William Chong

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.

———————

Give a little. Check out my HeartRacer page here.

———————

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

———————

When you’ve entered an event which has 7500 participants, there’s a fair chance you’ll know other people that are doing it too.

On Saturday I ran with two friends and we had great conversation while throwing ourselves to the mercy of road running. Took a similar route to last Saturday, with the exception of having to swing past my house as one of the ladies ran out of steam…

And today (Sunday) I’ve just come back from a crazed run with another friend of mine. This regional hockey rep/team captain/athlete pushed me up a hill for a good 20 minutes before I cried “mercy” and cut short the route! I’ll aim to get fit enough to complete his massive 10km route at a later date (including a couple of killer uphill segments), but in the meantime I’ll stick to my hour-long runs.

I also got to chat with him about his faith and how he’s been going – he’s been water baptised and has been pretty keen on Christ in the past, so it was a good time of sharing and just encouraging him to get right with God, and look out for answers to the tough questions.

All in all I pushed myself pretty hard this weekend – you can tell you’ve run hard when your sweat leaves a fine film of pure salt across your forehead (seasonal greetings from an overworked physiology). But it’s only gonna get harder!

———————-

I’ve had a great response from a lot of people so far on the HeartRacer page – thanks for those that have donated, and promised to at a later stage, and thanks for the encouragements and wellwishing! If you’re thinking of donating, I think $1 for each kilometer I survive is a pretty good start, though I’m equally taking prayer and moral support – it’s all meaningful! I got a good donation response from a couple of people at work (and they’re in the Sydney office) – so come on New Zealand, you can do better!

Just to add a personal touch, I talked with a good elder-statesman (read: senior citizen) friend who had recently survived a massive heart attack, and he was singing the praises of the support he got from hospital to physio to recovery. I look up to him in part because he’s someone I could never be: a Jewish Christian! But I know come November 2nd I’ll definitely be thinking about him as I run.

———————

Week 2 Training Record

19.8.08 – Route – 5:55pm – 27 min – Jog
21.8.08 – Route – 5:40am – 26 min – Jog
23.8.08 – Route – 8:36am – 53 min – Jog/fastwalk with AN and XL
24.8.08 – Route – 3:56am – 52 min – Run with BL

———————

N.B.: This post will make no sense to you if you’re not a Christian, it’s just not that easy to explain in a snippet. (Just ask me.)

——————-

So I’m running. Displacing the air around me, surging upward and onward, and I tell myself I’m in control. Renewed zeal, nothing to war with in my life. I’m desensitised to the world around me bar my iPod, and the cadence of my strides.

And then, through Mark Driscoll, I’m being rightfully rebuked from so many different angles while pacing like a wannabe-harrier, through suburban streets in the evening breeze. His Word pierces me inside, and my priorities in life are unceremoniously realigned, much like a bouncer realigns a drunken soul. Pick it up. Fling him into oblivion.

And just when I’m about to stop running and collapse on my knees (and that’s not because I’m tired)…

… it begins to pour down from the heavens.

Gentle, comforting rain. Rain shy of cats-and-dogs, more like that Laser Eye Surgery TV ad…

But rain so beautifully on cue.

And then this urbane tinfoil voice, a spokesperson reading from God’s Word, strikes a gentler tone and reassures this broken Christian wheezing along Sunderlands Rd…

… “And therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ.” [Ro 8:1]

———————

Thank you.

One great thing about running in the Bucklands Beach area is the amazing scenery you can find yourself part of. Vibrant shades of green, vivid hues of les bleus.

The photo on the right shows the earnest advertising of Lou Lou at the Beach, a tapas-style eatery perched on the speedbump-endowed Eastern Beach parade. I was particularly interested in their new menue [sic] and new chef, though one might suggest a newe schpellcheckre, or a neuw signwraiter…

Regarding marathon training, it’s been pretty good so far, even though this is the easy part (Week 1 is invariably very, very light compared to the weeks ahead). Regular 20 and 25 minute jogs and a 60 minute session on Saturday morning. One of my weak points that I’ll have to work on is my incline running – i’m very inclined to slow down and trot/walk up prolonged hills and slopes. Considering that half of the Auckland Harbour Bridge will essentially be a “prolonged hill”, it’s probably good to tighten that part of my running up.

——————

Week 1 Training Record:

12.8.08 – Route – 5:30pm – 24:38 – Jog
13.8.08 – Route – 5:30pm – 20:00 – Powerwalk
14.8.08 – Route – 5:39am – 24:37 – Jog
16.8.08 – Route – 8:22am – 57:33 – Jog, 10 min Powerwalk
17.8.08 – Route – 2:20pm – 20:00 – Jog with uphill component

————–

To complete a 21km halfmarathon, most people need to train.

(Insert spiritual growth analogy here.)

The good thing is I’ve found a training schedule to adhere to here.

And to prove that it’s not impossible, I’ve actually been running at the first week’s schedule for the past two weeks now, just so I could test my motivation and ability to commit alongside 40-hour work week, preparing family dinners, going out to homegroups and practices, church, play, teaching and any time I have left. My motivation is still there, in part because I’ve found great ways to pass the running time. An iPod + the latest sermon podcasts + Bob Kauflin hymns, that’s gonna be a pretty exciting staple (for now at least).

Today’s 25-minute set was pretty good. I put on the pace a bit (for my standards anyways) for the first 5 minutes, and was really getting into some Peter Somervell remixes – had no issues whatsoever with the running rhythm…

… and then a 50-year-old lady in full sports-kit glory slipped past me like the breeze.

How did she do this? How trained-up was she? Did she use exercise pills? How did I get beaten by a grandmother?

I think it goes to show that it’s very much an uphill battle.

The rest of the week there’s a couple of 25-minute ones, a 60-minute for Saturday which my fashion model friend has kindly offered to be a training buddy, and two 20-minute ones. And that’s just the first week.

If you haven’t considered supporting my efforts, please think about the NZ Heart Foundation. I know it’s a while away but it’s for a good cause, plus it’ll mean I can’t pike out! Check out my HeartRacer page and show your support.

Training Record:

12.8.08 – Route – 5:30pm – 24:38:88 – Jog

————–

I’m entering a half-marathon this year.

Huh? Are you kidding me?

————-

No joke. With the encouragement of a friend, I signed up to train for and participate in the 2008 Auckland Marathon. I’ve been slowly easing myself into regular running again, and thought it’d be a good goal to complete a 21km course on the 2nd of November, 2008.

Most of you who have seen me in real life know that I’m definitely not built to be a harrier. In fact, on fun runs I’m used to being overtaken by 10 to 12-year-olds with gangly legs and Energizer-bunny endurance. But that’s not going to stop me from giving it a go this year!

I’ll try and write up as much of the interesting thoughts that float through my mind as I hit the pavement, train up and try to complete the circuit without passing out. Expect anything from pictures, to devotionals I do on the run, musical tastes, headphone mechanics and updates to my training schedule (and whether I stick to it).

In return, it’d be great if some of you could put through a donation or two at my HeartRacer page and make a difference that’s close to home – donating to the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. If you can’t afford it, that’s OK: prayer and support are just as valuable for everyone involved.

I’ve thrown down the gauntlet – bring it on!

—————

Wanna get involved? Click through to my HeartRacer page here: http://www.heartracer.org.nz/williamchong/

—————