It was just before 6 in the morning on 18 December 2021 when the gentle drizzle turned into a medium shower. The first-wave ultra-runners were all waiting at the starting pen, keeping a small distance between each other in compliance with the pandemic standard operating procedure. Personally for me, it took courage just to show up at the starting line.
Author: Nat
Never Work a Day in your Life Again
Everyone is looking for the elusive dream job. Conventional wisdom says that you should get a job doing what you love. We all want a career that is enjoyable, fun, meaningful and still put food on the table. However the reality is that almost nobody has a job they love every day.
Taking in the forest with all the Senses
In my preparation for trail ultras, I would spent hours training in the forest trail on weekends. There is something magical about running or hiking in the forest that leaves you refreshed and renewed. The nature makes you feel good.
Squashed but not Defeated
Covid-19 first arrived at our shore on 25-Jan-2020 and it has been raging on for the last 18 months. In Malaysia, more than 1.1 Million people have contracted the disease with over 10,000 deaths recorded.
Dreaming of an Orchard Escape
I have always aspired to purchase a piece of orchard land in the rolling countryside. It does not have to be big. Something manageable, maybe 3 to 4 acres, with a section on high ground overlooking the surrounding valley and hills.
7 Things Running has Done for Me
I understand that running is not for everyone. I don’t enjoy running as much as I would like to as well. Neither am I considered good at it. In fact this morning I struggled with an easy run and only managed 4km before I threw in the towel. My left hip was a little tight and I was running out of breath even at the easiest of pace.
Life can be so Fleeting
22nd May 2021 – Twenty one runners died after an extreme weather descended on a mountain trail race in Baiyin City in Gansu province, North West of China. The Huanghe Shilin (Yellow River Stone Forest) 100km trail race which features winding rocky path along the Yellow River, began that Saturday morning in sunny conditions. But within three hours of starting, the weather condition changed to freezing rain, hail and extreme winds, lashing participants in the high-altitude trail-ultra.
How to be a Badass for Life
I am going through a rough patch with my fitness. My legs just feel tired most of the time. If I hit the trails long and harder during weekends, my usual road runs on preceding days would suffer. Before, I usually needed just a day of rest before I could run properly again. These days the recovery seems slower and further into the week.
Making Friends with Trail Runners
I did not grow up running and when I started running, it was all on the road. I still remember my early days of joining road races – first 10km, progressing to 12km, half and later full marathons.
4 Reasons to Invest in Boring Dividend Stocks
In recent times we have seen record retail participation in stock markets around the world. On surface, building wealth through stock investment can appear and even sound easy. The trouble is human greed, unrealistic expectations, and impatience can often lead to overtrading and terrible underperformance very quickly.
Continue reading “4 Reasons to Invest in Boring Dividend Stocks”
Understanding the Whys
On the last day of 2020 I was scrambling to review what I have accomplished for the year that has not been like any other. Just a year ago nobody would have guessed that a pandemic would hit and changed the way we study, work, and live.
Growing like the Bamboo
Training for an ultra-distance requires running a relatively high weekly mileage. Accumulating these weekly mileage has somewhat been a challenge for me. The Covid-19 pandemic is taking a toll on everyone. All race events have been either cancelled or postponed to next year. Parks are sealed off and forest trails closed. Social distancing is enforced and we are not allowed to congregate or run in groups. It is not easy to go on training with all these restrictions, especially when there are no race excitements or pressures in the horizon.
The Under Appreciated Supplement
The other day a friend was recommending to me a range of health supplements that she felt can support my brain and cardiovascular functions. I am not against or for any supplements in general but being a little cheeky that day I jokingly told her that I am currently big on a particular supplement that helps me with the following…
The Illusion of Success
You may have come across this fable. It illustrates an interesting perspective on the meaning of success.
Why Relationships Matter
There is this story of a corporate CEO and his wife who were travelling by car. They stopped for refuelling and to get something to drink. While the husband went inside to get a cold drink, the wife was actively engaged in conversation with the pump attendant.
Finding your Morning Rhythm
Morning routines, is it important or just a hype? The Internet is full of ideas and variations of good routines. Many great entrepreneurs and leaders cite their morning routine as a large contributor to their success. There are even books written solely on this subject.
The Wonder of Compounding Interest
Compounding interest – is this the greatest mathematical discovery in human history? I have always been fascinated by the concept and power of compounding. In financial terms, compounding refers to the process of earning the returns on principal (the original amount you invested) plus the return that was earned earlier.
Who Likes to Run Anyway
Running is currently my main outlet for working out. I can appreciate that not many people likes running. Running aimlessly without a destination or purpose can be a boring thing to do.
It Boils Down to our Daily Habits
Aligning our daily habits with our long-term goals is the key towards achieving what we want in life and become more successful. It is as simple as that.
7 Skills Set for your Career
Recently I interviewed a number of candidates for a sales position in the company I head. We are expanding so I was looking to recruit and groom a few potentials to grow with the company.