3 Years of Running

Because of Facebook's what happen on this day feature, it reminded me that I started my running journey 3 years ago. Happy 3 Years of running to me!  

Throughout these 3 years of running journey, I won't say I went through alot (as compared to those long term runners) but I've been through quite a number of up and down moments. However, all these are precious life lessons which will follow me for a very long time.  

It was the first race which got me started back in 2013. Reading back my very own blogspot, I do realise I was so unfit back then. I was aiming to just do 3km run and then probably walk the rest if it's really so cmi. Since I narrowed it down to 3 m instead of the scary word 5km), it does sounds very manageable and that's how I took the first leap of faith back then.

It was a CHALLENGE to run for long, anything more than 2km is hard. It's never easy but if you don't try you'll never know. 

Hereby sharing some of the life lessons I've learned during these 3 years.

1. Not every run is the same run

There are days when your pace is much slower than usual and there are days when you feel 'lighter' and you can go faster. Listen to your body and decide the mileage for that day. If it just isn't a good run, make it a point to go again the following day then. 

Many a times, it's due to the weather and also what you ate before the run that can cause your pace to get slower. Do not be dishearten because there's always another time :) 

In our day to day life, not everyday is the same.  Take cooking for example, I never for once felt that the same dish I cooked on separate occasion taste the same or look the same. There are bad days and we probably can't do much about it other than to move on

2. Injuries  

This is probably one of the top few most sian moments for a runner. The recovery time can take from weeks to months. 

There is no point forcing yourself to go ahead because it might worsen your injuries. 

I kept getting injured in the past. I've had all kinds of injuries when I first started. My feet(ankle) hurts badly because of the sudden increase in mileage per week if not it's due to 'too long never run'. My running posture was bad too and the technique was wrong.  

It took me quite sometime to overcome it and not forgetting there was once when I tripped at workplace. It resulted in me resting for a month plus before I get back to pounding the pavement once again.

Hence lesson learn: To always listen to your body and do not 'gek kiang' because it leads you to nowhere good.

3. Perseverance

Easier said than done. Everyone runs for a different reason, be it for a fitter them, slimmer self and etc but when one doesn't see the results they get from running, they tend to give up. 

However, results only comes when there's time and effort put into it to achieve it. 

There's no easy way out other than to persevere and hang on. I used to run at a really slow pace for a start and I did find myself finding each km getting easier and also getting it done at a faster pace as times goes by. 

With that, I proceed to running longer distance for every routine run and at a faster pace than before. Pushing myself to yet another level every now and then is a small achievement in life because you will be amaze by how strong your body is actually is. Comparing myself from when I first started and 3 years later, with much determination and self discipline, I did see results. 

Remember this: It doesn't gets easier, you just get stronger :)

Ending off this post with a favourite picture of mine throughout these 3 years of running..

Cheers to many more years of runing!