Nameson Cup 2012

A few seconds over thirty-seven minutes. I had sub-37 speed but fog and wet road conditions clipped my pace, especially along the smooth Ma On Shan Promenade. Overall, in spite of the inclement weather, this result is an improvement and it satisfies me. Praise God!

I greeted the three runners who finished ahead of me. Each responded differently, and even in a quick handshake and pithy words do people's characters come out. I know now who of these three I can talk to and who I should avoid.

Choi tat ming and the long run kid bested me. The latter, I believe, had the race of his life -- praise God! He was fast from the start. He even had the lead on choi tat ming and the eventual winner for the first five kilometers, as I followed them for the first half of the race. For the second half, as first and second place pulled away from the long run kid and me, I followed the long run kid. I liked how he spied me sometimes on his shoulder and he would sprint ahead a few meters, only for me to catch up. Ultimately, he put about ten meters between us at the end.

The organizers held a parent-child race. All the kids appear to be under five. I see the kids and parents celebrate after the race.  Everyone is happy. I pray one day God will put me in the place where I can share running with my child.

I opted not to try to drop a deuce in my room. I ended up dropping it in New Town Plaza, the toilets of which are a class above those public toilets in Shatin Park and Sports Center -- I realize my body will drop everything in its bowels before a race, whether or not with caffeine; as a result, I need to develop a toilet strategy!

I opted for caffeine by Red Bull this morning. I think that choice was not wise, for my stomach felt upset even after I had relieved myself in New Town Plaza. Perhaps I should go back to gels.


Finally, in addition to buying new flats for the half-marathon, I will start wearing thicker socks to fill up the space in my Lunar Spiders. I decided not to sell them since they're already pretty worn. I might as well continue using them for short races and learn never to wear a half-size large again.