You will Finish It !

100 metres to go. 'Damn shiong  (tough) seems to be written on the guys face behind me !

The culmination of almost 6 hours of running in darkness and hot sun

The will  to succeed overcomes all obstacles. In short, if you want to run for a marathon, you can do it. Despite the contraints of time, preparation - mental and physical workouts,work commentments, family and friends plus all the other distractions of our fast paced, 100 km/hr lifestyles you must set aside the time to train.

The key to running swiftly, as the legendary African coach, Adolphus Rubenkanya teaches is unity. Many Africans have been brought up in war zones, long distances to schools and workplaces so much so that running is part of the life. If you see, masses of people who are having a party, many of them would be running and singing at the same time. This is part of who they are.  Running unifies them as much as family.

Unity comes when the entire mind,body and spirit are at peace. When this happens,coupled with a clear focus on your goal can you achieve the distance you want. Running frees the mind from the day to day complexities, allowing it to float and dream, to transcend the present and after sufficient mileage is done, to achieve the "runners high". A dream like existence whereby everything is super clear, and there is a tremendous sense of satisfaction.

Natural chemicals found in our body, called endorphins, which generate pleasure, are released. The image around is, that is, the sky, the air, all seem so bright and clear. The colours of the trees and the contrasting flowers so vibrant, the sounds of the chirping of the birds are so alive abd the smell of the dew and flowers so fragrant. In short, all our 5 senses are heightened. It is good to be in this state !

So when we can see things most clearly, and objectively, we let the mind think independently.

Our day to day frustrations, issues and schedules are quantified, studied, analysed and thought through in a clear and independent manner. The simple act of 'seeing things in the open' after a short 40 - 45 minute run provides me with the optimum solution and / or a clear course of action to tackle these schedules/problems/issues. 

Try it for yourself and see the results !

Running - a Constant Dimension in my Life

 
                                         Crossing the Finishing Line at last year's marathon


     As the great Afircan coach, Adolphe Rukenkanya once said so elegantly : "Running is Unity". Unity of the mind body and spirit. The freedom acquired from running frees the mind, to float, the motion trancends me from the 'here and now' to what many experts call "the runners' high".


    This is the state of mind where one can float on a 'high' from the release of the body's natural feel good chemicals called endorphines (similar to morphine but naturally secreted) whenever the body naturally senses that it is under extreme duress or strain. The 'feel good factor' comes to me, only after a decent 10km run and normally lasts - for me anyway - for a good day's. So run for 1 hour and feel good for 24, sounds like a good deal doesn't it ?


    Most day to day frustrations.problems and issues are temporarily forgotten or even solved, because the mind is at a state of almost total complete relaxation, and many solutions come to us when we are in a cool, calm, relaxed state. Think about the last time you were stressed,could you first size up the problem,think of all options, come to a solution fast ? Or did you need to sleep it over ? The very act of sleeping over relaxes the mind, it quietens the other distractions and focusses on the major problem at hand.   


   So during a long run, many problems run through my mind, and thought out. Also, the mind is able to 'run free' and dream of all possibilities and potentials. Sometimes its like letting your imagination run wild.


    For a jet set person, the fundamental thing about running, is that it is so simple. Period. I can have breakfast in Shanghai, drop in to Bangkok Suvanahbhum airport to have a business lunch and be home in Singapore for supper. The constant 'on the go' lifestyle can drive people into a nomadic frame of mind, and treat everything, including relationships as transient.  


   So, one 'constant' on the road, is running. a 10 K in Shanghai Ren Ming Guang Chang is 10K. The time taken doing the loops (each loop is about 2km) is about 58 minutes. I take in the sights of the Nan Jing Lu, the high rise buildings and the people doing qigong in the park.  The 10K in Bangkok's Chatuchak Park (something like 7- 8 rounds) is around 58 minutes and 30 seconds.   The sights of the Thai people doing some Chinese calisthenetics in one section of the park, the sight of bodybuilders pumping iron at another, and young lovers or people with time on their hands feeding the pigeons, lazing by the lake are all taken in during the run.


   So it is with Singapore, again, I can do 2 laps around the posh Dalvey Estate, with its grand houses and swimming pools, embassies of South Africa and Israel and their guards, I take in the lovely Flame of the Forest trees and wondrous profile against the rising sun.There, 10 K done in about 60 minutes.


   The constant is the DISTANCE - 10 K - and TIME, 58 minutes to 60 minutes. This constantess gives me a benchmark for a weekly routine. 


Long may this running be part of my life. Seize the Day.



    
  

Wolves 2 Man U 1 ; 5 Feb 2011 ; Bottom Club beats League Leaders !

W2-1MU

Simão | Myspace Video






Kevin Doyle scores the winner !  



W0-1MU

Simão | Myspace Video




Classic Sriker's Goal from Nani (Portugal international striker) within 3 minutes from start. Man U. seem to be on their way to a victory ? See below video for Wolves replies !!





W1-1MU

Simão | Myspace Video

Equalising Goal from Elokobi  ; Fantastic header.

Home

                               Everyone has a special place in his heart called Home
                               Where do you call yours on this Earth ?
                              An airspace in the sky, a small plot of precious land
                              A palace, an attap hut, or a cottage in the windy plains
                              We are but specks of dirt
                             Our life, a mere microsecond in the evolution of this planet
                             Why do we fight so hard for this land ?
                             This sunny,windy, humid island in the middle of the seas
                             Because Home is where my heart is and that is where 
                             My place shall be
         

Green Hornet the Movie - Original TV Series footage starring the late Bruce Lee

   We watched the Green Hornet yesterday (1st day of Chinese New Year) and thoroughly enjoyed the laugh a minute, mindless mostly, action provided from the 3 leads, Jay Chou (Taiwan superstar singer), Seth Rogan (who's he ?) and Cameron Diaz (Charlie's Angels). The plot was predictable, and the acting by Jay Chou was horrendous (he's really a poker face, but handsome nonetheless).

   There is the not-so- subtle political undertone, played by Kato (Chou) who is Chinese and having a punch up with the larger and bumbling Brett Reid aka Hornet. Kato is smaller, but up and coming, and skilled with the martial arts and Hornet is larger but basically bumbling around. Its reflects the China -US relations of the times and shows that China can and will flex its muscles too. Together they defeat the bad guys out of sheer luck and some quick thinking by Kato.    

   Here is a clip from youtube showing the original Kato (the late martial art icon- Bruce Lee). Hope everyone has a fantastic Chinese New Year !    Xin Nian Kuai Le !

Karate Free Sparring 23 Jan 2011

My first sparring attempt in a long while, I had a couple of points with a kick and a punch to the midsection, however, I need to stay my ground and keep the opponent on the backfoot while executing the moves, thanks to Looi my lawyer friend for posting this on youtube.

Don't Stop (Thinking of Tomorrow) - Fleetwood Mac 1979

This song is the ultimate 'get up and go' song. The lyrics are so simple and pure, it was the hit from Fleetmood Mac's album Rumours .

It appeals to me even now.


Don't stop thinking of tomorrow. It'll be here, better than before, yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone. Woooh.