Forrest

I used to run. I used to run ALOT. At its peak I would cover over 100KM a week. And it was only that far because to run more it meant using time up I simply didn't have. So to make it more challenging some times I would make life harder as I ran. Like carry a backpack with bottles of water in em, or hold stuff in my hands, even sing songs that were in the charts out loud for the whole distance. Also made a point to run in the afternoons and never to drink anything during the run.

Reason I got into running ironically was because to get out of doing work. I loved life in the army. The whole covered in crap, running, jumping, climbing trees, shooting n blowing shit up part. But the attending meetings, planing unit family events, pushing papers bit, not so much. Sadly the latter is very much the mainstay for an officer in a modern army. Then one day I realised that if I went out for a run, a really insane run, like 20KM or more people would just let me go. And I could avoid all the shitty boring stuff I hated for half the day. Lunch hits at 12, chill out n digest till 2, hit the gym till 3 then zip out for a run n be back in time for the end of the day at 5.

It was great. It was like, "you going for the CO's weekly meeting this afternoon?"
"Nah, I'm doing a 25km run, you wanna come?"
"Umm ahh, nah, its fine you go ahead"

Plus to run that distance it meant I could get out of camp and the route I ran took me past 3 junior colleges and a very trendy part of town. Somewhere along the lines I got hooked. Even after I left the army I kept it up. Though the distance was never anywhere near as much due to time constraints I made up for it by carrying up to 10KG of weight as I ran. Also at the time I was training for my rescue diver and divemaster license, so this definitely helped with the physical tests involved.

Then one day I just stopped. I dunno why. Suppose I just found I no longer had the time to go running, or when I did have the time I sure as hell didn't have the energy.Guess its apt then that in light of my recent history, time is something I have alot of. As such I've started running again. only been going a month. Sure as hell wasn't easy or enjoyable, sure as hell isn't a very long run either. Just crossed a bridge today during my run. For the past few weeks it was a case of "OMG I am going to die. My heart is gonna explode, my lungs are on fire, STOPPPPP"
To " w-o-w, this is boring... "

I know many suggest listening to music to kill the boredom but I just hate the feeling of wires flapping about, n some rubbery bung stuffed in my ears n the incessant pounding of my feet amplified in my ears thanks to the earphones. Its just nice to think that maybe some time soon I might be half as fit as I used to be. The words of Bruce Lee push me on, it was somewhere along the lines of "if your can't afford 10minutes a day for a run then be prepaired to spend alot more time in hospital during your later years"

P.S. Still don't feel up to writing down the full events on that fatefully January day.