Track and Field Part 4

Just as I was about to type out the fact that I'm actually looking forward to work, I got a 10 mins long complaint call. Oh well I'm used to it. Life is never a smooth ride. But that's what makes it interesting, just like how Michael Scofield is facing countless problems in getting out of prison (season 1). I think that guy must have done many sinful deeds in his previous life to warrant such bad luck in his current life. Nevertheless, I'm actually looking forward to work because of Prison Break.




It's hard enduring not watching Prison Break at home which is largely due to the fact that I'm saving all of them to be watched while I'm working so as to make time pass easier. It's just slightly less tormenting than watching 1 episode per week on TV seriously. I believe those who watched Prison Break will agree that it's a show that is hard to not watch. Okay never mind, back to topic.

Back to my TnF story. It's not like I'm Usain Bolt or some skinny bloke from Africa - for there's absolutely no way I'll ever be as good as them.


But still, it is my life story. Yeah so there I was thinking that I'm groomed to be the next long distance superstar that will match the skinny bloke from Africa and running along the field in school on day for training (this happened in Secondary 2). Towards the end of the run, I could hear my coach shout "Sprint!" and almost immediately, I found myself willing myself to make my legs move faster and my strides longer. Though I didn't mean it, or maybe I did out of sarcasm, I said "shiok lah" to one of my pals at the chin up bar area.

Apparently my coach heard it. And so he summoned me and he said

Mr Teo: Jun Ren, do you like sprinting?

Me (thinking it was some sort of trick question, and that there is only one answer): Err.. yeah, why not?

Mr Teo: I'm thinking of training you to be a sprinter. You can run. Do you want to focus on short distance running?

Me (I was still young and only 14 years old, still a kid without much guts): Err.. yeah, okay

And that's how my sprinting journey began.

Truth is, I enjoyed sprinting. You don't feel like "I'm gonna die if I take another step" when you're sprinting as compared to long distance running. All you need to do is conserve all your energy and let it all out when the pistol goes off. I like the explosiveness, I like how your vision blurs out and all zoomed in at the finishing line and I like being fast.

But I hated training. In fact ever since I agreed to be a sprinter, my training intensified. I still remember while the others were running a round through Bedok Reservoir, there I was sprinting up a hill, stop, walk back down to where I started, and repeat. For god knows how many times. And only I needed to do it, this special training. And I got drafted into representing Ngee Ann for the Nationals.

I can't remember where the heats were held, all I can recall is that it's somewhere far away. It's pretty "prestigious", considering that we are required to participate in heats and qualify for the finals that were held in the National Stadium. I was chosen to compete for 100m and 4x100m relay C division.

I was nervous alright. Way too nervous for my own good. When I asked one of my senior (who's also a sprinter how to relax and keep himself mentally strong because he always looks calm and composed. And his reply was "I don't know sia. Actually I also very nervous. Just hope for the best lor." Of course, it didn't help matters.

And there I was, decked in spike shoes (for more grip on the track), blue running attire that reveals more flesh that I would prefer, floppy hair and a 10x10cm sticker pasted on my thigh (can't remember what number it was). I was whisked into the holding area and all the competitors were seated in straight files. I was extremely nervous at this point, no thanks to the aircon and the fact that everybody looks "fast" and intimidating. I can hear the firing of the pistol, followed by loud and fast steps, and eventually ending in cheers. The atmosphere in the holding room was increasingly icy as well, but it didn't last long for my maiden race in Nationals was starting.



I walked towards my lane (can't remember what lane it was), steadied myself on the running blocks, heard the marshall yell "Sediah!", arched my legs and then the pistol went off.
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I'm suddenly overwhelmed to play PSP. lol.