If I have to pick one single best decision I have made for myself last year, it will have to be joining Team in Training.
In a nutshell, Team in Training is the world's largest endurance sports training program. They provide trainings, mentorings and they pay for the cost of athletes to go to all kinds of races in the world; all they ask is the athletes to fundraise for the Leukemia and Lumphoma Society.
Around last January, I had just broken up with Scott for about 2 months. I started living by myself and it was a very mentally challenging time for me. I heard this ad on the radio which they promote about TnT going to the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon. Maybe because I needed to find something to do, maybe I felt that I should be helping people instead of staying home all the time, or maybe it was just because of fate, I decided to go to the information session. I signed up for the race on the spot and I remember thinking what have I got myself into.
Then week after week, I went to the group training sessions. At first, it was very awkward when I have to hangout with strangers that I felt having nothing I can relate to... I mean, most of the people there have a very specific reason to join Team and Training and the cause is very close to their heart. As much as I have done a lot of fundraisings for cancer researche and love doing so, I actually don't have a very direct connection with cancer. But still, I stuck with it because the people were nice enough and it was good to get out of bed at 6am on Sunday morning instead of wasting my time.
Slowly, I started to learn while I run. I will talk to myself in my head when I run and confront with my angers, my darkest secrets and the sense of lost of what was happening to me back then; instead of running away from my problems, I felt that I have nowhere to go but to run straight in to them. Eventually, running became a form of meditation for me (which I haven't done for a very long time), and I was able to make peace and progress on my recovery.
It was so simple as well. All I have to do is to make one step at a time. That is all I have to care about – one foot in front of the other. As long as I do that, I'm moving forward. I might not be able to see the end of the road, but every step that I made counts. One step at a time, a concept that I have never able to understand until I start running.
With my heart starting to lighten up, I slowly became more open and talk to people in the training group. They ended up being an important part of my life. They will joke with me that I'm always a few minutes late to the gathering but showing up with my Starbucks cup. It might sound silly, but it was just enough attention I needed from people I felt that there are others who care for my existence. Regardless of what their initiative, these are people who care about other humans, that's why they join the Team. For a person who often lose faith in the human race, it's a breathe of fresh air. Six months after the race in San Diego, I still get messages from these friends of mine. Running with them every second week and then hanging out for brunch afterward has become one of the highlights of my week.
With all that Team in Training has given me, I thought it was only appropriate that I give back. That's why I signed up mentoring for the San Diego run this year. I want to be part of someone's journey to recover something they might have lost or to discover something they have yet to be found.
#23/365 Team in Training
this blog is awesome! You should approach Starbucks about a running endorsement...
Posted by: Nathan Stafford | January 12, 2012 at 12:09 AM
@nathan thanks! Oh, I'm on my local Starbucks already... they will be helping me out :D
Posted by: Buddhafied | January 12, 2012 at 12:11 AM
Humphrey your contribution to the team, and dedication to that journey was what made the experience possible!! A big group of great people. Keep blogging (and running!)
Posted by: Amy | January 12, 2012 at 07:27 AM
Humphrey, I'm so happy to have you part of the team this season. Love reading the blog!
Posted by: Alison | January 12, 2012 at 03:38 PM
You are AMAZING Mr Tan ...
I enjoy reading your blogs and you dont know how much I appreciate reading your words...and staring at your banner that photo is tooo cute hehe...
but seriously these are for you ♥♥♥♥♥
Posted by: Hugobrown | January 12, 2012 at 08:57 PM
@Amy @Alison @Hugo Thank you for your kind words, everyone. I'm very flattered by the support I have from you all. I wrote this to remind myself that I am loved and you have once again proved to me that I am. Thank you.
Posted by: Buddhafied | January 12, 2012 at 11:20 PM
Awesome, Humphrey. Look forward to Mentor with you this season. Way to go.
Posted by: Tove | January 13, 2012 at 05:51 AM