It’s a question I get a lot since I started running last
year. When someone asked me again recently, I replied: “Untuk kesihatan badan”
(For health). The answer, however, was
rejected outright. I was referred to the film “Sepi” where one of the
protagonists ran for a much deeper reason. It is therefore thought that there’s
something more philosophical to my running as well.
I can understand that sentiment, especially now where I’m
busy promoting my own community running project, Larian 40 Taman 100 Kilometer.
Surely there must be a bigger objective than merely for better health?
Well, it all began when I was invited to promote and
participate in the ntv7 Feel Good Run last year. I said yes, even though I
barely clocked any sort of meaningful kilometres. I was trying to lose weight
then just to look better on screen for MHI, but the treadmill and exercise
bike that I bought were mainly used to hang my clothes rather than for what
they were meant for.
.
But once I said yes to the Feel Good Run, I knew I had to
take the commitment seriously. For one, I didn’t want to look like a fool,
panting and struggling, or God forbid, passing out on event day (although that
would have guaranteed me instant press). So I knew I had to hit the parks and
see how far I could go.
The first step was of course to buy a pair of new shoes. I
bought the adidas cross-trainers, but they sat in the box for a good few weeks
before I finally took them out, and wore them to the nearby park.
I was a total novice, of course. The shoes weren’t really
suitable for running, and I had no gadgets whatsoever to track my runs. But I
did started running. In cotton tees and track bottoms, no less.
I remember the first few times, I felt like dying after
about 500 metres. I ran out of breath easily, my shins were really aching and I
got re-acquainted with that sharp pain around the abdominals felt during “merentas
desa” all those years ago.
I realised how unfit I had become at that point in time and
I hated it. I mean, once upon a time I was a jock for crying out loud, hitting
the courts for some bball action almost every day during my uni days, and I did
weights on and off as well.
But work commitments these past few years had taken me to a
different path. Free time’s usually filled with good food and “quality” time on
the sofa; a combination that led to a degree of happiness, but a lot to worry
about.
And the biggest worry of all was; would I be healthy enough
in years to come to look after my loved ones? That question popped up more
often than not, especially with constant news of people that I knew who were
struggling with one health complication or the other.
I realised how irresponsible it was of me to also burden
them with the task of taking care of me should my health fail big time. And the
thing was; I was in a position to do something about it.
That being the major motivating factor, I overcame the first
hurdle of simply not giving up. I made it fun to run, by first and foremost,
buying cool new gear. Haha. The Nike Vomero shoes with Nike + chip, proper (and
fancy) running tops and pants etc.
It was then all down to pure determination and will power. The
aching shins, the shortness-of-breath were all still there, but I continued to
run. And run. And run.
Soon enough, my mind and body adjusted to the shock of the
new me, and I started feeling good. And as all other runners might also say, I
started to fall in love with it.
I also started to lose weight and generally felt healthier
than I’ve ever been. Taking things further, I started entering running events.
It started with the 5km, then the Feel Food Run arrived and I ran the 7km
instead of the 3km “celebrity category”.
Still, at that point in time, I felt like the 10km was a
challenge too big for me, but I finished my first 10km a few months after the
Feel Good Run. What a moment that was. I felt like I had conquered the impossible.
All the hard work was more than worth it.
Of course I couldn’t have done it without the support of
friends and family (they know who they are). NOT doing something is always
easier, but having good support all around us would make the hard part even
easier.
So here I am now, running regularly and as mentioned, taking
the cause to the community. I run wherever I go and I still get a rush every time
I cross the Finish line. It also feels great when people come up to me at
events and tell me that they took up running because they saw me doing it on
TV.
I’ll never be the fastest runner around, and I don’t know if
I’ll ever complete a full marathon in my lifetime. But running has really
changed my life. I’m in my 4-series now and I face it with a degree of
confidence.
I also have many running goals to fulfill now, but none is
more important than staying fit and healthy: for myself, and for my loved ones.
