Yes, that is the distance I will have to run this Sunday.
Why? Because it is there to be run. That is a silly answer I know. It is trite and meaningless. But I really don’t have a better answer. I am not one of those super fit people who eat marathons for breakfast. I am not even a young man anymore with spare energy to burn. So the question is why? Before I come back to the question at a personal level, let me generalise for a while.
This Sunday, there will be 50,000 people participating. Sure not all are running the full marathon. Many are running the half, many are running 10 km. But a good number are running the full marathon. Why? Well there are different categories. Some are the competitive runners. They run to win. They run to win money. But these are really just a small number and mostly from the countries in Africa where they are exceptional at long distance running. I read that the world record holder is running. He can complete the distance in 2:15. That is just out of this world. I won’t even be halfway done.
Some are your ultra fit people. You know the type. But many are ordinary normal people. Why do they do it? For many, it is a sense of achievement. In life’s many trials, we often need goals to provide indicators of success. this is one indicator. The odd thing about these runs is that many people are not the young people you expect. I guess the endurance needed would be something people a bit older would want to challenge themselves with. And I am sure there are some who just enjoy it!
To complete a marathon in a decent time, you need to train over a longish period of time. There needs to be discipline and determination. It is like any other life struggle I guess. It is both physical and mental endurance.
What about me? Well, I haven’t trained that hard. The longest distance I have run is a half marathon. And that was a struggle. I have been running consistently recently, but I always got bored well below the required distance. So physically, I am not in the best state to do it. In fact, when I mentioned it to my doctor, he diplomatically responded that it was up to me although he didn’t advice such long runs for anyone. He was trying to avoid a lawsuit I think should anything happen to me but it wasn’t comforting! ha! ha! Hmmm…
Why do I do it then? Well, I do enjoy running… to some extent. Up to 10 km can be fun and gives you a high. Running is a solitary thing for me. I don’t really like running with someone. It takes away the in-time I have with myself. But over 42 km? The mind is almost a delirium, the body is a mess of aching everything. Well, I just recently hot the big 40! Its one of those milestones I always wante dto accomplish when I hit 40. Some friends think it is some kind of mid-life crisis. Ok, maybe. But better than some other manifestations which I will not go into.
I never was a fit young man. I liked playing sports as a young man but wasn’t a sports person. I hated all the physical exercise in the army. As I got older, I guess I wanted to be more physically active. I will never win a medal running a 100 metre race. But I can get a medal finishing marathon. But honestly, I really don’t know why.
So here goes. I will try. It may take me a long time. But I sure am going to give it a shot. If I don’t make it through, it was great knowing all of you and have a great life! Ha! Ha!
HI! good luck for the stanchart marathon! no wonder i see you running a lot for the past few months. like joy, i read your blog often too, just that i don’t comment…
so, keep blogging!
Thanks. I am going to need a lot more than luck! Ha! Ha!
Hello, I’m back again after A’Levels
Hope you still can vaguely remember me though.
Have fun running! Haha, I missed the deadline though D:
Hi old friend! Great to hear from you. You have to update me on what’s going on in your life. Thanks for your good wishes. Too bad you missed the deadline. Next year ya?
you weren’t crawling! you were running!!:D and shiyu recognised you from far away haha:)
That’s just the last section. Ran the first 21, then walked and ran until my legs hurt like mad. Still hurts. Sigh age. It was really nice seeing all of you there. Hope you had fun!
Yeah, Nike’s women run
I’m sure you can try registering for it HAHA 
I’m currently volunteering at Ubin. Will be hunting for a temp job from Jan onwards. Hopefully with the organization that deals with plants
Yay, you’ve lasted a marathon!
You are making fun of me aren’t you? Terrible! Ubin sounds like fun. You are quite the environmentalist huh? Try N Parks?
Yes.
Yes it’s fun
Yupp, I’ve been volunteering with them since the beginning of this year at Chek Jawa 
That’s great. I really admire young people like you. You carry on volunteering because of passion, not just because you had to. Hope you are enjoying your Christmas break too. Can think of finding a temp jpb to do before Uni in Jan. Try out something you are thinking of making your career. Or do something you never would do. Just for the experience!
When passion leads to many many mosquito bites.. Haha! I’m spending Xmas in Macau, flying off to China this Friday. Hmmm, I can send you Xmas blessings in chinese though
Oh yeah, you want an Xmas card? I can send from China 
Oh, I’ve figured out. Do you need a maid? I can be one– it’s something I never would do
Mosquito bites come with the territory unfortunately. Actually I hate the bites too. Don’t know why I get a lot as well whenever I do such things. Christmas at Macau huh? Venetian? I don’t gamble so I find Macau boring. Venetian was ok because of the concept. Food and shopping good in Macau though. That should be fun for you.
Maid huh? I think it is a really hard job. I am sure you won’t like it. If you cook and iron well, you are hired!!!
Yeah, you want an air flown card?
If I cook, you will need a team of fire fighters on standby, oh bush fires!
If I iron, you will end up wearing clothes with holes at every possible unimaginable part!
Haha!
What just a card? Sounds like an airflown steak. That always sounds funny to me! Airflown steaks! Flying cows! Ha! Ha! ok, ok corny. No need la. You just go have a great time. You deserve it after working so hard for your As.
Like that how you be a maid? I think I would make a better maid. At least I can iron and cook with reasonable results! Ha!
merry belated xmas and a happy new year in advance!
oh, i like the mix of architectural buildings in macau (apart from the casinos since i don’t like the smell of cig smoke) venetian was nice! but the shopping malls there are about the same with those expensive shops meant for gamblers who have won big.
also, i was touring around the entrance of lisboa’s casino with my parents and cousin’s family when we were suddenly swarmed by a huge crowd of prostitutes (mostly taller than me but i’m not that short). and two mainland-china men could be heard bargaining with the prices. gross sight.
sigh, it’s tiresome looking for a job. maybe i’m expecting a bed of roses and perhaps i might have restricted my choices. but oh well, um, hmmm. i’m really considering being a maid cos afterall, cooking and ironing are two essential skills i would probably need in the future.
sigh.
Merry Christmas to you to! Glad you liked Macau. I know what you mean about the cigarette smoke. Some of the shops at Venetian were ok right?
Well, you could look for work as a relief teacher. Ha! Ha! What exactly are you looking for?
a job like singing xmas carols on the gondola upon the grand canal!
haha most shops are too expensive for me.
i don’t mind helping out with cleaning though
A bit hard since Christmas has ended for the malls. They are starting to prepare for CNY! Not so hard to find work in Singapore I think. Retail outlets/restaurants usually hire right?
CNY = spring cleaning? You need some help there? Going around for free service!
Free service cleaning! Where, where, where?! Lots to clean. My office, my car, my house! No end really. Spring cleaning. That’s a funny expression in Singapore. I guess the whole spring thing associated with CNY!
Maybe there will be spring, summer, autumn and winter cleaning! Happy New Year! You’re one year older
Happy New Year to you too! This year will be an exciting one for you. And don’t forget you offered to help me clean! I will hold you to that!
Sure, you must have realised I can’t help you clean when all I have is a website
You can’t really hold me to that haha!
Hey! You are backing out already. No fair. Sigh…
I haven’t backed out!
All I meant was.. I can’t help with cleaning if I don’t have an address, I can’t clean a website! (unless I wipe my computer screen regularly!)
Ha! Ha! True. Anyway, I am sure you are not serious. Who wants to spend their break cleaning up? Hope you are enjoying yourself!
I am sure you are wrong.
I am serious! April Fool’s still a far way to go!
Anyway, such a long break isn’t useful if I rot my soul away without helping others
Be careful what you offer. People may just take you up on it. Ha! Ha! Hope you are enjoying your break.
Yupp, have fun with another year of school life while I whiz away to neverland
Also, have fun with spring cleaning! Aha!