There was a period when I was in Melbourne and I was jobless for a couple of months. I was hoping to find my ideal job - something that combined engineering and sports, or something technical but interesting like product design and development. I couldn't find any. It was around mid of spring and I noticed there were some job advertisements looking for sports coaches in various suburbs. I decided to apply for one since I did have some coaching experience. Within a couple of days, a guy called me to arrange for an interview and after the interview, I was hired!
So this guy (the boss) that hired me runs a company that organizes after-school sports programs for preps to year 4 (around 5 - 9 year olds) and basically I get assigned a couple of schools where the sports programs are held and I run the program. The sports I have to 'coach' include basketball, cricket & soccer. But because the kids are so young, I couldn't make it too difficult. So I had to incorporate games half the time (actually it was 90% of the time) while teaching them some skills of playing the different sports.
Now before I started on the job, the boss gave me and a few other new 'coaches' a training session on how to run a sports program. There was sort of a guideline as to how each session should start and end and it was important to lay down the ground rules for the kids before each session started. When I first learned about that, I was thinking: "do I really have to lay down the ground rules to the same kids EVERY session?".
Anyway, my first session was together with an experienced coach so I was more of an assistant or under-study. He gave instructions to the kids, split them into groups for different activities, taught them simple ball handling skills and organized games for them.The kids were a little chaotic and not following instructions at times (which is very normal) but he had the ultimate 'secret weapon' which brings things back to order - the coach's whistle. Once the whistle was blown, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the coach. It was really effective. But somehow at that point, I didn't feel that the whistle would be necessary, so I decided that I would do something different for my own sessions.
The boss called me to follow up on my first session. I told him it was all good and I feel confident to take a session on my own. So the following week, I was assigned to coach 2 schools. I went with no whistle for the first week and I was totally owned by the kids. They were all over the place, balls were flying everywhere, random shouting and screaming, total chaos. I would teach them the rules of a game, give them the balls and they will follow my instructions for 30 seconds (or less) and then one kid will suggest doing something else with the ball, proceed with his own suggestion, another kid comes up with another great idea and within 10 seconds every kid is doing their own thing.
Well, subsequently I got myself a whistle and it became slightly better. The whistle definitely got the kids' attention. But there are a few things that don't change. Firstly, every kid's attention span is only 45 seconds, MAX; and after that, they are bored and want to do something else. Secondly, they like to counter my instructions with their 'better idea' which totally has no connection to the sport of the day. For e.g. I try to teach them how to pass a basketball by bouncing it off the floor and one kid will go:"I wanna play hide and seek!!"; and quite often instead of learning to practice passing the basketball, the kids will run off with the basketball and try to shoot into the hoop, or kick the ball like a soccer ball or worse, throw the ball at me. I spent half the time blowing the whistle and the other half picking up balls kicked far away. Ah the frustration.
As I think back of that experience, I realized that is probably how we are to God. We are like uncontrollable kids. God tells us what we have to do but we always want to do something else. We think that we have a better plan than what God has for us. We don't want to keep doing the same thing and we wanna try something different. We disobey God. Fortunately, God can be patient with us. Like how He was patient with the Israelites when He brought them out of Egypt, how He allowed Abraham to negotiate for ten righteous people to not destroy Sodom & Gomorrah and how He sent Jonah to Nineveh to proclaim His word and bring them to repentance. More importantly, He always keeps His word and He is patient with us today for a reason.
2 Peter 2:9 (NIV) says:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God is giving more time to His own people - those who have not come to the knowledge of His saving grace to be converted and those of us who have come under His grace to continue in our faith and do what we have been called to do, bringing glory to God.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The real deal
2010 Oct 10, 6:30AM
I reached the MCG and the place was already packed with people. Everyone was kinda doing their last minute preparation before the run - going to the toilets, putting on sunscreen, having a quick snack, placing their bags at the bags collection area, stretching and taking a slow jog or walk to the starting line. Due to the long toilet queues and me getting a bit lost in the MCG (it was my first time in the G), I had to run to the starting line or should I say starting area because there were so many people.
7:00AM. The race commenced! The horn was blown and people started running. At least for those right at the front; for those of us who were at the middle or rear of the pack, we were walking for a few minutes before there was enough space to run. I noticed there were sweaters and jumpers hanging on trees and railings at the side and I found out that it was a tradition that marathon participants could leave whatever warm clothing there and volunteers would later collect them for Salvos.
8:00AM. I have done 10kms. The feeling is good. I thought I was pacing myself well although I was trying to look for the official marathon pacer for 4 1/2 hours but to no avail. I seem to be catching up with people in front of me and overtaking them.
8:55AM. Miraculously, I covered half the distance! Also, during the past hour or so, I managed to catch up with the 4 hours & 15 mins pacer, overtook the group and caught up with the 4 hours pacing group! I thought to myself: "hey, I might just be able to go ahead of this group..". So I did and I was feeling quite good about myself thinking that I could possibly run the marathon under four hours!
I thought wrong.
At around the 24km mark, my tummy was sending signals to my brain that I have to use the bathroom. It went on and off and it was bugging me. On one hand, I could go to the next available toilet and find relief; on the other hand, I could hold it in, finish the marathon (which I thought at that point it's ONLY 18km more to go... ya right) and I save 5 minutes. I actually struggled with that thought for the next 2km. Thank God that feeling went away shortly after.
Then at around 26km, I noticed my thighs feeling a bit tight so I slowed down a little. Even then, the tightness did not go away and after another 1 or 2 km, my calves joined in the fun. They were all protesting. But I thought to myself, they should be able to last, it was maybe 14 to 15 km more. I pressed on although I was slowing down steadily and part of me was reprimanding myself for signing up for the marathon instead of the half-marathon.
Just before the 30km mark, the 4 hour pacing group overtook me and I had to let them because when I tried to keep up with their pace, my legs wouldn't let me. As I struggled on in the 'fastest' pace my legs would take me, I see more and more people starting to walk or stopping at the side of the road to stretch their legs.
Within the next 15 to 20 minutes, the 4 hour & 15 minutes group caught up and overtook me. This time, I did force myself to follow their pace; I lasted for maybe 3 minutes. As they ran ahead of me, I realised that my thighs were not just tight, they were in pain. It was probably around 34km that I stopped. I tried to do a standing quad stretch (pulling my foot to my butt) - bad idea, I felt a sharp pain. I massaged my thighs for a bit and decided to walk. Yet even walking was not pain free.
I alternated between walking and running (very slowly) for the next 4 to 5km. This was a tormenting 30-40mins of my life; didn't help that I was starting to feel hungry too. But I have to say the volunteers for the marathon were really a blessing from God. They were fantastic. They were not only giving the runners water and powerade at the aid stations, they were cheering everyone on and all; and I think it was at the 37.5km aid station (somewhere along the shrine of remembrance) where they were giving out jelly beans! I was never a fan of jelly beans or any lollies for that matter, but at that moment they were a lifesaver.
Also at some point when I was walking, an old gentleman with a head of white hair and beard ran past me and as he was running past me, he turned to me and shouted "come on don't give up!". That motivated me to start running again. Then somewhere near the 40 km mark (near Fed square), as people who had completed the marathon (they had the finisher's medal around their neck) were walking to their cars or to flinders train station, they cheered the rest of the runners on: "come on, you are getting there!". Yeah, we were getting there.
Finally at 11:25AM, I completed my first marathon. The sign board for the last 500m spurred me to open up my strides, race into the MCG, go one round the stadium and cross the finish line. Yes I could finally stop. Even though I was in a daze, I could hear people were congratulating one another, I could see people giving each other the thumbs up and the pat on the backs, there were smiles everywhere. Everyone who crossed the finishing line kinda knew what the other person went through to get there.
Needless to say, it was an amazing experience. Few things that I take away from this marathon experience which I also parallel it to life as a christian: the marathon [life] is a seriously long run that requires patience (something I continue to learn over and over again) and perseverance (all the way from the first day I started training for the marathon) ; along the way when I was struggling (mostly brought upon by myself), there had been encouragements or motivations in different forms that God graciously put in place to keep me going - the good weather conditions, the jelly beans, the shouting and cheering from bystanders and the occasional 'nudge' from fellow runners; and last but not least every christian goes through pretty much the same struggles in life, we may not be able to see it from outward appearances, but we all face similar trials and this was something I learned again during the last church prayer meeting when everyone shared about their struggles and it was amazing how much were the similarities.
There are many verses in the Bible about trials and overcoming them, and I find there's this particular one that is most applicable for me now - Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Anyway, that ends my "first marathon" journey. =)
I reached the MCG and the place was already packed with people. Everyone was kinda doing their last minute preparation before the run - going to the toilets, putting on sunscreen, having a quick snack, placing their bags at the bags collection area, stretching and taking a slow jog or walk to the starting line. Due to the long toilet queues and me getting a bit lost in the MCG (it was my first time in the G), I had to run to the starting line or should I say starting area because there were so many people.
7:00AM. The race commenced! The horn was blown and people started running. At least for those right at the front; for those of us who were at the middle or rear of the pack, we were walking for a few minutes before there was enough space to run. I noticed there were sweaters and jumpers hanging on trees and railings at the side and I found out that it was a tradition that marathon participants could leave whatever warm clothing there and volunteers would later collect them for Salvos.
8:00AM. I have done 10kms. The feeling is good. I thought I was pacing myself well although I was trying to look for the official marathon pacer for 4 1/2 hours but to no avail. I seem to be catching up with people in front of me and overtaking them.
8:55AM. Miraculously, I covered half the distance! Also, during the past hour or so, I managed to catch up with the 4 hours & 15 mins pacer, overtook the group and caught up with the 4 hours pacing group! I thought to myself: "hey, I might just be able to go ahead of this group..". So I did and I was feeling quite good about myself thinking that I could possibly run the marathon under four hours!
I thought wrong.
At around the 24km mark, my tummy was sending signals to my brain that I have to use the bathroom. It went on and off and it was bugging me. On one hand, I could go to the next available toilet and find relief; on the other hand, I could hold it in, finish the marathon (which I thought at that point it's ONLY 18km more to go... ya right) and I save 5 minutes. I actually struggled with that thought for the next 2km. Thank God that feeling went away shortly after.
Then at around 26km, I noticed my thighs feeling a bit tight so I slowed down a little. Even then, the tightness did not go away and after another 1 or 2 km, my calves joined in the fun. They were all protesting. But I thought to myself, they should be able to last, it was maybe 14 to 15 km more. I pressed on although I was slowing down steadily and part of me was reprimanding myself for signing up for the marathon instead of the half-marathon.
Just before the 30km mark, the 4 hour pacing group overtook me and I had to let them because when I tried to keep up with their pace, my legs wouldn't let me. As I struggled on in the 'fastest' pace my legs would take me, I see more and more people starting to walk or stopping at the side of the road to stretch their legs.
Within the next 15 to 20 minutes, the 4 hour & 15 minutes group caught up and overtook me. This time, I did force myself to follow their pace; I lasted for maybe 3 minutes. As they ran ahead of me, I realised that my thighs were not just tight, they were in pain. It was probably around 34km that I stopped. I tried to do a standing quad stretch (pulling my foot to my butt) - bad idea, I felt a sharp pain. I massaged my thighs for a bit and decided to walk. Yet even walking was not pain free.
I alternated between walking and running (very slowly) for the next 4 to 5km. This was a tormenting 30-40mins of my life; didn't help that I was starting to feel hungry too. But I have to say the volunteers for the marathon were really a blessing from God. They were fantastic. They were not only giving the runners water and powerade at the aid stations, they were cheering everyone on and all; and I think it was at the 37.5km aid station (somewhere along the shrine of remembrance) where they were giving out jelly beans! I was never a fan of jelly beans or any lollies for that matter, but at that moment they were a lifesaver.
Also at some point when I was walking, an old gentleman with a head of white hair and beard ran past me and as he was running past me, he turned to me and shouted "come on don't give up!". That motivated me to start running again. Then somewhere near the 40 km mark (near Fed square), as people who had completed the marathon (they had the finisher's medal around their neck) were walking to their cars or to flinders train station, they cheered the rest of the runners on: "come on, you are getting there!". Yeah, we were getting there.
Finally at 11:25AM, I completed my first marathon. The sign board for the last 500m spurred me to open up my strides, race into the MCG, go one round the stadium and cross the finish line. Yes I could finally stop. Even though I was in a daze, I could hear people were congratulating one another, I could see people giving each other the thumbs up and the pat on the backs, there were smiles everywhere. Everyone who crossed the finishing line kinda knew what the other person went through to get there.
 |
| My souvenirs from the marathon & the link to my timing. |
Needless to say, it was an amazing experience. Few things that I take away from this marathon experience which I also parallel it to life as a christian: the marathon [life] is a seriously long run that requires patience (something I continue to learn over and over again) and perseverance (all the way from the first day I started training for the marathon) ; along the way when I was struggling (mostly brought upon by myself), there had been encouragements or motivations in different forms that God graciously put in place to keep me going - the good weather conditions, the jelly beans, the shouting and cheering from bystanders and the occasional 'nudge' from fellow runners; and last but not least every christian goes through pretty much the same struggles in life, we may not be able to see it from outward appearances, but we all face similar trials and this was something I learned again during the last church prayer meeting when everyone shared about their struggles and it was amazing how much were the similarities.
There are many verses in the Bible about trials and overcoming them, and I find there's this particular one that is most applicable for me now - Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Anyway, that ends my "first marathon" journey. =)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The marathon prequel run
My idea of a marathon prequel run was just to run close to half the distance of a marathon. I thought that by running half the distance, I would give myself the confidence that I could complete at least 21kms and so completing the actual marathon would be more imaginable.
So last sunday morning, I ran from my home to my pastor's home which was approximately 23kms. It was exhausting (although I only felt truly exhausted the next day). It was exhausting because firstly I did not hydrate myself properly before the run and by the time I reached about 10km, I could feel my throat drying up. For the next 13kms, I was swallowing my own saliva, praying for rain (it turned out to be a warm and sunny day), and thinking about the possible ways I could get water. Secondly, the route was hilly. Close to half the run had me going up-slope.
(On hindsight, I could have prepared myself better by drinking more water the night before the run.)
Somehow after the run, I could still go to church and help out with the usual stuff, participate during service, fellowship with people after service. Then after church, I went on to hang out with a few friends, had dinner then went home. It all seemed fine until the next day when I woke up and I realised that I was feeling completely flat out - physically and mentally kaput. Things that happened on Sunday became slightly blurry in my mind. It then occurred to me that probably shortly after the run, I was completely drained; but maybe what kept me going was that bit of adrenalin from the run, a bit of euphoria from achieving my goal and mostly a force of habit.
The truth is, there are many things in my daily routine that I can do without much thinking - cooking, eating, going to the bathroom, driving to work or other regular places, making casual conversations.. etc. These are activities that I have done over and over again so much so it's like a reflex. I just do it. It gets scary when I reflect upon that and I realise that I sometimes pack my schedule with one thing after another, as a result more often than not I simply go through the motion. It could be work, going for meetings, calling up my parents every week, weekly bible studies, or even my daily devotions.
Coincidentally my pastor was preaching about the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-31) on sunday. The greatest commandment is this: (v30) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. I could not possibly do that if I was simply going through the motion. Therefore once in a while, I need to slow down or stop myself or even take a step back, instead of just doing it; otherwise I might miss the most important thing in the world.
So last sunday morning, I ran from my home to my pastor's home which was approximately 23kms. It was exhausting (although I only felt truly exhausted the next day). It was exhausting because firstly I did not hydrate myself properly before the run and by the time I reached about 10km, I could feel my throat drying up. For the next 13kms, I was swallowing my own saliva, praying for rain (it turned out to be a warm and sunny day), and thinking about the possible ways I could get water. Secondly, the route was hilly. Close to half the run had me going up-slope.
(On hindsight, I could have prepared myself better by drinking more water the night before the run.)
Somehow after the run, I could still go to church and help out with the usual stuff, participate during service, fellowship with people after service. Then after church, I went on to hang out with a few friends, had dinner then went home. It all seemed fine until the next day when I woke up and I realised that I was feeling completely flat out - physically and mentally kaput. Things that happened on Sunday became slightly blurry in my mind. It then occurred to me that probably shortly after the run, I was completely drained; but maybe what kept me going was that bit of adrenalin from the run, a bit of euphoria from achieving my goal and mostly a force of habit.
The truth is, there are many things in my daily routine that I can do without much thinking - cooking, eating, going to the bathroom, driving to work or other regular places, making casual conversations.. etc. These are activities that I have done over and over again so much so it's like a reflex. I just do it. It gets scary when I reflect upon that and I realise that I sometimes pack my schedule with one thing after another, as a result more often than not I simply go through the motion. It could be work, going for meetings, calling up my parents every week, weekly bible studies, or even my daily devotions.
Coincidentally my pastor was preaching about the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-31) on sunday. The greatest commandment is this: (v30) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. I could not possibly do that if I was simply going through the motion. Therefore once in a while, I need to slow down or stop myself or even take a step back, instead of just doing it; otherwise I might miss the most important thing in the world.
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