Mindful Running: Small Acts Matter

I recently came across a race clip shared by a runfluencer. Later, I had a casual chat with another runner who had reposted it on social media. I usually don’t watch clips all the way through, but that day — helped by Instagram’s x2 fast-forward — I did. And it made me pause.

It got me thinking about something we rarely talk about: how we use hydration stations during races.

Image created by ChatGPT

In the image, which I recreated using AI, a runner grabs a cup of water and splashes it over himself. Totally relatable. Anyone who has raced in the heat knows how desperate that moment feels. Cooling down can feel like survival.

But here’s the part that made me stop.

Hydration stations are hectic. Sweaty runners rush in, their hands moving fast, as cups are everywhere. The water being splashed often comes from the cups meant for drinking. And just a step behind that runner, volunteers are carefully setting up cups for hundreds — sometimes thousands — of runners still to come.

From the front of the pack, this probably looks normal. Efficient. Quick. No time to think.

From further back, it looks… different.

Sweat, water, and fast-moving hands are happening right next to cups that others are about to drink from. And honestly, I don’t want to drink your sweat. I believe most runners wouldn’t want to either.

Perhaps this stood out even more because not long ago, we were all far more conscious of hygiene. COVID-19 changed how we thought about shared spaces, contact, and cleanliness. For a while, we were careful, especially with things near our mouths. As races returned and life felt normal again, that awareness quietly faded.

I’m not saying we need to panic or race in fear. However, a bit of mindfulness around hygiene, particularly at shared points like hydration stations, still matters.

To be clear, this isn’t about blaming fast runners or calling anyone out. Racing at speed is intense, and decisions are made in split seconds.

I’m a runner too... just not an elite or front-packer. I experience races from the middle or back of the pack, where hydration stations are more crowded, slower, and sometimes chaotic. Maybe that perspective is why this stood out to me.

It made me wonder:

• Can we be a bit more mindful at water stations?
• Is there a way to cool down without affecting drinking water meant for others?
• Can race etiquette include hygiene too — not just pacing and racing lines?

I know saying this might invite comments like “then don’t race” or “just stay home." But that’s not the point.

Hydration stations are shared spaces. They rely heavily on volunteers who show up early, stand for hours, and do their best to support every runner — fast or slow. A small action at the front can create a ripple effect further down the course.

Just a gentle note to fellow runners, please don’t cancel me 😅 I’m not here to judge, shame, or act like I know better. I’m simply sharing what I observed, and how it made me think a little deeper about race etiquette and consideration for others.

If this post makes even one person pause for half a second at the next water station, then it’s done its job.

Running may be individual, but races are communal.

And sometimes, awareness starts with noticing the small things.

May x

Running with Purpose: Why I’m Taking On the Global 6K for Water

Image from World Vision Singapore

Every day, children in vulnerable communities wake up and begin a journey, not to school, not to play, but to collect water.

Nearly 6 kilometres.

That’s the average distance they walk just to fetch water that’s often dirty, contaminated, and dangerous.

And that’s the same distance I’m running — but for a very different reason.

This year, I’m participating in the World Vision Singapore Global 6K for Water, and I’ve set a personal goal:

🏃‍♀️ Run/Walk 600KM

💙 Raise SGD 1,200.00

Why? Because I believe every child deserves the chance to be healthy, to learn, and to simply be a child.

But this daily walk for water robs them of that chance. It steals their health as they fall ill from waterborne diseases. It disrupts their education because they’re too tired or miss school altogether. And it takes away their childhood, time that should be spent laughing, playing, and dreaming.

💧 Clean Water Changes Everything

It’s so easy to take clean water for granted — the simple act of turning on a tap, filling a glass, or taking a shower. However, for many children and families around the world, access to clean water remains out of reach.

The good news? We can help change that.

Just $60 can provide one child with sustainable access to clean water through World Vision's life-changing water projects. These include the installation of boreholes, water tanks, and piped water systems, bringing clean water closer to homes and schools.

This year, World Vision Singapore aims to reach 10,000 children across Asia and Africa — and I want to do my part to help achieve this goal.🌍 Want to Learn More?

You can read more about the Global 6K for Water movement and how it’s changing lives by visiting:

🔗 https://global6k.worldvision.org.sg

There, you’ll find more inspiring stories, learn how the funds are used, and even register to take on the challenge yourself.

🙌 How You Can Help

I’m inviting you to join me on this journey. You can:

✅ Donate to my campaign — any amount makes a difference

✅ Take on the Global 6K yourself — run, walk, or hike anytime, anywhere between 5 Sep and 20 Nov 2025

✅ Spread the word — share this cause with your friends, family, or community

Together, we can make every step count.

✨ Running with Purpose

Running has always been personal for me — a space to challenge myself and clear my mind. But now, it’s about something bigger.

With every kilometre I run, I’m thinking of the children who walk those same distances daily, not by choice, but by necessity.

- I’m running for them.

- I’m running for clean water.

- And I’m running because every child deserves that chance.

🔗 Support my campaign here:

👉 https://global6k.worldvision.org.sg/participant!P00047GO

Thank you for reading — and for walking (or running!) alongside me on this mission.

May x

World Water Day

Water is essential to life, yet its availability and quality are not the same for everyone.

The river that runs through the community I recently visited.

When I worked in a water company, I saw water through numbers—costs, processes, and efficiency. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexity behind clean water, from treatment to distribution. It’s not as simple as turning on a tap. Ensuring safe water requires expertise, infrastructure, and constant monitoring—something many of us rarely think about.

The water piping system provides clean water to the community. Part of the essential infrastructure I witnessed during my trip.

But through child sponsorship, I saw another side of water. In many communities, clean water isn’t easily accessible. Children and families walk long distances just to fetch water—sometimes from unsafe sources. The impact goes beyond thirst; it affects health, education, and opportunities for a better future.

World Water Day is a reminder that clean water is a basic human right, yet millions still struggle to access it. While many organisations are working to change this, there is still more to be done.

Small efforts—whether through awareness, support, or action—can make a difference. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the clean water we have and do our part to help ensure safe water for all.

May x