Remember

Talents

"Success is predicated on what has been entrusted"

Transcension

Sometimes I wonder whether I've any goals in running. Ryan Hall, a US marathoner, is easily the marathoner I admire the most. At present, he is coached by God - yes God. He studies in a church when he doesn't train. He has had amazing successes - 2:04:58 Boston Marathon and recently qualified for the 2012 USA Olympics team. Perhaps it seems as though the supernatural input gives him the ability to run, and run well(he first started running after a vision).

However, he dropped out of the 2012 London Olympics Marathon around mile 10 due to injury. Yet, I think this makes him all the more admirable, as at present, he's managed to come back from this setback. He has not questioned God. "From [Him] are all things" - God gives and can take away.

Personally, I have experienced the pain of labour without tasting the fruit I selfishly desired. The experiences stem from my hockey season - twice. Last year, prior to my semis, on the training 3 days before, I pulled my hamstring. Who knows if the result would be different if I could play. God took away, but He gave when He gave us bronze through a spectacular golden gold. That moment was joyous. This year, we crashed out. Yet, I don't question. I accept, and learn, cos' I know that every experience is purposed.

I have learnt that the pursuit of material accomplishments, with the satisfaction it provides, is ephemeral. No doubt it'll make me feel good, for awhile, but these facets fade, due to the desire for more. I think initially, one reason I took up running was cos' it seemed like an individual challenge - I didn't need to depend on anyone unlike team sports. However, I see the dangers of this pursuit and I hope that over time I will gradually draw away from the notions of accomplishments and measurable success by human standards. 

When I run, I want to be engaged in the moment, yet disengaged with not just the act of running, but my whole life, such that I'm able to transcend these experiences and see things through Your eyes. Nonetheless, I think measurable goals are brilliant for motivation. If You enable, I want a sub 4 marathon and an improved 2.4k time.

A card to Hall from his family.

On a side note, I visited an ortho today to get my hip checked. Was diagnosed with mild greater(oxymoron-ic) tronchanteric bursitis. Thankfully (and to my surprise), the doctor said I should continue running. Though I'm wondering if it's a conspiracy to get me injured further and return to him for more consultations. Orthos earn lots of money ~ Hopefully some stretching and strengthening will alleviate the pain soon, since the PAssion Wave Run is coming up on the 30th Sept.

Race Against Cancer 2012

My second race thus far, suggested by Ben. Signed up for the 15k with the guys. The girls signed up for 10k. The race was to take place at East Coast Park on the 22nd July, 2012.

The night before the race, we stayed over at Zhiting's place. Barely got any sleep though, perhaps it was due to the different sleeping environment and my nervousness about this run. I was intent on doing a decent timing for this run, preferably about 1:15 - 1:20, averaging about 5min/km.

Reached venue promptly at 7:20 or so, rushed over to the start point, and we were off. When we began, I certainly felt the fatigue due to the poor night's rest. I don't recall many details, but I know the first km was passed at around 5:40 due to the crowd. I reached the 7km mark at about 37. I was on track for a sub 1:20 timing, but the pace was relaxed, hence I was convinced that a negative split was possible. If I remember, I hit the 12k mark slightly above an hour. Sped up for the last 3k(though I didn't manage my pace well) and finished in 1:14:13. I'm estimating my 7.5k splits were 39/35min. 

The home stretch - I take a particular liking to this photograph. Credit to Danik Salasalan for the photograph.

Upon completion, met Zhiting who finished her 10k in a commendable 1:02, then found Joanna(1:05 for 10km). Subsequently, found Jiajun(1:28 for 15km). We were wondering where Ben and Bryan were. After eternity, they arrived. I shan't post their timings to protect their pride:)

Friends from church:)

Those from church left subsequently. Waited for my amazing classmate & ex-schoolmate. Both arrived about 40mins after the 15k flag off. Nic Soh and Hao Bai completed eventually, though with horrible gun timings;D

We certainly'll be doing more races;) SCMS?

RAC was definitely a pleasant race experience, the race was comfortable, with hydration(pocari sweat/water) available every 2k and it wasn't too crowded. Post-race refreshments were satisfying as well. However, event-tee sizings were rather limited. Personally I'd have preferred a smaller and less 'fluttery' shirt. Nonetheless, a highly recommended race!

Belief

"Sure, it's about running. But mostly, it's about life."

Dean Karnazes

Sundown Marathon 2012

As mentioned previously, I was first notified of this event through Ben, though he posed the idea of participating in the half instead of full.

Though I never was fond of distance running, I didn't despise it either. Yet, with the dashed hopes that my sporting season had left me with, perhaps the full marathon came as a timely substitute, barely a month after the sports season had concluded for my team. With the necessity to taper, I effectively had 3 weeks of preparation, with little experience on how to go about it. This was my first official race I had ever registered for. 

During the 3 weeks of training before my taper, I had undeniably made some mistakes. For one, due to my previous hockey training, I continued with short interval runs, throwing in only one long run(by my standards, 10-20km) a week.

The next mistake I made was to adjust my running technique. Previously, I had a cadence of about 150. Upon reading up about running technique, I increased mine to 180, while shortening stride length. This by itself was non-detrimental, but what was bad is that due to this newer technique, I assumed I would be able to run faster. With 2 weeks remaining till the marathon(26th may), I did several trial runs to measure a suitable marathon pace, terribly overestimating my ability. I decided on a 10.8km/hr pace, hoping to break 4 hours. This pace was definitely comfortable to my lungs, but I would only find out during the run that my legs would disagree. 

The race was to begin on the 27th of May at 12.30am. The date and time posed some challenges to me. Firstly, the date was barely a day after my grandfather's cremation and was right at the end of the school term, meaning during the week I had trouble getting sufficient rest. In addition, this was the first night run I would be doing, attributed to the insufficient time for preparation.

Before the ordeal.


Reached the race venue at 11.30pm. Arrived at the starting line around 12.30am. Crossed the start at about 12.45am. The initial 10km or so was relatively crowded because of the merging of the half and full categories. Held a desirable 5:40/km pace amidst the crowd. The separation between the two categories was relieving, though the lengthy pounding of the ECP route began. 





At the 20km mark, I was feeling slightly fatigued(it was 1.45am), but what was more threatening was the fatigue in my legs. My quads felt slightly uncomfortable. Rest of the body was alright. Listen to your body. Well that piece of advice was not heeded and I stuck to my pace, till disaster struck at 25km(prior to this, my longest run was 24km in 2011).





Once the cramps came, my run was over. But my race wasn't. The remaining 17km was a real test of grit, as I made every attempt to move forward, often walking, occasionally jogging. In addition, the heavens poured. I had cramps, was drenched and was cold. I knew I had to keep moving. Nonetheless, the consequences are evident in the split timings.














Around the 33km mark, my right shoe came off into mud as the route led into a short stretch of open field that had enjoyed the pouring rain. Unable to put my shoe back on(due to my cramps), I grabbed it and continued jogging. I asked God to let me run, and He certainly gave me the ability to do so(with only my left shoe). I believe I managed to jog through the next 6km, though eventually the acute pain of cramps prevented me from doing so. The last 2 odd km were far from dramatic. It was a simple act of perseverance that brought me past Nicoll Highway, towards the finish at a slow(yet painful) pace. My timing was far from what I desired, but the completion of the marathon was satisfying in itself.





Sundown Marathon 2012 - 5:07:01.

Here is me with my hand-held shoe that I failed to put on.

Post-race details

Overall, pleasant race experience, save the typhoon, though that's no fault of the organisers. Hydration was available every 2km, gels around 26, bananas at 34 from what I remember. However, some areas along ECP were poorly lit. Personally, without proper acclimatisation, running at night was significantly more fatiguing, hence care must be taken for this race.

Journey

This blog is possibly significant in representing my relatively new passion in distance running. Prior to this, long-distance events were not my interest, though I never excelled in any other distance either. Here were some of my previous official event timed runs.

100m - 11.96 - 2009

2.4km - 8:53 - 2012

10km - 52:13 - 2011

My interest in distance running was inspired by a disappointing sporting season, accompanied with a simple suggestion by Ben, a friend from church, to participate in the Sundown Half-Marathon. The sporting season that ended abruptly left me feeling that an alternative avenue for the training to pay off came in the form of the 42.195km challenge - to be elaborated in a separate post.

If there's an individual(other than myself) who deserves credit for fueling my interest,  I would attribute it to none other than Ben, without whom I would not have found a platform to develop my interest.

I believe my interest in distance running, amidst the satisfaction it provides, is the ability for me to find God in my runs. Running brings me to new places to observe nature and people. I find God in the vibrance of life. And occasionally I feel His pleasure when I run. This is why I run.

My stumble upon Ben's creation of a documented running log inspired me to do likewise. Previously, I only kept my training log in an excel sheet.

This is my brief introduction on my inspiration and background in distance running. I foresee that it's likely to be a long-lasting passion because of the spiritual and physical aspects it develops.

"The only journey is one within"

Rainer Maria Rilke