Run for Your Life

Everyone who knew me well know (by now) that writing/blogging/digital photobook are one of my passions. A totally non-atlethic activity for a klutz like me. It figures.

The most physical/active recreation I've done so far was the playing tennis and ping pong via Nintendo Wii; and my daughter would always beat me anyway.  And then there was Yoga when I was in the Plant. I got the hang of it and enjoyed being able to sweat it out but was cut-short when we moved.  Yoga clinics are popular in SG but you probably guessed it, excuses get in the way.

I discovered a new found wellness passion lately, totally unexpected if I may say so.
I have just joined the bandwagon for the runner's circle!

Looking at my race bib and realizing that I'm up to something serious.

Finishing my first 10K run!

There was a runner's circle at the Plant and they expanded rapidly and attracted wannabe-marathoners/runners. I'd hear them raving about their latest running events, the training they have to undergo before signing up for the real thing, the diet they had to adhere to (at least, for the serious runners).  Anyone who can run 42km for 4 hours or less (5 to 7 hours for the average folk, I suppose) is nothing short of amazing!  I never even imagined myself doing it.

So who would have thought I'd be caught (belatedly) by the running bug?

It all started with the P&G Dare to Dream Fun Run. It was a 5km event for all SG employees and family members were allowed to participate as well. So we all signed up just for fun and to help Beyond Borders' charity work for building a pre-school in Vietnam.  I never ran 5km before and ended up with aching limbs after that.  Kyla ran with my friend Leklek and they finished well ahead of us.

And then, Leklek suggested we sign up for the Shape Magazine's Shape Run 2012 10km event.  She assured us that we can walk the rest of the way in case we ran out of running fuel. This was, mind you, before we learned that there was a 5km and a 2.4km fun run.  There was no turning back because we already signed up for 10km.

Something portentious must have happened to me two weeks before the run.

Something that drove me to run 3-4 days in a week at the treadmill. In my fourth day I decided to run straight 5km. I added strengthening work out sessions as well- which I read from the special edition runners' guide from Shape magazine.    I think it was when I saw the 10km route when it finally dawned on me that I am up to something really serious.  That, plus the programme said that if you haven't crossed Republic Highway by 840AM, the runners will be re-routed and you might not receive the finisher's medal.  I sort of panicked that I may not make it.  Fear is a good motivator if you can turn it to courage and persistence.

I finished the Shape Run and my first ever 10 KM at 85 minutes (official time).  I thought that wasn't too bad for my first attempt considering I was only clocking 10mins/km during my training.  And yep, finished it before 840AM.  It also validated that while practically anyone can run, undergoing training before the run will make you significantly less sore-limbed after the event. My yoga breathing exercise also helped a lot especially towards the middle of the run.

And it all began from there. SG is a runners' heaven-- there is a dedicated website and group that manages running events in the country. I signed up for at least three more events for the next few months! My husband and I will be running together in the 100 Plus Passion Run and the whole family will be joining the POSB Family run. I now run regularly at the gym as well.

I won't likely show up in the 21km and 42km events anytime soon but I will definitely have a great time and a get natural high from running for as long as I can!

The prestigous Shape Run 2012 is an all-women's run event

The dawn of the run day