A year ago, I disliked sports, the sweat that stink, the laundry to wash, the sufferings of it.
A year later, I am proudly an endurance athlete, and not slowing down...
Year 2010-Year 2011 had been an awesome year for me, especially in sports. This was the year in my 23 years of life that I had achieved so much, whether expected or not. Here're the three most significant and memorable runs...
(One thing I need my readers to know, I'm definitely not a good writer, and I disliked writing since the first essay I written during my schooling days. But I really want to record everything down, so that people around me and those that I do not know who read this blog, can be inspired too, it's my whole-life purpose! And I could only think of blogging as the best way for now to reach out to as many others as possible. Do let me know if there's a better idea!)
Memorable Race #1
Newton 2010 25K Puchong, Malaysia
Date: 26th September, 2010
Venue: Puchong, Selangor
Gross Timing: 3:22:34
At the starting line, my sifus' friends were amazed by my courage to take on 25K as my debut. All they said was "Good Luck", a term I didn't like as I believed more in faith and hard-work. I didn't know what to expect, didn't know how far was 25K, how fast should I run, or how should I run. All I know was, I must finish the race strong, and if possible, grab the challenger medal too!
I forgotten whether it was a chalk gun or a horn that started the run, but I know I'm so near to the starting line, and am so excited that I just ran along the same speed with those in front of me when it started. It was those "moments" I've been waiting for (I think I sprinted)! First hill came upon, not a problem, I've run hill-repeats all the time, as that's the only route I can run if I don't want to go far from where I stay. Second hill came, "not a problem!" I told myself, "I'd been training in this elevation!". Owh, and that was only the first 5K. At 10K, I was concentrating on continuing to run, not walk. At 14K, I was struggling because the sun is so hot it's like noon time (it was only 8.00am)!
What went through my mind?
"Why the heck am I here, when I can be sleeping at home comfortably, and have a great breakfast later on?!"
"Why am I torturing myself here?!"
All the negatives, like most of every runners, was dominating my mind.
But I countered that by self-talking constantly, letting my mind know my goal, and I'm definitely going to achieve that!
"Reaching that finish line!"
I ran, jog, and walk the remaining hills. Binge on 100plus whenever there's a water station like a life-savior. My leg was paining, not excruciating, but to the extent that I need to run to keep the pain mild, it'd be striking pain if I walk (what a reason to keep myself running). My sifus told me to enjoy the run. I think they are wackos because I'm in pain now, how the heck can I enjoy?!
At the last 5K, I remember that one thing that I loved doing, and could do it there and then.
To Inspire, to Motivate, to Encourage
Hence, every person that I see slowing down, or giving up, or just looked "dead". I gave them my verbal support. I told them to "keep up the good work!", "Finish line is just in front!", "C'mon, you're almost there!", and other encouraging lines. Some of them felt great and thanked me, I felt great too, and was really enjoying that moment of running. Some others, just didn't bother and even show me the "wtf" face XD...oh well, their brain might had been fried under that hot sun, couldn't blame them.
I finished in 3:22:34 no finisher medal, but I finished strong, I ran to the finish line. I got my finisher tee. That was one hell of a debut! Instead of dwelling on how much pain and suffering it was, I indulged in the feeling of accomplishment. I'm motivated, inspired to race once again to improve myself, and just to race, I love being competitive, for now, with myself.
Lessons learnt:
Any race at Puchong are not for the weak hearted.
Don't sprint at starting.
Isotonic drinks are not expensive drinks, don't drink like you've never drink for days!
However hard the race is, whatever condition you're in, unless fatal, finish that race strong!
Memorable Race #2
Singapore Sundown Full Marathon
Date: 26th May, 2011
Venue: East Coast, Singapore
Gross Timing: 5:35:00
I hated training as much as Muhammad Ali does, but as he said
"Don't quit, suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion"
Lessons learnt:
Always run the distance you want to race during training.
Know your body, know your pace, control it, don't be controlled.
Physical training alone is not enough, mental training is as important, if not more.
Again, never ever drink isotonic drinks like you've never drink before!
Recovery with ice or compression is vital to post-marathon "survival".
Always have faith that you can do what you want to.
Memorable Race #3
PJ Half Marathon, Malaysia
Date: 30th October, 2011
Newton 2010 25K Puchong, Malaysia
Date: 26th September, 2010
Venue: Puchong, Selangor
Gross Timing: 3:22:34
It was my debut run. I was supposed to sign up for McD Olympic 7K run, but my friend was late for registration, and I didn't want to give up my first race when I was really in that heat for it. But there're no other <10K races available that month! My only choice, which my sifus had registered for - Newton 2010 25K Puchong. 25K was a lot, my training runs at most was 8K only, for the previous 2 months. But what the heck?!It's now or never! I needed to start somewhere! I registered...
At the starting line, my sifus' friends were amazed by my courage to take on 25K as my debut. All they said was "Good Luck", a term I didn't like as I believed more in faith and hard-work. I didn't know what to expect, didn't know how far was 25K, how fast should I run, or how should I run. All I know was, I must finish the race strong, and if possible, grab the challenger medal too!
I forgotten whether it was a chalk gun or a horn that started the run, but I know I'm so near to the starting line, and am so excited that I just ran along the same speed with those in front of me when it started. It was those "moments" I've been waiting for (I think I sprinted)! First hill came upon, not a problem, I've run hill-repeats all the time, as that's the only route I can run if I don't want to go far from where I stay. Second hill came, "not a problem!" I told myself, "I'd been training in this elevation!". Owh, and that was only the first 5K. At 10K, I was concentrating on continuing to run, not walk. At 14K, I was struggling because the sun is so hot it's like noon time (it was only 8.00am)!
What went through my mind?
"Why the heck am I here, when I can be sleeping at home comfortably, and have a great breakfast later on?!"
"Why am I torturing myself here?!"
All the negatives, like most of every runners, was dominating my mind.
But I countered that by self-talking constantly, letting my mind know my goal, and I'm definitely going to achieve that!
"Reaching that finish line!"
I ran, jog, and walk the remaining hills. Binge on 100plus whenever there's a water station like a life-savior. My leg was paining, not excruciating, but to the extent that I need to run to keep the pain mild, it'd be striking pain if I walk (what a reason to keep myself running). My sifus told me to enjoy the run. I think they are wackos because I'm in pain now, how the heck can I enjoy?!
At the last 5K, I remember that one thing that I loved doing, and could do it there and then.
To Inspire, to Motivate, to Encourage
Hence, every person that I see slowing down, or giving up, or just looked "dead". I gave them my verbal support. I told them to "keep up the good work!", "Finish line is just in front!", "C'mon, you're almost there!", and other encouraging lines. Some of them felt great and thanked me, I felt great too, and was really enjoying that moment of running. Some others, just didn't bother and even show me the "wtf" face XD...oh well, their brain might had been fried under that hot sun, couldn't blame them.
I finished in 3:22:34 no finisher medal, but I finished strong, I ran to the finish line. I got my finisher tee. That was one hell of a debut! Instead of dwelling on how much pain and suffering it was, I indulged in the feeling of accomplishment. I'm motivated, inspired to race once again to improve myself, and just to race, I love being competitive, for now, with myself.
Lessons learnt:
Any race at Puchong are not for the weak hearted.
Don't sprint at starting.
Isotonic drinks are not expensive drinks, don't drink like you've never drink for days!
However hard the race is, whatever condition you're in, unless fatal, finish that race strong!
Memorable Race #2
Singapore Sundown Full Marathon
Date: 26th May, 2011
Venue: East Coast, Singapore
Gross Timing: 5:35:00
For my first full marathon I wanted it to be significant and memorable.
Hence I choose somewhere far, sometime different, with a daring goal to achieve.
I wanted to be among the rare runners to achieve a sub-4 timing in my F.M debut.
I committed myself to 3 months of training and semi-strict diet. I did kettlebells, resistance, cross-trian and running workouts (Training Log). I improvised my training type according to what I read, and my condition. But I missed out one very obvious thing - LSD. My long runs on weekends are only 15K, and 2x Half Marathon race. That's all. And I suffered the consequences.
"Don't quit, suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion"
Read the race report here.
I didn't achieve my goal, but I'm no more a marathon-virgin!Lessons learnt:
Always run the distance you want to race during training.
Know your body, know your pace, control it, don't be controlled.
Physical training alone is not enough, mental training is as important, if not more.
Again, never ever drink isotonic drinks like you've never drink before!
Recovery with ice or compression is vital to post-marathon "survival".
Always have faith that you can do what you want to.
Memorable Race #3
PJ Half Marathon, Malaysia
Date: 30th October, 2011
Venue: MPPJ, Selangor
Gross Timing: 2:03:54
Never Stop Running
Gross Timing: 2:03:54
After 2 crazy full marathons, I stopped running for 2 1/2 months. I was totally injured. All muscles, tendons and bones related to running had worn off. I took a break as that was the best decision if I want to continue running. But I didn't totally stop training for that 2 months. I stayed hungry for running-related knowledge, everything from running history, training, nutrition, injuries, to running anatomy. I studied and digested everything I could. Learning about the details on what contributes to an efficient runner, improvements, how to run faster effortlessly, how to eat better and train better, etc.
A month later, my leg didn't got better, so I did some research, and found out that I'd a shoe that didn't fit me. It was the most basic thing to have - a fitting shoe! My sifu had told me before, it's definitely my shoe problem, but I didn't want to believe (heck, the shoe was RM450! Of course I denied!), but that RM450 and noob-mind caused me those injuries that I could had avoided. I bought a shoe that I felt very comfortable wearing it, forgetting the fact that after putting on some miles, the shoes will get bigger due the foot movement within the shoe, expanding the mid-area space. And because of those extra-space, my foot wasn't being protected properly, leaving it to exaggerate my foot movement during foot-strike, hence the injuries. A week later, I fork out and got myself something cheaper, but a shoe that fit me nicely. My leg totally healed after a few experimental runs. One 1/2 months since the F.M, I was missing running so badly, it's only then that I know I won't give up on running, it's in my blood (And the fact that my mom was a track-and-field athlete when she's young motivated me!)! I started resistance training, and eventually Kettle Bells. I slowly picked up running doing slow 5K-8Ks, just to wake my running muscles up.
Without much runs at all, let alone training runs in that whole 2 1/2 months, I got back into races
End of September, as a phantom runner, I ran the Siemen's 2011 10K run @ 1:05:00
Beginning of October, I ran Adidas KOTR 16.8K @ 1:47:00
And at the end of October 2011, I ran PJ Half Marathon with 10K@0:50:00, and 21K@2:03:00
That's TWO new PBs, without any prior training runs (unless you count 2x 10K weekend runs as training runs)! How AWESOME was that?!
Lessons learnt:
Be hungry for knowledge, know everything about what you want to be successful at.
Injuries are not to be taken lightly, recoveries are essential.
Weight and resistance training are as important as training runs.
BE OPTIMISTIC ALWAYS!
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My sifu always asked me to enjoy races, enjoy the journey and process. But to me, enjoyment only comes after the process, where I savor the moment of victory, of breaking a PB, or stepping up the podium one day! He was totally skeptical on me running a debut sub-4 marathon, targeting a goal-time that is far beyond reach at that moment, on running the way I loved to run.
To all readers out there, it doesn't matter what people think of you that makes you - you; it's what you believed out of yourself that's more important.
If I ever listened to him that I really can't run a sub-4 marathon, I can't run a target goal-time, or that I shouldn't train like this or eat like that; I will definitely train less, be pessimistic, and never do my best running, giving all I have during a race. I won't finish 2 FM in a month. I won't ever run a 50-min 10K after 2 months not running. I'd never enjoy running because it's not the way I see running as it is.
I believed I can do it, hence I did it. So trust yourself, and be yourself.
(I'm focusing on the subject of faith in what you're doing under legal, healthy, and moral term, not the opposite)
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