Running Log

Here's my running log that I'll update weekly. To view details of workouts, please visit this Google Docs page and highlight the workout. Additionally, you may choose to view my Strava profile. Last but not least, I've also started writing some race reviews on JustRunLah!



Saturday, January 13, 2018

IVP 2018

Blessed to have been able to participate and I absolutely enjoyed and treasured the God-given opportunity!

Alongside.

Gratitude.
Photo credits: Alvin

I had always wanted to run for IVP. This year (or I should say, in the AY 2017-18), I found out with minimal notice (essentially about a week) that qualifying for the 5000m was possible. Yet the other consideration was - when was the 5000m - as there was some variation in schedules across previous years. 

I can choose to attribute my qualification for the right event at the right time as pure coincidence or God's blessing and I choose to acknowledge that it must have been the latter. 

Consider my circumstances. I was in the midst of preparation for MBBS, therefore was running minimally (20-30km a week, a far cry from the mileage and intensity I was doing just a year ago). After MBBS was over, I would fly to Taiwan from 15th January onwards. This meant that I could only take part in IVP if the event I participated in fell on 13th January 2018 (Saturday). Furthermore, I had to qualify. God opened the opportunity for me, and I seized it.

The week of MBBS was a challenging one, physically. I was unwell. Thankfully, much of the preparation took place in the months preceding. It forced me to recognise my limitations and rely on God for His providence. I write this prior to receiving my results but I write this confident that whatever the outcome, He wills for it and is pleased with what I chose to do.

On the day of IVP itself, I was still unwell. I had an uncomfortable throat and lingering lethargy. The weather was drizzly (as it had been for the past 120 hours?). Though a little excited, I was joyful. Sheer joy at the privilege and blessing to be running that afternoon.

We were flagged off just after 5pm. It was still drizzling and the ground was damp - in fact it had been persistently drizzling for about the past 3 days.

I settled into a decent pace, perhaps a tad too fast for my fitness at that moment. Surprisingly, the first 2km felt absolutely comfortable. I was running with Yurong for the first few laps, before he started to drop back ever so slightly. Ahead of me was a pack of about 4 runners. I could hear the cheers suggesting I catch that pack, however I knew that even trying to speed up by a few seconds would cost me dearly. In fact, I was probably running a few seconds too quick.

The pack ahead maintained an amazingly consistent pace, gradually pulling further ahead. This left me in no man's land. Yet I realised I was in 8th position - which would actually enable to me to score points. It wasn't long till one of the pack dropped back and I caught him - I was now in 7th! I was surprised to even be in a position of getting points for NTU, having seen the start list. However, a couple of podium contenders did not start.

It was a largely uneventful race till the second last back straight, where Yurong pulled up beside me. Were we going to complete this race again? The bell rang. And I guess Yurong realised we were only starting the bell lap. Yet another miscalculation on his part hahaha.

I saw it was just around 17:32 where we started the bell lap. This meant a sub-19 was still possible! I remained conservative for the first 200, before starting to kick as I rounded the final curve. It was well within control, yet immensely satisfying. In previous races, satisfaction was best attained by running intelligently, running negative splits, or really running till I got myself nauseous. Today, it was just about running. That was enough.

I have seen how God has opened up this opportunity - and other opportunities - over the past few months as I returned in Singapore. I have gotten my spiritual life into better order and perhaps as I contemplate my circumstances through clearer lenses, I constantly am awakened to the blessings that have saturated my life.

To God be the Glory.

The chief end of man is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Monday, January 1, 2018