Running, Defeat Ourselves

I have been running since 1994. How old am I now? I will not tell you that. That's a secret. But I enjoy running. For the purposes why I do running, I will explain in the other article.

In fact, I never run more than five kilometres. I never pass until 5K. How about more than 10K? I have no experience in running until that far distance.

Suddenly,in this year, 2022, I decided to take that "long journey" when I joined one of the running communities in my city, Samarinda.

Actually, at the first time, I was not sure to join the community, because I am a typical alone runner. Besides, there was nobody who invited me to be the part of that community.

But, because someone who also ran in the morning told me about Bots Runners Indonesia, one of the running communities in Samarinda, I felt interested to see the way they 'run' together every Sunday.

"There will be a high motivation that we can get rather than run alone," Tom (not a real name) said.

I thought, I considered, and the final conclusion was "Why not?".

I tried to find the schedule when the community did the running activities. I searched on the social media of Bots Runners Indonesia in Instagram and Facebook. 'Pelarian', that they call for the 'running session', will be placed in the different spots every Sunday morning, at six o'clock sharp for preparation before running. Warming up around ten till fifteen minutes.

After that, 'the show' began. Because I was a newcomer (it was about three months ago), I took a short route, around five kilometres. 5K.

One step by one step. It was not quite convenient for the early minutes. But after that, I felt comfortable. The feet stepped easily.

For several 'running time' or it is called 'pelarian', I just took short routes. Around three or four times,. I did not think that I could run more than five kilos or reach 10K.

But in one occasion, the challenge came, the challenge to defeat my fear when Mr. Daniels (not a real name), the person that I knew, said, "Ah, what are you afraid of? Mr. Thomas is seventy years old, but he can run through the long route. I believe, your age is half of his age. Maybe around thirty or forty. Do you let Mr. Thomas defeat you?"

I faced that saying as a challenge!

So, I didn't do it as a purpose that I had planned before. I wonder, "Can I pass the test?"

I was not sure for the first time. Taking a long route, around nine, ten, or eleven kilometres was not as easy as we say. But If I didn't start at that time, I would not know whether I can pass the finish line or not.

So, I decided to take the long route. For the first, I felt that I ran such a long, long 'journey'.

How did it feel?

For the first 5K, it didn't matter for me. The trainings that I had passed before were almost nearly the same, around three kilometres per one training day.

But the problems arose after 5K.

Pain, hurt on the feet's soles and knees. But it didn't make me stop to run. I kept running as long as I could bear the process.

It was hard to take a deep breath, but I kept going. My feet were tired, my knees were sore, everything was hurt until seven kilometres.

7K passed and another obstacles came.

Loneliness.

It was not the same with the short route, I felt lonely in the long route. "Maybe, the feeling appeared, because it was the first time for me to face it," I thought.

Checkpoint around seven or eight out of 10K (Taken from FB of Bots Runners)

There were some runners in front of me, a few metres ahead. I just kept the distance. I didn't want to overtake, because I was not sure about the route, the streets that I had to pass through.

9K. I saw the numbers on my Huawei Band 6 Smartband.

Almost done.

It was a very difficult situation. It was near the finishing target, but on the other hand, the feet seemed very heavy to 'carry'.

But I thought in my mind that I nearly got the target. I had almost reached 10K. I had to stay focused on the journey.

Step by step had passed. I prayed to God to give me strength to finish this running. I doubted myself. I never did such kind of long running route before that time.

But I made it. I could finish the route. One hour and several minutes. Not bad for the beginner. I thought like that.

Some snacks like pieces of watermelons, bananas, and, of course, drinks such as mineral water, were served. Exhausting, tired, thirsty, they were disappeared after consuming meals and drinks.

It was the first time that I faced the long route running and I had succeeded. Although at the first moment, I doubted my ability, and the big question was appeared in my mind," Can I do it?"

The answer was directly shown up, "If I don't try, I will not know whether I can do it or not " 

The fact was real: I CAN DO IT!

Running is not only talking about the physical stamina, but also (and maybe the most influencing factor) referring to the mental: Can or Can't.

Defeating ourselves, talking about ability or disability. The inferiority was taken place. I had defeated myself, my inferiority inside me. At the first time in my mind, it was impossible to fulfill it. I didn't believe I could pass the finish line.

I proved that I was wrong. I was able to do it.

This is the lesson of life that is not only important for me, but I believe it will be valuable for every human being. Every human has his/her inferiority. Every person has her/his fear.

If we don't face the fear by doing it, we will not know whether we can defeat it or not.

I had the fear of disability to finish the long run process. I decided to face my fear. I took the chance to do a long run. I passed the finish line.

So, don't take the advice from fears. We have to keep our beliefs. We must trust that there is nothing impossible.

The first passed as the example, the others follow. I feel the challenge to defeat the fear and myself again in the next 'pelarian'.

Now I can run without any obstacles. I don't know until what age I can run. As long as my feet are in the good condition, I will keep running. As long as running is not a boring activity in my mind, I will keep running. As long as my body is still fit, I will keep running.

I do running to defeat myself, my fear, and especially my laziness for not doing anything.