We made it! 100th run

100th Run

Time flies, it is nearly one and half year since the inaugural hosted run. Twenty runners were at carpark E by 6pm. Amongst them are ex-Motorolans and VFI Runners. Alice Lam also made her first run with the group despite a sprained ankle.

William Yeoh was ready with his tripod to take the group picture. This special day was not to be devoid of a “jump shot” to express the fun loving nature of the runners. There were many distances ranging from 3km to 15km covered for the day by the runners. Some take it easy while the others use this as a practice session for their Sundown Marathon event.

HC Gan introduced the VFI runners who are his colleagues. The VFI runners are building up a good running culture in their company especially with Gan joining into the fray. 4 VFI runners were just as ready to do 8km with the majority. I later learned Gan’s running colleagues made up more than 10% of the company staff. It was indeed heartening to know that the VFI Runners are progressing to take part in events like JP Morgan Run as a team.

By the time we are done, H20 were served all round. Nobody could resist the offer from water man CS Chan to drink the lightly chilled isotonic.

The group made its way to the Jumbo Seafood restaurant to have dinner together. This is the first round table group meal for hotrunners. We enjoyed the dinner thoroughly and also thanked the spontaneous sponsor HC for his generosity when he footed the bill.

IT was nice to meet Yanto who is keen in making running a commitment. He has plans to do the half marathon and also set his sight to run a full marathon. He invested in a pair of Newton Shoes. Yanto rekindled his running interest through hotrunner one year ago and have never looked back when it came to running. Similarly, there are a few hotrunners who, after running with the group do feel that they can do what was thought to be impossible for them…. Run a Marathon.

Cecilia shared that she is still running regularly. It was marvelous to learn that her knee caps are not bordering her much throughout the last one and half year of running with mid foot. Her husband also came to the run to meet her at East Coast Park. One positive point from running together was the constant exchange of ideas and information. There is common passion and through it, information is shared constantly to help each other improve. We motivate each other to run. For example, I have learned the basics from William to keep to a weekly run schedule as a commitment plan; the running company helps to make us not waiver to skip the runs.

At the end of the dinner, all were unanimous to look forward to the 150th run celebration. The happy, healthy faces and engaged runners do live up to the hotrunner’s motto: “ Run for Health, Run for Fun, Run for Life”

In this 100th run, I have penned a poem adapted from DH Lawrence, a famous poet. This poem will relate well with runners who have pushed themselves and find gratification despite physical setback.

Runner's pain
“I never saw a runner sorry for oneself.
A runner will drop legs cramped with pain
Without ever having felt sorry for oneself.”