pain pain pain

Listening to : 7 Things - Miley Cirus

I'm relatively satisfied with myself. I have accomplished my first feat of the year.
Yes, I have RAN 42 KM! Can you believe it? I can't myself. I really can't.
I admit, i wasn't really mentally and physically prepared. Like the night before was quite hectic.
It was a rush there, little warm up done.
But when it all boiled down and when i crossed the start line. Its make or break!
I would try to narrate the entire night of SUNDOWN MARATHON!

It started out as a relatively cool and quiet night.
My and my bro took a cab to the start point, changi village.
However, while reaching, we noticed something terrifying, we saw runners runninng back and the stretch of road leading up to the end seemed never ending. Then i knew, we were in for a night.
Thereafter, we met rhon and alvin, deposited out bags and began the short but vital warm up.
I wasn't exactly excited nor scared. I was more calm and thought it was another run at night.
However, i forgot that I have clocked only a max of 15km in one run before.
It was all energy when we walked to the start line. Then the countdown for the race started.
When we crossed the line, we started with a good pace. I was quite comfortable with it, alot slower than my usual pace.
We ran in a pack, me rhon alvin and my bro. Towards the 7 km mark, wee started to lose sight of rhon, then we realised, it was inevitable.
The run continued and then i went ahead of my bro and alvin.
I took constant blind spot turn to make sure they were in sight. When i realised they were too far behind, i slowed down. To my surprise, Alvin was left behind. SO it was just me and my bro.
It was a good pace all the way till 12 km! I was quite impressed actually.
However, this was when the pain hit. My bro first in his knee.
Then we had intervals or running and walking all the way till 16 km.
Then my cramp came. Was quite thankful i spotted it early and stretched up.
Though it was alot slower, it was still a relatively good pace all the way till 22 km. Then both our legs were screaming out in pain. WHY WHY WHY??
So we took a 3 km walk. WHICH WAS REALLY SLOW!
Then we kicked off again at the 25km mark. However, my bro really didn't want to start.
Thus, I went ahead.
However, it was pure struggle. Ok, if you don't get what i mean. IT WAS PURE STRUGGLE!
My legs were really cramping up coupled with stitches.
It was really really painful and tiring to push on. I myself had to alternate between slow walks and slow jogs all the way till 27 km.
Then came the banana. I BEGGED for it. I took 2 bites and threw it aside.
I then started to be in a small state of shock.
I sat down for a while trying to recover my legs.
The worst thing was, i started to fall asleep! I hate night runs....

After that junction, I pushed on, the next 3 km went relatively well. I had in mind to push all the way to 32 km. However, my body wouldn't allow.
I had to stop once in a while to let my legs rest. Passing the 30 km, the biggest pain hit.
My sole of my foot started to really really really ache up.
I didn't know why myself, it was really bad! It must've been the constant pressure on it.
The next 2 km was then the worst passing Bedok.
Yes, I clearly remember, THIS WAS THE WORST PART! I really couldn't take it. I didn't know how i'll survive the rest of the run.
After hitting 32km. I attempted to try more all the way till 34 km.
Then we reached a car park. This was then the culmination of pain.
My heart, stitches, sole, legs were all in pain. I really needed some sort of help badly.
This was when the magic cream came. DEEP HEAT!
After applying it, it felt like it numbed my leg. So i pushed on.
It went on well passing 35 km with another deep heat station. Then when it was 37 km.

At this point. I had no more fuel in myself. I squeezed a bit of gel and hoped it'll help.
It did for a while but I realised it because I had no more strength or energy.
i was starting to fail mentally. Though it was only 5 km left. I just couldn't move.
it was the WALL! So yes, I just started to walk.
It was then the song "7 things" played.
Somehow, I remembered my supergirl.
I thought of how it was when at the finish line she'll be there waiting for my back in the JC days.
I somehow carried that hope that she'll be there at the end.
Some adrenaline rush hit some time after. I just ran all the way till 4 km.
I could see the end.
Here was when the long stretch into changi village started.
In the cab on the way to the start point, i saw many people walking.
Now I'm one of them. So I struggled and pushed on waling and running all the way till 2 km!
Though it was really the end, I had NO MORE ENERGY left.
I couldn't take it anymore. Though i wanted to give it some push.
I realised then, how much effort I have given the past 40KM!
I decided, Its now or never. I thought of shiming and how its an achievement to myself and her.
I gave it all. However, all that I had somehow seemed really slow.
It was 500m left i think, then i saw a bridge. I GOT CHEATED! They sealed the bridge and the end point was somewhere else. i almost fainted.
I did that detour and even till the last 200m. I was struggling to walk properly.

However, when i saw the end, i Just gave it all.
The whole run flashed back, from the beginning pace, till the mid point walk, to the struggle at the end, till the finale when my supergirl gave my my strength.
I dashed ahead, opened my strides, gave a smile as cameras flashed when i crossed the finish line.
The strange thing then happend. I was really in shock then.
Bodily shock at least. I couldn't believe what had happened. I had to be directed by marshallers.
I entered some athletes welfar area and was greeted by annabelle to my surprise. She of all people. Well, it was better than nothing.
I grabbed the stuff, walked out and finally.
I sat down, took out my shoes and massaged my foot.
Oh the pleasure......
At the end, it wasn't about how long i took,
it was my first. I think my last. However, it was a real achievement.
It was about finishing strong. I did. I am satisfied,

Saving grace

Listening to : My Hero - Foo Fighters

Why didn't i blog the past few days / weeks?
I just didn't have much to blog about. Well, up to know at least.
The working hours have really been rather stretching. Like i've never felt this mentally tired in a while. Which is sometimes a little refreshing.
Well, I can't say my life is the most exciting at the moment.
However, what I am looking forward to is the camp!
LOUD CAMP!!
Haven't you heard?
It's going to be the most exciting and fun camp you'll ever go to!
8 - 10 June. Whats more, it'll really be the epitomy of much needed boost.
I know we always say that life can't be based on a one off event.
It should be more of a long lasting continous change.
However, sometimes you just need some milestones in your life to fall back to.
Some periods in your life when you can say I did my best and i'm proud of it.
When I look back, there're various forms of successes i can fall back to.
My A level results, the track team, Usher ministry. Just to name a few.
However, I figured that something we should always realise.
Our days are what we make it to be. So whether we make it a point for it to be a high point or not is really up to us. Like we can really choose to sit back relax and not do anything.
Or you can jump up and decide to make it significant in your measely 80 years of life.
Thats why if you realise I tend to fuss about how we shouldn't waste any moment and rushing for time all the time, please remember that i'm doing it for your own good.
Yes, rest is needed, however, even then should you make it significant.
I mean, how cool would it be if we could all go on a holiday all the time to unwind.
Therefore, to me, this camp is something i really am looking forward to cause i want it to be a milestone. I want it and need it badly so i can jump a new level. Out of a self - conscience mindset and move on the well, CHANGE THE WORLD!
As I said long before entering NS. One person at a time, you pay it forward and the world changes.
Its as simple as that, but many people fail to see the significance of it all.
Thats why if you're wondering why i'm so hard up for this camp, this is why.
However, i'm shocked to be leading a team this time round. It makes it even MORE memorable.
It feels alot more like a moment to remember.
In the past, I was once called a hero. SUPERMAN!
Hoho. Well, I'm not out to ensure that my team wins or saves the most face.
I really can't be bothered to be the best or to be the champion house.
However, I wanna have fun. I want the others to have fun.
Thats why my cheers ain't out to anger / stir / or fight others back.
Its going to be something enjoyable and funny so we can all laugh about.
THIS IS LOUD CAMP!!!
ain't u excited?

moments

Listening to : Stuck in a moment - U2

When you move with the ball in your hands after 2 hours.
Your heart beats heavier, vision blurred.
Every movement you make causes your cramping leg to hurt even more.
Your opponents try to read your eyes to predict your next move.
Beads of sweat flow down your face falling slowly to the floor.
You don't think straight cause of the heat and pressure.
You force yourself to do so but every movement of your team mates makes you think twice.
Your friends call for the ball, you dunno whether to drive, pull up, or give it away.
You start to hesitate, then your opponent goes for the kill.
The sudden motion causes your heart to quicken and an instinctive action to hustle for it springs out of you.
You feel challenged and fired up to show him whose boss.
You cross with the ball from the left to the right just like how allen iverson would do it.
Holding beyond the left ark, you try to break your opponents motion as he goes for the ball on the right. Your muscles become tightened up.
Heart races and mind blank. Only thought is to shake him off.
You signal to your team mates to pull the inside open to allow you to speed in.
Your library of tricks is being reviewed in your head with the speed of lightning.
All in that split second, yuou realise that his left foot is too far back.
You pull a quick one to the left and then swinging it back to your right.
He's caught of the motion.
You begin to go in for the kill.
However, others race to hinder your motions. It irritates you.
However, with the gained velocity, you change your pace and drive right.
Then braking almost instantaneously, your opponent can't catch you.
You give a slight tap on his waist and he trips just like how michael jordan would do it.
You pull up with all the spirit you have.
It feels as though you have not played a moment.
Time literally freezes and you get stuck in a moment.
You reach the zen of the jump shot. The shouts and cheers no longer matter.
Its all on you.
hesitation loses its control over you, no fear, no regrets.
You reach the highest point of your jump, then your retracted hands begins to extend.
The body is straight, form seems perfect.
Your master hand applies a little force, most of which is derived from the lower limbs.
your left hand follows the ball to guide it home.
The ball leaves your hands with traces of sweat flying off as well.
You hope for the best, it moves straight.
You know that the direction is good but pray the force applied is just right. A little bit off would have catastrophic results.
The ark is good. Before it even goes in, You know the outcome.
You turn around and ready for defence of the incoming attack cause it has went in.
Time resumes its normal pace and though it may seem normal, that was a moment to remember.

WELLL!!!!!! After all thats said and done...
THAT ISN'T NOW!!! That was maybe 4 years ago??
Oh the times.... HAHAHAHHA!