Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Running

I first started running (in a fun manner) about 2 years back. Took on my first 5 km at a big marathon event where I walked the first KM and jogged the remaining. I trained 3 times for that 5km. I finished about 45 minutes. I fell down and bruised my knee too. Then I stopped jogging, running or whatever you called it completely. I didn't find any joy then and I couldn't understand why people run at that time.

The following year in 2012, I signed up for 10KM in the Leisure category; aiming to finish under 2 hours. I picked the longest time there was. This is where it all came to life for me. My relationship ended and suddenly I had all the extra time in the world with a few friends who could spare a little time for me. Suddenly I am a rich woman with time...and bit of sadness. Oh, I wasn't happy at work too.

I started jogging; 3 months before race day... around the neighborhood. No tracking, nothing. I ran  half an hour averagely. It made me feel much better about a lot of things; mostly my mind. Then I start picking up myself again, to make the best out of things thrown at me and only give up when the worth is not there. Along the way, I picked up kickboxing. My friends started to make time for me. It was the BEST THING ever happened and forever grateful that I made good friends; considering I am one of those friends who disappeared for a long time before.

I completed my first 10KM in 1:25 minutes; a level higher than Leisure. I was a Cruise runner.I felt unstoppable the fact that I was able to run a 10KM. It's not a big deal to most people, but it was uplifting to me. Basically, it lift me up till today. I am able to run more these days, having to complete my first marathon in March'13.

Throughout this journey, I have met wonderful encouraging people who gave nothing but supportive kind words, who shared their experience with me to run better and motivated me in many ways. Running is a calm activity. Joining a race/marathon makes people understand that they can do anything with effort put into it. Of course, one must enjoy running as well. I found my love there along the way and I hope it will stay forever.

I  have a better stamina than before. I am a better and I feel genuinely good at almost everything.

Running has kept me sane, especially in picking myself up again at a point where I thought my world had crumbled. It made me realized that only a small part of my world had crumbled. My world is all dandy now, thank you, universe!

I hope I get better at this blogging thing rather than writing this piece that can't actually quite explain my joy for running. I'll do better next time.