Wallet Bleeding for TMBT

Kenneth and me went to Mong Kok's outdoor adventure shop to gab some extra gear which we thought that's essential. We've got some energy bar, power gel, dehydrated food.

 

During the recent long distance training, I felt a bit fatique for my leg. Therefore, I've bought a pair of Black Diamond Trekking Pole and check if it suits me. I hope the poles could support my legs and prevent them from any injuiries at the last part of the race!

 

Since there was rain last Sunday and my shoes got wet, my toes was swollen and stasis until now. I am afraid that my nails would be replaced soon. I wore a pair of old socks and that may be one of the causes for this problem.

 

Although the major reason was the unsuitability for the Raidlight trail shoes too as I always get used to running shoes on trail running only. To eliminate the problem thoroughly, I've bought two pair of new Lorpen socks. This brand is good for me. I wore it to run Trailwalker 2011 and my feet were in good condition even though they were wet in most part of the race. I trust in it very much!

 

We've so delighted that we stayed for about 2 hours for the shopping. However, our wallets are bleeding. We were so tired and the tiredness was even more than a trail running!

To celebrate our big shopping, we've had a good lunch and dinner.

Firstly, we had some Vietnamese noodles at Mongkok.

Then we tried something new, a small family-sized burger restaurant "Droplet" at Central district. The ingredients are fresh and the burgers are fresh made. Thumbs up!
A big Carbo-loading for my tough Double-Au training tomorrow.

Lantau from base to Top of HK and return

Today Siulek attempt to have a tough training to tackle the height fear for the coming TMBT. Starting from sea level, I aimed at going to the highest hills in Hong Kong, Lantau Peak (Phoneix Peak) (934m)  and Sunset Peak Stone Chalets (~800m) twice.

The famous route was called M&M (2 Mountains) and was introduced by KK CHAN, father of Trailwalker Hong Kong. Siulek was so lucky to join his Cosmoboys team in 2005 and learnt a lot of useful skills in trail running. When the first time Siulek attended this training, I was totally scared. However, no matter I was tired, I felt sick or I tiwsted my ankles, I had to complete the pre-set training route. KK believed that we could train up and got powe on our thighs after the progressive tough trainings in several months. As a result, I became familar with the training style and no longer scare of the devil route M&M.

 

However, Siulek haven't tried M&M for years. This time, I had to overcome my fearness on my own. Kenneth followed KK and Trailwalker teaching room to have the M&M training. However, Siulek was late and started on my own. It suddenly rained heavily when I started.

Siulek started slowly but I found my previous trainings on staircases was usefully. I didn't felt any fatique on my thighs when going up continuously. 

The big steps at Wong Lung Hang Country Trail was still hateful. Soon I reached top at Sunset peak, followed the Lantau  Trail section 2 and going down to Pak Kung Au.

Sunset Peak was also called Tai Tung Shan in Chinese. It's the 3rd highest peak in the territory, at 869m. But the trail followed the grass slopes at around 800m and didn't go to the top. There are several stone chalets which were constructed in 1930s. The construction materials, sands and stones were transported from Mui Wo. It's so amusing for the ancient builders!

 

From Pak Kung Au, here's come to Section 3 of Lantau Trail. From here to Ngong Ping, it's only 4.5km, but it's the toughest part of today! Stone steps directing us to the peak and seems to reach the sky. Going along the Lantau Trail to the west, the terrain becomes steeper. Phoneix Peak, the chinese name of Lantau Peak, means 'cleft head'. It's named because of the distinctive split rocks on the summit. It's the 2nd highest Peak in Hong Kong. It's famous of viewing sunrise or sunset and the views are majestic.

 

From the northwest of Lantau Peak, the internationally well-known Giant Buddha can be seen, situated at Ngong Ping plateau. It's one of the largest bronze Buddha in the world.

 

It took just about 45minutes from the top of Lantau Peak to Ngong Ping, but it was painfull. The path was at around 60 to 80 degress and made up of giant stones. My knees and heels felt special stress to jump on and off at those stones. Moreover, it was very slippery after the rain. With the 2nd time used Raillight shoes, I was not so familar with them and fell down for a few times. It was so luck that my ankle didn't got twisted.

 

Arrived Ngong Ping, I immediately u-turned to left and followed Shek Pik Country Trail to the sea level Shek Pik Reservoir near Tong Fok. I guessed the route was more or less the same like the trail in TMBT. I had to cross the streams for several times. The trail was muddy and slippery. It seems that no one passed through the trail since the Typhoon No. 8 on last Wednesday. Lots of broken trees and branches were in the middle of the trail and my hair was caught into the spider web for several times... I felt so bad!    

 

Moreover, orignial I wanna to follow the Lantau Trail Section 4 but I've got the wrong turn since I didn't step on Lantau Trail for a long long time. Therefore, I had to slow down and find my way. Eventually I decied to follow the Shek Pik Country Trail.

 

After 5 to 6km I reached the Shek Pik Reservoir and Siulek returned to the coming route as I found it was better than going onto the concrete road at Sum Wat Road.  

The weather became better now and it was a bit hot. However, my steps felt easier when coming back. I stopped at the rivers and refilled my water bottles. Then I continued and reached Ngong Ping again. From here, I set a target to complete the first part of staircases in half an hour and it was so happy that Siulek was successful! And I reached the Lantau top in 50 minutes. It was so amazing!

It became a bit dark when Siulek was going downhill. The eyesight was still OK but Siulek felt a bit tired to jump on the stones again and again.

Siulek reached Pak Kung Au just before 6pm. From here I expected around 1.5hr to complete today's training. However, it became foggy and dark. I took out my headlamp to the outside pocket and decided to race with the time.

Now Siulek continued my steps firmly. I didn't stop for photos or rest. However, the trail became much longer. I started to confuse whether I had got lost? Eventually I saw the Lantau stone chalets again and confirm my position. Starting from the Wong Lung Country Trail, the sky was grey, I had to open my headlamp. However, it was foggy and my sight was short. The uneven stone steps made it more difficult and dangerous to run. Then I slowed down and simply focus onto my every steps. Finally, I conqeuor the devil steps and reached Chek Lap Kok village. Kenneth and another hiking friend Anson was so kind to wait for me. The bread and coke at the end point was so refresh and delicious!

Anyway, it was tough and hurt my feet. I prefer not to run down the Wong Lung Hang Country Trail at night anymore!

 

Finally, Kenneth and me had big meal at a restaurant to have a satisfory end for today.

Here is the map and elevation of today's training. I beleive that's a good back up for the coming TMBT!

 

Zero Transportation Scheme from Shek Kip Mei to Shui Long Woo and Return!!!

Good morning! What a sunny day! In order to have a longer endurance for the coming TMBT in a month, today lazy Siulek will have a training of zero transportation programme. The target is to ran 10 hours or above.

Following the reverse direction of MacLehose Trail, all the hills in the photos, including Beacon Hill, Lion Rock, Fei Ngo Shan and Ma On Shan should be passed through twice! What a big project!


Starting from Shek Kip Mei, I ran up to the top of Beacon Hill(458m), the check point of Section 5 in Trailwalker Hong Kong. This is the closest approach to urban Hong Kong in the whole Mac Trail. Hence, it's easier for me to start my trail running here.
The two big "White Balls", the detecting stations of Hong Kong Obversatory is the clear symbol for the hill top.
This morning another runner Bun Gor joined me here, since he ran up from Cheung Sha Wan after having a morning tea at a traditional Chinese restaurant.

The line of Kowloon Peaks, stretching east to west for 10km, is one of the main topographical features. Before the opening of Lion Rock and Temple Hill tunnels, it formed a barrier between Kowloon side and the New Territories. Vista from the Kowloon Peaks can reach the East Kowloon from Tsz Wan Shan to Kowloon Bay. The view is so great!

Through the path to the summit of Lion Rock(495m), we reached the route beyond Temple Hill. Heading East, somtimes along path, sometimes along narrow roads, the trail passes summit and spurs. We bought some drinks at the Lion kiosk.
Following Sha Tin Pass, we arrived at Tate's Cairn, near the top of Fei Ngao Shan Road.

The weather is so good that we met many people flying from Ngong Ping, a famous campsite in the Ma On Shan Country Park.

Then we went through the Buffalo Hill and towards Ma On Shan.

Ma On Shan (702m) is often recognized by its distinctive saddle. Some iron ore mines gathered at its foot in the old days of Hong Kong. The top at my back is Pyramid Hill,called as "Big Bell" in Chinese. It's very memorable upland area.

This part is no shelter and very sunny. Bun Gor didn't brought enough water, so we had to hurry up to go down to Shui Long Wo's auto-vending machines.

Unfortunately, all bottles of water and sports drinks were sold out. It's so common in sunny days on weekends. That's why Siulek had brought extra drinks before going to Section 4 of Mac Trail.

Only cans of Lemon Tea left and I had bought 4 for extra refills. Bun Gor bought 2 only and he decided to refill the water from streams at the bottom of Ma On Shan.

I got a minor cut at my finger while opening the drinks. Unluckily, a cleaner of the country park gave me a blister to stop my bleeding. After a long rest, we took the determination to go back.

We followed the normal Mac Trail Stage 4 now. It includes dramatic mountain scenery and very strenous climbs.

The route climbs up the sheer eastern face of Ma On Shan. It bypasses the 'horse saddle' summit, 702m, then leads south along the ridges.

Although it's already 5 o'clock, the sun is still doing its good job. That made us a bit tough for ascending around 400m.

Bun Gor alerted me about the sunset view but the clouds made it unclear for taking photos.

Then we went south along impressive village boulder pathways, past ack Buffalo Hill, and so on to Tate's Carin.

Finally we reached Fei Ngao Shan. Just see my mobile phone for light torch for the last 5 mins. Thanks God! We can enjoy the nice night view of Kowloon side now!

Running from day to night today. Is Siulek still looking good?

Bun Gor is still as smart as usual...

 

We're so lucky to catch the last bus from Sha Tin Pass to Choi Hung MTR, otherwise, we had to walk along the road for 4 to 5km more to end our training day! All in all, it's a very useful endurance training and gave me some confidence on completing the 100km TMBT race!

Sports Expo 2013

Siulek went to Kowloon Exhibition Centre to visit the Sports Expo 2013 with Kenneth today. I can attend the sports seminar, get some updated running gears and get discounts there.

I love the "Rakuma Neck" Titanium necklace very much. With the colourful consume, I feel much eneretic during the race. The shop proivded a test for us to feel the power of its product.

The boss of Maywood Travel Ltd. Mr. Man and Lok Wah runner Dr. Eddie LAM introduced overseas marathons. Eddie is a marathon addict who attended many marathons and ultra-marathons including Trailwalker and The Marathon des Sables.







In the expo, Siulek brought 2 colourful rock tapes. One of them is the Hong Kong symbol -Bauhina!
I had a rumble roller at home already. This one is brought for Kenneth's speedy recovery after long run.
 
The most important product brought today is the Raidlight Trainer -Team R-light 001, wit a bargaining price of HKD$788. Siulek sometimes felt painful at my foot arch and would like to find a pair of shoes with more stability and protection. It's the first time to try this brand's product and let's see whether it can fit me and be adopted in the coming TMBT~ :)

My First Trail Run at the New Kai Tak Cruise Terminal

Tonight Siulek attended a group run organized by Longrun.HK. The route is really new to me. Starting from the Hammer Hill Sports Ground, we'll run to Kowloon Bay and step on the new Territory - Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

Kai Tak was the old airport in HK before 1998. In order to reuse the land and stimulate tourism, the HK government turned part of the land into a new internal cruise terminal. It just had its trail run in June but part of it is still a construction site and not yet open to the public. However, the area surrounding the terminal turned into a new park!

It's near the seaside which has nice seaview. Moreover, the pedestrian directing to the terminal is wide and straight. Therefore, it's very suitable for running, yeah!

After the briefing about the route by Alan at the sports ground, around 15 of us started tonight's run.

 

 

At the begining, we had to cross many roads with flyovers and traffic lights. It's an programme for my stepping exercise as well as "intervals".

 

As it's the first time I ran on this route, I must follow the leader's pace and might stop to wait for some slower runners. Therefore it was my easy run for this part.

 

Then we reached the Kowloon Bay Industrial Area. After that when we saw "Megabox", a popular shopping centre, the entrance to cruise terminal is just on the opposite road. 

That makes it easy to identify the way, isn't it?



Cheung Yip Road is the road directed to the park.

 

Once getting into the park, I followed on my own pacing until the terminal was found.

 

The other runners came soon and we took a group photo to proof our attendance.



 

 

So here I am. Let me introduce our new cruise terminal! 

 

After the photo-taking, many runners ran back and they had around 10km practice tonight. Siulek go on and repeat the lap at Kai Tak twice in order to make a 15km.

 

I saw many individual or group runners came to explore this new site as well. Also there are walkers and cyclists. Although it's a bit dark as some of the lights were not working, I enjoyed the night view Hong Kong and the silence atmosphere very much. Siulek shall come back later.

Sunset Walk on Needle-Grass-Mo Hill