"on a shoestring"

It’s hard to sacrifice something. especially when you want it badly and you do it everyday- like a habit. But there are things in life that you really have to sacrifice in order to meet your goal. Actually, sacrifice is inevitable in our daily life. We sacrifice sleep to finish our deadlines, night-outs to save some money, don’t buy something in order to save up for something better. Some call sacrifice a delayed gratification. I think runners have to delay gratification in order to achieve- and achieve greater heights.



Why do you have to get out of the party before 11pm so you can wake up early the next day for a long run? Why do you skip Saturday booze nights because you have to get a PR on tomorrow’s race? Or if you are like me, I started drinking just water during lunch break instead of softdrinks. And go with chicken rather than the pork barbeque. You might not believe me but I sacrificed running everyday, as I run 5-6 times a week before I started serious training. Now I am more focused on doing my half marathon training which dictates only 3 times of run a week and rest in between runs.

I have tried this during my first half marathon and I’m very happy with the result- a 2:03 for a first-timer. My aim was just to finish the race at 2:30 and have a finishers’ medal and shirt but because of much sacrifice I was able to have a very decent time, if it wasn’t for muscle cramps on the 20th kilometer I could have made it a sub 2:00. Sorry for a little bit of bragging.

I just cannot imagine I was able to do 21k since I started joining races December of 2009. Yes, I am a newbie runner. I can still hear my gasping for air when I run more than 5k. Now, with much confidence and discipline I am targeting a sub 2:00 half marathon time. Of course an injury-free and enjoyable run. We will see if “the more the sacrifice, the better the result” will stand the test and give me a better PR (Personal Record). Come Sunday, March 7 (Sunday), I will run the Unilab Run Together for Wellness at The Fort. I think I am more inspired right now as I have my favorite number on my race bib- 0021.