Season 7, Episode 6: Run this Ipoh International Run 2011.

" Runners just do it- they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first." - Author unknown

This weekend was a weekend of many firsts. It began with the signing up in the Group D category of the recent Ipoh International Run 2011. It was Thursday, the same day my friends and i cooked breakfast together for the first time, and the last day of online registration. A most impromptu decision to go Ipoh that night and woke up the next day early for a meeting with ETP supervisor. I had never participated in any of such runs. Joining this 10 km distance to complete within 80 minutes was a goal i set for myself, initially.

But i had no proper training before and only left a few days to boost my stamina. I had a previous injury on my leg and after the first training, i could feel the pain pressing. Needless to say, i felt my goal turning elusive and far-fetched. So, i decided that i would complete it in whatever time possible. Training continued for the next day (Friday) and that's when i can really feel the pain as i ran. Feeling demotivated at the leg, spirited at the heart. The last day (Saturday), we had swimming instead- in hopes that i don't overexert pressure on my leg. The day finally arrived. We woke up as early as 4 am to prepare for the run and the bus transport to the venue.

Waiting patiently for the bus to leave uni. The first time i woke up this early in my uni life.

Had breakfast in room and arrived the venue- Stadium Indera Mulia nearly after six. We moved to our registration booth for final check-in before we stretched our legs and do little warm ups- our stomachs began to challenge the resist. Kept our bags and prepared for the run, we were later moved to the starting point at seven and cheered together with the rest of thousands of participants to ignite the spirit. Like a new year's countdown, we counted down to one and the gun was fired. My 10 km run kicked off!

The starting line. Ready.


It was challenging. Tiring. Exhausting.

Run.

Then walk.

To run again.

When i saw the distance markers, as seen here is 7km, i was motivated. I looked to my watch, with 3 more kms to go and i still have enough time to finish before 80 mins, i pushed myself so hard that i forgo the thoughts of pain in my leg and my thinning stamina.

I could see the finishing line and my heart raced and my spirit burned! I knew i could do it!

A little bit more. Don't give up! Ran in the D lane to the end!

I finished the 10km run within the 80 minutes. And i was genuinely thrilled; brimming with smiles worn over my wearied face, and felt pure satisfaction. I achieved my goal!

Queuing up for the Milo and 100 Plus. It's all about mind over body in the end. If you put your mind in it, against all odds, you can emerge triumphant. Set the mind to strength.

Completing the run, i now feel like i have become a different person with another whole new perspective. I have never really fought with myself, this hard this long, for a long long time. Aside from academics, i forgot how it felt like to push myself. And this pushed me to my limit. I kept on moving; never stopped to catch a breath, never stopped to rest. To run with a crowd, beside friends, is a different feeling. People of all ages ran next to me: small kids, school students, seasoned runners and senior citizens; and people of all sizes. It was inspiring, to see what inspired them and in return, inspired me to complete the run.

I came back to uni with a greater sense of achievement and despite the aching legs and body, it was a truly memorable experience; one i will never forget.

wc11 keeps on running, and running, and running...

Holding the certificate of completion in front of the finishing line. This kicks start the training and spirit to my Mount Kinabalu climb in the future.

" If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. " - Martin Luther King Jr.