 Staircase training at National Stadium |
When I first started out my journey in running back 2001, looking back it was a wonderful and fruitful six years now. It still is. Never have I regretted my decision to pursue my passion and some might say lofty goals, but I pursued it nonetheless with all my heart and know-how.
It’s just amazing there’s still runners out there, many of whom I know who are still running strong and still in the game. They started doing these way before I did and I’ve to give my hats off to them with the upkeep of daily vigorous training and dedication to the sport
Why such nostalgic thoughts now, you might ask?
No I’ve not wavered nor have I quit yet, but uncertainness arises at each passing year as I drew near to my end of my formal studies. Yes studying is a life-long lesson but I’m talking about my tenure years at NTU currently.
 IVP 2001 |
The very reason I continued my studies after Polytechnic and opt out not to earn some money after Polytechnic is because of running. I wanted to pursue that interest when I’m still within that age range of being able to perform and train at my best. I could anytime join the workforce right
Considering Singapore, the bulk of unemployment rate consist of non-qualified workers. I’m glad I’ve at least my Diploma to fall back on. My field of expertise was not as saturated as it is now, back when I graduated with my Diploma in 2004. Now you can find any Tom, Dick and Harry with such diploma I graduated in.
In Singapore context, career prospects and retirement savings start when you hit your 20′s and you never stop. I’m 28 and yet to hold a stable job yet, part-time jobs not counted. Although I’m pursuing another interest in entrepreneurship, I would have to take up a full time job however, when I graduate next year if that plan goes to bust.
 Friendship formed |
That’s why I’m at a cross-road to still continue my running after next schooling semester. With less focus on running, and more time on my school work, I could patch up the loose ends before graduation. When my roommate asked me if it will be my last running years, I couldn’t answer him convincingly
But I love running too much
 At surf & sweat |
I know I can’t have the best of both worlds. Screw you if you think you can balance both. Not in my books. Maybe I’m just not a multi-task person at hand eh. You will always screw up the other. I always do
But for now I can look back at all the wonderful and not so wonderful times I had in part running has given me. The friends, foes (hah!), comradeship, politics, boogey nights, embarrassing run, humbling defeats. All served as a reminder the athlete I am. It’s rooted in me
Coming up is the Inter-Varsity athletics (IVP). So that should be fun.
I started out representing Singapore Polytechnic and won my maiden individual medal in 800m plus the pulsating 4x400m relays where we nip Ngee Ann Polytechnic for the bronze, behind NUS and NTU in 2001.
 KK (NUS), Kabil (ITE) & me (SP) in IVP 2001 |
Then the politics starts, where it muddled up my future IVP participation for my Polytechnic
I then joined NTU, where I had a great year in 2004 achieving a personal breakthrough but injuries sets in, due to me trying too hard. I learn a lot about myself and the people around me, surrounding that difficult phase, but I pursued. ‘Onwards charge, never stop, never give-up’, a commander might say, and I did at some expense …
Now I’ve come full circle I believe. I started out my running wonder years for the IVP and it’s this upcoming IVP which might close a chapter in my life. I’m still undecided. Whatever the outcome, I want to end it in a good note. A gold medal hopefully in the relays. I’ve never had that before
quiting so soon?
i think the word is part-time now
i regret not being able to be in Singapore to sweat and swear #%%@ the lactic acid we got after a gruelling training.. and most importantly, to love running. Most people might deem us being over-zealous or in simple term “crazy” to train religiously everyday. Its even worse when you told them you weren’t paid a single cent. But nevertheless we are pursuing our dreams.. Where do you want to be at that moment?
As what M1 advertisement says: “One life, live it!”
PS: Clarence is studying in the same Uni as me.. WTF!! He saw me the other day and shouted my name..
i want to complete my fcking course now and then from there i’ll decide my options
ooh clarence is a nice guy wat, have fun with him :p
oh paul..arent you the lucky one? heh
anyway old man…it’s tough wanting to train when you go out to work…but i think if u want it enough, it can be done.
but having said that, are u willing to sacrifice? do the positives outweigh the negatives?
better to do something you love than to look back and start asking why you dint try harder.
and besides, they have been ppl who work and train and still do well at the same time. i noe it;s not for everybody. but if they can do it, there’s hope that so can you!
ok. at least that’s me being optimistic becos i might have to do that once i get back. heh
paul is indeed lucky
i not know many people who can do as what you mentioned
well i guess its about priorities, sometimes you just don’t have a choice
hope you can go thru with your plan … well i have such similar thoughts, but we’ll see la eh
u can always join the dragon boat club after graduation.
nah maybe when i’m 40 or something, now i like to run :)
You can always run during your free time. No need to represent any society also. Just run for the sake of running :-)
yeah thats my option too but i love to train hard too …
If you decide to stop, please transfer that lean mean body of yours to me. I need them please.
ok roger .. i can borrow you at $10 p/hour … no kinky stuff pls :p