As some of us prepare to embark on our own Big Kid Moment in this weekend’s Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, read Rashid’s story of his Big Kid Moment. Inspiring us all to embark and achieve our dreams. This is a #bigkidmoment feature.
Finisher
Been there done that and got the medal. As the record would show I deserved the medal because I was a certified finisher meaning I beat the specified cut-off time – but the story didn’t finish at the finishing line on that fateful day.
I could have sworn that I was about to give up middle of the race. Which 52-year-old non-athlete kind wouldn’t if you felt it was pointless to continue the suffering?
But one voice kept me going. “Make sure you complete it. It’s all in the mind” the voice echoed through the hills of Kuala Klawang. That voice kept me going. After two occasions of painful hamstring cramps and a gravity defying fall off my bike. I gathered whatever bodily strength that is still left in my system, steadied my bike and mounted her. And I fell off like a brick. With my pride at this point well and truly scratched, but at least my bike was ok and good to go. So I once again got up, mounted and this time stayed on, pushed off and pedaled on.
I have done 115km before but I was not prepared when the hills of Bukit Tangga and its associated lung-bursting other sister hills just came at me one after another. It wasn’t for my faint heart – literally. Total climb was 1.4km. And some of those hills are practically vertical.
Bukit Tangga in Kuala Klawang.
The route
How I wished planet earth was flat. I have completed 90km at this point. My legs hurt. And I lost sense of pain.
Sting was right “King of Pain” is very much alive.
The King of Pain is very much alive
We were told it was all flat after the last hill. Someone lied; if the last 25km was flat then Trump would be the greatest American president and my cat can fly.
Yeah Rashid flew as did his cat. Someone obviously lied
No sweeper truck is going to pick this guy
And miraculously I heard that voice again “…you are almost there. Get up and don’t give up” . I was at the roadside again at this point. Nursing my hamstring. And I could have sworn (again) I would have stopped the sweeper truck if it was in sight. What was the point of prolonging the pain – I am not Monsieur Quintana. I am no superhuman. And I have a day job.
That voice followed me until finishing line. 6 hours and 43 mins to get me from start to finish – with all of sorts of drama in between. That voice stopped me from giving up – twice. That voice was motivation and misery. For one is synonymous with the other.
As much I have done the mileage, equipped myself with all the right equipment. And read as much for tips and techniques to endure the whole 115km of bicycling race. It was the beautiful but firm voice that made me finish. And give me the bragging rights that I have finished one of the toughest bicycling race in the country.
Finisher
And I will do it again next year if that voice sticks around.
Rashid. Nov 2017
Be inspired!
photo credits: Rashid
Wow, this guy will be my hero from now on. He proved that anybody can do the extraordinary when they put their mind into it and just keep going when it seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
Keep in riding bro. 👍
Well done Rashid. I had signed up but didn’t go for this race. However I attempted once, survived the Peras hills and Tangga, but gave up before Mendom (the mean ascend to lenggeng) – this loop remain outstanding on my bucket list. So much to do in this special life. I have to accomplish this – because I want to!