Week 29: Highgate Hill to Café O-mai (15km, 99min)

I have been ill this week with the household’s flu from the past couple of weeks developing into bronchial symptoms following the exertions of last week’s City-to-Surf.  I had contemplated not running, after a harrowing couple of days of persistent coughing, but the weight of responsibility for maintaining BOTR’s spartan training regime through to the Antarctic-exposed Queenstown Marathon was my motivator to get out of bed this morning.  I have embarked on a course of just-in-date and unprescribed antibiotics like any sensible health professional, and was furthermore sure that a slow run this morning would be a wonderful panacea for clearing the chest and lifting the spirits.

We’ve commenced the countdown to the finale, having this week started the 16 week training programme that is available on the Queenstown Marathon website.  This is a worrisome prospect as the notion of running 42km still seems almost insurmountable.

There was some discussion this morning on the likelihood that the 2 hour marathon time is not far from becoming a reality (not for a moment was this directed towards our crew!). This led the group to consider the part that technology has had to play in the seemingly better, faster and stronger performances of athletes and how, in a small way, BOTR have embraced this trend of technology for comfort and performance.  We have found ourselves downloading running Apps, donning bright pink compression socks, trialling running jackets and purchasing a Garman.  Bronwyn swears by her compression technology and is contemplating a second pair given her improved calf comfort.  It begs the question whether it is really fair to compare past decade records with current day performances.  With these profound ponderings, amidst our other chatterings, we ran on at our not-quite 2 hour marathon pace.

We conquered the undulations of Highgate Hill, crossed the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, and followed the river path around The University of Queensland past the student colleges. There was a requisite stop to pat a beautiful border collie who turned herself inside out with delight, and then a small climb up towards the St Lucia golf course, a weaving descent onto Lambert road and a flat stroll towards the Indooroopilly Bridge.  Other than a few groups of lycra clad cyclists and some “In Training” running groups, the streets were quiet.  We followed the Brisbane River through Graceville towards Tennyson.  We then deviated from our previous paths and crossed up towards Ipswich Road at Yeronga where we joined onto School Road and ran up past the Yeronga swimming pool and Memorial Park.  A short cut across the park brought us out to the intersection of Ipswich and Cracknell Road and thence breakfast.
Café O-mai is Vietnamese and presents a cultural variation on the many traditional bacon-and-eggs breakfasts to date.  Café O-mai appears to have already been discovered, going by the vast number of bright-eyed parents and children enlivening the dining area before 8am.  The sign directing people how to line up outside, while appearing a little pretentious by Brisbane standards, was actually a necessity.  We were grateful for our early start as it ensured we were able to secure a prime table near the front of the café, while wondering if it was the inspiring food which had led to the improved fertility rate of our fellow diners, or if it was merely that young parents and their babies are the only viable patrons that early in the morning?

Beef Pho

The health professional in me determined that the Pho would be suitably restorative against my illness, and undoubtedly would complement the unprescribed antibiotics perfectly.  The Pho is described as ‘comfort soup with deep spices and brewed for 48hours’.   I ordered the large beef Pho($14) with it’s rice noodles, Thai basil and lemon on the side and an extra order of chillies, and could feel the restorative powers emanating from this deliciously steamy offering.  Caitlyn ordered the O-mai’s Phat ($18), an equally tasty looking dish that included eggs ‘your way’, a lemongrass pork sausage, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, a sweet tasty chilli jam and her favourite element:  a sweet potato cake.  In BOTR tradition, Caitlyn ordered an additional serve of avocado ($3). Bronwyn ordered the generous Vietnamese omelette which included prawns and pork mince, sprouts, mushrooms and a side of house-made soy sauce and steamed rice.  On the menu it was noted to be ‘back by popular demand,’ and we were left perplexed as to why it ever left?  The only concern was the succinct service, which is likely a result of the rapid growth in popularity in the self-proclaimed family business.
With hearty food, rich with flavour, Café O-mai provides an invigorating, flavourful cultural take on traditional café breakfasts.  Its bustling dining area filled with happy-looking diners show the approach has already been endorsed.  This combination of interesting food and  ambience enabled the BOTR team to promptly add it to the short-list of cafes “to-be-resampled-after-the-run-is-done”.

O-mai Phat

Vietnamese Omelette