Inspiration Friday - A Pictorial Journey

Sometimes, we don't need to look for for inspiration too far off from where we stand. While i am often known to be a "School of Hard Knock" kind of guy, wifey do suffer from the constant pushing and the "HTFU" look whenever i train with her. Within the last 2 years, she has progressed from running 10km races to 21km races, and has "graduated" to the 42km run.
Journey along the way certainly wasn't easy as she was carrying a lot of post-pregnancy weight from Ryan and Nadia. At her heaviest, she was 75kg (post pregnancy) and now, her weight remain a secret that only her and the scale knows.
For those of you that has just started running or exercises to be healthy or to lose weight, here is wifey's journey to awesomeness. For the record, I have finished behind her in all 4 marathons and the last two 21km races we ran together.

Recipe for Success. She so gonna kill me for sharing this.

To begin with, she never run more than 2km in her life prior to this and she is a true testament of "never say never". With better timing after each run, she has come to realization that running a race is never about timing anymore - but to finish strong and still being able to smile is the main priority.
With each race, she went from "limping the next day" to (Borneo) "Shopping the same day!"

Walking sideway after Kinabalu Climbathon 2011

Shopping at Jalan Gaya Sunday Market, 2 hours after the race finish!

There is really no reason for the sudden "urge" that is stronger than deciding to lead a healthier life. With two kids growing up, it is utmost important for wifey and me to provide an "example" to the two precious cargo at home. While some might say (or she will say) it is actually vanity, which is partly true; as nothing will drives you more than your own health and how you will look and fit into your own clothes. While it is easier to buy bigger clothes to fit the body, it would be more satisfying to buy smaller clothes, and finding ourselves being able to fit into something you could never wear for years.

SCKLM 2009, first 10km : 1:30

Siemen 2009 : 10km : 1:25

Pencala Link - August 2010

SCKLM June 2011 - first 21km 3:01

Newton 2010 : 25km : 3:56

Shape 2010 :12km 1:44

First Virgin Marathon : SCKLM 2011 6:10

PJ Half : 21km: 2:40

SCSM 2011 : 42km 5:55

Runfest Cyberjaya 2012 : 7km :45mins

Brooks Half : 21km : 2:21

Bali Marathon 2012 : 42km: 5:25

Borneo Marathon 2012 : 42km :5:25

The journey continues and yes, she does not know about this posting though her intuition tells her that it will be about her. That is what confidence is all about (though she don't think she has done enough)

Yes. It is about YOU wifey!

For someone that has signed up for Karate back in school (as it covers both Uniform AND Sports curriculum activities) and never ran...she has came a long way - and the only way onwards from now is to continue to do what she is doing best now - keep smoking me in races!

Inspired I am!

For those of you that think you CAN'T. Think again and show yourself you CAN!