My Running Chronicle: 2XU Compression Run

The Very Gaya looking TRAFFFFians at 2XU Compression Run 2011

After more than 3 months hiatus from running competitions (the last was 12km on 12.12.10) and a brief hiatus (3 weeks) from running due to ankle injuries caused by pure clumsiness and stubbornness, my first run for year 2011 was the 2XU Compression Run in Singapore held on 10th April 2011. The chronicle would not be complete without giving credits to Noor, who discovered about the run in the process of his virtual quest for international running competitions via the web utilizing the device none other than google search engine. Noor's magnanimity in sharing the information on TRAFFFF group has created a ripple effect immediately amongst the kiasu TRAFFFFians and almost immediately within a few hours, many have signed up for the run and we even have 'almost' continuing bib numbers starting with my number - 6665. Everyone was so excited about the "international" run and travelling arrangements were made respectively.

The first batch of runners - Hot Ass Yam (virgin runner) and Super Delta James (virgin international runner) arrived in Singapore as early as the midnight of 8th April 2011. The kiasu couple - Noor and Jo as well as myself arrived via the first flight of Firefly at around 9.10 a.m at Singapore ensued by Joe Liew who took a flight an hour later than ours. Sarge Dann and Ody decided to drive down (for the purposes of loots loading I supposed). The fiesta begun immediately with a shopping spree at Velocity at Nowena Square. When we arrived at the Newton Shop, the shop assistant (who we later found out that his name is Nus) was still sweeping the floor when we stormed into the shop with irrepressible excitement. I went with a mission and vision to own a pair of Newton shoes as I have previously did thorough research and concluded that I must have a pair of Newton. Noor and Jo started with a nonchalant attitude by browsing the racks. Nus asked me to do a mock run to ascertain which pair of shoes that were suitable for me. After running around the mall (yes, it's a shopping mall and yes, bystanders were staring at me in awe and bewilderment) for a while, Nus concluded that I am a forefoot-mid-foot runner and I was prescribed with the shocking pink Newton Performance Racer Distantia shoes.

I felt so comfortable and light running and sprinting (around the mall) in the pink shoes and it took me about 30 seconds to decide to swipe my card in exchange for the pink Cinderella shoes. Seeing me flushing red with excitement, Jo decided to give it a sprint try and another 2 minutes later, another card was voluntarily surrendered to Nus. Needless to say, after witnessing the barter trade between me, Jo and Nus, Noor could not suppress his desire anymore and before we knew it he was trying on at least 5 pairs of shoes at the same time. By the time Yam and James found us in the shop, Nus had happily concluded 3 sales thanks to the 3 stooges from Kuala Lumpur. Soon after, James, Joe Liew, Yam and Lizza followed suit and bought a pair of Newton shoes each. We were happy with our new shoes and Nus was contented with his sales quota. I must say, it's a fair trade which made everyone happy for the day.

The Newtonised TRAFFFFians continued with the shopping spree. More HALO caps, power gels, SPI belts, running jerseys, shorts, compression attire were purchased at the expense and courtesy of the credit line graciously provided by a a few Malaysian financial institutions. By the time we all retired at the hotel/respective accommodations, I supposed sufficient legs warm up exercise has been achieved through walking in the malls.

The next morning, we arrived at the Singapore Flyer near Marina Promenade as early as 6 in the morning. Everyone was stylishly clad in some form of compression attire. We looked as if we were models for some poster or something. Camwhoring started at 6 a.m and continued intermittently through some warm up exercises led by Sarge Dann (our bootcamp instructor). The Singapore Flyer with its lights on looked magnificent in the dawn. We were more mentally prepared than we physically were.

As usual, my bladder required dual visitations to the public washrooms and by the time I came out from the toilet, sucked my energy gel and walked towards the starting line, everyone seemed to have started running. Oops, the run was flagged off when I was still in dream mood. I clumsily turned on my Runkeeper timer and iPod and started running. Before I could even react to utter some good luck gibberish to Jo and Lizza they had sped away.

As advised by Rose, I started slow and I truly enjoyed the scenic sceneries along the promenade looking at the Marina Channel. Oh, I also spotted few homeless under the bridge and by the public toilets. It felt so good to be in a run again. The sky was drizzling but it didn't really matter as I was enjoying my run tremendously. We ran back to the Singapore Flyer to turn to the Esplanade, Fullerton, Marina Bay Sands and back to the Singapore Flyer.

Somehow, I didn't feel the desire to be kiasu at all. I saw many elderly passed me by and I was amazingly not having any issues with it. Perhaps I was fully aware of my injuries and perhaps I was even more aware that my physical strength would not enable me to catch up with them anyway. Without the pressure to compete with others and with myself, I immersed myself with the pure pleasure of running, feeling my heartbeat, my short of breaths and the rhythm of my footsteps. I felt alive. I felt happy. I felt joy. Simple joy from simplicity of life. I thought about Haruki Murakami. He wrote in his book "Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest." That was exactly how I felt when I run.

I saw the 9km distance marker and not long after that, I saw the Singapore Flyer ahead and the Finish Line was waving at me from afar. Powered with the confidence in my Newton shoes and initiated by the last minute splurge I decided to increase my speed. Pumping my heart near the edge of having a possible heart attack, I was taken aback when I saw that the Finish Line Banner was at the opposite side of the route and we were supposed to run towards the Promenade again before turning back towards the Finish Line. At that point in time, my energy fuel was running low and I was besieged by immense exhaustion. I even found the music blasting away at my ears annoying and snapped it off. The run was no longer fun and joyous anymore. My ankle hurt tremendously and I was feeling light-headed. When I was about 100 metres away from the finish line, I mustered all my remaining strength and sprinted. You have no idea how relieved and happy I felt when I passed through that line.

I realized another reason why I love running so much. Running is akin to living your life. It's a solo pursuit. Sure enough you would have your running comrades at certain juncture of the journey, which keep you company and motivated. But then again, at the end of the day, it is you who determine when and how you make it to the finish line. The route may be scenic at times, or hilly, or downhill or with stumbling blocks, but you don't stalled, you never quit and you continued running because you know once you crossed the line, all these would became history and unforgettable and beautiful memories which etched in a corner of your mind. And the best part is, those who loved you always wait for you at the finish line, to share the moment with you, and that is what matters most in life, isn't it? Yes, as my friend always remind me, it's not so much about the timing, it's more about the journey, the great friends and the fantastic memories!

Lastly, may I present you with the finishers' medals - Voila!