　おいしい！

Monday, September 01, 2008

The Nike+ Human Race was yesterday and it was great fun! It was my first run after so long and I'm really glad to have accepted CY's invitation to join her to run in Paris! How lovely to receive the red band with Paris engraved on it. =D Bois de Boulogne is beautiful indeed. That's the place for the race and it's like a huge woods/park beside the Longchamp Race Course in the north-west of Paris.

The number of people attending the race in Paris is disappointing indeed. It's only around 5000+. Slightly over half of the intended target of 10 000 runners. However, the spirit was high and the ambience great as everyone cheered and roared while surging towards the starting line. The whole race course was covered in a sea of red with the arch red gatewall which marked both the start and finish line. Kiba was down to support and clothed in red as well. A real rah-rah supporter.

There was a bit of a drizzle at the start line but it went away once the race began. People were waving and doing the peace signs at the cameras whereas others were making monkey faces and scrambling along with others to keep up. Supporters lined the two lines along the path, clapping and cheering. You have to be there to feel the atmosphere. All fired up and so much gusto! Just being at the start line, starting to run is worth the 30 euros that I've paid.

The beginning of the run was pretty smooth as the breathing was controlled and regulated. All in the comfort zone. Nothing too demanding. However, it was at the 2km mark that I started to find the run incredibly long since it's only 1/5 done. My feet could keep shuffling forward but I need to find things to distract myself as I began to feel bored. The tree lined paths of the course is beautiful and the park is indeed a nice place to hold the event.

We didn't see any markers till the 4km point and were cheered thinking that we have covered much ground already. As we went along, there were mascots and a band cheering us and special thanks to the gorilla/scottish mascot (I can't really remember if it's the gorilla or the scottish who cheered me, think it's the latter) who encouraged me in times of need. I need to thank CY especially too! Boy, she's really fit! Many a time, I've asked her to go ahead and get a good ranking while I'd make my way slowly to the end but she refused to go ahead. *Shake head shake head* I do feel bad in slowing her down. But hey, thanks girl for all the encouragement! The fun will not be the same without you around and thanks for the invitation ya!

I've never sprinted so hard towards the finishing line before. When I see the big red gateway, I just felt that it must have been a dream that I've almost finished the 10K already! =D 10k may not be a lot to many people out there, but to me, it's my first 10K race and I haven't trained for it so I'm quite happy with my timing of 1hr 13 mins 48 secs. Of course it's nothing compared to the fastest french guy and girl who clocked abt 34+ mins and 39 mins 13 secs respectively. The girl is Belgian and it's her first 10K race! Absolutely impressive.

Thanks CY once again and Kiba for coming down to support!

The concert started at 5.30pm but was quite dead as many people did not know the artistes - Uffie and Cassius. However, the crowd went into hysterics when Kelly Rowland (of Destiny Child's fame) came up on scene. Hers was the last segment she's really enigmatic! A star is really a star. The magnetic attraction. How she commanded the stage and her beautiful strong voice! Her dancers were excellent, so were her DJs and percussionist! It was really hyped and I'm glad I'm able to witness her sing live! =) All in all, a great first in the city of Paris! Yeah! =D

Labels: sports

11:07 am　うまい！Y