It was a bit cloudy and it did not feel too hot. So the start of the run felt quite pleasant. I kept nice and steady running pace but the higher up I was getting the more I was struggling. It took me a while to realize that it is seriously humid again. Anyway I kept running all the way to Tai Fung Au except a very brief cool down pause at the pipe on the flattish open section about 800m earlier.

From Tai Fung Au to the top of Parker it was quite a struggle. I did jog here and there but mostly it was just a fast hike. I was sweating like a pig and drinking a lot. Thirst was the theme of the day. I thought that I would have to skip Butler…

I made a short stop at the top. Long enough to take a picture as usual and refill the Nuun bottle from my soft flask water reserve.

The usual Parker view

I jogged down and up to the next radar. After spitting my lungs out at the gate I dashed down the road back towards Quarry Bay.

The downhill run generated some breeze. This made me feel better. I decided to go up to Mt. Butler after all. I hated that decision almost immediately. That short climb was a total sweat fest. At the Butler top I had very little water left and I was seriously thirsty. I did not stay long. There was a group of hikers coming from the other direction. I did not want to have to overtake them all on the way back down.

I quickly jogged down the steps. Before running down to the city I cooled down again at the toilets. After that just a quick run down to Quarry Bay and back home.

Total about 12km, with some uphill struggle and lots of sweat. Good exercise but legs are feeling it.

Exactly a month and a week to go till the finish of TDS!

Link to Strava here.