Achievement ( based on a true story )

It was the evening of a sweltering hot Monday. I left my house, bringing along my cellphone and wallet with me. I promised to meet Lennard at the bus-stop at 6.00PM but it seems that it would be impossible for me to make it in time.

I quickened my pace as I did not want to keep him waiting. I brisked past numerous traffic lights, structures and people. It was during the peak periods of the day. Some were walking home after a long day's work and others were going out to live the nightlife. Along the way, I met quite a few familiar faces. It was no surprise though.

I thought it must be crazy of me to do this but I went as promised anyway. I went for my first ever real " marathon ". We were joined by Yazid, who was roped in by Lennard.

I was never good in running - even though me and my friend had the same timings, he passed whereas I failed, reason being that I'm always counted a year older ( my bday falls on Feb ).

Among the three of us, I was considered the worst runner. Running was never my forte - I always believed in education and knowledge over physical strength. However, what made me change my heart and mindset was one very special factor - the one that gave me the willpower and the determination to keep pushing myself.

I always had problems with Physical Education - I could never pass a single run ever since I had that fall. Yet, this special factor gave me another chance - to prove myself. What is more is that such an activity benefits me greatly.

We started slow-jogging to a nearby shopping center (Limbang). I had no problems during the first leg of the "marathon" - maybe because I still had plenty of energy stored in me.

I started losing my tempo during the second leg of the "marathon" - my heart was beating irregularly and my abdomen aches maybe because I have not been doing much exercise lately. I started getting worried - I have heard of plenty cases of people dying due to running. It sounds stupid but prevention is better than cure. I started giving up hope and plan to withdraw before the "marathon" could end.

I told my friends I could not make it but I was "brainwashed" by Lennard instead. He told me that they'll be supporting me all the way. He told me that he would not give up on me. He would even treat me to a drink if I completed the run.

I gave in to him. I did not want to be a failure no longer - I just want to get it over and done with. That was my aim. We took a short break at the bus-stop near construction site and resumed shortly after. I swear - I was exhausted even before I could reach the third leg of the "marathon".

We resumed the "marathon" - with me walking in a miserable pace. They started to ran ahead. I was given ten minutes to reach to the destination. It was pure torture - not because that I could not run or the pain was too intense but the most torturing part was to see their sad faces while waiting for me.

Deep in their hearts, they must be thinking that I'm a burden - dragging down their timing with my snail-like pace. I could not take it any longer. I gave up at the third leg of the journey. I took my time and walked towards the fire station. I apologized, and they resumed without me.

...Or so they thought. I did not want to give up - I just needed a short break. I was worried that I would collapse and faint if I continued pushing myself. Although I was deeply encouraged by Lennard's words - I knew that if I continued pushing, I would really faint. What could they expect from a new-comer?

I rested at the bus-stop and caught up with them shortly after at the junction. There were plenty of mosquitoes that prevented me from resting at the bus-stop and so the best way would be actually finishing that final leg. I did not know exactly how they felt when they saw me on my feet again but my guess would be that they must be proud. Their efforts, their words and their sweat were not wasted on me.

Nevertheless, they ran forward and further from me. We agreed to meet at the train station. I was walking again, trying to take in as much air as I could. Then I thought that they must be hiding somewhere just to see if I had really continued the "marathon" but it turns out that I was just paranoid. I played along, and slow-jogged towards the station.

When the station was in my view, my instincts told me they must be already there. I launched myself forward, not wanting to give them the image that I had been walking all along. Unfortunately, it turns out that I could not find them. Was it due to my slowness that they had gone home without me?

No. In fact, they even called me and praised me for making such an achievement. I had reached there faster than them, reason being that they stopped by a shop to get a bottle of isotonic drink. I had completed the "marathon" - and that itself is an achievement to me.

END OF STORY (don't wanna bore my dear readers by giving them a wall of text)

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Thanks to - Lennard, Yazid and that Special Factor.

Signing off - Gene.