Training Log Archive: Nadim

45 situps. My calf was bothering me and I was a bit too sleepy to go out and run. My stomach isn't quite normal yet either.

Event: QOC Oregon Ridge
 

Bethesda, MD. From Northfield Rd. to Old Georgetown Rd. via Greenwich Park, to Johnson Ave. to Heampstead Ave. to McKinley St. to Garfield St. to Roosevelt St. to the trail at Jefferson St. to Northfield Rd. This day more or less started before my run yesterday. I woke up at around 9am in Dhaka, Bangladesh, ran, had one more dinner party, then caught a plane at 3:15am in Dhaka. I managed a few winks on the 5 hour flight then transferred in Doha, Qatar an hour an a half later for an almost 14 hour flight (with a few more winks) to Dulles Airport in Virginia. Peggy and Max picked me up and I was happy to see them and get home. It was still daylight, the same day that I'd started the flight in Dhaka but there was time for Peggy to run, then myself too. I felt slow and cold at first (55 F) but I loosened up. I was at 7:40 at the first mile. I tried to pickup speed on Heampstead Ave. and while going down hill, I think I pushed too much. My left calf, the same one that's been bothering me all year, tightened and hurt a lot just before reaching Greentree Rd. I slowed a lot and made my way home.

Dhaka, Bangladesh. Baridhara. From Road No. 8 to United Nations Rd. then to the park trail along the lake, to Madini Ave., then around the lake on the path to Road No. 13 to Road No. 12, to United Nations Rd. to Road No. 8. I did he same basic loop that I've done each day here. It was a little warmer, still humid, and slightly busier with foot traffic. I actually saw another runner today; an eastern Asian who also had a backpack but who was moving at my pace just behind me as I was finishing.

Yesterday, the outing to see my Grandfather's grave went well. We also saw the Red Fort from the 1680's. We got to the area where my dad spent some time growing up but it had been built upon so much that my dad had a hard time recognizing anything. We did get there with the help of some people recognizing the name of the Lion Cinema that my grandfather and a partner used to own. It was sad seeing some of the people in the streets of this old part of town but there was also a small carnival giving pony rides. It was complete with playground like rides and a wooden 4 car ferris wheel that got to about 10 ft. high.

For today there was only some shopping (most shops still closed due to the holiday) and a visit to one of my dad's friends. This friend had gone off on an adventure with my dad and others that included going against parents wishes, false promises of an army officer career, and the whole group sneaking away and making their way 400 miles back on their own without any money. Their meeting was happy but the parting was sad for all.

Dhaka, Bangladesh. Baridhara. From Road No. 8 to United Nations Rd. then to the park trail along the lake, to Madini Ave., then around the lake on the path to Road No. 13 to Road No. 12, to United Nations Rd. to Road No. 8. My family and I arrived again late last night. There was activity on the streets as there was last time but when running this morning it was a different city. I perhaps saw one tenth of the people moving about today. It's a 3 day religious holiday weekend. Today we will try to see my Grandfather's grave and a place where my dad lived at. It's very humid outside.

Kowloon, China.  20:20, 2.2 miles.  From Prince Edward Station Rd. Lai Chi Kok Rd. to a city park on the left.  I went on a loop through the park, then returned. Lai Chi Kok had he widest sidewalks that I could find but I still had to do a lot of weaving and pausing to get through the crowds. I'm sure that my GPS could not track accurately with all of the tall buildings.  It felt good to get a run in again especially since it's going to be a travel day.  My stomach is still a bit sensitive.  

Kowloon, China.  We took a side trip to Lantou island near the airport today.  There we saw the Po Lin Monestary and the giant Tian Tian Buddha (largest seated, outdoor, and bronze buddha in the world) up on a mountain plateau. We took a 35 minute cable car ride on part of our trip to get there but a few others could be seen below hiking. It was all very picturesque but not so old. 

After an Indian meal, my sister, mom, and I went to Tsim Sha Tsui and watched the city light and laser show from a pier. The light show is a nightly musically coordinated extravaganza that stretches across the whole panorama.  A trip to Hong Kong island at Wan Chai followed on the famous and really well priced Star Ferry.  All the icons of eastern electronics seemed to have a big building here but the harbor view from the Sydney Opera House-like convention center drew my eye.  Eventually a lighted and red sailed Junk look-a-like crossed the waters to pause in front of the art museum and pier we watched the light show from. 

All of this only left time for another 45 sit-ups. 

Kowloon, China.  Today tuned out to be pretty fun.  We hopped a bus tour to the actual island of Hong Kong.  We first saw a small monastery, then rode the tram (actually a funicular) to the peak.  The tram is acclaimed to be the steepest in the world.  I think I've heard that before elsewhere but this time it felt like it.  For added fun, the ride paused a few times at the steepest places and I could feel the cable stretch.  

We also took a ride in the harbor to see the fishing boats.  There were no old Chinese junks to be seen; just some older looking boats with fisherman scraping by.  The fisherman are finding better jobs and aren't expected to exist in the harbor for long.  I did see a rowboat sized craft propelled in the traditional manner by a standing man pushing and pulling from side to side on a rudder-like piece of jointed wood that acts more like a fish tail.  

We drove around the beautiful island admiring the many tall buildings, cliffs, and beaches we also went to Stanley Market and had some time to checkout the many just bigger than stall sized shops. 

I'd been feeling better since eating things other than a standard greasy Chinese tourist meal.  I wanted to attempt a run before rush hour started but our delivered dinner took to long to arrive and it got dark.  I just managed another 45 sit-ups.