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Flame Trees

10/7/2014

My run this morning was a nice 10km along the streets and through the riverside park. It wasn't as cold as last week, and I felt slightly too overdressed and wished I hadn't added the hoodie to my running outfit. Oh well. It was a BEAUTIFUL autumnal morning: the air was crisp, the sun shone brilliantly over the water, and many of the trees and plants have turned a fiery, bright red colour. Tongliao's own version of flame trees perhaps?? It got me singing along to 'Flame Trees', one of my all-time, favourite songs, by iconic Aussie band Cold Chisel. I fricken LOVE this song! It reminds me of Australia, Australians, and some good, good times. Here it is for your aural pleasure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJJV1nruUUA. Do yourself a favour and play it as loud as you can.

And on for today? Back to teaching, lesson planning, maybe some shopping, and no doubt, some dog walking and eating delicious Chinese food!

Are you a Cold Chisel fan?
Is it turning autumnal near you yet?

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Last Day of Holidays

10/7/2014

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Why do holidays go by so fast?? Why, oh, why, Universe?? Oh well. Have had a lovely holiday, it just feels too short, as ever. Today was spent as follows: lying in, working out (some dumbbells and a body-weight workout), shopping, eating pizza and drinking red wine with Husband at a restaurant, walking the dog, reading/chilling.... So, all in all, a great 'last' day, haha.

And the running part? Got in a great 12-13kms run yesterday early morning. One of my usual routes. Before the day properly 'began', which was awesome. Then spent the better part of the morning cleaning the house (yay) before I had a private lesson with a couple of students here at home.
The evening before this, I somehow managed to have HEAPS of energy and following an evening private lesson with some students (yes, I know, more WORK, on holiday hey! Strange...) I felt inspired by all those running marathons that evening far across the globe (YOU know who you are!! Congratulations again!!), that I actually got out for a night time run (a respectable 10-11kms), starting at the late time (for me) of about 7pm. But, somehow, my legs felt fresh and awesome. Maybe the two days off whilst hotelling did them some good? :)

Tomorrow, it's back to the grind though, although we seemingly ease back into it by only having two little back-to-back post-graduate classes tomorrow. Phew...

Hmm, as for my week of training my arse off?? Well, the fitness bit was mainly on track, however, perhaps I have overindulged a bit this week? Been loving oodles of noodles this week, so as a consequence, I feel this picture is somewhat appropriate:

That's all from me! Short and sweet as I duck into bed and attempt to get a fair bit of sleep before tomorrow's 'big' workday, lol...

Favourite food to overindulge in lately? Or latest foodie obsession? (Mine had been noodles or pancakes stuffed with fried eggs and lettuce and tasty, spicy sauce, yum!)

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Go Kristina!! You're Going to Smash It!!!!

10/4/2014

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Well, the best laid plans and all that? After my decree the other day for a week full of fitness and health, I chose instead on Friday to check in to a local hotel with Husband, and forego any exercise that day, and the next. Ahhh, nothing like a day and night of R&R to make you feel like you're officially on holiday, even if you are only 20 minutes down the road. Predictably, no teetolalness yet, due to some delicious red wine (sipped in a huge bath, it would be rude not to, yes?) and a few light beers drank while singing karaoke with Husband (LOADS of fun!!!). Other highlights included hanging about in a fluffy, white robe, and ordering room service. I. Love. Hotelling. Now, don't get me wrong: I went with good, 'train-my-arse-off' intentions - took my gym gear, and even had a look at the hotel gym, and told them I'd be back in the morning, but the next morning chose to hit up the breakfast buffet instead. These things happen. I am way ok with a couple of days off the training wagon, and I know I will get back into some training either this evening or bright and early tomorrow morning (the latter is maybe more likely).
We did have a load of fun though - I had forgotten how much fun singing badly along to songs in your own private room courtesy of KTV, can be. Here are a couple of shots from our many, many, look-at-us-we're-rock-star photos, ahem...:

And, as per a few of your requests, here are those comedy, awesome, huge, padded Chinese pyjamas! Your wish is my command:

I don't care how they look. They are SO warm, toasty and comfy. I know what I'll be living in over winter here.

Now, today, on Sunday 5th October 2014, my friend Kristina, over at www.blogaboutrunning.com, is running her first full marathon!! She will be running in the Portland Marathon, and you can read all about her race today and how she's feeling pre-race here: http://www.blogaboutrunning.com/treating-the-marathon-as-a-celebratory-victory-lap/.
I am so excited for her - she has been training hard and even getting in some training and runs whilst on holiday in Paris and London! She is so ready for this marathon, and I am pumped for her. I know she's going to smash it, and this will be another notch in her ongoing training leading up to her running an ULTRA marathon!! GO, KRISTINA!!!! I can't wait to hear about your race.

In a great twist of Blogger-fate-coincidence, Kristen over at http://www.glitteranddust.com/ will also be running in the Portland Marathon today. Kristen is an amazing triathlete as well as a marathoner and she is aiming to run the marathon fast (as in, Boston Qualifying fast) amongst other things. You can read about her marathon goals here: http://www.glitteranddust.com/goals-portland-marathon/. Again, can't wait to hear all about it, Kristen: you're going to do brilliantly!! I wonder if you'll see each other at the race??

As for my Sunday-Funday? Hmm, not sure yet. There will be some dog-walking, and some eating delicious Chinese food, for sure, oh and I have a private lesson with a couple of students later on this evening (that's right - work, on my holiday! What the?!). We may go cycling around and we may go shopping. And who knows, I may be inspired by all the marathon running today to get out and go for an evening run after my lesson this evening. We'll see!

What's 'on' for YOUR Sunday? Are you running in an event today?

Do you like 'hotelling'? (My dream job would be travelling around the world and reviewing different hotels I stay in.)

GO Kristina and Kristen!!!

5 Comments

Woohoo! Long(er) Run DONE!

10/1/2014

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Got up bright and early (very very early) this morning for my 'long' run of the week, and I have decided my longest run pre-half marathon on 19th of this month. I ran 18kms and it took me just over 1:39 (ran some fast but most of it comfortably/slowish). It was freezing cold again, so I was fully wrapped up, but not as freezing cold as the other morning. Well, my ears didn't sting today. I'll take that, thank you. Something I completely forgot to take with me though was any fuel! D'oh! I had full intentions of sipping on a sugary tea say, about 14kms in, but this was not meant to be I suppose. Oh well. It was still a great run, and the beauty of getting up ridiculously early to go for a run? It was still early when I got back. So, after I showered, ate and drank various items, it was back for a wonderful, long snooze in my hilarious, giant, padded, Chinese pyjamas that I've cracked out from last winter.
LOVE the feeling you get from accomplishing a long run that you set out to do....

Have a Thunderously-Wonderful Thursday everyone!

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Forward>>

Flame Trees

Last Day of Holidays

Go Kristina!! You're Going to Smash It!!!!

Woohoo! Long(er) Run DONE!

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