4:37am, Saturday

I love running this city 🇭🇰

8km

#running #run

5am, wednesday

Upper body training cont. - back / lats

#running

5:00am

Monday recovery after Saturday #trailrunning

Upper body push

#running

6:40am

Saturday 13k trail run - Saikung 50

#trailrunning
#running

4:38am

Morning base run

5.7km

#running

Training before 5am often meant lack of sleep.

Working on consistent early bed time to get enough sleep on an early start.

#running
#ultrarunning

4:33am

Morning tempo run

6.4km

#running

4:28am

Base phase - recovery run after half marathon

#running

I’m hooked.

I’ve never been much of a runner.

This year I took the leap and finished the #StandardChartered HK half marathon.

I’ll be back next year, and no doubt a few more in between.

And couldn’t have asked for better weather.

#HongKongMarathon #running

4/4

I’m signing up to a race.

First every month.
Later every week.

20k. 5k. 10k.
Distance doesn’t matter
Finish time doesn’t matter

It’s about FORCING myself to get up and train.

To give myself NO CHOICE

I’ll be transparent and document all my data.

Follow me on my journey from zero to ultra.

3/4

I FORCED myself to workout. Now I’m doing the same with a new challenge.

This year I set out to do something I couldn’t have imagined. Run an ultramarathon.

I do zero running. So I’m taking the same approach that got me up at 4:45am.

Except this time I’m doing it differently.

2/4

I signed up with a trainer, to FORCE the habit.

First once a week. Then twice. Then three times.

First at 7:30am.
Then 6:30am.
Now I wake up at 4:45am to train three times a week.

Not because of my strength… I had no CHOICE. If I didn’t show up I would let him down.

1/4

The endorphins offered a respite from the daily grind, where even the smallest task was a struggle.

But the truth was, I struggled for months to get up and workout. I had so many excuses. I didn’t have time.

So in 2023 I decided I wouldn’t rely on my habit. I would FORCE myself to train.

“We all make habitual, self limiting choices. It’s as natural as the sunset.” David Goggins, Can’t Hurt Me

A few years ago I was in depression, on the edge of bankruptcy after a failed business, in the middle of Covid-19, while my daughter was born.

One thing got me out. FORCED EXERCISE

Thread 🧵

6 years ago, I quit my job.
3 years ago, I failed at my startup.
Today, my finances are still red.

But…

Today I am in a job I enjoy,
the happiest, healthiest I’ve ever been,
raising a beautiful daughter,
pursuing my doctorate.

Life isn’t about numbers, it’s about purpose, love, and growth. 💛