LRRC 4 Km Boxing Day Run

I really enjoy the captioned race (organized by Hong Kong Lady Road Runners Club) in the morning on 26/12/2004 (Sunday)

The weather is fine and the atmosphere is nice too.

I ran smoothly throghout the race although being blocked by two kids for quite a while
I finally completed the race in 21 mins, and ranked 120 out of 349 runners (much better than Reebok 15 Km on 19/12/04)

http://www.hklrrc.org

Kung Fu Hustle

Stephen Chau's Kung Fu Hustle finally came to the town in Christmas.
However, I have not much interest in seeing this movie. I guess his movie is just not my cup of tea.

I'm looking forward to seeing the movie version of Phantom instead

http://www.kungfuhustle.com

Reebok 15 Km Run

My feet were extremely heavy today, and I have to complete the race in 1 hr 27 mins (10 mins slower than my normal time)

The weather is in fact good for running, but I'm definitely not in condition.

I guess I've to take a few days rest before the Boxing day run next Sunday

http://www.reebok.com

Depression

I've decreased my running training to twice a week due to my knee injury.
The lack of running training surprisingly get me into some sort of depression.

I guess I've to go for more running to lift up my spirit.

However, I am quite satisfied with my running in 2004. I've already run 17 open races, and my personal record is keeping broken.

My taste of music is changing from rock to classical too

Life is really wonderful. that's why a living mouse is better than a dead lion.

I've just received my gift from Swatch Club. It's a watch with Napoleon on the face of the watch. Not my cup of tea anyway.

http://www.swatch.com

Fei Ngor Shan 7 Km Run

I joined the captioned run hosted by LCSD today.

I was not good prepared for the race, and the weather seems too dry and a little bit cool to me. I had to walk for a while during the uphill route.

My time is quite slow as 40 mins+. I guess I need more uphill training in the future.

However, I enjoyed the race, because of the great view on the top of Fei Ngor Shan.

http://www.hkrunners.com

Classical music and running

It's my surprise that so many runners are lovers of classical music. I find many fans of clssical music at a runners/hikers fans site (go2nature.net)
So do I.

I began to love classical music after I love running in 2/2004's HK Marathon.
Rock and roll was my favourite beforehands.
I wonder is there any link between running and classical music?

I agree that after I listen to the playing of Johannes Brahms by Jacqueline Du Pre, I was deeply moved by her excellent skill and emotional playing

I also enjoy listening to the "L'Enfance du Christ" by Berlioz on Radio 4 of RTHK right now

What a wonderful opera!

http://www.rthk.org.hk

Reservoir Cup - Tai Lam Chung Reservoir

I completed the captioned race in 1 hr 25 mins after having absent from training for 6 days since Nike 10 Km.

My condition is poor and the race course seems difficult for me.

I guess I have to train more on running uphill in the future.

The organizing of the race by AVOHK is good, and the result was released several hours after the race. Good job!

http://www.avohk.org

Reservoir Cup

I took a 6 days off from running to recover from slight knee injury. (since Nike 10 Km Run)

I've to attend the 1st race of Reservoir Cup tomorrow at Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, Not a easy race course I guess.

Time to take a rest soon (alreay 2300 hrs+)

http://www.avohk.org

Nike 10 Km

I attended the captioned race today at Tin Shui Wai.
Although I have knee injury on my left foot, I managed to complete the race in 46 mins.
It is the fastest time of my 10 Km race already.
I'm aiming at < 40 mins now.
The organizer HKAAA does not fail the runners overall, and I could obtain my luggage very quickly too.
However, the slow joggers blocked the faster runners as usual.
I wish there will be more improvement next year.

http://www.hkaaa.com

http://www.nike.com.hk

Atherton conducts Sibelius 2

I attended a concert performed by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by David Atherton) last evening at Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

The choices of concertos were brilliant but the attendants were less than expected :
1. Mother Goose Suite - Maurice Ravel

2. Kindertotenlieder (Songs on the Deaths of Children) - Gustav Mahler (solo - David Wilson Johnson) The performance is closed to perfect. Although the lyric is in German, I could feel the sad emotion running between the words.
- David Wilson Johnson teaches at the Summer School, which he founded 20 years ago in Dorogne (www.ferrandou.org)


3. Symphony No.2 in D, Op. 43 - Jean Sibelius - The performance by HKPO was brilliant but it is sad that not much audiences attending the concert (some attendants left earlier and some felt asleep for a long time)

Finally I wish that more Hong Kong people will show their support to HKPO which is really an outstanding world class philharmonic orchestra.

http://www.hkpo.com

Nils Landgren and Friends

I attended a concert performed by Swedish Jazz Group Nils Landgren and Friends last evening. The performance was excellent and charming. The Jazz groups are consisted of : Nils Landgren - vocal and trombonist
Rigmor Gustafsson - vocal
Viktoria Tolstoy - vocal
Karl Martin - Saxophonist
Thobias Gabrielson - accoustic bass
Jonas Ostholm - pianoist

I especially enjoy listened to the performance of Rigmor and Nils (performing Fragile by Sting)

A wonder evening accompanied by Swedish Jazz and food/drinks.

Thanks to RTHK and www.itswedenhk.com

http://rthk.org.hk

http://www.itswedenhk.com

Jacqueline du Pre

I've bought and listened to the CD+DVD of an English cellist Jacqueline du Pre lately. (Legend : Jacqueline Du Pre . Brahms)

The performance is really fantastic especially the 2 sonatas of Johannes Brahms. I can feel the sadness flowing out from the strings indeed.

According to the introduction in the CD :

"Jacqueline du Pre was born in Oxford in 1945 into a musical family where everyone played an instrument. She could sing in tune before she could talk and when she was three she heard the cello on the radio and she wanted to "one of those". Her fourth birthday present was a full size cello, which she managed to play without difficulty"

Although Jacqueline was forced to resign due to her poor health in 1973, she was already a legend in the music history.

I highly recommend this CD "Brahms Cello Sonatas" by Jacqueline du Pre, piano by Daniel Barenboim and Israel Phiharmonic Orchestra.

More details of Jacqueline could be located at :

http://www.jose-sanchez-penzo.net/jdupre.html

Gold Coast 15 Km Run

I've participated in the race today. The weather is perfect for long distance run but the temperature is still hot (Autumn already?)

The gathering place was just beside a construction site, and is not ideal for runners to warm up themselves.

My time is 1 hr 17 mins which is only OK to me.

The race was hosted by Hong Kong Marathon Pro.

http://run.to/hkmp

The result of the race has been released on the race day at :

http://www.hkrunners.com

Dimensional Pursuits

I attended the concert of Dimensional Pursuits performed by WANG Yong and Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in the evening on 12/11/2004 (Friday)
The cross over performance of the two group was brilliant. However, the concert was over shadowed by the low attendance of the audiences (only 1/4 seats being fulled).

I've no clue why the concerts of Sam HUI, Twins could attracts such a great number of attendants instead of such a great performance. That's is Hong Kong's art scene? I also doubt the standard of HK's audiences too. May be they just look down at Chinese orchestra?

"For the first half of the Orchestral Season, I would really look forward to the November concert Dimensional Pursuits, which is part of the New Vision Arts Festival. The creative combination of the HKCO and Wang Yong’s ensemble would be a refreshing and novel experience for our musical thinking and our ears."

Chow Fan Fu, an established arts critic

http://www.hkco.org

Fila Half Marathon

I attended the Fila Half Marathon today at Tai Mei Tuk.

The arrangement of the race was terrible. I took the second coach departed from Tin Hau. However, the vehicle was late, and there were not enough seats for runners. More worst was the vehicle arrived at the starting point at 0715 hrs, and the race begun at 0730 hrs.

Since I did not have enough warm up, I hit the wall at about 12 km. I had to overcome it for 3 mins. Fortunately I completed the race in 1 hr 50 hrs, and passes 1 Black and 1 White runner in the last km.

http://www.hkdrc.org

Concert of UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra

I attended the concert of UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra in the evening on 3/11/2004 (Wed). Russian violinists Maxim Vengerov performed as soloist. The performance is extraordinary excellent with the 44 performers from 43 different countries.

However, someone's portable phone rang in this evening become an error in this amazing evening.

Please consider !!!

There will be a replay on Radio 4 of RTHK on 26/11/2004

http://www.rthk.org.hk

The beginning of a new running season

The running season of Hong Kong has just begun
I will attend 5 races on every Sunday beginning from 7/11/2004 :
1. Fila Half Marathon
2. Golden Coast 15 Km
3. Nike 10 Km
4. Reservoir Cup Race
5. Fei Ngao Shan Race

To my surprise my application to the entry of Nike 10 Km was accepted. The race entry was full within 7 days, and my application was submitted by mail instead of online

http://www.hkaaa.com

Hong Kong Arts Festival

The Hong Kong Arts Festival (17/2/05 to 20/3/2005) is coming to town on next year
I've just received a CD sampler from the organizer,
The CD is full of wonderful music such as Beethon Symphony No 5 in C minor, Op 67 Allegro con brio by The Orchestra of the 18th Century, and Haydn Piano Concerto No 11 in D Vivace by Leif Ove Andsnes and the Norweigian Chamber Orchestra.
I'm looking forward to attending some of the concerts already.
More details could be found at their web site :

http://www.hk.artsfestival.org

Elliot Smith

I've bought the latest and last albumn of Elliot Smith who committed suicide in his 34 yrs old.
The music and the lyrics are so touching and reminds me of another brilliant rock groups Lemonhead and Eels.
I highly recommend this albumn to you.
I wish Elliot Smith's soul will rest in peace forever.

http://www.sweetadeline.net/

Training Run

I have a nice training run (10 Km) at Happy Valley Sports Ground with my younger brother and his friends.
The weather was fine although the air pollution remained serious

The Eroica Trio is coming to perform Vivaldi, Piazzola, Brahms on 27/10/2004 at The Shatin Town Hall.

http://www.eroicatrio.com

Beefolk

I attended the mini concert of Austria Jazz Group Beefolk last evening.
The show was hosted by Radio Television Hong Kong.
Their performance was brilliant that I have never thought that Jazz could be so delightful and close to classic.
Highly recommended

http://beefolk.com

New Running Shoes

I've just have a mountain run with my pair of new Adidas ruuning shoes (Adistar TR).
I feel comfortable and faster in wearing the shoes.
However, the "Ground Control System" is so powerful that I've to use more effort to lift my legs.

http://www.adidas.com.hk

Florian Ross Trios

I attended the concert performed by German Jazz Group Florian Ross Trio hosted by Radio Television Hong Kong and German Consulate Hong Kong tonight.
The performance of the group was marvellous, although there was little eye contact with the audiences or among the trios themselves.

Jazz Times review (June 2004)
" ..... (the trios)exhibit remarkable empathy and virtousity. Ross demonstrates a delicate touch on luminous pieces like Ev'ry Now and Then as well as on the georgeous piano solo closer Goodbye."

http://www.rthk.org.hk

UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra

The captioned orchestra is coming to perform in HK on 03/11/2004 (Wednesday)
They are going to play music by Mozart, Beethoven and Mussorgsky (Picture Exhibition)
I have bought the ticket and is looking forward to watching/listening their music.
Life will be much boring without such wonderful music.

http://www.veriberorchestra.com

Nairobi Marathon

Originally I've set the Boston Marathon as my aim of running
However, I have changed my mind lately
Nairobi Marathon will be my new aim from now on.
Just imaging how to conquer the highest attitude marathon makes me happy

http://www.nairobimarathon.com

The begin of running season in Hong Kong

The weather and temperature in November of Hong Kong is perfect for long run.
I've already registered four races (10 km to 21 km) on every Sunday in November already.
Running could be addictive.
I guess it's true.

(http://www.coolrunning.com)

In memory of a friend

In memory of one of my friend who deseased recently, I dedicate the song Van den Budenmayer Concerto in e minor (SBI 152) Version 1802 from The Double Life of Veronika to him
I wish his soul will rest in peace

http://www.preisner.com

Running during lunch hour

I praticed 5 Km run at Bowen Trail during lunch hour today.
The weather is fine and I have a nice run indeed.
I have to attend three races next month, and I've to practice at least 4 times a week.
In my opinion, keeping a running log motivating me to run regularly.
The running log in the Nike web site is my favourite.

http://www.nike.com/running

Lok Wah Runners Club 10 Km Race

I have completed the captioned race which was held on 3/10/2004 (Sunday) at Ma On Shan within 48 minutes
The race course is flat and the weather is fine (Sunny/28 C)
I enjoy the race indeed

http://www.lwrc.hk

National Day Race (Tai Mei Tuk)

I've completed the captioned race held in the morning today
The race course is 10 Km in distance and at the dam near Tai Mei Tuk of Tai Po (in Hong Kong)
I ranked 90 among 550 runners and my time is 45 mins+
The route is flat but a little bit dull

http://www.hkdrc.org

Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Race

The Race is held in December each year at Kwun Yam Shan (close to Fanling) in Hong Kong
The trail is 5 km in distance and most of the course is up hill.
It's a very demanding race and the limit of participants is 150 persons only



http://www.kfbg.org

Hong Kong Runners

With a view to obtaining more information regarding the running races in Hong Kong, I usually visit the website of Hong Kong Runners (http://www.hkrunners.com)
I usually run four days a week, and each session lasts from 30 minutes to 45 minutes

Latin Jazz

While I'm creating this blog, I'm listening to a radio programme of Latin Jazz
The music is so energetic with amzing beats
You can hear the music on Radio 4 of RTHK online too
The web site is at http://www.rthk.org.hk

Hong Kong X-Country Run 2004

Today is 26/09/2004 (Sunday)
I'm still very tire after having engaged in the Watson's Cross Country Run in the morning today.
The trail is very rough with a lot of up and down rocky trail, therefore many runners fell and got hurted
However, I still find this race interesting although I have to train up to run on upward step later.
I had take several walks in the race which led to my fair result today.
The event was held by Hong Kong Amateur Atheletics Association.
http://www.hkaaa.com