Denouement

Monday skipped run.  Instead did a long hike with friends Angela and Denise.  They are hiking in segments the 100k MacLose trail that connects many of the natural green spaces of Hong Kong.  This was my first time joining them.  We did stages 6, 7 and 8, about 23k.  My watch gave up the ghost at 21.75 k.  I met them at Monkey mountain.  I was the first one there, and was on the phone with Denise when I got to the busstop.  So I get off the bus (still on the phone) and notice there are monkeys everywhere and a couple coming straight for me.  Then more start coming for me.  I am screaming and trying to swat them but the monkeys are undeterred. There were three ladies close by who were sidewalk/bathroom cleaners (these workers are all over hong kong) and they used their brooms to swat away the monkeys and were yelling to me in Cantonese.  Meanwhile I am screaming into my phone to Denise, and jump into the street (right in front of the bus, which thankfully had not started to roll along) as more monkeys converge.  Denise asks if I have something in my hand—I do, a pb&j sandwich. She says I need to either put it in my backpack or give it to them.  I realize the Cantonese ladies are telling me the same thing.  I get back on the sidewalk, and try to figure out what to do.  My camelback is full (it was projected to rain and I wasn’t sure what I’d need for such a long hike, ending up bringing an outfit and a half in my bag).  I ask if I give the monkeys my sandwich, won’t they follow me and harass me for more?   Denise concedes they might.  Meanwhile I see more monkeys coming down the mountain at me, and think, this is like some really bad horror film.  So I smash the sandwich into the pack and make a dash for the bathroom.  Five minutes later, my shakes have subsided, and I realize we weren’t supposed to meet at this bathroom, but at a street up the road, but I am not ready to leave the bathroom and face the monkey masses again.  A Cantonese lady worker comes in the bathroom and starts cleaning.  I indicate I AM NOT GOING BACK OUT THERE, but she points to a stick in the bushes, so I venture out with said weapon in my hand.  About 10 minutes later the ladies show up, and we start our hike.  There were monkeys around on the hike for the first 1.5 hours, but we all had sticks and they left us alone.  The experience was truly frightening.  About 6-6.5 hours for the hike.  My legs held up well, though my least favorite was going down stairs.  

13.13k at 4:43 ave pace.  Not too tired from yesterday’s hike.

Wed: 5.91k at 5:09 ave pace.  Running around Shek Kip Mei, bad idea.  Had to dodge elderly walkers, school children, buses, etc.  60 min elliptical.  Did 4 of the 10 core exercises in my regimine.

First workout since the marathon.  If you count a stride workout as a workout.  Felt good though.  Good to go fast, good to feel comfortable running fast, despite the bit of weight I have gained.  This is the holiday season of abandon, gluttony, sloth and indolence (perhaps not that far, but if I want to, I will).  I feel like I need to do this to get the last four years of food psychosis out of my system.  So many treats, so little time :D  Ok, back to the workout. 65 minutes total.  Warmed up 35 minutes (4:53 ave pace/k) then did 30 sec on/ 60 sec off x 10.  Averaged 3:29.5/k pace.  Will be easing back into training.  Have  a half Jan 2 and in February, a 25k in April, will look for a marathon in late May/June.

Core workout in PM 

Ran 40 min, 8.3k, ave 4:50 pace.  Cool and a bit windy, then 30 min elliptical

Met Michael, a new guy to Italia Running Club.  We did 13.79 miles, he showed me a bit of new running ground.  Nice to chat and go an easy pace.  Averaged 7:45 pace.  Nice and cool but a bit windy.