...and so we walked

the day started in pitch black, with the wind howling through the lift shafts as i prepared my carb and protein loaded breakfast and layered up. at the top of the peak it was very cool and other more competent hikers sporting hiking sticks and fancy gear were stretching and warming up. when we started it was almost as if we were in mong kok or causeway bay, shuffling along with the hoards of people. not ones to enjoy the crowds (there were over 3000 participants!!), we weaved our way through the chatter and walking sticks to find some space and avoid getting stuck in the backlog!

the sun joined us and it started getting rather warm as we briskly walked on. time passed with lots of random conversations and laughs and we continued on down the stony and paved paths. the scenery was indeed beautiful, with blue skies and plenty of greeny - hk is a beautiful place, we just need to take the time to notice it. after some much needed toilet breaks and re-strapping, we fueled up at the support stations with bananas and liquids and made it through to the 25km mark in little under 4 hours.

 

 

team mulberry lite started around 12:30 and throughout the hike we were trying to figure out where each other were and how to try catch up. but then came the grueling part with a monotonous flat that seemed to go on for hours and the ridiculous never-ending steps going up... nurofen and powerbar gels helped us get through this part. and for some overzealous reason we decided it would be a good idea to run the last 5km. however that was short lived for about 500m, when we quickly sobered up and decided perhaps to leave it to the last 2km and a light jog if anything.

at about 2km from the end we caught up to team mulberry lite who were happily plodding along :D it was a lovely way to end the long day catching up and crossing the finish line together. well, once the finish line was in sight, the competitive side of our team made us sprint the last few meters, clocking in at 15:34. we managed to complete the hike in about 9hours, and we'll have to wait for the official times, not too bad for a first long hike. the fastest time for the 50km was 3 hr 41 min 22 sec!! that's intense.

great job to both mulberry and mulberry lite teams, such awesome troopers and there were lots of smiles even at the end!!

get your hike on!

checking the observatory for the weather is always a good start to get you ready for a race - hko has kindly encouraged me with it's cold weather warning that is enforce. will layer up tomorrow so when and if it gets warmer it'll be easy to peel off the layers.

so the green power 50km hike... besides preparing yourself physically, it's also important to prepare yourself mentally. it's what will determine whether or not you finish. it looks like a lovely route, but i doubt we'll be stopping to smell the roses along the way. i'm rather competitive when it comes to things like this, so regardless of how tired you may be or whatever physically limitations you may get, giving up is not an option.

physically the team is feeling a little ginger on the edges, with an old ankle injury in strapping, another having been admitted into hospital for several days due to an asthma attack and the last deciding to have a big night and arriving home at 4am this morning - go team!!

well, we'll be fine. as stated before, we're prepared mentally so that's what will get us to the end. so we'll see you after the finish line, a little tired and sore, hopefully having crossed the line upright ha

on the weekend

we spent the weekend at the jccac winter fair, despite being fairly under the weather, but what a great creative space!

the jockey club creative arts centre is a renovated factory building in skep kip mei and has a courtyard, studios for rent, galleries, cafe + tea house. there were over 80 different stalls featuring + displaying local artists + talent, designers, illustrators, clothing, bags, jewelery, leathergoods... it was awesome to see so many diverse styles. it just goes to show how creative hk is!

 

two that really stood out for me were temp house - william's illustrations are so detailed + fine. he draws them and finishes them off in photoshop. the website is fun + interactive, and reminds me of a wonderful little game called machinarium.

the other one was ballzi yau's innocent shop with her quirky plush creatures, which are more art pieces for display than actual toys.

a great place to meet interesting + inspiring creators :)

good morning 2011 :)

it's amazing to think that each day starts with a sunrise - it never fails to do so! faithful + reliable it brings us light, warmth + promise of new things the day will bring.

today's sunrise is significant in the fact that it not only starts a new day, but it also starts a new year; welcome to 2011!!! people commonly look back + reflect on the year gone by, and based on that set new resolutions + goals for the one ahead. but i think it's much easier to just let what happen be... and what we should do is keep looking forward, be thankful for each sunrise + expectant of good things to come.

i love the tone of this image with it's slight nostalgic feel, but in fact it is of the sunrise this morning - jan 01, 2011. here's to a new day, a new year + new things to come :)