About Me

I am a mom of four, juggling between the daily routine of being a working mom, thriving to be a wonderful mom and wife to the kids and the hubs, who caught her running bug and been passionate ever since. Finding a balance between these priorities is a constant struggle, that's what Being Mom on The Run is.

How long have i been running: I have been running on a more regular basis for 6 years. Used running to get back in shape after baby no. 2, right after confinement but it was mostly a very short 10 mins runs around the neighborhood. Had 2 pregnancies in between, but kept on running in both pregnancies up towards the end. Back into running post maternity immediately after confiement. 

Why did you start running: I consider myself fairly active, but not running specifically. when i had my first run on nike plus (i may have ran without it before, but it was a quick 15 mins run max around the neighbourhood, so that cannot really count), it was only 2.07 km, at 11.04 pace (km) mind you. I started cos I HAD to run for Penang Bridge International Marathon, when my company had made me team leader for the event (there were many team leaders, so there's really nothing to shout about). I had to recruit runners and i myself had to run as well of course. so along the way, i caught the running bug, and there's no turning back ever since. at least not for now.

Favorite race distance: I would say it's a half for now. but am definitely looking forward to a full next year. Based on timing projection I can do sub 5, around 4.40 even. Hope it stays true.

PRs:
Full Marathon: 4:39:22
Half Marathon: 2:09:57
10k: 58' (SCKLM, 14 weeks pregnant)
10k: 1:10:22 (28 weeks pregnant)
5k: 29:03 (Garmin) 

Do you cross train or lift weights: I know it has helped me a lot. Theoretically it is and I myself has experienced it as well. Felt I was almost floating the other day, thats how I understood the benefit of a strong core , and I'm not that strong myself but still I felt it. It reduces the impact exerted on the ground when your core supports the body well. But putting a dedicated strengthening workout session is not an option for me at the moment. So what I do is I squeeze it in at any possible time. Favourites are planks (did 4.5 mins max now) lunges, squats, push ups, chair dips and some I dont know its names.

Running accomplishment you are most proud of: Definitely my half marathon at the moment. Now the pressure is on to improvise the timing.

Favorite pre-race food: I dont usually fuel up before  a run unless its a late day run. But for races I would normally had buns.

Favorite post-race food: it depends on what the organizer would provide you. Definitely it will be sometime before we can leave the venue. So whatever that is there is all I got. For protein boost, half boil egg is the simplest form. but i will definitely pay attention on the protein part, especially since I'm still lactating

How do you find/make time to train:  Finding time to train is especially hard. Especially being a working mom to 3 kids. I can never dedicate myself to high number of miles. Saturday and monday is always short easy days, this limits the mileage even more. Weekdays workout is always capped at 40 mins max, unless theres a public holiday. Thats why tempos and intervals are my bestfrens interms of running.

If you could give one bit of advice to someone who wants to become a runner – what would it be: Everyone can run. Even an amputee can run. Even those with knee problems can run. But im not a very successful runner myself, I cant actually advice much. But 1 thing for sure, everything is possible. You just need to have the right technique. If you follow the plan well and understand the mechanics behind it, you will get there.

What race are you currently training for: Berlin42

What is your favorite race: So far i like SCKLM the most, cos that's the first HM, a shining PR that time, weather everything is nice. but comparing against all previous races, i would cherish my first run on MPIB too. first race, and being a sentimental type, i would cherish it always. to top it all, i did a very good timing at that. considering that being a first race and all. or maybe i just have a beginner's luck. Next was PJ Dawn. I had a good timing at that as well. I have grown to be a more mature runner at that time, i ran, the whole race, non-stop. i was at 19th i think, i got the limited finisher tshirt, i beat other people that i know of (of course there were other faster runners, but i don't know them so what the heck). Shape run 2012 was also quite memorable for me. I was the only one who came back with a limited medal, compared from other friends.

What is the best thing that has ever come from running: Now that such question is asked, I can't think of an immediate answer. Definitely am an endorphine addict, but who doesn't. But running has surely the best thing, I won't punish myself to wakeup in the wee morning hours, spent on all the running associated fees, put a lot of readings into it, as if there's nothing better to do research on if its not for the love of running. I think it brought me closer to Allah. The wee morning hours wakeup has enabled me to perform duties which I could not do if im not yet up. It gives me.something to look forward to, something totally mine and no one else's and that keeps my sanity intact. I am truly engaged into my progress in running. So I guess that's something that I have complete control on and things can only get better, the same way I have made it better. It cannot go anyway else. With life, relationship, work, things may not always go as you had planned. With running it does. It's a guaranteed return. We know nothing is 100% guaranteed in this world. But for me with running it does. The next thing that comes close to this guarantee are my kids. These are the 2 things that I'm sure will not fail me. I like the thought that I can always look for it whenever I need it. I don't have to rely on other people. and it's a therapy for me. whenever i feel down or sad, i turn to running. words can't describe my reliance on it. Maybe it's just a phase, I will outgrow it sometime later in life. but for now, let's cherish it while it can.

Other running bloggers: I tried to delay my pregnancies since i was not ready to give up running yet. and that is a big decision for me cos i am very specific on when i should get pregnant and when should i stop being pregnant. delaying this would affect the number of kids that I'm going to have and the year when I should stop being pregnant. so a good friend mentioned that hey, you can actually run while pregnant. so i went to google, and there it was, an article about a 38 weeks pregnant lady, finished her chicago marathon. That was the time when i decided that, pregnancy will not be in between me and my running. After turning to the internet for running related stuffs, i constantly check on guidance on running while pregnant and i came across various blogs but one that i liked most that time's was Michelle's NYC Running Mama. I thought there's not much running bloggers in Malaysia and felt like setting up one, just in case it might help with the running related problems in that i always have (pregnant running, nursing running, safety, managing the kids while running, health and nutrition and definitely, logistics related matters, cos i had to google so much to prepare for my SCKLM and maybe some inspiration). I was so deeply wrong. There are many other aspiring running blogging moms out there and i am just so humbled with them.