Life of a Hedgehog: April 2014

My passion for running has only started when I first came into SRJC! Back in Secondary school days, I've never liked running. I only run whenever there is 2.4km test. WillRun was the first time I've ever ran my first long distance run. In my heart when I first heard 10km, my reaction: "siao uh? I walk can or not?"

2 years have passed, this being my 3rd year running WillRun, my reaction has changed. Now: "My target is 17km this year". I'd say the school culture has changed me. However, the biggest change was due to the inspiration I got from my first year Basketball coach, Zac. The day he left us, was the day WillRun ended. Quite sentimental of me, but it made this event even more special! He inspired me to run, when he managed to complete a marathon(42.195km) under 3 hours. To complete in 3 hours, it practically means you are running less than 45minutes for 10km on average! It was crazy...

Anyway, back to my topic, my reason for aiming 17km was because I wanted to be the first! I've never had the experience of being first, and knowing that I've schoolmates who managed to run 16km within 1hour and 15mins, the targetted distance became clear to me.
Friends: "what's the distance you are aiming for?"
Me: "17km:"
Friends: "WOAH! You really siao!"
In my heart, I was thinking, I've never said I was normal:)

26 April, 2014, WillRun2014. Target: 17km. The night before, I keep telling myself to sleep early.. In the end, slept at 1am, woke up, LATE!! Didn't mentally prepare myself, but I was hoping it would not be like the previous year. Last year WillRun was disappointing, because of the weather.. Bloody hot uh!!! As a result, I only ran 14km. Coming into this year's run, I was hoping the weather would be kind to me.

As I enter the school, I was looking around:
Weather(checked)
Atmosphere(checked)
Mental preparedness(unchecked)

Reason being, I knew it was going to be a hot day... The atmosphere was good! I saw all the guys cheering so enthusiastically for the girls running, be it their classmates, CCA mates or even orientation mates! In a way, the kind of spirit of supporting for your friends really make this run such a special one! The class of guys opposite where I was located were literally damn high! A bit retarded also uh, who the heck sings the school song while cheering... 845am, all the guys made their way to the starting point and did the mandatory stretching before running, and me as usual, will always want to be in the front. My entire CCA filled up the starting line, and they knowing I wanted to be first, jokingly said: "later I help you block the way"
Tsk tsk... so bad!

Basketballers filling up the entire starting line!

"BLAARRRREEEE", POOF, OFF WE GO!
For the first time I'm running in the front with so many people at the back, I felt pressured! But I just kept a consistent pace throughout! Big thanks to all those who cheered for me throughout the run! Every single time, I will try to acknowledge with a thumbs up! It's this kind of atmosphere where I felt pumped up and encouraged to push the extra mile. It was the encouragement that pushed me through during my 10km mark, where I felt like giving up.. The heat was burning, I was running out of strength and my goal felt too far... My motivation, it was fading away. That surge of feeling to give up was strong, but I kept this 3 words in my head, as though I was chanting a mantra. Mind Over Matter.

I expected the heat to affect me, so I decided to push on, and ignore it. My body started to feel more invigorated, and I was pushing for my target! 12km completed in: 3mins 50s, madness. I pushed around that pace till I finally completed 16km, the mark of the top. With 4mins left on the clock, I was too lazy and tired, the sole on my feet, burning.. My body, burning. Should I push?? "Nahhhh..." And I decided to stop. A bit of a regret now, but overall, the run was a great one! (would be better if the weather is kinder) This would probably be the last run till A's are over! Till my next race~ Mind over matter.
Shall end it with the photos I've taken after crossing the finishing line and completing the run!