Running towards Dream Realization

Why I love running that much? Or perhaps why am I doing so many running lately? And what is my ultimate aim? These are the common question being asked lately. From January Penang Run (Half Marathon) until most recent June Pisang Relay, I guess FB played an important role as an advertisement of a “running life” image of mine. Haha.

Well, story starts like this. Oppa, joined Penang Run Series 2013-2014. The whole series, split into 4 series that is designed to run Penang Island, with each series running half marathon distance. When I realize about it, 1^st series already kick start, and I won be able to collect the pieces of medal and make it into a full penang island map. I then decided to participant in the last series, that route is designed to run 22km from Teluk Bahang dam until Esplanade. It’s a route that is running along the coastal line, and I thought it will be fun and awesome to enjoy beautiful sunrise scene along this route.

Just imagine, someone that never have any running training nor any indoor gym training, running a half marathon. It could be rather killing. But what drive me to complete the race? Why at the first place that I even run this half marathon, I too questioned myself. Beginning of the race, I said to myself, I love running, and choose to run by my own will. Also, mom dreamt was to join marathon or walkathon with my late daddy, I will fulfill it on behalf of both of them. With a limitation of 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the 22km race, and lack of any form of training, I doubted myself also. Along the route, I keep monitoring the time. I want to complete the race within the time frame set. I want the medal! The medal had become my motivation to finish the race at the last stretch of the race.

Gladly, I complete the race in 3h 22m. After the race, I checked the result of the race. Sad to say, my timing is nothing to shout about AT ALL… Kinda shame also. On average, female participant should complete the race between 2h 15m to 2h45m range. Those champion female category will be looking on a timing of 1h 38m plus plus. I quietly set a target, I want to set my foot on the podium, one final day. But I am not as determined yet.

By co-incident, I have a continuous running week after 25 May 2014. Learning from the first run, I then tell myself, I should do more running or something. Else, the continuous long distance run is not a good thing. I then start to run more on the road, but I kinda hurt my knee cap, which is not a good sign. So, I asked a gym trainer advice. He asked me go for more indoor gym class session. For the sake of the run, I go more gym class session, preparing myself while recovering my knee.

Until I participate in Maybank Bali Marathon Selection Test, I am more determine to train myself. Before I even departed to participate in the selection test, I received an email stating that their target was we need to finish 25 lapses of 500m in 45min. That is insane!! It is international marathon runners record. The Kenyian. However, I still went for the selection. Without enough sleep and preparation, I joined the selection. During the run, I knew I won’t be selection. I knew my time won make it to the top. Though of giving up crossed my mind. But I told myself, I travelled more than 300km and sleep less than 2 hours, I am not here to get a DNF aka Did Not Finished. I cannot bear another shame spot less than a week time. (I went to Tioman Eco Challenge, one of South East Asia toughest jungle trail, not completing the race).

However, I enjoyed this race the most, of all until now. Along the way, I received a lot of support and encouragement from unknown-name-Maybank-colleague. I love them. Even, the girl who won the race, while she was bypassing me for another round, she encouraged me to keep running. Her sweet face crossed my mind when I am doing my running session now. Basically I am the last person to finish the race. But because I don’t want a DNF, I continued and asked if I can complete my run. They allowed. I am happy. I apologized because they have to wait for me to finish. Another maybanker, whom I like also, said, “Don’t be sorry, you must be happy to run.” This sentence still well kept within my heart. And of course, to my greatest gratitude, I appreciate my best batch mate, whom accompany me by running beside me, motivate me to complete the race. I felt love in this run, which I treasure.

Tioman DNF and Maybank Bali Marathon Selection test defeat hit me, hard enough. When I was in the bus heading back to Penang, Hanson called. That small chat is one of the turning point. I started question myself. Why am I running? What I really want? I can’t be blindly registering for race after race. Am I really going after the medal of the race? What is it that I want from it? If I am determined going after trophy on the podium, GO For IT and Work towards IT!

Gladly, I am not totally defeat yet. I still have a top 20 medal from Komtar Tower Run to defense my pride =)

Okie, next year I will return to Bangi for selection test again, stronger and better. I really want to be a sportsman representative. That means something to me. Half marathon will be my focus. My ultimate target is less than 2h for half marathon. My 2^nd half marathon of the year completion time was 2h 54m. There’s a lot of improvement. But off course, still very far away from my ideal time limit set.

Coincidently, lately I had a conversation with Oppa. He challenged me to complete my next half marathon in 2h 15m and year end Penang Bridge Full Marathon in 5h 30m. Challenge accepted. Gonna train harder cause I have my pride to defense.

Running change me. I am more clear minded now.