Fast Times on Foreign Courses

I've started ramping up for my next marathon. I'm hoping to get into Eugene Marathon in Oregon on 27 July. That's less than 11 weeks away. I'm afraid!!!

Here's an article I wrote that was recently published in Hong Kong Runner Magazine.
Hopefully I can learn from my past mistakes!
Hint: You may need to either zoom in to read the article below, or read the online version by clicking on this link to read page one and page two of the article.

You may also like: 

My Berlin Marathon Race Report, my Fubon Taipei Marathon Race Report,  or my Sarnico-Lovere Race Report

Looking terrified before Berlin Marathon

Feeling terrified before Taipei Marathon

Feeling relieved after Sarnico-Lovere run.

Quite possibly the best week of my life

Many of you know that I've just spent a week in Italy for which I went for an amazing race. I had the great privilege of representing my running club - Italia Running Club at the Sarnico Lovere Run.
Apart from being an amazingly beautiful course in a stunning area, I got to spend the time with my good friend and amazing runner, Michelle Lowry. (Stay tuned for a blog post about her soon - you will be blown away!)
In addition, I spent the few days before and after the race on my own in Milan.
Basically, I was in heaven.
Add to that, despite not feeling the best on the start line - I'd fallen over while running 10 days before the race and ended up with stitches, and by race day I had a cold - I ran faster than I ever dreamed I could. I finished 4th female in a time of 1.34.06 for the 25km run. Amazingly (well amazing to me anyway), I went through 21km in well under 80 minutes. Something I never dreamed I could really do. I was absolutely stoked.
Michelle also ran so well to finish in a time of 1.36.53 and in 8th position. Last time she ran, Michelle finished 4th, but considering that she's now doing a PhD and has three sons, this is even more incredible. You can check out the full list of results here.
I've got to say, the luxury of travelling to a race and having time to focus on just racing was amazing.
And as much as I love my family, having some time to myself (mostly spent shopping - but hey, it's Milan!!! Did anyone say designer outlet stores??? What's girl to do!) was also great. I never really appreciated having time to myself until I had a child. I felt like I was young and backpacking again - except that this time I could actually afford to buy food and drink in bars! Amazing! Incredible! The best thing ever!!
Here is what I got up to....

Waiting to board my flight to Milan... practicing the first in a series of week long selfies. Can you tell I've finally discovered Instagram? 

Pre-race warm up run in the beautiful and sunny Milan

Pre-race run with Michelle - we made it to Sarnico

The reason I look so happy in this photo is because I know I'm done running until the race start.

The obligatory pre-race finish line photo

We look so fit at the race pack pickup! 

Practicing for when I really cross the finish line

Pre-race ham loading

Amazing food, though I don't think I've eaten quite so much ham in my entire life! 

Obligatory pre-race gear shot. I'm such a newbie at getting an elite start that I still LOVE it when I get my own special number with my name on it.

Obligatory pre-race pretty nails; I'm pretty sure they make me run faster. 

The start line on race day; wet, busy, crowded.

Pre-race; do we look nervous? You can barely see my scabby knees. 

The top three finishers; I took this photo so that if I'm ever back at this race, I know what I'm aiming for.  

Post-race; wet and cold but happy. 

And now the fun bit; post race EATING!!!

Can anyone say happy? Chocolate affogato! Bliss! 

Pretty happy about the size of the calzone

Obviously, I finished the entire thing and I also may have helped Michelle with a slice of her pizza.  

I was still not too full for desert  

Mmmmm pizza

Cake

Yet more desert

One of the best meals I've ever eaten. Love that lovely Milanese veal. 

It just would not be Italy without chocolate!

Nor would it be Italy without appretivs!

Prosecco at the Armani Bamboo Bar. It had to be done. Plus the excellent Italian tradition of bringing snacks to accompany drinks meant I didn't need dinner. Amazing!

Incredibly decedent afternoon tea on my last afternoon in Milan. 

Far out! I love coffee!

Proof I did not just sit in cafes and bars; Michelle took us to Bergamo post race; that girl has got energy! I was trying to avoid walking. 

We also went to Como and Bellagio on Lake Como; possibly one of the most beautiful places in the world. 

Beautiful Bellagio  

After Michelle left, I concede  that I spent a lot of time, sitting down in cafes. My legs were tired.  

The view from my hotel window in Milan; so Italian!

Proof I did more than shop and eat! The Duomo in Milan. 

I may have bought shoes at D&G.... (though only at the outlet!)

Maybe also at Gucci. I had no choice. I saw them, and they were so cheap. I was like, "C'mon! I have to!" I used all my willpower in the race. I had none left over to resist spending money on shoes. 

Beautiful Sydney

We've just returned home from 10 days in Sydney. We rented an apartment on the beach in Bondi, and the weather the absolutely idyllic. It was certainly hard coming back to Hong Kong's coldest winter for a very long time, especially knowing that we own a house at Bondi - right near the beach.
When we were there, I had visions of Henry and I going for swims at the amazing 50 metre ocean pool Icebergs in the morning, and hanging out with a coffee at the Grassy Knoll in the afternoons. Bliss!
But the best part about Sydney, (apart from seeing all our wonderful mates), was the running.
There are so many incredible runs - along the ocean cliff walk, around Centennial Park, through Dover Heights and Watsons Bay. It's so beautiful that I'm sure you could never be bored. I've come to the conclusion that there is no excuse for not being a professional athlete if you live in Sydney.
Of course, it pays to remember that visiting is very different to living somewhere, and that when you do live somewhere, it's not always summertime.
Here are a few photos that I took on my runs. I had to stop myself from constantly stopping to take pictures. Clearly I've been living in Asia too long!

Bondi! My first run - pretty incredible to be greeted by this view. 

So happy to be out running

Just one beautiful ocean pool - Bronte 

Imagine running along this path everyday. Incredible!

The view of the city fro Dover Heights. Even on a cloudy day, it's still pretty impressive

Check out the swell - it was hard to not stop and watch the surfers

I wish I could do that!

One of my favourite places in the whole world; Bondi's "grassy knoll"

It's just like Baywatch only better; Bondi lifeguards, you can rescue me anytime. 

If you do get sick of the beach, there's always multiple cross-country options in the park. On this particular run, I did the outside loop which is around 8.5km of soft, grassy surfaces. Running heaven!