It was with a heavy heart that I went to work today, because I knew I had to break the news to two very good and kind people.

The talk with my boss went very well and he was matured and professional and generous about me leaving.

I just told my assistant and the girl started crying! My heart almost broke...

Sigh...but you know what's the greatest thing? My boss told me that if there's something better at my new place, all I had to do was to call him and he would gladly let me "take" my assistant along. Simply because he doesn't believe in holding back anyone's potential and career.

I can only hope to have a boss as good as that in the new place...

Off to Hong Kong in less than 10 hours' time!
 
Scored an awesome deal on Cathay Pacific for just S$269 return, including tax!

I've already got the first three days' menu planned and it looks something like this:

Friday
Lunch: Tsui Wah
Dinner: Mak's Noodles orIsola depending on craving
Dessert: Lucky Dessert

Saturday
Lunch: Maxim's Palace for dim sum
Dinner: Hutong

Sunday
Lunch:Alcove - private dining!
Dinner: TBC. MaybeThe Peak Lookout?

Monday
Off to Macau!

My first break since December...I can't wait!

Signed, sealed, delivered.

I've just signed the letter of employment with a new firm today and I start in a highly exciting and challenging new role come 7 September.

Ha det bra to the Norwegians and hello to the British!

I'm speechless by the power of this simple combination...amazing...

Beautifully crafted short film about communication and that ever elusive connection...

I've never been a real fan of Jack & Jill potato chips as I always found the texture somewhat too hard and a wee bit too thick for non-crinkle cut chips. So when I saw this made in Malaysia pseudo-Japanese looking and sushi flavoured chips, I seriously had my doubts. I bought it for novelty's sake and surprise, surpise, it's now my latest tidbit obsession!



The concept is somewhat like shaker fries. Open the bag and you'll find the chips in a separate bag. Pour the chips into the first outer bag, sprinkle the seasoning, seal the ziploc and give it a gentle shake.



The crisps are thin and lightly crunchy - very similar to made in Japan crisps ala Calbee. Taste-wise, it's more wasabi than salmon (in fact, there's really no salmon taste) but there is a lingering shoyu aftertaste which makes this quite addictive.

Definitely worth a try!

Catchy tune. Better than the annoying PCK A Happy Journey Starts Like That ad!

And the results are finalised!

With Ms Macau in town for a holiday, I've been making the most of the enforced rest due to my injury to really hang out, chill and have a whole lot of laughs and quirky conversations with one of my best gal pals.

I'm too lazy to blog in detail so will let the piccies tell the tale of the past week and a half.

We love Chalk!
Schlepped up Mt Sophia and checked out Chalk which lived up to all the rave reviews I'd read.



The best nicoise salad! Highly recommended.


Mushroom ravioli with truffle sauce. Every bit as delish as it sounds. Our only complaint was that the serving size is way way way too small for a main. There were maybe five pieces of ravioli??


Coq au vin. This was a medley of flavours - sweet, tangy, citrusy, fruity and fresh. Aside from the usual potatoes and carrots, this had stewed apples as well.


The star of the night was the Supreme pizza with it's thin, crispy crust and spicy topping. Light, flavourful, satisfying. One of the best thin-crust pizzas around.


The dessert platter is another must order if you can't decide what to get. Sample all the house favourites. We were fighting over the sticky date and apple-rhubarb crumble. Mmmm...





Another favourite is new bar KPO.


Cool, chic, industrial with a gorgeous greenhouse roof and alfresco area, the food was excellent as well.


Loving the tasty Caesar's with the lightest of dressing and crunchiest of mini croutons (portion was a wee bit too small though for the price) and the homemade chips.

Not pictured here were the ribs and tossed salad.



Me and Astroboy


I got to get myself back to Macau soon!

Second sesh with the physio and it's all good. Inflammation has gone and the muscles are not as strained or tight as before. Another 4-6 weeks for full recovery. And today my trainer said I was deffo running better as well as I hit the tracks at Bedok stadium.

Just got to keep stretching, using the cross-trainer and not do any insane runs this week before the review with the doc.

Run fat girl run!

Went for a review with the doc and it turns out my condition has worsened somewhat as I've gone and dragged in my pectineus as well, possibly a result of my over-enthusiastic swim sessions the past week. 

Had my first physio session yesterday and it was possibly the worst physical pain I've had to endure, aside from the marathon. The 30 minute session consisted largely of the therapist kneeding the troubled spots in a bid to loosen the muscles which have thickened considerably and were strained and tight. Without individual rooms and just a curtain surrounding the bed, I had to control the urge to scream. The result was my entire body shaking from the pain, beads of sweat and a few tears. When she brought on the ultrasound followed by the ice pack, I was relieved beyond belief.

Turns out that my injuries are a result of a few factors. The weaker left side is largely due to the track work I've been doing twice a week for the past year- it seems that running in one direction puts more strain on one side of the body and the therapist recommended changing directions every two rounds. The iliopsoas and pectineus strain is largely a result of the mileage clocked, lack of stretching and body combat.

I've been given stretching exercises which I have to do everyday and have to return for another sesh this weekend before moving to weekly sessions.

As for running? Only short 5km runs are allowed. And only on flat surfaces, no hills.

Turns out that my legs can't do long runs in their current state anyway, after a disastrously slow and torturous run along ECP tonight. It was so demoralising to see everyone overtake me, and to take 1 hour to run what would normally have taken me 45 minutes.

I'm back at zero and have a long long way to go again... =(

Tanjong Pagar is turning out to be quite the enclave for competent Italian restaurants with Saraceno's entering as one of the newer kids on the block. Tucked away in what used to be the old Duxton Hotel (now Berjaya) on Duxton Hill, this gem of an understated and elegant restaurant seems incongruous in a street better known for cheesy, loud, Elvis bars.

With merely three tables occupied, the restaurant came across as dark, cold and cavernous. But the food more than makes up for the empty ambience.

Dinner kicked off with a complimentary started of a slice of duck breast on potato salad. Being semi-vegetarian, I gave the meat away and tucked into the cool, creamy comfort of carbs.



A test of a restaurant's competence to me starts off with their bread. And Saraceno's offers one of the best quality and selection I've come across. Choose from lightly toasted slices of spinach bread, warm, garlicky foccacia, or a denser plain but still tasty version.



We shared a started which combined a selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian options. Specifically, beef carpaccio, parma ham, seared tuna, and eggplant. Light, delicate and balanced in flavour, this was a winning start.



For my main, I chose to go with the special of parpadelle with porcini and truffle. Broad strips of al dente eggy pasta generously covered with thick shavings of parmesan, juicy mushrooms and rich truffle melded into a deep earthy, rustic, creamy, salty flavour that left my taste buds truly satisfied.



I didn't get to try my dinner partners' mains but there were no complaints from them either.

Angelhair with prawns. Check out how generous they were with no less than 8 fairly large prawns!


Roasted cod


If I thought the mains were the star, they were soon eclipsed by the desserts.

This was no ordinary apple tart. Inch-sized chunks of sweet, stewed caramelised soft apples sat on top of a thin, buttery, crisp crust. If you're a fan of sticky date puddings, this is possibly a healthier version but with the same intensity and richness of flavours. This was a dessert reminiscent of a warm family dinner in Europe...


Pineapple ravioli - think thin slices of pineapple wrapped ala a ravioli around lemon sorbet. Cold, frozen, tangy and super refreshing, this is one light dessert for the health/weight conscious.


Another highlight of the evening was the tiramisu. Unlike other tiramisus, Saraceno's version is a crispy, light filo cup filled with the airiest of mousse and topped with a dusting a chocolate. This was like eating clouds...all the richness of a tiramisu without the heaviness.


Saraceno is a real hidden gem and with dishes executed this well from starter to mains to dessert, I really hope they stay around for years to come. Even with the honkytonk bars around.

As most of you know, I injured my leg around the 28-29km mark of the marathon. Monday was spent walking like a damaged Robocop, Tuesday I went swimming to recover, by Thursday everything seemed back to normal and my swim was stronger than previously, Saturday I did a 10km run and Sunday I hit the gym for a run and elliptical. And halfway on the elliptical, I felt the searing pain shoot up the hamstring.

And that's how I spent Tuesday lunch at The Clinic@Cuppage under the watchful eye of Dr. Low Wye Mun - sports doctor extraordinaire.

Turns out I have a series of problems around my left hip and ironically, my hamstring was behaving itself yesterday.

Ilipsoas strain

Gluteus medius tendinopathy

Hypomobile lumbar spine i.e. a super stiff lower back

And coupled with the fact that my body went through extreme hypoglycemia during the race and the fact that I have longer than normal femur bones which means the muscles surrounding the area have to work even harder to support my Amazonian frame...

I may not be able to run the half marathon in KL on the 28th T_T

I've been put on a course of steroids and anti-inflammatory medication for five days, and need to schedule a visit to the physio. A review next week Monday and then the doctor will decide if I'm ok to go to Malaysia.

In the meanwhile, no weight-bearing exercises this week (WAILS) so I've been hitting the pool like a sea monster. AND I can only do freestyle as breaststroke will aggravate my hip area more.

Tuesday: 32 x 50m freestyle

Tonight: 34-36 x 50m freestyle

Sob.

I can so completely relate to this!
And after the pain, sweat and tears, I can now laugh at myself :)

And the provisional results are out.

Ranked 330/738.

0-10km: 1:01:24.64
10-20km: 1:13:24.97
20-30km:1:09:35.07
30-42km: DISASTER

I also received more words of encouragement that really touched me and made me think, maybe, just maybe, I might attempt a marathon again...

"...you are incredibly strong, both physically and mentally. What you did was true endurance, something most people don’t have the strength to do. When confronted with the pain and agony you faced, 99.9% of the world would throw in the towel…..you are very, very special, and you need to know that deep in your heart."

I learned so much from this race. More than all the other races combined. I learned that:

• That being able to run 30km doesn't mean the last 12km is going to be a breeze.
• That 42.195km is a distance that really pushes the human body to break point.
• That my foundation and base isn't as strong as I thought it was.
• That 13 weeks of training isn't sufficient.
• That environmental factors play a HUGE part in performance. That being able to stay awake partying till 4am doesn't mean I'm going to stay awake running/walking at 4am! (That were points in the last 5km when my eyes kept shutting as I walked)

Most importantly, I finally understand now why completing a marathon is a significant achievement and even through all the pain, sweat and some tears, I would highly recommend it as a must-try at least once in a lifetime thing to do.

The experience is truly unforgettable.

To everyone who was rooting for me for the Sundown Marathon, I'm really sorry to say I couldn't rise to the challenge...

It was a disaster. I started off well. Maintained roughly 6min/km for the first one-third. Hit the 21km halfway mark at around 2:15. So far so good and on target for around 4:45 (under 5 hours).
 
Plodded on and then the left hamstring started hurting but I thought I would be able to run it off. It was still a relatively dull ache at that point in time.

There were about 3-4 overhead bridges and several slopes around the Bedok area and I realised how bad my left leg was when I couldn't do any uphill runs. Not even slight inclines. I ended up using my right leg to push and pull me along but somewhere around 29km the pain and tightness in the left hamstring got so bad I had to walk. I couldn't breathe properly from the pain which by then had overtaken the entire left leg - it was causing me to gasp in short breaths and to be honest, I wanted to cry.
 
So I ended up jog-walking from about 30-37km. Then the last five was when it really went to hell. Aside from the bunged leg and the extreme pain, I started feeling dizzy and nauseous and couldn't walk in a straight line. Ended up having to sit with my head between my knees every few hundred metres. I was incredibly close to calling the medic/ambulance and giving up.
 
My trainer was pacing with me every step of the way and I guess knowing people had donated so generously to my cause also helped. But trust me, I never wanted to give up so strongly in my life.

I finished it in the end. Way beyond my target of  under 5 hours. A timing so shameful I'm not even going to put it down.
 
I'm disappointed to say the least. All that training for nothing. And it makes me question if I'm even cut out for running.

And the results are out for last Sunday's PAssion Run!

Last year, I did this race in 1:40. I was still slightly unwell then having been ill with a viral bug that week.

My target this year: 1:25

I clocked 1:25:41 for 15km. Ranked 32/249 in the competitive category.

Target met. Not great but satisfactory considering I was running with a groin injury. 

But tomorrow is the real big one. My first marathon. The longest I've ever clocked is just under 31km and even then, it was just that once.

And yes, I do have a target in mind but I'm not going to get my hopes up. I'll do my best as long as I finish it.

I can only hope that the cooler temperature at night will be to my advantage.

Wish me luck!

Five days to my first marathon and I'm down with a bug.

Runny nose - check

Sore throat - check

Slight chest congestion - check

Have been to the doc's and been sleeping as much as possible. I MUST get well by Thursday at the latest.

Too much riding* on this marathon for me to not finish it!


*I'm raising funds for my company's adopted charity - SOS Children's Villages -  and my company's matching dollar for dollar the funds raised!

When you have four other people relying on you for a much anticipated and promised meal of gastronimic heights, there is some pressure to deliver to say the least.

Thankfully Bonta stood up to the test!

First to impress was Bonta's famous bread in a cup. A warm, crusty, crumbly, buttery, almost brioche-like concoction of walnuts, sundried tomatoes and warm ricotta cheese filling which went beautifully with the slightly salty and grainy olive and caper tapenade. Take it out of the cup, stick your knife in, and be wowed as steam emanates from a fluffy, hot interior. Don't be shy to make a mess because everyone else does as the bread breaks and flakes easily.


Because we were in a fairly large group, the waiter offered a taster plate of 3-4 starters of our choice. Brilliant idea as we got to savour a greater variety. I had my usual zuchinni flower with mushroom ragout, smoked ocean trout stuffed with crab meat and topped with avocado cubes and slices of juicy, tangy blood orange, oven baked australian scallops which were oh-so-soft and sweet, and the special of the day which was parma ham on a bed of rocket with mozzarella and italian tomatoes.



The highlight of the meal was most definitely the mains. I went with the special of the day - ravioli stuffed with mushroom ragout in a black truffle sauce. This was most certainly as rich as it sounds and I swear it created heart palpitations (possibly from the excitement of the black truffles!)


Here are some shots of my dinner companions' mains:


Homemade angel hair with live lobster


Homemade tagliatelle with Porcini Mushrooms, Spinach and Pan-Fried Goose Liver


The name of this dish slips me but as you can see it's prawns prawns prawns!


For dessert I went with a chocolate mouse and caramalised banana, mistakenly thinking mousse=light. It was so rich (I was stuffed from the starter and main!) that I ended up eating all the banana and caramalised walnut bits and left most of the mousse behind =(


And this beautiful work of art is the lemon mascarpone tart with vanilla ice-cream


With two starters, four mains, three desserts and a bottle of wine, the damage came up to roughly $70 per head after the 30% discount promotion they are having from now till 31 May as part of their second anniversary celebrations.

It's such a good deal we've made plans to go back again next week!

I never thought the day would come when I get excited over sports shopping vs regular chick stuff shopping. But that day has finally arrived.

My loot over the weekend:

New Asics Gel 1130 running shoes (been surviving on my sole Mizunos for the past month or so). Would recommend these for distances under 20km. Beyond that, I'd say go for the Mizunos which are lighter but have greater cushioning.


Wright SLX socks -  expensive at $19.90 a pair but it REALLY makes a difference when you run and especially after. I'm gonna save this for use only on race days.


New Nike running top (in pink!) and shorts. I love the old school bloomer style of the shorts.