Jackie Chan fans, remember that movie "WHO AM I?" in 1998 where Jackie was in an accident, being rescued by a tribe in some hidden African village, lost his memory, then shouted, "WHO AM I?!" in the middle of the dessert? NO! This post is definitely not about soul-searching or trying to recall who I exactly is. In fact, I would like my dear readers to know me a little (you would always have the benefit of doubt for not knowing me in-person ^^) so that what you will be reading in the future, would make sense, and you could relate to anyone, or yourself, who you think is similar to who I am characteristically, personality-wise, and mentally. And it's also best for you to know where my passion to run comes from, and what is driving me towards that dream that seem impossible to lots of people...
It always seems impossible until it's done - Nelson Mandela
We will start with how I got into running...
A sport I totally avoided at all cost when I was young (teenage-young). Almost everyone who doesn't run mentioned that running is tough! Where they will continue to elaborate that they couldn't breath, they got aches here and there, sharp pain on their rib-cage, etc. What they and myself, didn't realized is that our body muscles will definitely be injured, however minor, if we push it beyond its limits. The after-effect of that wear and tear is the reparation process, where it ached - DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). What happened then to that pain after a rare badminton session, hiking, and occasional gym sessions? Well, I came to an assumption that those first sessions in comparison, running gave more suffering than badminton and hiking gave excitement, for me at least. Running, to my realization afterwards, is a serene sport, a lifestyle, a teacher. But it's not until I found that passion, or really got interested in knowing this not-so-fun-sport that I began to understand and accept that fact.
A sport I totally avoided at all cost when I was young (teenage-young). Almost everyone who doesn't run mentioned that running is tough! Where they will continue to elaborate that they couldn't breath, they got aches here and there, sharp pain on their rib-cage, etc. What they and myself, didn't realized is that our body muscles will definitely be injured, however minor, if we push it beyond its limits. The after-effect of that wear and tear is the reparation process, where it ached - DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). What happened then to that pain after a rare badminton session, hiking, and occasional gym sessions? Well, I came to an assumption that those first sessions in comparison, running gave more suffering than badminton and hiking gave excitement, for me at least. Running, to my realization afterwards, is a serene sport, a lifestyle, a teacher. But it's not until I found that passion, or really got interested in knowing this not-so-fun-sport that I began to understand and accept that fact.
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all - Helen Keller
I was a daring person who loved challenges, in terms of obstacles in life and academic. Not so much in sports because, I'm so not a sports person before. Not until I initiated Project Ryders with inspiration from a group of course-mates who aspired to cycle all the way to Langkawi and back. First road-cycling experience - over 700KM (didn't manage to finish the whole leg of 1,200KM due to lots of factors) in 1 week, fund-raising for a charity group along the way, with no prior training or cycling experience. Dare-devil? What about my 1st official race being Newton 25K at the ever-so-hilly-Puchong? Opps, "rewind"....
Because of getting hooked up with cycling, I got to know my current sifu (called him so because he was the one who brought me into running) who often poison me with the goodness of running and participating in races. Didn't want to believe it unless I tried it out myself, I began running (jogging at first) around my housing area, just 1-2KM each time, once-twice a week. It was hard alright, with all the breathing difficulties (not to mention I'm an asthmatic child) and aches. But eventually it was easier, and I started my first run with my sifu of 8KM rolling-hills at my housing area, slowly building up to 3-4 times a week, every early morning @ 6am before I head to work. I never look back since.
Endurance sports had brought me a new meaning in life, especially from running. It taught me the meaning of "no pain no gain", "training pays off", "practice makes perfect", and all other life quotations that we would use a life time, if not a career period, or otherwise, to really grasp the significance of it. Seeing people younger and older than me, doing what they like - running, in marathons or early morning runs (though I'm the only young one in my housing area) inspire me with their passion and reasons to run. You can search for a thousand reasons on-line of why people run. Though there are millions of people who runs, a common reason will definitely be there, but the significance is in the method in how they explain that reason to others.
Endurance sports had brought me a new meaning in life, especially from running. It taught me the meaning of "no pain no gain", "training pays off", "practice makes perfect", and all other life quotations that we would use a life time, if not a career period, or otherwise, to really grasp the significance of it. Seeing people younger and older than me, doing what they like - running, in marathons or early morning runs
There's always a touching or inspiring story behind every runners' reason to run
And my reason?
I've no reason to stop running.
Believing that I can inspire people by being a role model as an endurance athlete can best illustrates the meaning of life that one could hold on to. To show what it really means to not give up easily. To inspire everyone to have a dream.
And no dream is too big as long as you have faith that you can do it,
and just do it!
Believing that I can inspire people by being a role model as an endurance athlete can best illustrates the meaning of life that one could hold on to. To show what it really means to not give up easily. To inspire everyone to have a dream.
And no dream is too big as long as you have faith that you can do it,
and just do it!
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