My first 10km run!

The 18th of October 2015 was a special day for me because it celebrates the day I ran my very first 10km! Looking back at it today, I can't believe I actually completed the entire 10km without stopping. Just a few months ago it seemed impossible but now that it's done and dusted I feel like I am capable of achieving and accomplishing anything.

Here's a little backstory on how I got myself involved in the first place:

Rin had signed up for the 10km run for the Melbourne Marathon. I was always keen on participating in a 10km but had never been bold enough to sign up for it because I knew that doing so would mean commitment and thus regular training. As it is, I hadn't even completed a 5km properly before so 10km to me was practically swimming before I had even learnt to breathe underwater. To cut the story short, Rin persuaded and managed to get me to sign up for the 10km, and from that day on I knew there was no backing out.

Now my physical fitness was never on 'expert', but I definitely know I'm fit enough to run and carry out strenuous exercises. My physical strength wasn't so much my concern as my mental strength was. In all my life, I'd always run in the gym on the treadmill. Running outside was always a failure because I always gave up before I had reached the end.

Rin on the other hand, was experienced with running long distance. She'd covered a half marathon before and this girl had a healthy lifestyle (she's recently committed herself to powerlifting!!) so she knew what had to be done! Quite frankly, she was the one who opened up my eyes to the world of running and training for the run.

We only started proper training less than a month to the 10km. It's considered last minute training, but for the amount of time we - I - took to train for it, I'm pretty proud of how far I've come!

We started out by running 5km non stop outside and that very first run for me was a killer. I wanted to give up and almost did but my coach (Rin) was tough and strict on me. She told me not to stop and pushed me all the way. I originally thought we were just going to take the 10km leisurely, never did I think we were going to actually train properly for it. She even wrote a detailed plan for me!!

Training Plan

When I saw this training plan the only thing that went through my head was: I must not disappoint her. Whilst it is true that I started out with a different intention, but after seeing how much effort she put into my training plan and how supportive she was in my abilities to complete the entire distance, I didn't want to let her down.

What I learnt though, was that running long distances isn't difficult. In fact, I developed a deeper respect for athletes in general because of the disciplined plan they follow for their respective trainings. In the course of the three weeks that I trained for the 10km, I ate to exercise rather than exercised to eat, and my schedule revolved around my exercise plan. On days that I had to run the long distances outside (I did this with Rin), I used the techniques she taught me to make the journey easier. Progressively, like all things we do, it got easier to cope with as the weeks went by.

It's easier to build yourself physically than it is to do mentally. Challenging my mind was the toughest battle I had to overcome. In fact, the day we planned to run 7.5km outside happened to be the hottest day of the week. To top it off, of all times to run, we chose to run at 11.00am.

I so wanted to give up so many times, and I even tried to sneak my way out of it by faking that I was going to faint. I don't know if Rin could tell, but she made us run under the shade for a while to cool from the Sun before running outside again. I really wanted to give up and to exaggerate it: wanted to die. Even so I persevered and pushed on and at the end of day, managed to complete 7.6km. I felt so proud of myself.

Subsequently, once I knew mentally that I could run 7.5km, running the first 7.5km on the day we were scheduled to run 9km wasn't difficult at all. It was conquering the final 1.5km that was the real challenge. Even so, by this point I knew that I was physically able but still mentally weak. One method I took to battle this was by focusing on my breathing and the manner in which I was running. Channelling my thoughts in this direction helped to take my mind away from how much further I had to run and stopped me from thinking about giving up.

Eventually, the day of the 10km run came and to sum it up, it was the most incredible and amazing experience I'd ever been through. People of all ages, shapes and sizes were there to run in their respective categories. The atmosphere was so supportive and everyone was just there to have fun and to run. I'm proud to say I completed the entire 10km without stopping. I did it. It was truly a moment for me :)

Full Marathon runners

Before the run 

All smiles after the run!!

We did it!!

Huge huge huge shoutout to my gem of a friend/coach Shirin. Without you I would have been nothing.

Let this be a constant reminder to me during the times I want to give up. Giving up will bring me nowhere in the long run.

Next up: Half Marathon.

xx.

Photo Credits: myself & Shirin.

1000 steps taken.

... quite literally.

Slightly more than a month ago, I took a trip out of the city to Clayton to stay the weekend at Rin's place :) We had both signed up for the 10km run for the Melbourne Marathon and she was determined to push me to my limits such that I ran the entire 10km without stopping. More on my 10km run in another post ;) 

We had a "bootcamp" we organised for the weekend before the official start of the mid-semester break. It comprised of a run and a trip to the 1000 Steps at the Dandenong Ranges. I had always wanted to travel to the 1000 steps but never really knew how to do it via public transport. I soon realised that the journey to the 1000 Steps was a lot simpler and easier than I had expected. If you're not planning on driving there, you could always take the train to Upper Ferntree Gully Station. The walk to the start of the 1000 steps is a mere 10-15 minute walk away. 

Anyway, my original idea upon visiting the 1000 steps was to enjoy the scenery and take a leisurely walk all the way to the top. This was also a day after having run 5km (which on hindsight is really short in comparison to the 10km that I ran) and so my thighs were aching. 

However, once we reached 1000 steps I found out to my horror that Rin had other plans... The plan was to climb all the way to the top without stopping. I was not mentally ready for this. My mental strength is very weak. 

Rin was smart. I told her I would go last because I was slow but I promised that I won't stop at all costs. So, like all coaches she told me to lead the group up the climb. I wasn't too glad when this decision was made, I mean this means that there was absolutely no way of escaping. Not only that, there was the added pressure of me having to stay at a certain pace just so I don't end up slowing the group down. 

Eventually, I made a short pause less than thirty steps to the top. Mental game was weak, but I assure you it was worked on over the course of the few weeks leading up to the 10km. Main point was I made it. 

What was most inspiring for me were the couples who carried their babies on their back whilst walking up. There were also people who wore those jackets that contained weights inside. I don't know what the device is called, but it definitely made the journey up harder. Some were timing themselves, others were simply there for a hike. Either ways, what a beaut it was to have nature at your fingertips like that to exercise! This is why I love Australia so much. There's an abundance of nature available with plentiful types of activities to do! 

Took a stroll up the mountain after the climb.

After our climb, we had time to kill whilst waiting for our bus so we decided to walk around the area to see if there was food to eat. The bus only arrived every hour considering how it was a weekend, so we decided to have a slow and relaxing lunch whilst waiting. 

We came across this lovely vegetarian restaurant and were quick to decide on eating there. Personally, I think I could live as a vegetarian once I master the art of cooking delicious vegetarian meals. I've had some mock meat and it tastes similar to the real deal. Either ways, my point is that vegetarian meals are some of the most delicious meals in the world and I really need to discover more of such places. 

Because this took place more than a month ago, I cannot remember what we ordered :( All I can say is that everything we had was delicious and I'm certain it's not just because we were famished. The nachos were the highlight of the meal. It was a special the restaurant was having that day, and the veggies and dip they made was superb!!! It was so rich, tangy and full of flavours! I'm salivating just thinking of it now. I really do think the more colourful the dish is, the more flavourful it is too. 

I can't believe this actually took place more than a month ago. Time has gone by so fast!! :( 2015 is soon coming to an end. Time to reflect on what the year has been for me so far. Hope you've had a lovely weekend! :)

xx.

YouTube

For the longest time I've always wondered why people have a strange fascination and addiction in watching random strangers' vlogs. It's one thing to watch, but it's another altogether to go on a marathon and obsess over a family that you've never met before yet feel a part of.

I have my fair share of family vloggers that I am in love with and spend perhaps an average of 1.5hours each day watching. I try not to add new ones to my list because I don't have enough time as it is to watch all of them in one sitting.

Recently though I discovered itsjudyslife. Now I've heard of judy since ... ever. I watched a few of her videos on her main makeup channel many many years ago, but I never subscribed to her at the time. However I've recently discovered her again and found out she has a family vlogging channel on top of her main channel. My thoughts on this discovery: What took me so long?!?!

I am in LOVE with Judy, Benji, JB, MB, KB and her whole family. They remind me so much of my own family, the quirkiness, the positivity, the problems, the fun... I get all emotional each time I see Benji and his girls together because it reminds me so much of my dad. There was one particular video that got me all emotional and choked up. I don't remember which vlog it was, but I know they were dancing together in the living room and it was just the most beautiful scene :)

I'm obsessed with her family, and I'm just glad I've found them on youtube now. Better late than never am I right?

One idea I've been toying with in my head recently is starting my own youtube channel. I've actually attempted filming two videos before. I uploaded them on my channel but then deleted them shortly after. It takes a lot of courage to put videos of yourself online. Besides that, it is also extremely cringe-worthy having to edit footage of your awkward self. I think I shuddered one too many times that I eventually got tired of looking and hearing myself through the camera.

But who knows, maybe someday I'll gather enough courage to make a proper video to upload. Perhaps.

Moving on, I'm heading back to the motherland and I'm both excited and anxious. Maybe it's because I still have a lot of work to complete when I arrive home, but I'm excited to be taking a plane and sleeping on my bed again.

Anyway, here are some pictures from our farewell dinner for Pearl Li last night :) Taken by the ever amazing Derrick Koo.

Girl shot :)

Group photo :) This was not taken by Derrick, his abilities are far greater than that. Just felt the need to back him up :P

 xx

Thank you Buzzfeed

Realise that you're not alone and that at some point in each person's lives we go through this experience. Remember that you're worth it and that there was never a 'wrong time'. There's nothing wrong with you, the two of you just somehow never matched up in the end. 

It's painful and its difficult. But you are stronger than you think, and you will overcome it :)

xx

With time;

Amidst the stress of what are the examinations, I found myself meeting a friend this afternoon for coffee. As it always is with me and the people I end up meeting "for coffee", we ended up roaming around the area and talking about matters of the heart. I'm honestly really glad I decided on meeting my friend today, for I was actually harbouring the thought of cancelling our event due to the number of assignments I had to complete.

I was finally able to receive some form of closure from matters that have been troubling me for a while. Apart from the closure, I was finally able to dig deeper into the reasons behind my emotions and understand my thought process a little bit better. In essence, childhood trauma and fear were the main catalysts. That, and embarrassment.

Scars exist to remind us that the past was real. This scar is one that I will carry with me for a very long time. There is no reason for me to hate any of the memories I have of the incident, but sometimes I wish it wasn't a happy memory because the paradox is that it brings me pain each time it creeps into my mind.

Till then, with an easier heart, xx.