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How I Began Jogging
by Peter Kuan
It all started when one fine day, I found out that even though
I am still in my mid-forties, my waistline was getting bigger
by the year and my weight was 91.5 kg . Also I met a friend
who is in his 50s and has completed his first marathon. He
encouraged me to take up jogging but as usual I mentioned
about my weak knees. He put my fear to rest as he mentioned
that when he took up jogging a year ago, his knees not only
strengthened but there was no more pain. This started the
jogging bug in me. So I met up with him in Bukit Jalil and
started jogging. However my legs were full of cramps over
the week and also the next and I was skeptical again.
One of my office colleagues linked me to Jamie Pang of Runners
Malaysia to learn the right technique of jogging. So there
I was with my son one fine Saturday morning on 27 May, 2006
in Bukit Aman Car park and Jamie was there to welcome the
five of us newcomers to the Beginners’ running programme.
He went through the warming up exercises and the jogging route.
Then off we went and I must say that it was done at a leisure
pace and it was an experience to be with first timers and
also past runners who wanted to learn the correct technique
of running. The first run with Jamie was without any pressure
and I must say that he actually ran back and forth to check
on all of us. What dedication!
As this was my first proper run with the sifu, I was taking
it easy and must admit that I was out of breath. So I was
jogging and walking along the way. After the run we learn
how to loosen our muscles and cool down. He noted our shoes
and jogging apparels and explained the type of shoes and best
jogging wear. He also advised us to jog on our own at least
twice during the weekday to build up our stamina.
So I made a commitment to give this jogging thing a go and
do my own jogging every Tues. and Thurs. at Tasik Perdana
after work. It was difficult at first to jog alone but then
I felt motivated when there are also other joggers along the
way. Very soon I started feeling good as I was gaining stamina
and discovered that I was also losing weight. Every Sat. I
will join Jamie or Wan Yew Leong at Bukit Aman car park and
I would learn new techniques and exercises.
By end July I have lost 4 kg, and I was motivated even more
to carry on and lose more weight along the way. I also completed
the jog along Tasik Perdana non-stop at a leisurely pace and
I felt good. However I think I overstretched myself and I
felt a pain in my left knee for the next few days. So I rested
for for 2 weeks and once I was OK, I carried on my jogging
routine. I must admit once again it was difficult to get my
rhythm back after the rest, but I persevered.
By September it was approaching the Putrajaya Marathon. I
had registered earlier for my 10 km run and 7 km for my son
who is 14 years old. On the race day, it was pitch black at
6.05 am when we arrived at the car park, but there was an
air of excitement as there were runners everywhere I look.
I never saw so many runners gathered before in my life.
Father and son team wearing their medals |
When the 21km race was flagged off at 6.30 a.m., everyone
was excited and cheered them on. By the time my race
was due to start at 7.30 a.m., I was getting nervous.
I was just thinking that maybe I was too optimistic
to sign up for this race as I have not done 10 km before
in my life. But anyway since I was there, I thought
that this will be a good learning experience for me
even if I don’t win anything.
When the race started for me, I just thought to myself
to stay calm and focused and run at my own pace and
not to compete with others. In the first km, majority
of the runners were just running past me, but I kept
my head. After that I just kept to my routine run like
what I have been doing in Tasik Perdana and Bukit Jalil
practices. I felt OK during the jog and walk routine
and towards the end I could catch up with a few runners
who was walking more often now. When I saw the finish
line approaching, I was still jogging at my own pace
and managed to be 237 position and get a finisher's
medal. It was an achievement for me as I completed the
10 km around 1 hr 15 mins.
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My son also managed to complete his 7 km run for a position
of 222 in the Junior category and was also rewarded with a
finisher's medal. It was a happy day for both of us as this
was our first official race and both of us managed to complete
the race and obtain a medal each.
Now I am going to build up on this and hopeful to collect
more medals.
With the guidance from Wan Yew Leong and Jamie Pang in Runners
Malaysia, it is easy to start this jogging routine without
any fear. All we need is a commitment to ourselves that we
want to do it because we want to be healthy. All my thanks
to both of them for their untiring dedication and effort to
promote this sport.
Peter Kuan
11 Sept 2006
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