I started running since my first triathlon in 1998. I swam well, cycled like shit, but ran okay. That was in Desaru. After that I was in S'pore doing the SAFRA biathlon, where I swam at the oily waters of Sentosa and ran 10km. After that, I quit anything which had the suffix ***thlon. However, I continued my running stint with the Ipoh Roadrunner's 10km run which was the worst run in my entire life because there was ZERO water stations provided. That time, I knew the president of the RoadRunner's club in Ipoh - Mr. Chong, and I knew where he stayed; almost met him to murderlized him for giving me such a dreadful time. Since then, I 'quit'. It was a 6 year hiatus.
In this 6 years - it was swim swim swim swim. That's all I did. Oh ya, Aikido too.
Then I quit Aikido. Swimming was always part of me. Can never leave swimming. That aside, I took up running again which started with the Stan Chart 2009 in KL. My first 10km in 6 years! Since then I did not stop. Every few months there will be a run for me! It progressed to 21.1 km for me lately. This week is my inaugural Penang Bridge Marathon 2010. Next year is the Stan Chart Hong Kong 2011 Marathon.
You'll need training, that's for sure. With any sport, comes great reponsibility(read: Spidey's grandma). If not, especially 21.1km, you'll sure to pengsan. Practice and train.
So that's what I did. I practice and train my runs all the time. Just run regularly lah...But I'll give you a few of my own tips about running based on my own experience. I found this narcisstically farny but ini adalah Kisah Benar aku pasal ber-lari:
1. Don't makan curry/chilly dish before that!
My sweat burned me! BURN. My whole body itched is soo itchy like that. Wait, no, it's not literally itchy...it's more like your body feels like you've just rubbed cabai burung all over it. Or your bath spa contained chilly-extract, not roses/flowers. It happened to me twice.
2. Stray dogs love runners.
I know I don't have the luxury of a gym, but it's actually my choice to run outdoors. I love running outdoors as you get to experience lots of going-ons around you, smell the breeze (of Puchong? :P), curi makan some cendol, you get the luxury of ppl berwisel at u, or meet another runner or two who says: "good luck!" when u run pass them. Bliss!
But u also get to meet stray dogs! These dogs are very territorial. I pass that place three times, and three times it barked at me. It barked at motorcyclist too. Actually the third time, it chased me. Now I bring a rock with me whenever I run. Worst case scenario? Read this. Bring a rock or else, a gun and shoot it (except if you're in Ipoh since it's banned di).
3. Music works for running.
But don't blast the music too loud. It's important to know your surroundings, vehicles behind/in front of you, hear the horns, footsteps of (probably) thiefs, snatch thiefs, OR DOGS chasing you. Cause the dog was actually already chasing me from behind, but I didn't know as my music was max!! Thank God I FELT something behind me and threaten the dog by facing it and make as if I am throwing a rock at it. Our encounter was mere 3 feet apart.
4. The Fat lady sings ...then overtakes you.
During a race, you get reallly aggitated when a fat person (sorry, don't like to stereotype but can't help it!) overtakes you. Sorry, nothing you can do. You're just unfit. And FIT does not equal FAT/THIN. You may be fat, but actually a very fit person with a strong heart and good stamina, no?
5. Run w/o socks
I do that ALL THE TIME. It's okay when you've got cool shoes like my AdiZeros. No pain, no blisters. But, honestly...on a real race...and at 21.1km...pls wear socks! Esp for night runs as the tar roads can be hot at night. Thanks BK for the Nike socks. Amazing technology there.
6. Register early for a race.
If not you won't be able to race. Period. Beg and beg also cannot join the race. Examples of very-fast-finish-the-quota-for-runners: Standard Chartered HK marathon and SC Singapore marathon. I guess I scratched through the SC HK marathon 2011! HK here I come!
7. Don't overload on your banana
It happened to me! Once bitten twice shy. Consume Powerbar and banana are always the two most talked about (beneficial) tips for runners. Yes, you can eat banana, but if you ate too much like I did before a race, u tend to feel like a No.2 and it ain't too comfortable running while holding your a*s at the same time
8. Don't 'shower' at the water station drinks:
...cause you'll never know it's your extra sweet Gatorade. Hey, drinks are meant for drinking, k! If it's an International race, usually there's sponge provided. If you pour a clear drink over your head to cool down(which looked like plain water anyway, so can't blame you), you could have ants running up your pants while running the rest of the race. One sweet run for you there!
9. Runing is the only time where Carbo-loading is 'beneficial'
Of all places, it's Penang this weekend. Where carboloading means: Har mee, CKT, cendol, laksa, mua chi, gurney, seafood. But you don't want to laosai before the race, get it?
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| My PBIM race kit arrived by hand. Courier person stayed at Seri Tanjung as well. |
10. I am searching for a running FACE BRA...think: Ally McBeal
I always knew that running causes you to be fit but wrinkly. Not a very good sport for the skin. The sun, the movements, and the many hazards and injury that comes with running - you'll need a face bra :P Nah, forget it. I saw this TVseries years ago called Ally McBeal. I remembered that they wanted into invent a face bra? Why? Cause of RUNNING. Cause running cause saggy skin. There! http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/5-surprising-ways-youre-ruining-your-skin-2391719
You know what: Stick to swimming. Swimming won't alleviate your skin problem, but at least it's less wrinkly and you age slower! :P
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