Swimming Upstream - Thursday the 16th of June, 2011

Heading out for another post-work jaunt around my normal sunset route, the super high humidity made things notably harder than on previous days. The air felt heavier around me, like halfway between running and swimming! My legs were a little tired from running all of the previous 3 days and being in no rush, I took this run slow.


It had been raining on and off all day, pushing the humidity super high, but didn't rain at all on my run




Clouds move across the peaks in the Ma On Shan Country Park


Right down at the end of this valley is the ridgeline I will eventually be running along


The ground very wet as I set out along the trail section


The darkening valley


This isn't a gutter, but rather, a quite impressive viaduct to transport water from the stream to the little community/illegal garden nearby the trail


The graffiti of someone with a mild stomach complaint?


The sun finally breaks through the clouds to project the ridgeline onto some nearby buildings


A garage essentially just made of rusting corrugated iron sheets


A less dramatic look at the peaks that encircle Kowloon


A panorama exposed for the clouds and sky


Along this ridgeline there are two of these very large reflector looking objects... but they have no electrical connections, no parabolic shape and are very dirty on the front. No idea what they could be for!


Front view


View from the next hilltop showing their alignment. Very strange!


Things darkening quickly. Looking towards Hong Kong Island


The clouds break up only after the sun has disappeared


Looking down towards Tiu Keng Leng, where I'll soon be


I almost stepped on this little guy who wouldn't budge from his spot on these concrete steps


Obviously upset by all the media attention!


Lights from the new Lohas Park buildings reflected off Junk Bay


Still lots of water around as I prepare for the final hill


Plenty of snails all over the trails as I work hard up the last push




Completely dark back at UST with the light pouring out of the Atrium

I was pretty happy with this run but it did take a lot longer than this route normally does. I'm beginning to think that with Hong Kong just getting hotter and hotter, and myself leaving soon, I've already ran my best time on this course a couple of runs back. It's a little disheartening to think that. Ah well. When the heat comes and makes going fast hard, it's best to just relax and enjoy the runs instead of pushing hard.

Hope you see you all out and enjoying yourself on the trails!
~ Joe