What I’m Bringing Into February

Life feels a little unsteady sometimes. Even though I technically have two homes in two different countries, it often feels like I’m constantly travelling — staying for a few weeks or a month at a time, depending on my partner’s work. My work is flexible, which helps, but it’s never fully fixed; it always depends on what comes in and where I am. Some days it feels liberating. Some days it feels exhausting. Still, I’m learning to notice the little things that help me stay balanced wherever I am.

Some days feel heavier than others. When I don’t have a fixed routine, when life moves around me, it’s easy to feel untethered.

After setting myself 10 things to do in January, I know don’t need to do everything at once. Just small steps — promises I can actually keep — and that has helped me feel steadier and happier. I just need to do a few things consistently and kindly to keep the joy I’ve found. 

And of course, it’s not always just about me — I have my partner with me in all of this.

Here are some small ways I’ve been taking care of myself recently:

• I haven’t gone for a proper run since the HK marathon — my plantar is giving me a mood. Most days, walking is all I can manage, and that’s okay.

• I’m proud of myself for reading consistently again, even if it’s just a few pages a day. Those small moments of focus feel surprisingly fulfilling.

• I’ve also started a little messy journaling — dropping my thoughts, memories, and things I want to remember. I’m still learning. I see so many cute, perfectly curated journals online, but I’m not copying anyone. I’m doing it my way.

• I’m paying attention to tiny sparks of joy — a good cup of coffee, a simple smile, quiet moments that make me feel alive.

These aren’t life-changing moments. But they remind me that even when life feels unpredictable, I can still keep my balance and enjoy the small wins.

I’m trying to pay attention, be consistent, and let these small wins matter.

This week, I’m back in Thailand — in Bangkok for a few days before travelling again. I’m looking forward to exploring a new country, one I’m genuinely excited about.

For now, this is what February looks like — slower, simpler, and enough.

May x

Reflections from My 2025 Races

2025 wasn’t a big race year for me. I only participated in 4 running events.

And for a while, that felt… small.

But not to forget, I took part in #Global6KForWaterSG, clocking 694.69km from Sept to Nov 2025, and raised some funds along the way. Knowing that every kilometre represented something bigger than myself made it meaningful. 🫶🏻

Looking back, this year wasn’t about chasing medals or filling up a race calendar. It was about staying connected to running, keeping the habit alive, and simply showing up.

Every run, whether in an event or not, reminded me of why I started. Not gonna lie, keeping momentum isn’t easy. I do have a big, fat lazy worm in me 😅.

2025 reminded me that progress doesn’t always look loud. Not about numbers. Not about speed. Just the simple joy of finishing the run and enjoying the race.

It’s been 4 years since my lifestyle changed. I moved, I left, and with remote work and frequent travel, it hasn’t been easy to build a regular running circle like before. I miss the days when every run, every event, and even evening jogs in the park meant seeing familiar faces.

So I’m really hoping to slowly get back into the running community — to meet new people, exchange running tips, and learn from each other along the way. Hopefully, with the power of the digital world, we’ll find each other. 

May x

My Running Journey

I wasn’t athletic when I was young. I loved running, but I was never fast enough to compete properly. The only “competitions” I joined were school sports days, running for my house. That was about it.

After I started working, keeping fit wasn’t a priority at all. Exercise wasn’t even in my dictionary. Running? Training? A healthy lifestyle? I didn’t think about any of that. Life was about work, getting things done, and moving on to the next thing.

I started running again in 2012 with my 🐷 sister and her friend, our adik bongbongsu. My first run was a 10km race. No training. I honestly thought, “How hard can 10km be?” Trust me — it was brutal. My legs were so sore I walked like a crab for days.

But somehow, I went back for more. Slowly, my sister and I continued this running journey together. She has always been my biggest motivator to keep running. My second race — again, with no proper training — was 17km. Painful, tiring, uncomfortable… yet I started to enjoy these little tortures and challenges. Our motto back then was “lambat janji sampai” — and I added “dan selamat”. Years ago, there were quite a lot of accidents during races. It was scary. Finishing safely mattered more than speed.

I couldn’t fully commit to running at that time because I was doing my degree and later my master’s, mostly on weekends. But once I completed my studies in 2016, I ran whenever I could. Weekends became running days. I met many running friends through events. I even flew to nearby “overseas” destinations just to run, because there weren’t many running events in Penang back then. I was addicted.

There were podium finishes at small races. The excitement. The community. The routine.

Then COVID happened. Everything stopped. We were locked inside our homes. I lost my running momentum. I lost touch with my running friends. When things slowly opened up again, work took over. My job demanded more time and presence, and running became my way to release stress rather than something competitive. Events no longer crossed my mind — I never knew where I would be in a few months’ time anyway.

I still enjoy running a lot. Training matters. Friends matter. Having people around you makes a difference — you push each other, encourage each other, and show up together. Most of those friends are now on their own paths, and that’s okay. Fair play to them. I’ve been away from home for a long time since COVID. I left Penang. I left Malaysia.

Running stayed — just in a different form.

Age is catching up — I feel it. Recovery takes longer. Niggles don’t disappear overnight. I’m not as fearless as I was in my twenties, and I don’t bounce back the same way anymore. But I also know myself better now.

I don’t want to run aimlessly anymore. I want objectives. I want goals. Not to prove anything to anyone. Not to chase podiums. But to give my running a direction again — something to work towards, something that makes me show up even on days when motivation is low.

This comeback isn’t about being faster than others. It’s about being consistent with myself. Training smarter. Respecting my body. Setting realistic targets — whether that’s finishing strong, improving endurance, staying injury-free, or simply showing up week after week.

I’ve learnt that running changes as you age, and that’s okay. These days, my goal is simple — finish the run and enjoy the race. No pressure, no chasing others, just showing up and getting it done.

This comeback is quieter, more intentional, and hopefully more meaningful in its own way.

May x

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

Moving, Even When It’s Hard

After being knocked out sick for the past few days, I had absolutely zero energy to do anything. Even lifting a finger felt heavy. I’ve been sluggish, just lying around binge-watching Netflix. Yesterday, I still had an excuse because of all the rain, but today… Well, I watched five episodes of a K-drama, downed three cups of coffee, and ate the leftover food from the fridge.

I felt like I was melting into the couch while my mind was itching to restart my fitness journey.

It’s a strange feeling. In my head, I wanted to do so many things, but my body simply wouldn’t cooperate.

Still, I guess my stubborn mind won out today. It’s a small victory, but it matters.

My body had no energy, honestly — I was half-hoping the rain wouldn’t stop so I’d have a reason to stay put. But when the rain cleared, I told myself: just walk out the door. There's no need to push. Just try. My chest still feels hollow from this cough, so I didn’t aim for anything big. I started with a 1 km walk, then ran 3 km. By the end of that third kilometre, I felt like I was about to pass out, so I cooled down with another 1 km walk.

It was getting dark anyway. It was muddy and there were dogs around, so I headed home and did a few easy dumbbell reps. Nothing fancy, nothing intense — just doing my best.

And you know what? I’m happy I got out there. The beach was lovely. The breeze helped. I’m learning to listen to my body and simply do what I can. Trying, little by little, to feel a bit more like myself again.

Anyway, that’s my little update today. Anyone else out there pushing through the blah days? Drop me a comment or DM — I’m curious how you deal with days when your body and mind aren’t quite in sync.

May x

Just When I Thought I Was Back, I Got Knocked Down

Believe it or not, just the day after I posted my last update, I got sick. The symptoms felt like COVID. I didn’t get tested, but the tiredness and cough were enough to tell me something was off.

My running shoes are also in healing mode. 

It was frustrating because I was just starting to get my momentum back. But maybe it’s a reminder that progress isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes life throws curveballs, and we have to slow down, rest, and be kind to ourselves.

So, I’m taking this as part of the journey. Healing first, then getting back on track — stronger and more determined.

Have you ever faced a setback just as you were gaining momentum? How did you get back on track?

May x