Coney Island Trail Run 2016

Last few post before jetting off to the land of smiles to repair the soul in less than 20 days. 

Much needed trip even though it's not the first trip of the year and I'm thinking can I make do with 2 trips a year or perhaps there's a need for more trips? Should probably start planning for the next destination really soon then. 

Anyway, 2 weeks after the 2XU Compression Run, it's the Coney Island Run 2016 :) Chanced upon this race while surfing social media one fine day and decide to go for it since it's a place so near to home. Moreover, it's our first time visiting Coney Island. 

Of cause the idea of sand files attacking us was constantly on our mind and yes we have both been stung by them before on different occasion, but I guess as long as keep on moving the sandflies shouldn't sting us. It became a motivation to keep on running haha! 

Race pack collection was a breeze and there isn't much to write about it. There wasn't any race site activities too so we didn't stay long enough. 

On race day, we headed to Punggol to take the free shuttle bus to Punggol Settlement.

The long queue for the shuttle bus..

The race only starts at 8am (earliest category) hence that explains why it is so 'bright' haha. It's pretty unusual for race to start that late and it definitely has it's pros and cons. At the end of the day, I still pretty much prefer race which starts early haha!

We have to walked nearly 1km to reach the starting point (entrance of coney island). Totally didn't see that coming and I'm glad we were early for the race so we can slowly stroll to the starting point.

The magnificient sunrise that morning..

Can't help but to take a photo with the background..

More sunrise pictures..

Coney Island spotted after walking what seems like 1/2 a km..

Oh Hi Coney Island :)

At the starting point with the sorching sun above us..

So here we go..

As mentioned earlier, the first few km was in Coney Island.

Derp took this photo of me without me knowing haha. 

The last part of Coney Island before we reach Punggol once again. And that's where the real challenge came..

Goodbye Coney Island! 

I've no idea which part of Punggol am I at, but I only know this whole stretch of road that leads back to the HDB area was torturing. The sun was already fully out by then. #hotdieme 

I would very much rather the race starts earlier than to face this again. I'm totally beaten by the sun especially when I usually only run after the sun has sets.

Making my way through 1 of the bridges along Punggol Waterway. There's around 3 of such bridges and I always got their names mix up though. 

The horrific part came after completing the race. There wasn't any water served to us, yes not even a single drop because all the water went to support the water shortage at water points. I had to send Derp to get it for me from the nearest 7-11 (yea thankfully there's one around) while I seek shelter from the scorching, out to kill people sun. lol. 

Judging from how much Derp has to squint his eyes, you probably can tell how glaring it was. And I probably got a #lastwarning from him at that point lol. 

Some pictures that I saved from various places..

I look like want to die here and I have to crop someone out from the most left side. We did notice he 'pose' with us at that moment lol. A very random friendly stranger haha. 

Looking slightly better here because I can see the finishing line...

A need to end the pain like asap kind of thing.

The hard earn medal..

I might categorize this race as 1 of the hardest race in 2016 lol. Okay SCMS do stand a chance because somehow every year's SCMS is a very hot race. 

Ending this post with this pic..

Somehow I look better thanks to the cap haha!

If ever there's another Coney Island Run, I hope the logistic can be done better and please let the race starts earlier. Running after 8am is totally torturing and with the lack of water, it doesn't help at all. More could be done to improve the race imo :)

But oh well, at least I've unlocked the achievement of running in Coney Island and I doubt I will ever do it again. Or at least I hope I won't sign up for such runs again unless hand itchy haha!

That's all for now. Till the next race then!

2XU Compression Run 2016

2XU Compression Run was the first official run for Derp and I in 2016. The running singlet this year was white in color (instead of the usual black), we still went ahead to register for it even though we pretty much prefer the black though. 

I remembered clearly the race pack collection in 2015 was poorly organized as the race pack collection event site was too small to handle the huge crowd. The queue went all the way out of the shopping mall. I'm glad that the race pack collection this time round was smooth and well organized. 

Many volunteers on duty 

No queue! 

We collected our race pack within 5 mins upon reaching. *thumbs up*

Saw this display at the race. But again is there really a need for this? haha! But it look really cool afterall.

Not much goodies in the bag. The waist pouch is this year free gift. In 2015, it was a shoe bag.

On race day itself, we were actually late. Opps! Didn't expect them to flag off everyone without much waves but perhaps there wasn't that much people who join this year race as compared to the last. 

Good weather that morning :) 

Some pics before running,,

We were chased to quickly start the race as they do not allow people to run their category if they were late more than 15 mins from the flag off time. Didn't see that coming because most races usually allow runner to be late up to 30 mins from flag off time.

More pictures taken during the run..

Derp took this pic of me lol. Very random of him though to start taking pictures during races 

Us after the run! 

Yay to the first 10km of the year! No PB but glad that we shaved off 5 mins from 2015 's 2XU run! 

Oh well at least we improved and enjoy the process :)

Pics from the official photographer. This is something new as I don't remember they had it in 2015.

Love this pic by Running Shot

Compared it with the one taken by Running Shot too in 2015 haha. Glad that we still look like us after a year. No much major change I guess? 

2017 2XU Run registration has already opened for registration. They are bringing in back the black theme singlet/shirt (with rose gold strips) for this coming year run. Gonna sign up soon! Looking forward :)

Brunch @ Oh My Tian Cafe

First post in August and pardon for the lack of updates due to the Pokemongo craze haha! This post was meant to be up last weekend but due to the launch of Pokemongo, most of my time was spent on that game. 

Taking a break now after a week of intense playing to update this little space of min :) Yay to checking off another cafe from the bucket list and this time round, it's Oh My Tian Cafe @ Kovan area.

I've been wanting to visit this cafe because it's so near to home (located along the purple line) and the interior of the cafe definitely attracts me to visit this cafe at least once.

Love this design and the best part is the cafe is located below a HDB. Love neigbourhood cafe like such because it gives me a more cosy and homely feeling.

The counter for ordering your food 

There's no service charge (only 7% gst) for dining in here and that explains why you have to go up to the counter personally to order your food.

This piece of painted wall is really pretty. Totally instagram friendly imo haha!

The iconic pretty carousel in the cafe. 

Best place to take #ootd/selfie/welfie but we were too shy to do so because it's occupied. Seems to me that there's always people there though.

Time to order our food after grabbing a seat..

The menu at the counter

Our drinks.

For once I'm not having caffine related drinks for brunch as this drink is highly recommended by the cafe staff too. Can't remember how much is per drink but I remember it's quite costly. I can't remember the flavour too lol.

A #welfie with my brunch date with the carousel at the background. It's better than nothing haha! 

Cookies and Cream Waffle Ice cream with Salted Caramel Sauce 

Our waffle ice cream came first so we have to eat it first even before our mains arrive. It was meant to be our dessert. Our bad for not asking them to prepare it later but we will have thought they should know it since we did order brunch from them.

But anyway, Oh My Tian Cafe is opened by the sisters behind Hatter Street so the waffle ice cream we had is from Hatter Street. My first time trying it and it has got to be one of the best waffle ice cream I've ever eat. If you are into belgium waffle (those crispy type, not fluffy ones), this is a must try.

OMT Big Breakfast - $15

Huge portion and we both ordered this set for our mains. It's totally value for $$ and taste yummy too!

#welfie with highness before we left this place.

#OOTD taken with the cafe as the backgound :)

The cafe is located near Boon Keng MRT station, probably a 5 minutes walk from the MRT station. This cafe is worth a visit due to it's yummy food, instagram worthy decoration and also the location is good! I've went back there for the 2nd time and will definitely go back there again in the near future :) 

Oh My Tian Cafe
 #01-79, 34 Whampoa W, 330034