What Running a Half Marathon Taught Me

To be a better person. Stronger person.

To many people, running wasn’t even a ‘fun’ or enjoyable thing to do. Totally not cool. But for those who are hesitating to pick up running as a habit, it’s time to reconsider and weigh the pros and cons of running regularly. Like many others, I didn’t like to run, I even try to avoid running sessions in school. It’s that bad, trust me.

The people I met during my National Service* changed me. Exercising was part of daily routine and running was part of the routine. You may dislike running because you are bad at it but let me state a harsh fact.

*National Service is mandatory for all Singaporean males above age of 18 to serve the country in the various services and vocations. More information to be found here.

BECAUSE YOU ARE LAZY!

And it’s true. Running requires consistency and if you do not run at least once or twice a week, your stamina drops by A LOT. The next time you run, you will feel chest pains and muscle aches, like you are running for the first time of your life. It is normal. You suffer when you are not consistent. Success cannot be achieved purely by luck; much effort has to be put in.

Mind Over Body

It really isn’t as hard as you imagined. Trust me on this. Finishing 21.1km is achievable and many have done it. Even if you do not run regularly, you will be able to complete it. Keep telling yourself that.

Moreover, how do you know that you can’t do it if you never even give it a shot?

Yes it is Painful, BUT…

I will still do it again, in less than a month’s time from now. WHY?

Find your motivation to complete the run.

My motivation to run would be to find a better me, to become a better me. Before I finish my first half marathon, I believe I wasn’t as strong willed as I am now. Now, I am aware that I am able to achieve much more than I think I can if I persevere and be consistent. You never know how close you are to success unless you last til the end of the journey.

Even if you didn’t get what you wanted, at least you can tell yourself,

“I’ve tried my best.”

What Are You Waiting for?

If you are still hesitating about signing for your first marathon, think no more and sign up for it! While you are young, you can do many things, things like skydiving, snowboarding, running a marathon. Don’t wait until you no longer have the stamina and energy that you start to regret.

Remember this,

Time waits for no one.