Running

Yesterday, my company's aspiring marathoners went for a run in East Coast Park, led by our CSM. As part of our progressive training regime, this run lasted 14 km (previously we'd done 10 and 12) on flat ground (mostly concrete) with bracing scenery (the sea, ships, and skaters). Given that this is the longest distance I've run at a single go, I've newly realised several truths about running that I had only half-believed before:

1. It's possible to get hungry while running. And very hungry, too. By the time we were nearing the end, the frizzling barbeque pits by the track were proving too irresistible: I was on the verge of snitching a chicken wing and making a dash for it.
   
2. Plenty of water is necessary even on a cool drizzly evening. Because of the obscene amount of water one loses through sweat (evidenced by the ample sogginess of my singlet) and through a gaping gasping mode of breathing.
   
3. The wind is tiring to run against. It's not evident on a short run, but yesterday we struggled against an otherwise pleasantly cool and vivid wind that would've been more welcome had it blown in the opposite direction.
   
4. Distraction helps. Boredom is the enemy. Treadmills are insanity. The stretch of East Coast Park near Fort Road where there's naught besides trees is demoralising.
   

So on my next run, here are a few necessities: a radio earpiece, squeezebottle of water, a chocolate bar (or two).