wang writes

Had a fulfilling day today, starting with my first race since the Sundown Ultra. Participating in the Shape Run 10km event was really just for fun. Nike signed me up and I’d been running it since the inaugural event in 2006 (was sick in 2007 though so missed it). Given I’ve pretty much averaged between 0-20km of running per week for the past seven weeks, I wasn’t having any high hopes for the race except to smile my way through it. I have to say I really enjoyed myself and finishing eighth in 46min 5sec was a bonus. Won a bunch of prizes (supposedly worth over $1,100 in total), most of which went to my mom.

It was a close race. I believe from fifth or sixth place till 10th spot was only a difference of 30-40secs. I lost out on seventh spot by less than a second! Pretty damn pleased with my timing given my lack of preparation, because it’s the fastest I’ve run 10km in possibly three years! This relatively short distance event is not my thing and I hardly do it, so it really hurts when I do.

It was amazing to see how the event has grown over the years and how the standards have improved too. I remember I ran 46+min in 2006 and finished sixth. That might’ve not even placed me top-10 today. The beauty about the sport of running is there’s always room and time for improvement. Baoying (fourth) and Run’er (10th) are living examples of that. Baoying was my cross-country teammate in JC but never really made it into the school team, but she has blossomed over the years into a formidable cyclist and runner. Pity about her swimming though…. Run’er, my classmate in RGS, was actually never really athletic, being in the school band and, I believe, in TAF club (compulsary for so-called fatties). She’s since lost a ton of weight through running and I think she’s gonna whip my ass in the next 10km race!! Me? I’ve actually gotten quite a bit slower over the 10km distance over the years (my best is about 40min) but am much stronger in the longer distances. Oh well.

A newsmaker once told me: “The weak are not downtrodden forever.” How true in running.

Anyway, back to my Sunday. After the race, Damo (who had been supporting me at the event) and I had breakfast — a non-fat Caramel Macchiato and half a croque monsieur each at Starbucks. We love that combination. Chilled out a bit reading the papers before heading home for a quick shower, then rushed to meet my parents for lunch.

Now, this is one thing I’ll only do for my parents. Drive across Singapore for “famous wonton noodles”.

It’s at the hawker centre at Bedok North St 1 Blk 216. It tasted good but honestly nothing I’d drive across the island for… well, as my dad said, it was more about having fellowship over lunch. We strolled a bit around the shops with my parents, then headed home cos Damo had some cycling on the trainer to do and I just wanted to put my legs up.

Emma and Lee popped by for a late afternoon coffee after shopping for some supplies for Lee’s new cat. After they left, Damo and I headed for an early dinner at the week-old Thai restaurant around the corner.

First impressions of Mai Thai Restaurant (Blk 44 Jalan Merah Saga #01-58, next to Michelangelo’s) weren’t good. The menu looked like a home printer project, the restaurant empty and smelled of a typical Thai massage parlour. But we flipped through photographs of dishes and they actually looked appetizing and were priced reasonably too, so we got a seat. No regrets.

The restaurant puts Jim Thompson at Dempsey Road and any Thai Express outlet to shame. Prices are comparable (about $10 for a dish) but servings were nearly double and quality, in my opinion, much better than Jim’s. I had glass noodle salad ($11.50), Damo had basil chicken ($11.50) and steamed rice ($1.00) and we shared mixed vegetables ($8.50). Service was friendly and prompt too. By the end of the meal we were stuffed and satisfied and vowed we’d return.

Situated along a strip of relatively high-class restaurants where $10 will only buy you sparkling water, Mai Thai seems out of place. But definitely in a good way.

Waiting for the Tour broadcast to begin on Eurosport now. This has been an awesome Sunday.