Running and Learning

41km mark Honolulu Marathon

After the Honolulu Marathon last December, I wanted to figure out what to do with running. Should I do more marathons, and if so is it to improve my time? I think I would burn out doing too many 25-30km weekend long runs without a clear goal to motivate me. Or should I just dial back and run 5km or 10km regularly to stay fit. If so how would I keep myself motivated? Eventually I decided I would try something new. I bought myself a pair of Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 as a Christmas present to try my feet on trail running. The idea is that it would increase the intensity of my runs, I won't have to clock up too much mileage and it should be fun running in the forest.

Lower Peirce Reservoir

I have done it a couple of times now but it was a difficult start. The varying terrain makes my heart rate swing and breathless right from the start. I make it sound like I am running in the Swiss Alps. It reminded me of when I first got myself off the couch to do a short run around my apartment. It definitely helps to draw on the experience of training for a marathon. So I thought it would be good to write down what I have learnt from running over the last year.

Macritchie Reservoir

1. Getting off the couch:

* Procrastination is energy zapping. You will always feel better getting yourself out of the door. Just don't pick a very hot time of the day
* Start with a walk, in your flip-flops if you have to
* Walk around the block so that you know you have the safety of getting back home
* It can be helpful to mark it out in the calendar so that you are not dependent on the right mood to come around
* Don't expect to do the same distance each time or at the same time each day of the week. Each day of the week will be different, so try to fit in what you can. It is more important to get out there 3 - 4 times a week, even if it for 20 - 30 minutes each time

Upper Peirce Reservoir

2. Starting to run

* Get a good pair of running shoes to motivate yourself
* Shut down the imposter syndrome. Everyone starts somewhere
* It is going to be difficult the first time so start small say 2km. You may tell yourself that you don't want to do it again but let tomorrow deal with itself. Just follow the calendar

Catchment Trail

3. Building mileage
* Slowly build up the distance at the rate that you are comfortable with
* Don't expect to always be able to run at least the same distance as the day before. Every run is a good run
* Try a new running route to motivate yourself to run further. Seeing new things makes it less mundane
* Your route doesn't always have to finish where you started. Run wherever you want to and take a cab home
* Consider signing up for a race, a distance that you may not have done before but within your reach based on your current mileage.
* Learn about hydration, fuelling, and start treating yourself with more running gadgets

Malasada and banana

4. Marathon

* Be patient if you want to run the distant
* It helps to make it part of a holiday
* You may never feel fully prepared for your first marathon. The last 5 - 10km is going to be tough no matter what. It is about mental stamina more than your physical strength
* When a journey gets hard and you feel like you can’t go on, just take one step at a time
* Although finishing the race will be incredible, it isn't everything. If you have to walk or sit down, do it. Don't kill yourself trying to finish it
* God is with you where you are, supporting you. He isn’t waiting at the finishing line wondering if you will make it.

15km Trail Run clinic

5. Trail Running

* It is about learning something new and drawing on the experience of road running
* It is going to be hard the first few times but keep at it
* It is far better to be patient than trying to overtake someone hurriedly and ending up spraining your ankle
* Time to get a running vest and learn how to use it
* Trail running shoes and good socks are crucial. Besides you don't want to ruin your road running shoes
* It will make you appreciate Singapore even more because the trails are beautiful

Dairy Farm

Although trail running has strengthened my legs, I don't think it can replace the need for long runs if I am to do another marathon. For me running a marathon has a lot to do with building up the mental strength to do something that can be incredibly mundane. You don't have the distractions or the shade from the sun that a trail runs offer. My current goal is to successfully complete a 25km trail run in April by God's grace. I have a 30km run meant for Feb which have been deferred indefinitely due to the Covid-19 outbreak. So I get to leverage on the 25km trail run to prepare for the 30km. Perhaps the rest of the year would just be about treating every run as a good run.