THIS IS IT... !

No, this is not the revival of MJ's concert, but merely my proclaimation that I have finally collected my 50th running medal last sunday in Kuantan. Many have asked why I was so crazy dashing off immediately after a hunt in Melaka and flying to Kuantan just to do a 10km run. Little did they know that this run was especially significant for me because my very first running medal (1/2 marathon) was collected in Kuantan way back in 1989 and I thought it would be nice to round up my 50th from the very place I started. Besides, I really wanted to dedicate this run medal to my dear friend, Vincent. In Dec 2005, when Vincent and I were in the Singapore 500K Race, a series of 5 amazing-race type of hunts where RM500k were at stake, the Singapore Marathon was on too. With Vincent's encouragement, I decided to take a break and run the 10km race. This very race (the marathon, not the hunt) re-kindled my running passion. It was there and then that I made a resolution to amass 50 running medals by the time I reach 55. Though Vincent is not here to witness my accomplishment, I still hope that he'll stamp his mark of approval from Heaven!

~ for Vincent

It has been a long hiatus from running for me; my last race before that was in 1991 and that's when treasure hunting took over priority. I took up running when I joined Fitness International (now defunct) in 1989. The centre, housed in the Park Royal Hotel, was run by an American couple. Dale, the manageress was a veteran marathoner and she practically "sapu-ed" all the marathons back then. It was she who led and encouraged a small group of us to run. Way back then we have nothing else better to do, no internet, no Astro and treasure hunting was in its infancy. My very first race was in Kuantan Marathon'89 where I ran 21km in the men's open category and clocked 1:44:20, which was a commendable feat for a beginner... :) I was 35 years old then.

~ my first run

Our little group practically ran round the country persistently running from one race to another those days. Except for Dale, none of us were any good to win any prizes in a race, but we were just as happy to be in the company of a champion. 3 months into running my first 1/2 marathon, I then ambitiously attempted a full marathon in Penang. Sad to say, it was disastrous for me! Being too eager to finish in good time, I over-stressed and exhausted myself in the first 3/4 of the run, and had to painfully limp the rest of the way to the finishing line. The time achieved : 4:18:25. Bad as it seemed, somehow I could never achieve any better in subsequent 42km races that I took part in. During the 2 years I was with the group, I ran in numerous 10km, 21km, and three more 42km races and collected a total of 26 running medals. For the record, my PB for 10km was 47 min and 21km 1:41:40. Doubt I can ever repeat those times nowadays, and I am glad I had a chance to do it when I was younger.

~ my first full marathon

Fast forward to 2005, having stayed away from running for 14 years and totally missed out on the junior veteran status (40~49), I returned to the running scene as a senior veteran (50 & above), and with a different perspective. No more running to better my times but merely to complete the course within the qualifying time frame and without injury were my objectives. Running, like treasure hunting, is like going on a vacation to me. For the past 4 years, I have been to various places outside Malaysia to run. Mostly 10km and an occasional 21 km runs are preferred when I run abroad for I need to conserve the energy for other things that I like to do after running. Don't get any wrong ideas there, I only meant shopping and sight-seeing. Though I have achieved my target of 50 medals, I will not rest on my laurels. I will continue to run but will not set any more targets and just take each run as it comes. I plan to run the 1/2 marathon in Melbourne in Oct, 25km Penang Bridge in Nov, the 42km in Singapore in early Dec and Chiangmai marathon (10km) in late Dec this year. I am giving myself six hours to complete the full marathon in Singapore. Anyone care to join me?

My testimonials.

~ my daughter's dowry :)