Not too sure what prompts my memory to toggle back so many years.
But it is nice to reminisce. :-)
I have never been active in sports.
All the sports I took part in were prompted by my mum or teachers.
In Primary 5, I was tasked to represent my class in 100m by my P.E. teacher.
It create a lot of unhappiness among my classmates as I missed the trials due to fever.
But a task is a task and I have to complete it.
Never know what is a starting block or running competitively.
Just know that when the gun is fired, just run.
I am that naive.
Manage to touch the finishing rope at the end of the race.
It was a photo finish.
The teachers have a hard time deciding who is the winner.
The choice to give me the silver was based on the fact that I came from 8th position off the starting block.
In primary schools in the 80s, timing is in terms of milliseconds. eg. 10.3 seconds
Thus it is really interesting to know see the scoreboard and see your results listed in microseconds (for Primary 5 100m Boys only) and that you lost by 0.03seconds.
When I was in Secondary 3, I was a last-minute inclusion for my class 4x50m freestyle.
This is more interesting, I never told anyone I have a swimming background.
Till date, I still have no idea why I was included in the team.
We never trained for the event.
Yet, it seems like those were the days where medals come easy.
My class got gold and we won by probably 25m or more.
Hehe, kena blamed later when my NPCC team could not get a medal. :p
Now to my physical self.
I was a heavy 70+kg kid since Primary 5.
I guess it is mainly due to the fact that I reach puberty much earlier.
Probably ard late Primary 4.
I was 1.7m when I was in Primary 5 and was a head taller than the rest of the class.
It was fun when you could go down the 4.5m deep pool without your ears popping.
Was deemed a show off in a pool many times without even knowing why.
I just know that it was fun.
Fast forward to Secondary 3, I had a week long fever which I basically threw up every thing I eat.
Lost 10kg and 6 inches off the waist within one week. Sounds incredible but true.
From a NAPFA Bronze, I progress to a Gold.
I am able to jump 260cm for my standing broadjump with ease.
Then came Poly and everything went down the drain.
No exercise and my weight went up to 72kg then 75kg.
When NS calls, I was not able to pass the IPPT test and went for the 4 months BMT phase.
First NSF 2.4km, a lousy 15 minutes.
By the 3rd week, it was down to 12:20.
The timing stayed the same for a while.
Till my "scholar" PC joined the ranks and was tasked to beef up the borderline company personnel.
Was roped in for a talk with my PC and I told my PC confidently that 12:20 is my best timing and I cannot improve anymore.
I still remember his words. "We shall see" was all he said.
That night and every night (minus those field trips) , the Delta Force started running. From 2.4km , we progress to 5km.
We even ran before night unarmed combat lessons!!!
Three weeks later, the company have a mocked IPPT lesson.
I completed my 2.4km in 9:50+
Unbelievable, but true.
Although my weight stayed at 75kg during my NSF days, I grown leaner and stronger.
My 2.4km never go beyond 10:10.
MY SOC was always around 8:30. SOC is my pet event as I could always skive.
The poor chaps always have to go for 3 or more laps , with lesser gear of course, while the few
of us who meet the instructors' timing could rest early.
Somehow my unconventional way of taking my SOC is has never gain any followers.
My strategy is to go slow on the approach leg, clear the obstacles as fast as possible and touch base fast.
So you typically see me running to the low wall in last place, but I will always be out of the obstacle first.
Fast forward to ROD!!!
I still run regularly after my ROD.
But all this running stops after I start dating.
1996 was the only year I past my IPPT.
I spend the next 9 years going for RT was a bi-annual affair.
In the 10 years after ROD, I gain a lot of weight. 33 kg to be exact.
An attempt to lose weight started in February 2005. It was successful.
I swim and run every day. I also watch my diet carefully.
Things were going great.
I lost 5kg within a month.
3 months later, a huge problem occurs.
My knees just gave way. I could not walk down stairs. It hurts with every step.
For the next 8 months, I could not run.
When I finally could run without pain, the enthusiasm to exercise was gone.
Signed up for SCSM2005 10km, but did not have the confidence to try out the "long" distance.
Thus when the day came, I cooked up 1001 reasons on why I should not go to SCSM.
I cannot believe that I manage to convince myself.
Along came Singapore Biathlon 2006, I signed up and went for the swim trial.
1.5km swim... Hmm, when I trained in 2005, I did 40 laps consistently. It was like 8 months since I trained regularly, but I still decide to give it a shot.
30 laps within 40 minutes. Should be possible.
The first swim trial was a disaster. I took 45 minutes.
The second swim trial was much better. 42 minutes.
The third swim trial. After 38 laps, I was within reach of the qualifying time. Decided to give put it more effort and went for freestyle at the final lap.
Within 25m from the end, cramps set in. I was disgusted with myself.
The good news though, they decided to let me qualify.
Race day came. I was not nervous at all. Standing on the beach, I am so happy that I make it to the start line.
My strategy is to swim slowly and make it to the finish with at a run-walk pace.
Reach the 750m swim turn point.
Everything was going fine. I am feeling great.
Suddenly, there was this awful sting on my left wrist.
It was damn painful.
Looking at the wrist, there was a burnt mark. I thought my Timex watch leaked and was giving me electric shocks.
Only later did I realise that it was a jellyfish sting.
Probably hurts that much, due to its tentacles getting stuck in my watch strap, giving me the extra dose of venom.
Decide to continue, ignoring the pain.
Less than 50m later, my left forearm was feeling numb.
Tread water and raise my hand. A kayak immediately approached.
Asked me if I need help. Told me that if I touch the kayak, my race will ended there and then.
It was a choice that I have no alternative.
Not long later, I went onto the motor boat.
They intend to wait for other "casualties" before proceeding back to shore.
But the pain was unbearable. The vinegar that they poured onto the wrist did not help a bit.
Went back to shore and immediately proceed to the medical tent.
They poured more vinegar and told me that the pain should subside in 2 hours time.
I made my way home.
12 hours later, the pain is still there.
Made my way to a 24-hour clinic and was given a jab.
When I was asked how I got such a nasty sting, I told the doctor what happened.
A raised eyebrow greeted me. Doc could not believe that I am crazy enough to attempt the Singapore Biathlon.
Woke up the next day with the same pain. In fact, I did not sleep much during the night with the pain.
Went to my family doctor the next day. Doc decided to give me another jab.
Again a raised eyebrow, when Doc asked me what happened.
With a tummy that represents a eight-month pregnant lady, it is hard to convince people that I do exercise.
Truth be told, exercise in 2006 is little and frequency is like once every 12 weeks? :p
In July, I recieved the SCSM Early Bird mailer for December SCSM 2006.
Decided to give 10km another shot.
It was a decision that is set to change my sports life.
Woke up very early on race day. Make my way down to Esplanade.
Wow, there are so many "crazy" people like me who likes to wake up so early to torture himself/herself.
The emcee keep saying "You are a winner just by being on the Start Line". How true his words are.
I have "siam" so many races to the extent that these words meant a lot to me.
Last km to the finishing line. Haha, wanted to walk, but spectators and runners are all cheering you on.
Bo pian, have to action a bit.
I made it!!! I completed my first 10km.
Exchange the champion chip for my first medal since school days.
The weeks after the SCSM was a revelation. I wanted to start running again.
Run twice a week. Started from 3km, progressing to 5km and subsequently 8km.
New Year's Day. After such an eventful SCSM, I wanted to see if anyone else is going through the same thing as me.
Came across SGRunners. The rest is history.
After pro-castinating for a while, I joined them for the pre-Valentine Day CBD Run.
A fever just before CNY robbed me of my fitness and 6 months down the road, I have yet to find my 6:40min/km pace.
Have my ups and downs during the last 6 months.
Am glad that I have a group of wonderful friends who keep cheering me on.
Thanks , guys!!!
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