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However, when we run with a mate, we encourage each other along the way, when we almost give up. Just like in life, when we had set backs, people along the way giving you words of encouragement and support, so you won’t fall and keep going. With a mate, we train together, have the same target, went through the tough training, the sweat, and finally on race day, the glory we shared.

Running has been giving me a sense of freedom all these while, or a sense of hope.. a target, an aim, that I want to reach. It may not be beyond my reach at the starting point, but in my mind, I know I will be there, just the matter of time. I simply love the squeeze of the hand as the gun goes off, the scenary along the race, and the sweaty embrace and pats at the finish. Runners, became a better runner after each race through the experience. May not be physically, but emotionally, definitely.

Running has taught me a lot about life. Running, is fastest when you are alone. Just like in our life, we move fastest in our career when we are single. Alone. We just move forward, put all our energy, our time and focus into it. Once we reached the finishing line, we felt a sense of accomplishment, that we have given our very best in this race. Each steps as you struggle along the race, spells determination. For some, it spells torture.

However, when we run with a mate, we encourage each other along the way when we almost give up. Just like in life, when we had set backs, people along the way giving you words of encouragement and support, so you won’t fall and keep going. Will your mate go ahead and leave you in the middle of the race if you are getting slower? Will you let your mate go ahead with an open heart if you can’t catch up? This is the point when a person has to make a decision. Just like in life, will you stay on, or want to go ahead to achieve your ambition when you know your mate is going to make it slower than you. Tough decision, huh. With a mate, we get to train together, have the same target, went through the tough training, the sweat, and finally on race day, the glory shared.

I personally enjoy both running alone and running with a mate, provided the mate shares the same view as me to go along the race together and enjoy the journey of the race as well as each other’s companionship.

I quoted the paragraphs below from UK Times Online from a woman who ran the marathon with her husband. This is just so touching :-

I can tell you what the most wonderful thing my husband has ever said to me. No, not “Will you marry me?” or “How wonderful, a fourth child”, or even “You look knockout in that bikini, darling”. Without doubt, the most sympathetic, generous and loving thing Mr Millard has ever said in 14 years of marriage is: “You go ahead! Don’t worry about me!”

This was at Mile 21 of the London Marathon this year. We were at that gruelling milestone where the runners turn wearily out of Poplar and head down towards Wapping. I came up alongside him and was looking more fresh than he was, to be honest. But instead of getting nasty about it, seven unprompted words gave me the go-ahead to achieve my ambition of finishing in less than four hours, a goal that I had been working towards for six tough months. I finished in 3.51. He suffered the agonies of hitting the wall, alone. Can you see why I love him?

In the middle of the run, when we get tired, do we keep the momentum? Do we give up running, and walk all the way? Or we give up totally and stop the run at that point. Most people will walk, rest, and continue running shortly after.

How we run, in a race, is just like how we manage our life. There are many people in the race. Some run faster than you, some slower. Running taught me not to be competitive (yeah I know it doesn’t sound right). What I meant by not competitive is, I  learn to run within my own ability, not getting worried about how others are doing better than me. I once joined a run which is called Yellow Ribbon Prison Run. It’s about giving the ex-offenders a second chance in life, and one of the banners hanging along the run wrote “Life is not about the race, is about giving each other some space“. I totally agree with this.  

Love Running, Hate Running, It may be a love-hate relationship for all the blisters and tough training. The ending, worth it or not, is for you to judge

Yellow Ribbon Prison Run is held on 6th September 2009, Sunday. The flag off for the 10km run is at 7:30am and I was so excited for the run, I actually woke up 3 minutes before my alarm goes off. I reached Expo at 6.30am to take the shuttle bus provided, and there are quite a number of runners waiting for the bus too. Everyone looks energetic, well prepared and definitely looking forward for the run. I can’t wait! This is a run whereby participants in this run are giving a message of encouragement to the ex-offenders to pick themselves up after having fallen down. It is a project organized by Yellow Ribbon community, to encourage the society to give the ex-offenders a second chance.

When we reached the starting point area, we are supposed to deposit our yellow string bag (given to us during race pack collection). Everything is very well organized by the organizer and the volunteers involved. After deposited my bag at the counter, I walked slowly to the starting point, and there are instructors who guide us for the warming up session, along with music playing behind. I can actually feel the energy of the runners even before we started running!

The run was flagged off with a blast of honk, and the overwhelming crowd started running. I followed behind, (was standing quite behind) jogging slowly, hoping that I can finish the run without much problem.  It almost rained but luckily there was no downpour but it was windy and cloudy, just a perfect weather for a morning run.

Halfway through the run, there are many water stations, and volunteers who cheered for us and encourage us to run and run! Thanks to those who were there, both at the water stations, or at the cheering point, or at the turning point ready to help us whenever we are in need. We ran past the Changi Chapel Museum, Johore Battery, Changi Prison Wall before reaching the new Changi Prison Complex.

After the run, we went to collect our goodie bag, and we get food & drinks as well. There are quite  alot of stuff in the goodie bag! There’s a cap, a small towel, discount vouchers, etc. Look at the photo I posted =)

Though I’m tired, I really enjoyed the run. Was a very beautiful morning and I’m really glad I registered for the run. No regrets!

Blog post before the run http://luyee.net/marathon/pre-yellow-ribbon-prison-run/

I registered for the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run 2009 after I saw them promoting the run in one of the roadshows in Singapore.

It is just a 10km run, so I thought, why not? This run is quite different from other marathons, I would say. By participating in this run, we are giving a message of encouragement to the ex-offenders to pick themselves up after having fallen down. It is a project organized by Yellow Ribbon community, to encourage the society to give the ex-offenders a second chance. That’s very nice of them to organize this run, as many other marathons are just.. marathons.

We collected the race pack one week before the run. Actually I totally forgotten about the race until I receive an email reminder from Yellow Ribbon to collect the race pack. I was so so busy with work that I didn’t put it in my mind the run is just around the corner. Oh well, I collected the race pack, and here’s the T-Shirt! I think the Prison Run T-shirt is pretty nice =)

Prison Run T-shirt (Front)

Prison Run T-shirt (back)