Run Your Journey

18 March 2026

I intended to run yesterday morning. 

This sight didn't motivate me to step out of home...

However I caved in to fatigue, laziness and loads of excuses.

I had just returned from a week long trip to Malaysia and still recovering from fatigue, which took too long to dissipate I feel. It didn't help that I couldn't get up from bed earlier to beat the furiously hot weather and strong rays these days.

So today I resolved to step out no matter what.

Step out and a your journey is formed.

I was pleasantly surprised and grateful that at past 10am, I was still blessed with breezes and patches of shades that I could run under amidst the scorching orange blast of halo from above. I was really running with lots of thank-yous in between breaths. I took it slow as it would definitely take a toll on an already exhuasted body not yet fully restored with renewed energy. But the exposed stretches are good workouts for me to push for faster legwork to run undercover from another patch of shade again! So my easy long run of 12km was infused with some segments of - albeit short - speedwork.

Sections of shades good for "Intervals" 

Interestingly, I discovered that I instinctively turned left to run a route to the next neighbourhood area of Sembawang, instead of turning right to head towards the already planned nature park within my residential vicinity. I wanted cooler area to run in, but my body must have decided otherwise, and hence I found myself already in that direction mode and not willing to turn back. So I went along with the flow.

The points of self-reflection that I gathered today:

• Saw the usual photographer uncle at the same spot near the river, with his camera hanging around his neck, on the lookout for, presumably birds. I initiated a smile and nodded at him. He in return,  responded with the usual awkwardly stiff nod 😂 Still I felt happy and not offended. I felt it a natural response of his. I mindfully became aware of the thought that I would have felt otherwise with questions of whys in the past --- how is it that he would respond to my greeting in this manner since we already are familiar faces? However, today, I was actually smiling inside, after having run my Project Smile over a period of time.

• I was greeted with the lovely scent from rows of Jasmine flower plants planted along the river. It seemed ages since I last caught this whiff of light fragrance - We used to grow Jasmine plants in pots when I was a child, and I was familiar with the scent of the little white dainty flowers whenever I played outdoors near them. This gave me pleasant nostalgia, and added relaxing elements into my running, in the sun. It's smell the Jasmine, and not roses today!

Lovely scenty Jasmine Flowers :)

• I actually felt more energized than I imagined I would be - during, and after my run! Though tired after the physical activity, I actually felt good and that my lethargy after the effort was well justified! 

• During lunch, I was soothingly serenaded by a busker playing and singing yesteryear tunes of Lionel Ritchie and many others on his guitar, and actually appreciated him with a $2 token which I normally would not do so! 😁

• Visited mom and sis and took the walks slowly to their place. I saw another runner running in the void deck presumably trying to prevent getting a heat stroke haha! 😝

• It was a very warm and humid day so I took my walks and navigation amongst the crowds in malls, stations, transportation slowly. I realised I was mostly feeling happy and peaceful though myself smelt really bad despite having changed into a clean top. 😆

My day ended well and I was glad I ran, today.  😊

Running Late!

 

21 October 2025

It was already close to 10am when I started to run.... How could it be possible when I woke up at 6.45am?

It was another tiring day - I have been feeling so tired these days.

I believe I dilly-dallied too much in the morning, and got stuck in the loo for too long to detox.

But the weather was so perfect! How could I have this opportunity passed, when tomorrow never knows?

So still, I put on my gears, sunblock applied, and outta the door...

I decided to go really easy on myself, already on an easy long run day 😝

I decided to just run more loops in the park and not venture further out of my area -- with the possibility that it might rain, and, I was really tired... I would see how far I could run. Furthermore, I had an afternoon class to teach at 2PM.

18-20 KM was my target.

It was a good run - the 1st 5-6 KM.

Met Uncle who would go for walking practice from his wheelchair, with the aid of his helper. I hadn't seen him in a while... he looked older.

I was testing a new pair of running shorts that came with a tuck-in pocket on the back, that could fit a phone. So I did not bring the usual flipbelt band and brought minimal items with me.

The park was quiet, I was the only person, after having met Uncle. As I got up the hilly part, I saw a few more uncles on bikes chatting. Ran to the waterfront park with Malaysia across the Strait. Beautiful view at the jetty and I couldn't help but take a selfie with the buildings across the Causeway as backdrop. 

RTS Bridge almost completed.

Our Neighbour's High-risers

My toes began to sting in the new Clifton 9. I wondered if the insoles were too thin, or that this model isn't really for me. I remembered I should have felt fine with the Challenger ATR after 1-2 wears.

I continued with the discomfort and ran on, back to the park and back home. No spotting of the wild today, just scenery 😁

Finally reached the neighbourhood jogging track cum fitness park some blocks across home. I looked at the watch - it was already too late for me to catch a proper lunch before rushing back for class.

My fitness tracker tracked 20 KM, however my Runkeeper only 17+ KM -- As usual, the GPS would show less mileage when I ran most distance under forest canopy.

I was glad however that I made it - despite the late start, and the not-so-ready body and circumstances.

As the saying goes:

"Better late than never".

And true indeed it was.