Running Forever!

Since young, running has become one of my hobbies. There was a time when becoming a marathon runner was the farthest thing from my mind. Runners were, or so I thought, a lost group of tortured souls with tortured soles, achy muscles, and creaky knees. They were as best I could tell from the safe distance I kept from all matters requiring movement either pain addicts or fools. If they were the former they were to be pitied. If they were the latter, they were to be unmercifully mocked.

Most of the time I was running leisurely around my living place until I met up with one of the members from OX group in a swimming session 3 years ago. This is where I got a chance to involve in the outdoor activities like cycling, hiking and rocks climbing before I did something I never thought I could do. I ran my first marathon in 2004 with the motivation from the OX gang but without much training. Everyone has their first time and with that my life changed.

I joined the pacesetter members for the 10km or 21km training in Lake Garden every Sunday. Weekend is always the day I am looking forward in a week.

I loved the morning runs, starting out in the pitch dark, praying for firm footing and deliverance from danger. Due to we started so early and were finished before most of the civilization was brewing coffee, the running had a surreal quality to it.

I'm lucky to have some great friends as my running partners. They created my training program and led me through it. I never wanted to know much, not the distance or pace, none of it - a welcome escape from the pressures of too many other decisions. During weekend, I met them at the appointed hour and put one foot in front of the other until they told me I was done.

Like most beginning runners, I ran too much too soon. I ran too fast and too far. I discovered what I was running from. I was running from where I had been, where I was, and where I was headed. But like so many runners, no matter how far or how fast I ran, I always ended up right where I had started, with myself.

It's an odd thing, when your body says no and your mind and your spirit say yes. It's frightening, empowering, clarifying and even beautiful, all at once. It was the past year of my life, shortened into a span of 42km. It was the culmination of experiences, the knowledge that my body can be pushed past its breaking point, just like my passion and determination in running.

My running shoes had become giant erasers on my feet. Each foot strike wiped away the memory of some earlier indiscretion or failure. Each new pair of running shoes carried the potential of unlocking some secret place. Each pair of worn-out running shoes carried the scars of a healing soul.

It was more than a novice athletic achievement, a journey of friendship, the healing power of sport, and the confidence of achieving a goal. It was a reminder that with good company and hard work, a regular people can do something special.

Running is both a reward and an education, a chance to learn something about a new community and renew myself for the job ahead. The wisdom, tears, and laughter we shared gave me an insight and appreciation for my friends that I have not had since I was in college. It is a good thing too because come to race day, I ended up needing these friends more profoundly than I expected. Thanks mates!

I have seen life as a non-runner and as a runner. I can tell you with complete assurance that I’ve chosen, and will continue to choose, running. Without running, there are no runners and I have learned that a runner is everything I hope to be.

The pm day!

DER PACEMAKERS #41 (PM41)

Finally, I have become one of the pm member. The excitement was filling up my mind. To me, pacemakers club is a club that consists of runners that full of talent and passion. They run with passion, determination and pia spirit which really inspire me a lot.

It is really an honour to be one of them. October 17, 2006 is definitely another day which will be marked as a significant day in my diary besides my birthday. :-) I would say it is a lottery to me. ^-^

When You Believe

I like this song very much as it is very motivated. With the confident and belief, you can achieve your targets and overcome whatever obstacles in your life.

I would like to dedicate this song to all my friends and who ever that are in the battle of life. Hope you like it. :-)

Many nights we prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hope for a song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know theres much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
[Mmmmmmmmmyeah]
Mmmyeah
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say
There can be miracles
When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill (Mmm)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve)
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
[Hey]
[Ooh]
They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fears
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says hope is very near, oh [Oh]
There can be miracles (Miracles)
When you believe (Boy, when you believe, yeah) [Though hope is frail]
Though hope is frail [Its hard]
Its hard to kill (Hard to kill, oh, yeah)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve, oh)
When you believe somehow you will (Somehow, somehow, somehow)
Somehow you will (I know, I know, know)
You will when you believe [When you]
(Ohoh)
[You will when you]
(You will when you believe)
[Oohoohooh]
[Oh...oh]
[When you believe]
[When you believe]

My maiden LSD in Miri

One of the uphill route around 4km

Date: 1st October 2006
Time: 7am - 10am
Distance: 20km (From Tua Pek Kong Temple to Luak Bay Esplanade and back)

Woke up around 5am Sunday morning, feel excited for the first LSD in Miri. But I just found out that it was raining since 2am in the early morning. Nothing I can do, just hope the rain will stop soon.

At last, the rain getting smaller around 6am, meet up with Fook at 6.30am, we head towards the starting point at the 1910-built Tua Pek Kong Temple situated at the intersection of China Street and Bendahara Street which together with the area bound by Jalan Kingsway and Jalan Brooke formed the Old Town. Beside the temple, there is a fish market. So it is a bit crowded with cars and people.

It is a breezy day after the rain. We slowly ran toward the outskirt of the city and not many cars on the road. The refreshingly green and pleasant surroundings certainly pleased me. We came to the first uphill when we were about 4km mark. I tried to run up slow and steady. Most of the time we ran at the pedestrian area where it is safe for the runners. After 7km, there are few newly built seaside mansions of which are owned by timber tycoons who use them as weekend homes. It just a keeping-up-with-Joneses and lifestyle diversion for them. Voila, we reached the 10km mark where the Luak Bay esplanade is located.

The first thing which crossed my mind the moment I reached the seaside was follow the move of one of the scene from 'Bourne Supremacy'. My favourite movie that motivate me to run by seaside all the time. I think I am addicted to that already.

We spent some times enjoy the beach side view. This is the best natural and break site that you don't want to miss it. A great place to escape from the hectic life. The water is wild with big waves. No bikini gal as it is still early I guess.

Luak Bay esplanade is where locals meet for a relaxing evening; where children gather to play with sand, splash around in the sea and frolic under the cheerful sunshine. A good place for barbecues, seaside picnics or simply just strolling on the beach while enjoying the cool breeze.

On our way back, it started to rain again. It is quite heavy so we were forced to stopped by at Taman Selera. Taman Selera is the oldest recreational park in Miri, it is situated in Brighton about 3km from the city center at Tanjung Lobang. Besides the golden sand beach, children's playground and outdoor facilities, there is an open air hawker centre which is a popular eating place with all sorts of delightful local food. You may enjoy the beautiful sunset and feel the cool sea breeze as you listen to the sound of the splashing waves.

We continued our journey after the rain became smaller. Our LSD ended around 9.45am. Although it took longer time as we did but it is indeed an enjoyable LSD I have ever had. I would rate it as a 5 stars LSD route with the combination of uphills and downhills, seaside and greenery view plus windy feel. Thanks to Ah Fook for the leading and route survey.