William Chong

I’m quite excited. Picked up the race pack yesterday for the 2009 Auckland Marathon – starting bright and early, 6:10 am on Sunday!

Last year I attempted the halfmarathon and didn’t collapse from exhaustion, so I will see how it goes this year with 42 km. I started training all the way back in June, and have run over 500 kilometers during more than 65 hours of training. Despite this, my pace remains pretty slow at between 6.5 to 8 minutes per km. With that in mind, I’ll be happy with finishing the race in one piece. Since it’s my first marathon, setting a personal best time is guaranteed!

Prayers will be much appreciated particularly once it gets towards 10:00 and I really start to miss being at church worshipping with everyone else at Howick Baptist! (Also by that time it’ll probably be over 30 km into the route and I’ll be very tired…)

Also, I just figured out how to email from my phone so hopefully I’ll treat you all to some photos (e.g. from the top of the harbour bridge as I cross over) – you should be able to check them out on facebook or on my twitter page. It really is amazing what we can do with the level of internet and media connectivity we have today.

Anyways I’ll write again after the weekend – take care everyone!

Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God…”

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P.S.: Don’t forget to check out my fundraising page for Habitat for Humanity (they’re helping to rebuild houses for victims of the Samoa tsunami) at www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/williamchong! Soli deo gloria!

It seemed like a good dose of providence when I heard on Friday that Habitat for Humanity NZ is getting stuck in with the mammoth task of rebuilding homes lost and damaged in the tsunami that hit Samoa:

From their press release:

Project Samoa Hope – Habitat for Humanity New Zealand responds to disaster

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand has announced today that it is responding to the Samoan Tsunami Disaster.

Habitat is sending a disaster relief expert with significant experience from the South Asia tsunami to Samoa to quickly assess the need for both emergency and long term shelter, and link with local agencies as they plan for the ongoing rebuilding work. Habitat has considerable experience in rebuilding tens of thousands of homes after the South Asia tsunami of December 2004.

An appeal has been launched for funds to help with both emergency shelter provision and the rebuilding of homes.

Habitat is also seeking expressions of interest from volunteer builders and trade persons who are able to go to Samoa and help with the cleanup and rebuilding. These can be sent to information@habitat.org.nz. Dates cannot be finalised until assessment of need and conditions is completed in Samoa, but Habitat will keep all interested parties informed of progress so that Kiwi teams can go to Samoa when the timing is right.

Habitat’s NZ Chief Executive, Pete North, says that this disaster has touched many families here in New Zealand as well as Samoa and Habitat New Zealand will lead the Habitat response in the reconstruction process.

Help today by making a donation to the Samoan Tsunami Disaster Appeal

You see, for the past 4-5 months I’ve been ekeing precious time out to pound the pavement and train up for the Auckland Marathon. To be honest, when I chose Habitat as the fundraising charity I didn’t imagine that the hard work of sponsors and supporters of my first full marathon would be used in such a way.

So it’s been with a real sense of purpose that I’ve been clocking up the training miles. Even just today while on my 24 km long run, I got a good three hours of solitude to ponder about many things, including the tragedy that hundreds of families in the Samoan community are dealing with right now.

For those interested in the stats, here’s my current training record. I’m glad that the money raised so far will directly benefit lives in Samoa. So if you see me out on the roads running my best, remember that you can help contribute towards my chosen charity by making a donation – either on my fundraising page (http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/williamchong), or directly through Habitat for Humanity’s tsunami appeal.

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Find out more:

I’ll let you in on a secret on what happens when you run for ages.

Generally when you’ve been running for over an hour, your sweat becomes progressively more and more salty (as a result of your ongoing dehydration). It’s a weird sensation when you lick your lips and it’s intensely salty – it’s the same sort of taste as coming out of a swim at the beach. And by the time you run for over 2 hours, you have gained a top-to-toe coating of this incredibly fine, human-produced salt. It’s weird to say, but it’s almost an affirmation of how hard you have been working during that run. Human-powered salt factory. It’s probably not suitable for seasoning though: I think I’ll stick to my table salt!

One of the best things about running as a sport is that it’s doable in any environment. Whether you’re a suburban mom or an inner-city slicker, whether you live in the middle of the desert or the Alaskan tundra, I’d say it’s nearly always possible to find somewhere to run, and some sights to see.

So I brought my running shoes with me on holiday in the Gold Coast, and got a pedestrian’s-eye-view from Main Beach and Seaworld all the way down to Broadbeach. It was a bonus that the course was pretty much flat and well-marked throughout. The views of golden beaches juxtaposed with neck-craning skyscrapers is unlike any other place I’ve seen.

Some pictures from running in the Gold Coast:

Surfer’s Paradise.

Cavill Street Parade and Surfers Paradise Boulevard.

High rises. Beautiful.

Bridge across a canal at Surfer’s.

“When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.” – Eric Liddell, Olympic gold medallist

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If you haven’t donated yet, please consider visiting my fundraising website and having a look! We’re super fortunate to be living in good homes and Habitat for Humanity do a much-needed work in New Zealand.

Find out more:

It’s been two years since I bought my first pair of running shoes. My red and black Nikes faithfully withstood the many runs I pounded out in preparation for my halfmarathon last year.

So I recently updated my running shoes to the new Lunarlite+ trainers.

What are they like? Well, after running with these flourescent-looking pair for the past two weeks, I can say that they’re pretty good. These shoes sport a type of memory foam that both moulds to your foot pressure patterns and provides the cushioning during foot impact.  It definitely had more cushioning than my old pair of shoes. The foam thing has also largely superseded the idea of having air inside your shoes (that was so 90′s…) – if you’ve ever owned one of those, you’ve probably found the “air” compartment becoming less and less filled with air.

The Lunarlite+ shoes also don’t pad up around your ankles at all – I found that this gave my running a freer feel. Of course your ankles definitely get more sore initially as your feet grow accustomed to the shoe, so it’s probably best to wear them in gradually.

All in all, it’s a pretty decent shoe – it fits snug around my feet and I’m enjoying running on them.

N.B.: The runs have been going good so far – I’m about three weeks into my training programme, and the  great thing is that the days will soon get longer again. So there’ll hopefully be fewer 5 am runs!

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Thanks Kelvin! Thanks Amy! Thanks Lauren!

Find out more:

8 weeks of training.

48 times getting out the door in running shoes.

1,879 minutes spent traversing over 325 km of pavement, trail and road.

It all comes together at 6:30am, 2 November 2008, tomorrow when the marathon began.

In less than 24 hours, I’ll be running in the 2008 Auckland Marathon.

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How to start a run…

A friend of mine challenged me to give it a go. And I took up the challenge to not only improve my fitness, but to push my own boundaries and also use it as an opportunity to connect with my friends. The first time I went out on a run, my limbs screamed out in pain and my lungs struggled to shepherd in enough oxygen. An old lady was able to sprint past me with ease; the day after, persistent aching in my calves reminded me of how unfit I was.

… and not grow weary

Each week however, I’ve been encouraged by friends and family, colleagues and co-workers. Some give moral support, some put their trainers on and run with me. Some donate to the NZ Heart Foundation on my HeartRacer page. Some commit it to prayer. But everyone’s been supportive, and have made it so much easier to clock up the next kilometer, or the next half-hour during training. 

So despite the longer distances, I’ve given it a good go, fueled by the positivity of everyone significant in my life. I’ve enjoyed running in a host of different locations, like Howick, Albany, Pakuranga, even Sydney in the midst of my work commitments. It’s gradually gotten easier and easier, and I’m much more appreciative of the local surroundings. It’s been great.

… and spend time with God

When you’re a full-time worker in a family-flat situation, there’s little precious time to yourself. A big part of running for me has been the opportunity to clear my thoughts, meditate on Scripture, revisit church sermons, and pray and spend time with my Maker. Instead of writing a book on the run, I’ve had some quality devotional time.

It’s brought us closer together, no doubt.

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Generally the last week of preparation is spent winding down the intensity of your runs. Aside from a half-hour run on Monday and two 15-minute jogs, I haven’t done much else to let my body recover as much as it can for the race. 

I picked up my race pack on Thursday amid evening rush-hour traffic. It’s clear that I’m not the only one crazy enough to be running over the Harbour Bridge early Sunday morning – there’s over 8,000 other people doing it with me.

Alright, I’m off – wish me luck!

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“But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings like eagles
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

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(Ultramarathon Man: confessions of an all-night runner, by Dean Karnazes.)

Verdict:Dean Karnazes‘s first memoir lies somewhere between a Pheidippides fable and a Forrest Gump sentimental, yet “Ultramarathon man” tells a fascinating tale in its own right and is a worthwhile Saturday afternoon read.

If you’re looking for a larger-than-life story about pushing the limits of human endurance and capability, this book might inspire you to push yourself in training. Alternatively, if you’re a slouch, love your couch, love your TV remote and your La-Z-Boy, this book might just leave you thinking: “He must be mad!” But you’d probably still be impressed. Whatever your disposition, ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes weaves a mad, mad narrative chronicling the personal events that have led to him becoming an extraordinary athlete who’s run solo across 200 miles, completed 50 marathons in 50 days, and completed a marathon to the South Pole in running shoes.

This book was “written” during the countless training runs Karnazes completed in his pursuit of meaning, finding “magic in misery” and not thinking too much of running into the night. The first couple of chapters take the reader back into childhood reflections, and read as the most genuine and heartfelt reflections of his life. I found myself chuckling away when a 9-year-old Karnazes, in a whimsical bid to see his grandparents, rode his bike alone over fifty miles to get there.

This extreme athlete recounts the various challenges and races that he’s run, and how he balances that with his family and work life (answer: he’s running instead of sleeping). You sense that there’s an almost pathological desire to better himself each time: Karnazes goes from running 50 miles, to 100 miles, to 100 miles in the desert, to 100 miles in the Antarctic, to running 12-man relays solo, perhaps until he finally reaches the threshold of human capability.

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Some people have asked me if I’ve got a target time for the 21km run. To be honest, my initial thoughts at the start of my training programme (i.e. months ago) was really just appreciating the opportunity to take part. I’d do my best, it’d be no problems, I’d raise a sizeable amount for the Heart Foundation, and catch up and train with friends through the week.

But that was before I read the back cover of Newstalk ZB radio presenter Kerre Woodham‘s marathon memoir.

Granted, she’s way more pro (having done full marathons and getting the media accolades for it) so perhaps it’s not a fair comparison. But her half-marathon results are around the 2-hour mark (2:03:41).

So let’s go for that!

Provided I can keep my pace between 5 and 6 minutes per kilometer, and not tail off horrendously in the second half of the November 2nd road adventure… I think it’s a realistic aim for my athletic ability.

So. Let’s. Beat. Kerre! (Or at least be motivated by her to some degree…)

Enjoy the return of the sun, everyone!

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I’m fundraising for the Heart Foundation of New Zealand. Check out my HeartRacer page.

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Week 7: Training Record

22.9.08 – Route – 25 min – 5:41am – 4.6 km Jog
23.9.08 – Route – 28 min – 5:40am – 5.03 km Jog
25.9.08 – Route – 40 min – 5:45am – 7.32 km “Tea” Run
27.9.08 – Route – 33 min – 3:35pm – 5.97 km Jog
28.9.08 – Route – 66 min – 6:52am – 11.78 km “Lee” Run

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It’s always great to run with someone else.

For a start, a training run passes by so much quicker when you’re chatting away down the footpath. The soreness and breathlessness seem muted when you’re engaging in friendly banter. You pace each other (provided the other guy’s not a professional marathon runner) and cover more ground.

And it’s also quite fun.

For all those who’ve decided to show their support by actually walking the talk and joining me in training – that’s awesome. I love you guys. Rather than pleasantries and rhetoric, you guys make it so much more rewarding by joining the fray, and doing something. No matter how little or how often I get to run with you, I’m happy because we get to spend a small portion of our lives in comradeship (so to speak).

So thanks!

This week I’ve ramped up the running a little to make up for last time. As you can see (below), each run steps up in time and length. One highlight was tracking along Eastern Beach on Tuesday, with the near-full harvest moon casting a pale limelight for each step I took under the clear night sky.

I think a realistic aim is to try to maintain my current pace which is between 5 and 6 minutes per kilometre, across the duration of the race. So far I’m tailing off a bit, especially past the hour mark into previously uncharted territory – I’ll look to working on that!

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I’m fundraising for the Heart Foundation of New Zealand. Check out my HeartRacer page.

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Week 6: Training Record

15.9.08 - Route - 23 min – 4:48pm – 4.02 km Jog
16.9.08 – Route - 35 min – 8:14pm – 5.95 km Jog
17.9.08 – Route - 43 min – 5:35am – 7.66 km “Tea” Run
19.9.08 – Route – 75 min – 8:47am – 12.39 km Run 

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So there’s about two months to go, and so far I haven’t broken any bones in my body. I suspect that if given the motivation, marathon or no marathon, running regularly would be an excellent way to combat the travails of sedentary office-based work. Of course, you could always elect to pursue a career that adds in running around as part of your job description!

Introducing my latest personal trainer:

This sprightly cyclist trailed me along three runs this week – how’s that for commitment? It’s a pretty good challenge trying to keep pace with a bicycle, especially when you’re bounding down Takutai Rd. Of course… she ends up having to wheel the bike up the steep inclines. But we keep each other company, and of course it’s fun!

Re: donations, I’ve nearly solicited half of the final target. Unlike the big bold politicos, I don’t have the benefit of a wealthy Monaco logistics company CEO. I’m enjoying running for a purpose, and as always there’s been cool feedback from people I talk to.

I’m learning to be more and more content with my lot in life, and complain a little less. The fact that I can run the streets of Auckland freely and and without impediment – this is actually a luxury that people in war-torn countries, smog-polluted cities and dense metroscapes may struggle to do.

Sore knees and ankles pale into insignificance. Even more so when you read some of these stories.

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Give a little. Check out my HeartRacer page here.

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Week 3: Training Record

26.8.08 – Route – 5:31pm – 34 min – Jog
28.8.08 – Route – 6:03pm – 11 min – Jog
30.8.08 – Route – 8:49am – 59 min – Jog with AN
31.8.08 – Route – 4:59pm – 21 min – Jog

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