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Get Off The Bench
A long time ago, I used to be a competitive runner. I trained 4 times a week, and my idea of “a treat” was Coke or chocolate (only one of either every 2 weeks). In the good old days I thought nothing to competing (and winning) two individual races, and leading a relay team to victory, then jumping for leisure (by leisure I mean: it didn’t matter what colour the medal was, it wasn’t my event but I wanted to take part anyway), all on the same afternoon. Then age caught up with me in a big way, even though I’m only 21. In the last three years I’ve only exercised a total of 3 times. To be fair, I’ve done a fair amount of consistently physical activity — caving (too many caves this year, and I’m not even fond of them: Chiang Dao, Cherrapunjee), gliding across streams and balancing my body across tree trunks, snorkelling, swimming (one lap is all I can stand of swimming), climbing the Angkor temples, running after trains and planes. Just not quite the same as the old days.
I have never felt the urgent need to regain my fitness and shape, until now. In the last years I had drugged myself out with coffee and Chinese herbs just to reach the optimal level, one which used to come easily. I was fatigued all the time, and pale. Physically even though I wasn’t getting fat, it wasn’t easy to accept losing the (if I may say so myself, pretty good) shape I was used to all these years. My sprinter’s thighs caught up with me, and I hated it. For reasons of vanity and fitness, I was becoming increasingly disturbed. I picked up one of George Sheehan’s books on running, rotting on my shelf for years, and had a quick read through. It made me miss running. Even though my body and mind refused to go, I saw the headline: Get Off The Bench. And I did! I hit the ground running.
Not having exercised in such a long time, I knew I had to take it slow, so it was a slow and easy workout but it did wonders for my mind and body. There was a short warm up jog from my house to West Coast Park (maybe 2km), a comprehensive warm up routine, a mid tempo run to Pasir Panjang, back through the Cheese Prata Shop/NUS and through Clementi Woods, 3 sets of 20 sit ups and various exercises at the park, then another slow 2 km cool down jog. It was easier than my lazy mind previously believed. My problem with taking up running, for a time, was motivation. In the days of competition I knew I trained for a reason: to win. It was simple. Simple enough for a 14 year old. Eyes on the prize, and nothing else. Running for fitness is a different thing altogether. There’s nobody to outlast, to take over, no rapturous, adoring audience to run towards. I don’t have a personal best anymore: I’m starting over. I don’t even know how much distance I covered exactly, or how much time I took. It’s about starting over, minus the numbers, without the prizes. Yet old habits die hard: I take nothing with me, still dress in my competition gear, put on racers, have nothing on me that suggest running for leisure: no money, no towel, no bus card, no music. Just me hitting the road, finding rhythm and direction. I’m in a state of bliss when I’ve pushed myself hard, and yet I’m happy to feel the wind in my hair. It’s a wonderful feeling. Running is not just religion, it’s also a place. A place I’m very happy in.
I learned a few things this evening. (1) Everytime I’m ready to return to running, I do it in a dramatic, symbolic way: my shoes break, literally, in ways you never see shoes breaking. On my first race after recovering from an unfortunate ankle fracture and 4 months in a cast, I took the baton from my team, placed second last by the time it got to me in last leg, and sprinted to gold. I crossed the line and my spike shoes cracked right through the middle and split into two. I put on my replacements and went to compete in another race. I wish I had the resilience from my younger days. (2) I still can’t run in shirts with sleeves.
This evening, my running shoes split, again. I am medically certified with flat feet, so I need shoes for overpronators. There was a time when I could tell you exact running shoe models for supinators and overpronators, but I can’t anymore. Any suggestions for a good pair (especially Asics), and a good place to buy them?
I feel like I’ve found an old friend, so stay tuned for endless updates about running routes and gear, of interest to may 3 people altogether. (For an interesting run, you can think about doing the women’s 5K or half marathon at the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon… running past Ta Keo would be pretty cool!)
21 Comments
try GT2100 for moderate overpronators. try to order it through someone in the armed forces. we get 40% off asics.
I love my Asics GT-2110 and I wouldn’t use anything else. It has the harder material in the mid-sole (duomax) to help with overpronation. Not too sure how flat footed you are though. If you need something with more support (but you will have to compromise with a heavier shoe), you can check out this list. The going price for the GT-2110 at Queensway is $140.
Welcome back to this place!
Oh, and I think the Half Marathon at Angkor Wat would be so so cool.
finally got off the bench five months back, with no regrets (experiencing overwhelming guilt currently though, stemming from a one month break in sep)! looking forward to your running updates.
Coincidentally, I just got off my bench and ran for the first time in three months! I did run once every two days before August, so now I’m trying to pick up the tempo.
Ran out of breath at the 2.5k mark yesterday. Should’ve started slow and eased into it.
This is a cause for celebration.
Your post is right on time. I haven’t jogged since 3 months. Saturday was my first 5K run. While researching George Sheehan on Amazon, I discovered and ordered Glover’s “Competitive running Handbook”.
(now I just need to gear up: Nike + iPod nano: what do you think?)
I have some of George Sheehan’s books, I especially like “Running to Win”.
I’ve never been a fan of Nike’s running shoes. They just don’t suit my feet, and everyone else has better shoes! The Asics, the New Balances, the Mizunos, even some Brooks and Sauconys. Nike’s running shoes wear out really fast too, for me at least. Nike+ sounds great though… I wish they did iPod integration with Adidas instead. Amazon’s having a automatic $20 off all shoes above $80 discount, and you can get another $20 off from some vouchers online. :)
Good that you managed to get off the bench. Jiayou!
I recently got ASICS Gel 110D after confirming my fears that I do have flat feet. I got them at the running lab at a 30 percent discount thanks to a friend from the tri club (I think that’s what it’s called). It’s a rather old model with something at the side that prevents overpronation by providing more support around that area.
I heard ASICS Kayano is quite good as well. Hope that helps.
I have flat feet too and the Asics Gel-Foundation IV are my shoes of choice. They are light, have great support, and for some reason make me feel faster. Zoom!
well, running is always good. i do not know how to put it down in words but its always good. something magical bout it i reckon.
sorry mate but how do you run 4 times a week everyday?
Oops, forgot to delete ‘everyday’ from the sentence.
Thanks for the recommendations. The Asics models recommended were just the same ones I was looking at. Now to go to the Running Lab and check them out for myself.
I was diagnosed with flat feet too and seriously… I cannot see why the old people say that flat feet people are weak, cannot walk far, cannot run… Nonsense… I used to run competitively back in Sec sch too but well right now I’m a mass of blob fat =)
Adri, I use a Nike Katana II Bowerman Series, bought it in peninsular. They have a wide version, I think. Good luck!
Asics Kayano. I swear by them. I’ve tried a number of others, even from other brands, but the moment I slipped on a pair of Kayanos, I knew my quest has finally concluded.
very inspiring! i used to be a competitive runner during my good old sec school days too. i tot flat feet were not able to run fast? perhaps im ignorant but clearly you’ve proved the theory wrong. keep running!
Congrats on your new shoes! The Asics GT-2110 is simply the best. :)
May the road rise to meet you; may the wind be always at your back. Many happy miles, poppy!
Try Map Edit.
Congrats on your new found lightness! I badly needed motivation to start running again… n i found your entry! Anyway, i went to queensway last weekend, n the guy recommended me adidas chiba PRO. i dont know much about the shoe though.. anyone care to help me?
go to the adidas store at vivocity, or running lab at funan. the guys there will be able to give you a test to see how you run, and what kind of shoe is good for you. e.g. if you are flat footed and over pronate, like me, then you\’d go for one of the stability shoes, like my Asics. otherwise, just a regular shoe, or one with motion control, depending on your needs. haven\’t heard of the chiba pro but then i can\’t wear any of the adidas shoes (they don\’t feet the shape of my feet!) so i can\’t say i\’ve looked into them.