By: Monica Tan
Age: Mid 30s
Works at: Citibank
From: Johor Bahru
I started running about 2 years ago. I did my first 10k at Great Eastern
run in Johor Bahru in Dec 2013 and my first half marathon in May 2014 at the Sundown
Singapore. I was coaxed into doing my full Marathon, the Penang Bridge
International Marathon, the same year by a friend who told me “the registration
fees is only an additional RM10 & I get an extra finishing Tshirt”. The
gullible me bought the rational and did my first full marathon in excruciating
7 hours. Nevertheless I enjoyed the experience.
I always loved swimming and was introduced to open water swimming last
year. I joined the Kapas Marang Swimathon which is a 6.5km swim from Pulau
Kapas to Marang, Terenganu to challenge myself.
I thought to myself, "if I could already run and swim, why not cycle as
well?" Hence I bought
my bicycle in Oct 2014 but only started cycling regularly in the middle of this
year. Swimming, cycling and running helps me to relax and be more positive towards
life. It is a great way to make new friends. I knew very few people in KL as I
just relocated here in June this year. These activities
have made me new friends like the runners from Saturday Beginners Group.
Losing weight doing all these activities is also a bonus. I have lost
about 13kgs and am a lot leaner since I started 2 years ago, so I feel less
guilty eating my favourite spicy foods & mee rebus Johor.
I get a sense of euphoria when I cross the finishing line. The feeling
is more intense in tougher events, like a full marathon or half ironman. I am
not a fast runner nor cyclist so I cannot compete on speed. Instead, I like to
do endurance sports because this is where mental power overcomes everything.
In sports, my inspiration is Sister Madonna Buder. She is currently the
record holder for the oldest woman to complete a full Ironman race. She is a
late starter, started running only at the age of 48 and triathlon at the age of
52. Despite many challenges, she was persistent & never gave up pursuing
her dream. She is a classic example of 'never too old & never too late' to
start something.
3rd place in my category at 2km open water swim event at Port Dickson on 29th Nov.
Before the start of 2km open water event.
At the Melaka Century Ride, my first 160km ride.
At Genting Sempah on a Sunday.
At the Nike We Run KL run earlier this year
👍🏻👏🏻✨
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