours as I hope for but considering the ups and downs I had run. I'm ok with the time. And I do think that it is a very good training for me for the last marathon as there is a hill at 30km mark, running up the hills does strengthen my leg and cardiac muscle.

A huge plate of pasta, salad and Yummy bread!
The best pasta party ever!

The organiser actually is quite well prepared, even though it was their 3rd year running. We had the best (in my eyes) pasta party the night before the race. It was held in the Eden Project, the Mediterranean Biome. I said it was the best, as I also went to a pasta party in my hostel in Berlin. It was €8 for unlimited pasta and sauce, just sauce, nothing else. But in this one, £7, a big plate of pasta, salad and yummy bread! It was massive and yummy. It was truly a great pasta for us, just before the race. I think, if I did the full marathon, I would be very happy about that.

Pre race pasta was nice. Post race, free Cornish pastry and a pint of ale (I don't drink, so gave the voucher to Jess) were just unbeatable. Sorry.... I have no photo of the pastry as I was very hungry! What else could we ask for. After a long hard run and then having a yummy, carb-rich pastry! It was very comforting. Sound a bit odd. Instead of those post race recovery drink, pastry just did the job.


Overall, it was a great run for me. Time may not be very impressive. But I do think, that it was a good training ground for me. At first, I do think that it was quite discouraging in terms of the wet and gary weather, with muddy off road. Indeed, it was outside of our comfort zone. But actually, now, I looked back to the race, I'm so pleased that I have done it. And now, actually, I want to do it again. This kind of run did train our mind to overcome the difficult course. I see this race, as a positive experience. I may return back next year to do the full one.

The Medal and the T-shirt..
I will be back again...

In or Out?!

I was one of 17000 people waiting for the results....


What was I waiting for? A guaranteed place in London marathon 2012.


After my experience in Berlin, I realise that I really want to run in a soil that I'm familiar with. 'It would be very nice, if there are people I know during the course. Cheers, hugs, and just a poster to keep you going have suddenly become valuable and exciting in a hard run. That's why I decided to try my best to get into London's marathon.


When I saw a lovely red jumper and then the rejected magazine, my heart was just can't help but sink.

Didn't get a spot!


What is next?


London marathon has about 25000 places for 125,000 to 170,000 applicants. So, the chance to get a spot is 1 in every 5 entries. There are about 35000 to 40000 people running every year. If you are good with math (unfortunately, not me), there are 10000 to 15000 places to be filled by charity places.

This is the Charity that I'm running..
what this Charity does, I will introduce you later!

As my desire to take part in the marathon so strong this time, and I do want to run this special marathon with a good course, I quickly ran through the magazine (that's what it is for) to look for a charity place to run. But fundraising isn't that easy. To find myself a spot to run in the Olympic city in 2012, the target is even harder to reach. Anything from £2000 to £3000 is normal. So, after all the searching and email correspondings, I have found a charity, VICTA, which a charity that helping visual impaired children and families. It is a local charity in Milton Keyes. And their major funding actually is from London marathon. So, I decided to run with this charity. Apart of running the race itself, I would love to run in a team, to build a strong team relationship with someone having a same goals and commitment together. I do believe that having training with others, it will help to keep running interesting and sharing with other running experience definitely is helpful.


So, I though I was out; but now, I'm in! Next, will be getting my fundraising activities started and most importantly, start thinking about training, even though I still have one to go..

So how was it really? Berlin Marathon

4 days after the marathon, you properly have already known:
1) Paula Radcliffe has her qualified time for the London Olympic 2012 by 2 hours and 23 minutes
2) World record has broken by Patrick Makau, the fastest man in the world (the news said)
3) MaySze has done hers just ok. 


But how was it really running 42.195km (26. 2 miles)? 
The weather on the D-day was beautiful.  Sunny and actually slightly warmer for a runner like me.  There were over 34,000 people running the race.  It is one of the largest marathons in the world.  Berliners were excited about the race.  Families and friends of the runners were along the course and cheering their loved ones.  Kids were giving you their little hands for the 'high 5' (how can you resist them?). There were a lot of hugs, kisses and photo taking along the course.  Therefore, as you can imagine, there were crowds and music almost in the whole entire course, the whole 42 km. Atmosphere was truly great.  


Berlin marathon is one of the world marathons, ie an international marathon.  There were different people from different countries.  During the race, I have met 7 Aussie.  It was so good to see some runners from Down Under, we did cheer each other on during the race (it helped, for me). Japanese and Korean also had their representatives as well.  There were some small Japanese and Korean women running the race... they were so cute.  For some reasons, there were many Danish there; so as their followers. (Do you know why, Alice?)  Of course, at the end, Germans were just filling up the course.

Running to the finishing line.
 Brandenburger Tor is behind us!

As you also know that by now, Berlin race is the fastest course for the marathon as it is very flat. It is not only flat but actually quite a wide course as well.  We have not encountered any situation that we need to slow down the pace or even stop during to narrow paths or roads.  Even though there were many people walking towards the end of the course, you still can found some rooms to run!


The organisation looked after the runners quite good.  Water stations almost in every 2-3 miles; special refreshment station almost in every 5 miles, where you actually can put your very own special hydration drinks at those refreshment station (It was my first time to know about that too).  In those stations, you also found iced tea (yes! iced tea) and bananas in some stations. Basically, if you are not a fussy eater, you really don't need to carry anything for the race.


As for me, after 4 days of the race, I have finally accepted my gutted result.  On the positive note, the race actually helps to plan better for my final marathon training. (yeah.. one more to go!).  I did learn what work for me, what not.  The most important thing is that, my fire and enjoyment of running has re-flamed and probably burnt even brighter.  Even though the time was not what I hoped for, but I know that I will come back and do better.  So, I'm back to running (I did a 5 mile run this morning). I will start to re-plan my training schedule for my last marathon in 2 months time.    


Apart from marathon, there was also inline skating and power wall in this marathon.  These were my first time to learn about these two events in marathon length.  But in my hostel, I was actually sharing a room with a German family, which Dad did marathon, son mini-marathon (shorter run for kids under 10), and the daughter did the marathon length of inline skating.  She told me that it's very common in Germany.  She finished in 2 hour and 30 hours, but experts, like the winner of the game, finished the course in 1 hour 14 mins.  Pretty fast! That got me wanting to try skating as well. 


Anyway... this marathon is in my history book.  Must to better for my next and last race.

The medal and the finisher t-shirt (costs me 25 euro dollars!)

2 hours and 23 mins....

No no no! It is not my time. I wish. If so, I should be doing Olympic Games next year. It is Paula's result. She didn't break her record, nor I broke me. It actually quite a disappointing run for me.

I finished in 4 hours and 34 mins. Not the worst one but not the best one either. As I have put so much time and effort to improve my run in last few months after the Edingburh one. I was just hoping that I could do better. But it didn't turn out that way. In fact, I wasn't feeling quite 100% for the race at the beginning. My recent caught blocking nose and coughs might got to do something about it. I dun know. There are alot of whys, but they also can become alot of excuses. Now, what I should do is too get some rest and start to think about my training for the last run this year.

I'm tired and having a mild headache. I think I will head to sleep soon....

Here is the medal.....

I'm going now...

A very quick note...

It's 0745. I'm heading to the starting point now. I have a mixed feeling. Excited, petrified, and 'dun know' feeling.

Next one will be the one with a result!!

Different day... Most importantly, the run is tomorrow!!!

Very different today, comparing to yesterday. Starting the day with a breaky run organised by the event organisation. And we ran to the Olympic stadium, which was built for 1936 Olympic game held by Hitler. It was short and easy run, just keep my feet in a good shape. Even more encouraging was that there were over 10000 runners together towards the stadium. It was something. My blood was just rushing over my body when I saw the stadium in front of me. For a one second, I felt like an Olympic runner running back to the Stadium, which was full of people cheering me on.... Wowowowww! It was just one second imagination. It was a very good and positive feeling, no doubt about that. In fact, the race will be started and ended at the Brandenburg Gate. It is a historical symbol of Berlin. Not a bad way to start and finish. I met a few Aussie are running this race as well... Cool. Go Aussie!

After a sad and heavy day, I went for another tour today, called 'alternative tour'. Don't know what you may think of it when you hear the name in Berlin context. It is a tour to look at Berlin's another well-known feafure, street art! It is completely different turn from yesterday. But I'm glad that I went. At the end, it is something that I intended to look into while I'm here. And I'm glad that I went for this tour as I really had no idea where to start initially. With the tour guide help, it has certainly become easier and at least I know what I should look for. A few famous artists were noted, like Blu, XOOXO, El-Bocho. You may not know who they are but when you see their work, you will go 'Oh! yeah....'. My CJ has the busiest day today. So you will see some of them later. Apart from the artistry of the street art, the struggle and tension on merging these two different worlds were also reflected in those street art as well. I truly enjoyed it very much. There are some artists are truly great and reflective.

There is one thing truly speaking clear and loud for me from yesterday in the camp to today the street art, Berlin is a changing city. And the changes are huge and rapid comparing to all other cities that I have been. It is not just only political, environmental, or economical changes, but most importantly, cultural changes, which interests me as I have observed and believed that culture is the hardest thing to change and mould as it forms and binds a nation and identifies them as who they are. But Berlin is still going through this as I'm typing. What is going to happen tomorrow in Berlin, truly it isn't that easy to figure out.

But for now, I know that I truly go to have an early for the race tomorrow! As you can imagine what my blog will be like....

Nite

Small taste of Berlin

Truly, I have a small bite of it today. I went to a free tour today. Walked around this city and learnt about the its history in 3 hours time. What I have to say after that intensive history walk, "WOW! so much to know about this city!". It is interesting that I have come this city with an idea that Berlin is an international city with strong economic drive and lively spirit. German technology and their innovation always give some surprises to the world. Their history from WWII, it is easy to put an equation mark between German and evil. However, in my tour, as I learnt this history of this city and saw the city with my very own fresh eyes, I have relearnt about this city and realised that it is a city living in the scars from WWII and Cold War. The city itself is actually still rebuilding from WWII; people are still getting their heads around to learn how to live in freedom and trying merging two worlds into one. But I learnt the most is that German know and acknowledge their history, both bad and good, and choose to respect it and live with it positively. They also had experienced the hard time when communists were in power; like Chinese in Chinese revolution. They also burnt books and manuscripts that were against the communists ideas. They were perpetrators in WWII, and yet they took responsible for their actions and chose to acknowledge it. The city itself (about 92%) was actually badly damaged in WWII as well. Doubtlessly, it is a city with many scars. And today I just have a bite of it. I think, I will try to learn more tomorrow when I go for the concentration camp. It properly won't be that easy for me to take on.

On the brighter side, I have picked up my bib numbers for the run (hooray!). And Paula looks so good for the race as well. 'I am here to win!' she said. Of course! Who can stop her?! The health expo, where I picked my number, is held in a old city airport from Soviet Union in east Berlin. Quite a big massive building as it was always be for Soviet Union. I just go "wow". CJ is with me and took a few faithful photos. But I can't put upload them till I go back to London and process them. Sorry. They will come shortly.

One more thing. I have met a good friend today. In the tour, I met a gentlemen who will also do marathon this Sunday! And guess how old he is..... 70!!!!! (he just corrected me that he is actually 72 to be precise!). I feel shame already. And he is aiming to finish the race in 4 hours (mine target time is 4.15). He had has 6 marathons under his belt! Can you believe that?! I hope that I still can run marathon when I'm in his age!!!!! . He is definitely my inspiration. Wow!!

Many wows in this blog. And I know that it is still coming...

Time to hit my bed...

5 days to go...

Can’t believe that I will be running one of the world marathons in 5 days time.


More encouraging to know that I will be running with Paula Redcliffe, the fastest woman marathon runner in the world in 5 days time.  What can I say more about this race?


I can’t put a right words to describe how I actually feel at this moment.  I would say that I’m excited, since I’m still awake at 3am in the morning.  And yet, I’m petrified about the race.  My preparation for this race has been long and challenging.  It definitely not smooth sailing.  Pain and blues in training were hitting me since my last marathon in May.


But here I am.. I will catch my flight to Berlin in 14 hours time.  Race will be on this coming Sunday. 26.2 miles run.
Exactly one year ago (25/09), I did my very first half marathon in London which changed my whole marathon world.  I wouldn’t believe that I will be doing my third marathon at that time.  But I’m doing now… 


If you want to know what the course looks like… here is the answer… 

Keep you in post about the run! Stay tune!