When Annie Runs – The faster she goes, the easier it becomes

0
3768

ANNIE’S STRENGTH

This female runner graduated from University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) with a degree of Bachelor of Food Science and Nutrition in 2013. Annie is currently working as a Quality Assurance Officer in Sayen Nutraceutical Sdn. Bhd. while taking up Master of Business Administration in University Sains Malaysia at the same time. She is indeed a busy woman outside the running track or paved road. So, we’re wondering how she manages to juggle her professional life with her athletic one. Annie just answered us with three words. “Determination and Discipline”.

Determination and discipline need to work side by side. You can’t have only one without the other. Like, you can just be disciplined but you don’t have the determination or you have the determination but you are not discipline. “I have a fair amount of discipline and determination in me which I believe the reason I can pursue my running career despite my busy schedule. It’s also a self-motivation since I want running so bad, I make sure that I put my time and effort on it” Annie added.

Though Annie is completely aware that this path she chose is never easy. She told us sometimes she feel like she doesn’t have a life anymore. Instead of meeting friends and drink on a Friday night she then goes for quick tempo runs. But not even in her retrospect she thinks of giving up. Apart from her own strong volition in pursuing this sports, Annie also has a firm goal that keeps her running. “I want to inspire and empower women to engage in this sport and break Yuan Yufang’s record. For the past 10 years no one beat her 2 hours and 49 minutes record, so hopefully, I want to be the one to break that.” Annie said with fierce eyes and adorable smile. In life, you make small sacrifices for a bigger picture.

HITTING HER PERSONAL BEST

Annie has a strong support system with her. Her family plays a big role in motivating her to keep going and running. Adding to that list is her ASICS family, their contribution to Annie’s success is very apparent. “ASICS helps me in a way I can’t even imagine. From the apparel, shoes down to the moral support they gave in every race I participated. I’m beyond grateful. That’s why I gave my 100% all the time”. Annie utters, smiling.

This competitive runner started off her running pursuit smoothly after achieving her personal best of 3 hours and 15 minutes in the Seoul International Marathon. Fast runner won’t be enough to describe her. She’s more than that.

I want to inspire and empower women to engage in this sport…

It was winter in South Korea when the marathon took place. Living in a tropical country like Malaysia, it took a great effort for Annie to adjust to this cold weather. She recalls, that it was very cold for her and her body could not take it that well. So she ate a lot of meat for protein and wore a thick layer of clothes in order to warm her.

Normally for Annie, her exercise routine are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for physical training; Tuesday and Thursday for running intervals; and Saturday and Sunday quick tempo runs. However, before that Seoul International Marathon, she only did the last minute training without a proper one. Yet again, she managed to achieve her personal best in spite of those shortcomings. The whole experience is indeed splendid in its own way.

Annie has a long list of marathons she participated in a local and international spectrum, yet there is a part of each race that she can never get used to. “I have phobias in stadiums, I feel pressured all the time” this passionate runner has her weaknesses as well, that’s how mundane she can be. Nevertheless, she turned the weakness into her strength. Every time she runs towards the stadium with shaky legs and pumping heart, she overcomes it with a strong purpose of mind. It’s to prove that elephants can run. So catch her if you can!