Run, Jog, Limp — All that matters is I did it :)
Posted by sideshowjudy on August 16, 2009
I started running as way to feel close to a person that I didn’t want to forget. It seemed like as good a reason as any to start running, fitness aside. Months down the road, I think I have started to make running my own, my own little experiment and the results have been heartening. The past months of being in a nebulous state of unemployment, watching one’s friends graduate business school and already out and about in the workforce, has left a lot of self-doubt and frankly, days where I really wondered, what the hell I was doing.
Running made it all better. Long weekend runs where all i can hear is the sound of my breathing, my heart pounding and the gentle sea breeze help clear my mind. Life is pretty simple, one doesn’t need much to feel fulfilled. It is only in those two hours with my feet beating on the ground, where I am truly at peace. Nothing about this body is made for running, I am a round and big girl, I am flat-footed, I have 15 stiches on my right knee and three stitches on my left knee from a debilitating motorcycle accident years ago. It takes me twice as much training just to achieve the same run times as other normals. And yet, there is such a wonderful satisfaction to this humdrum in-stepping.
I have become more serious and educated about running. I pay attention to my shoes, I practice feet care, I take isotonic and electrolyte replacement drinks. I buy pressure absorbing socks, which are obviously seamless, to prevent any abrasions. I have finally gotten onto the bandwagon of taking gel fluids while running too, which gives me a loopy sense of caffeinated high, where I can continously keep running, inspite of the pain in my knee joints. It’s weird…when you get to a point of exhaustion, and sweat doesn’t just drip, it’s like having a reverse bath. My mouth is dry and all I can taste is the liquid gel — a weird blackberry aftertaste, artificial flavoring no doubt and my mind is thinking how wonderful it would be to take a very, very long drink.
It’s 4.15am and my alarm rings. I have been sleeping early all week to allow my body to cycle down to get up early. I have also been alcohol free for 2 weeks now. This is how serious I am about completing my first ever half-marathon. I haven’t had a bunch of time to train and really only began my running journey some six months ago. Ramping up to a half was a big step, but a necessary one — especially since I was searching for goals, having had everything else in my life kind put on a standstill. Having sporty friends has been great, I get all sorts of advice around tapering off my training schedules, training for the right amount of distance and terrain, and investing in fancy training gear and training foods.
5.30am — the sky is dark and the Fullerton Hotel looks eerily over the 70,000 running hopefuls. I don’t think i have ever ran in the dark. The start line is packed and I find myself somewhere far down the start line — not good. That just meant, it took me an additional 10 minutes just to get to the start line! I had put together a special running mix for this run of my life. I will share with all for sure, but the secret key to music and running is that, the music has got to be fresh. So, if you do make a mix, don’t sneakily listen to it before running. The music alone will keep you focused away from the pain and the crazily loud feet shuffling of thousands of shoes pounding on the pavement.
Starting out has never been more challenging with all the human traffic!
The trail for this run is pretty. I get shots of East Coast park in the darkness, bits of the city, and the Singapore Flyer. In darkness, Singapore does feel cool and the effort to push each additional step out of my body seems less difficult than normal. Somwhere around 7.30am, the sun starts rising and I feel the relentless heat rise. Everyone around me is sweating profusely.
Singapore has its pretty moments. On Nicoll Highway on route to City Hall.
10km is the mental mark for me...halfway through and hanging on!
What did one expect?? My shirt is completely soaked and my ears are ringing. I finally get to listen to La Roux’s Bulletproof, a song that is just too fucking good and I get my stride in step.
The Flyer on my way to the Finish Line...so close to victory!
The finish line is only another 4km away. I feel elation, as I realize that my feet are still moving and I am still humanly intact. This is a good sign. Approaching the rounding of the bridge, my last kilometer, I spot the FINISH sign and I up my pace. My heart is beating and my legs are burning. I pass the Finish sign, look at the time clock and burst into tears. I feel good. I feel complete and I feel like I won one back for me.
Happy and sweaty in my Running Skirt!
