It wasn’t love at first attempt for me - running, I mean. Back in the day, I used to wonder how could someone run long distances? Why would people endure the heat or rain just to complete a marathon? Remember Forrest Gump? Specifically, the scene where Tom Hanks, who plays the titular character, just keeps running non-stop. He runs across America for 1,170 days and 16 hours. When I was watching that scene, I thought it was ridiculous. There was no way anyone in their right minds would want to spend long hours running on the tarmac or anywhere, for that matter.
There were a few turning points that pushed me to take up running. The initial spark that set things in motion was the impossibility to get 14 players to agree on a time and date to play my favourite game, netball. The game was always cancelled. Needless to say, I was frustrated. Then, a friend suggested badminton. So, I bought a racket and hit the shuttlecocks. My gang of shuttlers met three times a week. We built rapport and became really close. We even participated in several novice tournaments. It was just mind-blowing! The adrenaline rush was at full speed during tournaments, especially if you are strategizing to outsmart the opposing team.
Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic happened. The whole nation was on lockdown, and restricted movement killed the game for me. All the badminton halls were closed. Our hands were tied, and I hung up my rackets. Somehow, I still needed to do some workout. Everyone in the family told me to just run on the treadmill. My younger sister has always been the runner in the family. She was like a hamster on a wheel—that’s how I would describe her running. Staring at the black, bulky and blocky treadmill, I begrudgingly laced up my running shoes.
I took baby steps on the treadmill. I didn't do a David Goggins. If you know what I mean. I didn’t want to be ambitious or an overachiever. I ran a respectable (in my humble opinion) - 2 kilometres. I was proud of myself! I thought, “There’s a Forrest Gump in me.” Then I asked my sister, "How far do you usually run?. “About 13 km every run.” I gulped. I didn’t dare share my progress. I had to swallow humble pie and walk away. How could I? It was such an embarrassment. I didn’t give up, though. I kept running at a slow pace for the first month, still steady at 2 km.
Then, gradually, I picked up the pace and slowly added distance. By the third month, I could run 4 km without struggling for air. After that, I got bored running on the treadmill, so I tried running outdoors. I almost fainted when I saw the wide-open space outside. How was I going to cover 4 km? I wanted to turn back but, I didn’t. I had to at least give it a try first, and what a pleasant surprise it was - I completed my run!
From then on, it was just adding distance week after week, and eventually, I ran marathon after marathon. I even ran a half marathon! Now I know there’s definitely a Forrest Gump in me. After I took up running, I understood why Forrest Gump runs in that scene. If you are not a runner, it may seem senseless to run to deal with emotional turmoil. He runs because Jenny, the woman he loves, leaves him. He runs because he is trying to process all the grief and heartbreak.
Me, on the other hand, what I’ve learned from all my running is that, it’s more than just a physical activity. It has become a journey of self-discovery and resilience. By adding a kilometre today or tomorrow, those achievements, however small, made my days better. It also demonstrated that perseverance trumps doubt at any given day. When things don’t necessarily look up, running keeps my head clear. I lace up, plug into my playlist, and just run. After every run, the fog always clears up. It helps me face life with renewed clarity and calmness. And just like life, the best way to move forward is to put one foot in front of the other, no matter how far the road ahead may seem. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your shoes and start running! All the best to you! You got this!
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Siew Mei Yam (vibrantwritings@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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