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Dear all,
Thank you for all the entries that are posted here for the recent “why we run” blog competition. Your active participation has really made the blog a more lively platform for the team to reach out to the masses. Of course, not forgetting the hard work of our key blog admin: Patrick, Yap Xiong(Shelter) and Ben during the course of the competition. Whether you entry is the entry or not, you are a winner yourself, because you are daring enough to share and express ur passion and love for running! so for that, i applaud your courage and passion!
Before I announce the winners and disclose the prizes for the top 3, i just wanna use this post to sum up the competition series.
Since the start of the competition though the start was slow, entries kept on coming and in. Through the various entries that are made, the passion to run burns strong in every single one of you guys. Some loved running from the start and stayed throughout, while some initially unsure but found it through this place or even some people found back that desire and passion through this team. Whatever it may be, personally i would like to commend on your passion and i hope the team has given you the place to be in to express your passion. Keep that passion, desire in running and i wanna believe that you will flourish in your own special way and become a stronger person.
While this competition has set many one of us thinking on why we run, whether out of the thrill or joy or even just to keep fit, i hope there is a life lesson that you can catch here: vision, committment to the whole process to reach your goal or dream, courage. Why would i want to say that?
Think about it: if one never had a vision, will one look forward to the training we do, epsecially at times intervals can be painful? If we are not committed to the WHOLE process to reach our goal or target(this includes times of disappoinements, guareenteed), why would we still keep on going in spite of the difficult training or the not so good race and workout timings? If we didn’t had courage, why would we even think of trying to go for the target in spite of fears of not knowing what to expect?
It is when one has a vision, a dream, a target to go for, with the courage to dream and to go after, one will keep on going, in spite of limitations, challenges, the unknown and even painful moments. It is our committment through the process and our vision that keeps us ticking on continuing to go after our target even the going gets tough. If you happen to realise, it is thru the process, one gets stronger and his/her character is deepened.
What applies to our running does apply to our lives too. Running is just like life, it’s a journey. So really, as u think about why you run, also think about what u really want in life and then once u r convicted on what you want, take that courage, keep that vision on what u wanna go for in life and committ to the process and target/dream. Hope this really encourage, strengthen ur heart. Really, nothing is impossible for those who believe and stay committed to the process.
All right, time for me to announce the winners, after deliberation from the judges:
1st prize: Sarah Tan
2nd Prize: Fabian
3rd Prize: Veronica
We would like to present the vouchers during this friday’s official training, so we hope to see you on this friday’s training!=)
So once again, a big thank you to all and enjoy running and life!
cheers!
your friendly team manager,
Tey Kian Heng Nicholas
“Breathless… pain… tired.. stop… can’t move.. lactic.. hurry up.. come on push yourself.. just a bit more.. tired.. tired..” “Faster, swing your arms!” Coach’s loud booming voice interrupts the confused stream of thoughts. The all too familiar mix of emotions experienced during trainings and races. Running has always been a constant struggle between the mind and body. So you may wonder, if it’s so much pain, Why do I run?
I run
Not to chase after buses (this following a scare after falling on my back while chasing after the BTC bus one morning last year, much to the horror and slight amusement of the passengers who were lucky enough to catch the spectacle)
Not to complete marathons. To all you marathoners out there, I really really admire your determination. It’s amazing. I wish I had that spirit sometimes, but no I wont run a marathon, for now. But perhaps after having my second kid.. in a desperate attempt to get back in shape.
I ran..
For Fun. My Secondary school days were spent chasing my best friend around pillars. And the girl guides had this rule that “You can’t run, you must fly” (translated from Chinese). Which, on hindsight, sounds kinda hilarious.
Because people asked me to. My first experience running competitively was in Sec 4 when I joined track and field and found out that runners are the nicest people around.
I ran..
In JC. I was so bent on joining dance, because I really was passionate about dance. But I didn’t get through the auditions. So I joined cross country, because I thought, why not try something different? Then came my mum, this figure who governed my life, who didn’t want me to do it because she felt I wasn’t good at it. Everyone has this streak of teenage rebellion in them. I did. So I ran to prove her wrong.
Life in JC was not easy. Running became a form of escape, when things at home were miserable, when school was a bother and stressful, running was this avenue that I could turn to, where problems were momentarily put on hold, where you could push your limits, vent your frustrations, and forget about your worries, because for that moment, nothing really matters. It’s just you in your own little bubble. It’s you competing against yourself. Running brought me to the beach, East Coast Park where I could run and then stand at the jetty and stare out into the open seas, whispering my hopeful prayers.
I ran for the team, who became my family, the wonderful friends I had who were always there, some of whom till today remain my bestest friends ever. I ran because there was this earnest hope in each of our tender hearts, to bring back the Challenge Trophy. We ran for Love.
So in NUS, I was quite ready to hang up my running shoes, sometimes the fear of running competitively simply overwhelms you. After a semester in NUS, I felt that there was something missing in my life. I was itching to run again. So that’s when I joined NUS cross.
And NUS Cross, brought out my passion for running like never before. It’s not merely a team. It’s a family, and seeing it grow is just heartwarming. It’s this cocoon of warmth, of friendship, even happiness somehow squeezed out from this collective suffering. The constant encouragement, the cheers, the jokes, the fun and laughter, it takes away the dreariness of school.
On exchange, running took me to places that cars could not go and walking would take forever. In Notts, just feeling the rush of cool air on a chilly wintry morning made me smile. I ran to catch the sun during winter, to explore the lakes nearby and sit and muse. I ran to explore some countries, to admire God’s magnificent works, the cobbled rough streets of Belgium, the pretty canals of Amsterdam, the gardens of Copenhagen, bursting with colour upon the arrival of spring, the beaches of Croatia, where the sea was a shade of brilliant blue, and sitting there hearing the waves crash against the shore was simply therapeutic.
In short, I run because it makes me smile. It takes me to a plane where I can forget my worries. It replaces pain with this rush of happiness after pushing yourself. I run simply for the love of running.
There are many reasons because I always need a new reason to motivate myself to run.
- I run quite fast during my NS days. Always able to clock gold timing for my 2.4km. Running seems to be the only sport that I can do better in. I have no ball sense, so ya I suck at all ball games.
- I wanted to keep fit and make my tummy smaller because after NS, i slacked too much. And somehow for thin people, the fats only go to the tummy and not the other parts of the body.
- When I joined x country, I just ended my previous relationship. I was feeling aimless that time, so I needed something to spice up my life and make new friends too. This is where x country came into my life.
- After joining x country, I made a close group of friends. Sometimes I go training not just to improve fitness but also to meet up with these friends.
- Joining races outside like marathons is a good motivation to run too since I paid the money already and the races are not really cheap. Actually sometimes I just gian the finisher tee and the goodies they give.
- Nowadays I run is because someone is running too=) Hope we can improve together.
Yongqiang
Time to say something in the blog!
Why do I run!?
To lose weight
When I started out in secondary school, I was fat (20kg overweight) and unskilled (I didn’t join any sports in primary school). I kept failing my IPPT both in school and in my hostel, which meant I had to go for remedial training. It was painful, to say the least. It was 2.4km thrice a week. Suffice to say, I did lose weight which led to my eventual passes in Sec 3 and 4. Woohoo! But I neglected everything else, which meant I couldn’t and didn’t
1. Play ball based games
2. Racket sports
3. Mind based sport
4. Get a girlfriend
Things looked grim and after sec school I went to JC…
No choice
With 98% of the CCAs denied to me (they were looking for people with experience), I turned to the most reliable sport of all…cross country! It was a totally different experience from my sec school days, where jogging aimlessly was the norm. There, my coach yelled us to do fartlek, drills and intervals. Slowly, I began to catch up to my seniors and began training more seriously. The competitions were eye opening too, with me meeting many people that I would eventually meet in many races to come. I began enjoying the thrill of racing, beating timing after timing and people after people. Soon, I got really competitive which drove me to join more races. Somewhere along the way I got injured; both my knees, sole and one ankle strained from overtraining and racing. I was out of action for a while.
Things looked uncertain and after JC I went to NUS…
Revive!
To be honest, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to run anymore in NUS because of my injury and the subsequent lack of motivation in racing. Not to mention that my old coach from JC was coaching here too. However, one day a cute RunNUS promoter convinced me to sign up for RunNUS (I’m a sucker for that) and I went for it. Lo and behold, my injury was gone! And I got the girl’s number! Double motivation! While one of the two didn’t work out (guess which one), I was glad to be back on track. Things went uphill. In addition, the team was great and you guys keep me going for trainings. I particularly enjoy the post-training dinners, often skipping my own hall’s meals to go out with you guys and stay till late talking cock with everyone around the table. This is a short paragraph. 
Things looked fattening after I left for California for summer exchange…
I don’t know anymore
I thought I’d get fat because of all the food. Everything here is meat meat meat (and avocado too, because it’s California). Fortunately, the facilities in the university that I attended were not too bad and there were some people who regularly grouped and trained there, called the Greyhounds. The Greyhounds was a running club comprising of runners of all ages, from big to small, from graduate student to old men (pushing 50). There was a man who did two races in two days not too long ago: first was a 5k which he did in 15 mins (4th place in his age group) and the next day he did a 10k which he did in 35 mins (7th in his age group). Guess how old he was? 40 plus. He is my new hero. If people in his age group could do stuff like that, imagine those who are younger. He wasn’t the only one who could do mad timing like that. There was a guy from China I met, who spoke of his teammates who run so fast I was dizzy from the sheer awesomeness by the time he was done. It’s a big world out there. Another guy I spoke to told me of his university days; he spent 100 miles a week for mileage (it’s 160km for the uninitiated ones). It got me thinking about the way I view running. Why run? Everyone has their own reason to run, but I suspect I have yet to find mine upon some deep reflection.
I still ask myself why I run. As you can see, my reasons change from time to time. It’s not being fickle; rather it is a reflection of my constant evolution as an athlete. So why do I run? I run to maintain my fitness, I run to challenge myself and others, I run to run, I run to go places, I run to improve myself, I run to surprise, I run to race, I run to…
P.S. Hey guys, I look forward to seeing all of you again! My fitness isn’t too bad because I’ve been training with those Greyhounds. Steadily increasing my mileage here so let’s go for a 100 km jog when I come back!
Why do I run?
Firstly, let’s talk about why I chose to run cross country?
- Jayanta dragged me
- Wanted to experience a CCA during my final year
- Hoped to beat Jayanta at AHM
- Hoped to beat Jayanta at 10km
- Hoped to beat Jayanta at 2.4km
- Hoped to beat Jayanta’s sundown marathon PB
- Realized the track can be used for running other than mech engineering student launching water bombs at professors using their own designed trebuchets (engineering losers will understand)
- Needed a change of lifestyle in school instead of frequently skipping engine lectures to go across to KR50 pub at UCC for cheap beer
Then?
- I realized there is more to running than just running.
- I run because my ex-girlfriend hates it.
- I kept coming back because everyone has 2 things in common. Running and singlehood.
- I saw the track becoming like an entrepÔt where people from different faculties come together and interact without paying a cent.
- Felt a sense of belonging at the track where it is normal to sleep at the grandstand.
- Able to talk ‘not so serious’ stuff with talk-kok buddies, chunkai and jinyang.
- Able to talk ‘serious’ stuff with talk-serious buddies, melvin and yap xiong.
- Able to run without thinking about the run.
- My running performance keeps improving even with the World Cup season and frequent social nights at zouk organized by val.
- I am now addicted in smashing PBs.
- I get the lovely adrenaline rush feelings at races.
- I start to hear myself cursing at the runners in front during races.
- It made me post my first blog entry ever.
- I still want to beat Jayanta at a race.
So why do I run?
I run because running defines who I am today.
Running. It makes you feel like, running a little more.
A year and a half ago, I was fat, unfit and leading a sedentary lifestyle. During summer breaks, I literally lazed through the mornings and afternoons and eat and sit in front of the computer in the nights. I ate unhealthy and oily food, snacks and go for frequent suppers. I weighed like an elephant and I did not care.
And one day someone called me out for a run. The word was never found in my dictionary. It was one of the scariest words around; “running”. I loathed it because it brought bad memories during my JC times; the NAPFA tests, the 3 rounds around the track before playing any games, the annual cross country meet, etc. The feeling of moving my legs in front of another at a pace where you have to pant just wasn’t my cup of tea. I hated the feeling of the lungs almost jumping out from my throat, the heart beating so hard like it had never pumped before and the soreness of the legs post exercise.
Then he came along again, this time I was left with no choice but to join him for runs (and swim sessions). Throughout the running session I was silent, not because I had nothing to talk to, but I cannot catch my breath fast enough to spill a light conversation. My mind was, however, thinking of how this session could bring me out of my sedentary lifestyle. At least I am doing something that I have not done before in a long time. After a few sessions of running, I beginning to enjoy It, although the endless torture still lingered in my mind, I told myself to strive for further distances… I thought… longer distances like 10km or more were impossible, totally impossible for someone like me…
So I did the unthinkable. I signed up for my debut marathon on December 2009. After clicking the confirmed button, I told myself that I was in deep trouble. How in the world would I complete 42km in one shot?
So I ran. I ran more during term time. The more I ran, the more I like it. The distances got longer. My pace got faster. I started to get addicted to running. I ran for the scenery, for the wind, for the occasional pouring rain. Time and again I felt better when my legs were moving, each step faster and further than the other. I was determined to complete the marathon, and I ran with the mindset that this is a challenge to me.
The more I ran, the more I shocked my friends. Positive praises came in. I looked slimmer. Some didn’t believe what happened to me. Some asked what was my secret formula and some thought I was a complete joke. Time and again I proved these critics wrong; the more I ran, the more people were influenced and got hooked to running. I felt good to spread this disease around.
The marathon was never enough. Although it was gruesome, tiring, painful and mind blowing, the feeling of running through the finishing line cannot be explained. The joy that I felt inside me was beyond description. Once 2.4km was too much for me, now 42km was never enough.
And so I did the first ultramarathon earlier this year. More people were shocked, as I only attempted one marathon before this run. I thought I was crazy too, because I didn’t really think of anything when I signed up. On the run itself I thought I could never complete it, but with the runners’ motivation, I persevered on. Running through the night with people from different walks of life coming together was a joyous occasion. As I ran I spoke to many ultra-runners and asked what their reasons for running were and they shared the same sentiments as me; to achieve something in their life, to break their boundaries, to test their limits and to go for higher heights. I crossed the finishing line with pride, as an ultramarathoner.
Why do I run? I run for the fun of it. I run to test myself. I run to break the wind. I run to stay fit. I run to lead by an example. I run to do stupid things that people never even dream of doing so. I run, because I love to run. I run because I am crazy.
Alvin
Why do I run?
The following is an extract from a recent entry in my training log this year. It provides an insight into what’s going through my mind before/during races.
“07/25/2010 Sunday
Workout: 5th All Comers Meet – 1500m (target 4:15), ~1h rest + 800m
Description: At ITE College East. Hot weather for 1500m, a little cooler for 800m.1500m Remarks 1545h
Spent less time warming up for 1500m than usual. Had to wait in the sun while girls finished their 1500m. Started a little fast. Took the pace for 1st lap. Slowed down considerably after 200m. Colin took the 2nd lap and maintained the target pace. Could hear Mr Quek asking me to pick up the pace as we passed 700m. I tried to get in front of Colin on the outside of the curve. But he moved out to let me pass so that I could take the pacing for the 3rd lap. I picked up the pace a little at 1000m, and then some more at the beginning of the last lap. Last 200m I was just trying to maintain the pace. Felt like I wasn’t pushing as hard as last year’s races. My last run during training sessions this year felt harder.
800m Remarks ~1645h
Decided to run it when Mr Quek asked if I was up for it, after the 1500m. I thought I would just take it as a training session. Colin and I signed up with the help of Mr Loh, one of the NTU coaches. The race was about an hour after. Got stuck behind Colin and Feroz as the others’ start was a little faster and they were cutting in from the outside. Followed Colin for 1st 150m and then cut him. Feroz, Raviin and Hazwari were leading, in that order. Maintained my position behind them and responded when they picked up the pace at 300m. We picked it up again going into our last lap. Tried getting in front of Hazwari at 550m but he was also trying to move in front. So I relaxed and settled behind him again. Started pushing and got ahead of him after 650m. Surged past Feroz and Raviin at 700m. Was pushing myself hard for the last 100m. I was worried that they would catch me. A lot of lactic in my quads as I finished. Could see Kuan Yong from the corner of my eye as I crossed the line.
My 1500m Timing
100m – 15
200m – 32
300m – 51
400m – 69
800m – 2:17
1000m – 2:51
1100m – 3:08
1500m – 4:13.84My 800m Timing
200m – 30
400m – 59.8
600m – 89.6
800m – 1.58.6 HT
1.58.8 ETRace results: http://www.singaporeathletics.org.sg/download/5ACM2010-Results.pdf
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=443531437717&ref=mf is the video of the 800m.”
This session was the day after the NUS Cross BBQ/chalet at East Coast, of which I was in attendance for about an hour. I was torn between staying or just attending or not even showing up. Some of you (remember me playing on Redang Island? =P) would understand how much I would have loved to stay and have fun with you guys. However, socializing always comes in behind racing and obviously, I went home to sleep on time.
I am not sure how many people can grasp what I went through, just by looking at the short race report. It was good racing that day for me; not just masochistic pleasure. It is rare that everything you planned for, and could not plan for, can go in your favour. And those feelings are what I run for.
This beautiful song (sorry it’s another Chinese song:)) sort of sums up why I run and my love for running.. It’s called 很旅行的愛情by Cindy Yen..
爱是一场越过天际落向永恒的旅行
原来一切只是美丽
当我终于明白我爱你
寻觅草天的香气
每段小径都很甜蜜
北房间是否也得那片森林
变松果落地时都在开心
天气很晴 你是一行蔚蓝色的诗句
湖泊很静 而我携着朗读无处不在的爱情
比利时的黑巧克力 余韵不如你
葡萄庄园里的香槟 清澈不及你
古典钢琴弹不出 你微笑时的声音
爱你才是我最重要的旅行
山腰蜿蜒的小径 余韵不如你
琉璃瓦上的雨滴 清澈不及你
你是这个世界旅行中最美的风景
于是沙漠 于是寂寞
就像我们不说话的时候
于是冰丘 于是心暖和
就像我们牵着手的时候
What I would like to say that running to places changes how you look at the scenery and each time I run to somewhere new, it seems and feels like I’m on a holiday to a really scenic and lovely place..it doesn’t matter where it is, whether I’m running alone, each time i run, it’s a new experience.
Running was actually first introduced by my friend, who asked me to join her for TAF Club runs during breaks in secondary school. After several times, I realised I feel really happy and accomplished after my runs. Thereafter, I began to explore new running routes around my neighbourhood as I really love seeing new sights each time I run.
Distances increased and the time I spent running increased too as I grew to love the entire process of running…thinking of where to run, absorbing the new sights as I ran and savouring the sense of accomplishment after the run. Whenever I felt like I needed some personal time, whenever I feel stressed or angry or sad or even happy, I ran. Sometimes I ran hard, just to release the pressure boilling within me, sometimes I just took my time, using the run to ponder over issues. But whatever that is, after each run, I returned a different person.
My parents used to get mad at me for spending so much time running…but somehow after years, I’m glad they are able to tolerate my love for running. Sometimes I really hope that with me running, they would slowly be able to accept this healthy way of living and run. I really hope to inspire them to run…
I’m also really glad I continued to run; no matter how tough it might be to drag myself out of bed on a nice morning to sleep in; no matter how hard it is to schedule my day properly in order to come for cross trainings/even find the time to run on a busy day; no matter how much appointments with friends I might have to miss…
Running has given me a whole new experience in life, new goals and new friends and I do hope I would be able to continue running for my entire life ^_^
Love,
Sarah T.
I run because:
1) when i was young my dad dragged me to run when i was a kid and i disliked it.
2) in secondary school i JUST wanted to maintain A for 2.4.
3) i realised it started to make me a better person mentally & spiritually.
4) i started to love the feeling after the run ended regardless of its intensity level.
5) i become very uncomfortable when i haven’t run for too long.
6) running gives me discipline.
7) running makes me healthier.
8 ) running gives me inspiration.
9) running is flexible: it can be hard, it can be easy.
10) running relieves stress.
11) running gives me better control of myself.
12) running teaches me more about myself.
13) running helped me to open up my mind to new things positively.
14) running has taught me things i could never learn in a classroom.
15) running has helped me overcome obstacles in my life.
16) running makes me want to become a better person.
17) running has given me friendships that could last my entire life.
18) running has given me a family in school.
19) running makes me happy.
20) running has shaped the most treasured memories of my life.
21) running has become the constant in my life i cant live without.
“…Remember that I’m running for an audience of one.” - Alicia Shay, American 10,000m runner
Sometime in the 9th Century B.C, a young man was crowned king over a small nation in the Middle East. After acquiring a city (Jerusalem) as his capital, he decided to bring the national and spiritual emblem of his people into his city to mark to commemorate his reign as king. And thus history shows that on that day, a king called David (Daud) stripped himself of his robe and crown, and danced before his subjects as he celebrated. Later, his wife would tell him he had humiliated himself in front of an unworthy audience. The king replied: I will humiliate myself even more. Because I know who I dance for.
I was challenged by someone recently: I was asked why do I run? Well, training’s fun, I want to clock better times, the company that training brings is cool, the “scenery”, a sense of self-worth, to keep fit, for peace, to de-stress. These are good answers. But they aren’t good enough reasons. To answer a question like this, I had to dig deep.
- Because I’m no sportsman. Neither am I an athlete. For my entire secondary school life, I shelved library books every recess and every day for 2 hours after school. The only exercise I got was as a goalkeeper during PE. I threw up my lunch when I first ran a cross-country race at McRitchie. I dislike running around the track (give me road, grass or sand anytime, anyday). So when I got injured last year, I thought quitting would be a very good idea.
But I draw strength from my quiet Sunday runs after church around Hougang and Punggol. When I hit my wall or pain threshold, as I have many times during injury and during training, I remind myself that running is beyond the physical. I remember all the people who went the distance because they were filled with spirit: Australian Aborigines walking thousands of kilometres during their Dreamtime, the Tarahumara People running in the desert (learnt in Sociology class), the Prophet Elijah outrunning the king’s chariot to Jezreel -
Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek & Tarahumara runner Arnulfo Quimare
I like to think that running – like the King called David in the anecdote above – is a personal performance, humiliating (because of failure) yet spirit-filled (beyond just a physical act). It’s what keeps me going. It’s what makes it more than putting 1 foot before the other.
Run the Good Race: Finish the Course
It’s not about competing or training. It’s not the thrill of winning. Or breaking records. It’s not even about redemption. It’s about putting to use what God has given me. And so I run – because maybe, just maybe as I run, someone won’t say I’m humiliating myself. But instead, that someone will say: I’m seeing something spiritual in you.
—–
Shelter
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