Friday, 29 June 2007

Running The Marathon

After running 5 marathons, 3 half-marathons and countless races of 10km, you tend not to take your body for granted. This is due to the simple fact that at 34 years old, you understand that it is no longer as simple as a 18-year-old army guy clearing his 2.4km or SOC. I mean, 16 years ago, I thought my body was indestructible. I would be smashing my body on the ground, firing my machine-gun one day, clearing 2.4km within 9 minutes the next morning and finishing my SOC in 8 minutes by the evening, with no adverse effects whatsoever. Then, came the age factor. The other day, I got a bad flu and fever for 3 days. When I recovered and went back to my gym workout, my body ached so much so that I thought I had disintegrated!


Back to the races. Many of my peers and friends can never understand why I put myself through these torturous regime of exercises and running mileage. "Aiya! Reservist also finish already, no more IPPT already mah! You very free hor, got so much time to run here, run there." Free? I have to sweep the floor, mop it, clear my son's toys, wash and hang up the laundry at home as my CCA, go to work every day, help in my church as a volunteer on Saturdays and go to church on Sundays. Not to mention bringing my son to his child care, working late to finish my report and buying durian for my wife (that's another story by itself...)Fundamentals, my dear Watson. It's all about managing your time. And discipline. It is a routine for me to wake up at 5am in the morning, go for my 10km run and gym workout before starting work. I'm not trying to say that I'm a much superior being than you, but it's all about passion. I love the feeling of being one in a sea of runners, with one focus at the starting line: To cross the finishing line.

And the process. As you subject your body to the training, many times it's very boring and tiring. Perseverance and hard-core determination are needed. Well, I guess this is one very important trait to possess in life. For many people, quitting is the easiest thing to do. I believe that champions are people who never quit! Keep on keeping on!

2006 marathon. After the 30km mark, my entire legs felt like 2 pieces of metal lead. Hardened, stiff and unbelievably heavy. The cramps came and left for the last 3 hours. Along East Coast beach, the people were cheering us on, but I was so exhausted and in pain. I was walking. I saw many fellow runners stopping at the medical post, receiving treatment and going back by the ambulances. I was very tempted to call on the paramedics and hitched a ride on the many medical vehicles that were on standby. "Come on, Andy! You can do it for teacher! Let's go! Don't stop! You can do it, Andy!" I turned my head to see a lady running along side a rather odd-looking boy. "Hmmph... Hmmph..." he grunted, as he ran on awkwardly. I didn't understand until I saw their bright yellow T-shirt. "In support of Special Education... Because I am special!" They ran past me, and a surge of energy and motivation arose within me. "Come on, Danny! Don't give up on me now, you hear! You will finish this race. That boy and his teacher didn't give up, and you will not quit this race!" I finished that marathon in 4 hours 25 minutes. I received education from a Special Education student and his teacher: Never Give Up!

2005 Half-marathon. At the last 2km mark, I was slowing down a lot as I climbed a slope. I could not really recall the location, but there was this army guy struggling along. "Come on, soldier! You don't quit on me at the last 2 click! Let's go!" I shouted at him. "Sir, my legs are very painful, in serious cramp," he gasped in between his breath. "You don't know anything about pain, soldier! They don't exist! You will race me to the finishing line, now!"I shouted back. We crossed the finishing line together and I hugged him. I don't even know him, have never met him before and have not seen him since, but at that moment, a bond like no other existed. There are no strangers, just friends we have not met. And these 2 new-found friends finished the race.

For every race that I run in, I always bring back with me a learning point or lesson. This is the reason why I will always continue to run. Life is a journey of lessons. We never stop learning.

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