Why I run?
I have been running on a regular basis since I was 12 years old. It started out as a Sunday recreational activity that I would do to improve my stamina and to prepare for my yearly fitness assessment in school. Later on, in my teenage years, I joined my secondary school’s Basketball team. I started running even more frequently with my teammates during our training sessions under the watchful eyes of our Basketball coach. Back then, I saw running as a side exercise for me to develop stamina that was required in a game of Basketball.
If I were to look back, I would say that running only became my primary sport after I entered University.
The first reason why I started running more in University was that the track field was just a 2-minute walk away from my hostel room. As I didn’t join any varsity sports team but I still wanted to maintain some sort of fitness and exercise, I decided to turn to running.
Running is a relatively easy sport to take up. I only needed a pair of running shoes, put on my sports shirt and pant, and I was good to go! On blue sunny days, I could run in parks or tracks. When it rained, I could just head to a nearby gym and run on the treadmill. I didn’t need anyone else to accompany me and I enjoyed the freedom and flexibility of being able to run alone.
I recall how I spent nearly every evening of my university life, running in loops on the tracks painted in red, causing the soles of my shoes turning into a faint shade of red.
While running, I worried about my studies, internship applications and contemplated whether I was suited to become a software engineer.
I am not sure if it’s a weird behaviour but many times, as a form of self-motivation, I would make bets with myself. I would tell myself that, if I didn’t complete that one last round, then I wouldn’t achieve my goals of, for example, getting that internship or exchange program.
Sometimes, I think a lot when I run.
Contrary to the common belief that running can divert one’s mind from worries, I’ve noticed that running often intensifies my focus on my problems.
Bad runs are when negative thoughts keep circling in my mind and I keep playing back negative scenarios that had happened in the day. Typically, these occur on days that haven’t gone smoothly.
There was one instance where I actually had to stop my run completely. This was because I had became so overwhelmed by the thoughts that were swimming in my head, that I was no longer in a mood for a run.
Good runs are the runs when I am able to get into the zone and not think about anything else in my life. As I pound on the road, my steps feel light, and I experience a sense of optimism both about myself and my life.
It’s my nature to become easily entirely engrossed in a problem, so much that it takes over my entire attention, and I become unable to enjoy little pleasure moments until that problem is resolved.
I want my runs to be my break time. I want to relax and not think about anything while I run. Therefore, I try my best to not let my nature take over me.
Every time before I run, I try to relax my eyes and enjoy being in the moment. I focus on my breathing, sway my arms side by side and take in the view in front of me. I try to make every run a good run.
On the whole, I experience more good runs than bad runs.
I admit, running can be challenging.
Especially in the hot humid climate of Singapore where I will usually find myself being drenched from head to toe in my sweat after a long run. But it is precisely the challenge of running that makes it appealing to me. I like to see how far I can push myself. There is always a huge sense of achievement after I complete running either a short 5k or a long half marathon. It feels good to be able to achieve my running goals especially if I had been training for weeks or months.
I like to think that, if I can conquer running, then I can conquer anything in life.
If you are thinking of becoming a runner, I would say, don’t overthink and just do it!
Runners can come in all shapes and sizes. There is no need to feel conscious of yourself or think that you have to achieve a particular ideal body shape or weight before you can start running. No matter your weight, your height, your age or your economic background, anyone can be a runner! All you need is a pair of sport shoes, a strong heart as well as a determined mind to start running!
To end off, I would like to share a quote by an American long distance runner, Des linden:
