Chapter 42-- Army Half Marathon 2008

Went for my 3rd Army half marathon(AHM) and Singapore Shears Bridge run this morning and as usual, was feeling very thrilled to be able to take part again in one of my most favourite mass running event. Although I only run 6km like what I did last year, the main objection of going for this type of mass run is simply to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy a good morning run with thousands others. 6km may seems too short a distance for those elites runners but to someone like me who is always too lazy to train for longer distances, 6km is just nice as a challenge to me. Besides, what is more important is to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the running process( how many times could one have highway lanes closed just for him to run?) Results are really just secondary to me. This year running route is slightly different from last year especially for those running the half marathon as they would be the pioneer batch to ever run across the marina barrage. In addition, the finishing point has been shifted back to Padang instead of at the marina bay floating platform(which runners now run past it instead).
I particularly like and have always feel an affinity for the AHM and Singapore Bay run because it is the first mass run that I was exposed to when I was still an NSF 4 years ago and is still the only mass run now till now that I religiously sign up for. Perhaps what makes the AHM so different from the other mass running events is that it is possibly the only time whereby all the various army formations and units get together to have a cohesive run. In fact, it was always through AHM that I realized that some of the more ulu units actually existed! In addition, what makes these mass run so fun and enjoyable is that one will hardly feel the distance he or she is running or has ran as fellow runners will be motivating one another to push one’s self to the limit and to go for that extra mile. I believe that the camaraderie shared during the whole race is what makes these runs so so so additive, making people come back years after years. The adrenaline rush felt when one approach the finishing line and the endorphin that cause one to shout out that “I finally make it!” surely and definitely make these races so worth while to take part in. For those sad, pathetic lazy bums who are unwilling to even sacrifice one Sunday morning to go for a run or jog, you really do not know what you have been missing in your life. For those who are still contemplating whether to go for this type of run, I urge you not to hesitate any longer and just sign up for the next mass run event. Nobody is going to laugh at you for running so short a distance or taking such a long time to finish the race. As I say, it really should be the process that matters and not the results. Besides, even elite runners must start from zero. Believe me. You’ll be hooked to these races in no time. Also, it’ll be a perfect excuse for us to enjoy fresh air and the morning sun once in a while :P

I simply cannot wait to sign up for next year AHM…


PS: Standard Chartered marathon…I will surely conquer you one day…


Regards,
Yongster

More good years ahead...