This was at Richmond Park Golf Club on a Saturday. I was supposed to play with my Bruneian counterpart and his friend (an Australian - an Indian originally from Malaysia), but then Prince Azim, the son of the Brunei Sultan passed away suddenly and my Bruneian friend couldn't make it. He missed a great day of golfing - it was beautiful weather for a round.
And after the morning game, I went to the park which was just next to the golf course (though I had to drive 10 minutes to get to it) to do a shortish run. I had already walked something like 10km on the course after all. It started drizzling but as you know I love running the trails in the rain, especially when it's really pouring back home - the rain is cooling (here it is just a minor irritant) and I can just splash my way through all the puddles. It is liberating. The trails at Richmond Park aren't too bad in the wet - it does not really get muddy (which I hate - especially if I can't wash it off before heading back). A good day. I hope they don't close the park during lockdown - the announcements so far do not seem to suggest this is the case. Not that it's so important - I can run around here or bike indoors but it will be nice to get out somewhere if I choose to do so.
This was my next game at Silvermere Golf Club. Terrible game (it was muddy) but great scenery. Bought a hybrid club to plug the gap betwen my 5 iron and my driver and it was great, but little did I know that this would be my last game before lockdown. Oh well... (There is a petition going round though to keep golf courses open, at least for families to play together) What's also important in golf is the company, and on both days it was a pleasure. One thing about throwing yourself into a new environment is that it forces you out of your comfort zone, and forces you to make new friends.
Saw these guys while running at Hyde Park
I must have strained my back a little though, because after my long run yesterday it has stiffened up again. Resting for a day after the golf game obviously was not enough. Maybe playing twice in a week isn't for an old man - I could get away with it when I was younger. I used to play 36 holes a day when going to Malaysia previously. The police had corporate membership at Pulai Springs in Johor (they had 2 courses) and it made for a great day trip. An interesting feature of every trip was our zi char dinner at a coffee shop in a quiet industrial area. If my memory serves me correctly, the owner would let us in when we arrived, and then lock the collapsible gates - I think this happened after some robbery cases in the state.
This is an interesting time for me in terms of fitness. There are days when I feel really good and can push myself (though it is an easy reality check when you see someone who looks like they are running slowly, and they are overtaking me...), and there are days when I feel every one of my 58 years. I just need to listen to my body better. Haven't been sleeping that well either so maybe I really need a good rest - the lockdown has come at the right time haha...
Jason, my small group leader told me it wasn't going to be easy being stuck at home alone but I said it was alright as I already had some practice (during self-isolation). He said we could chat anytime, which was really kind of him.
No comments:
Post a Comment