Usually, each individual act for a reason and I ponder over this straightforward question why I continued to do what I did after 6 years of leisure running since the year 2005.

I recall it as a suggestion from my ‘Ironfriend’ (He completed an Ironman lately) to take part in the 42.195km run in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. I was still in the army, relatively lean, seldom snack and most importantly, still able to obtain a gold timing for my 2.4km.

During that stage, the longest distance I had conquered was possibly 10km and completing one or two at most. I could still vaguely remember how tormenting it was to just complete the 10km. So when the idea was brought up, thoughts of finishing the run seems impossible.

And to answer the question in your mind, the main reason I didn’t consider a half marathon was because it was not worth the money invested. It’s unintelligent. It’s brainless. But that’s just how my brain operates.

It still gives me the creep every single time I recollect my first marathon experience. I cannot remember any achievement after the race but totally preserve the data of how the insufficient training resulted in pain, pain and more pain.

At 15km, the leg started cramping and I walked.

At 21km, I counted each step.

At 28km, I strolled in agony.

At 35km, I refused to walk. (But did anyway…)

At 38km, I sat down, stretch, tried to walk, cuss, blame myself and everything.

When crossing finishing line in 6 hours 6 mins 41 secs, I thank god all this was over.

I run because I can. At least that was how it all started. 

I don’t actually have any exciting running stories but after my first dreadful marathon experience, I was determining to challenge it once more to complete it at a faster timing. And the subsequent challenge targets on completion without stop and lesser pain.

I lost interest after this stint but with the motivation from my running buddy, I ran again. I ran with different purpose at different face after that.

Upon passing out from the army, I sought to maintain my fitness, I ran to stay in shape.

I enjoy other sports such as soccer, basketball or basically ball games and trained by running to get the required fitness.

I lack discipline in maintaining the runs and grew fat. To slim down, I ran.

From time to time, I needed a goal to work towards or to get new ideas or simply just to relieve off the daily stress. Running constantly helps to provide some sort of solution. They came in the form of a discipline training regime or some bizarre ideas that you will not get from sitting in front of your computer or a recharged body ready to battle the next incoming intricacy.

Eventually after every run, I feel refreshed and look forward to the subsequent one because it’s generally fun and the achievement can only be felt from the runner himself.