…it does not matter much how one starts but the ending is what counts. Not giving up despite obstacle along the way but focus on the end result.
For a 68 year young, cancer overcomer running with new replaced hip, I cannot but rejoice.
Charles Wu
Charles is an incredibly inspirational man. I met him, while on one of my runs at East Coast Beach. He too was on a run of his own. As runners are wont to do when they meet, they spoke about the next race that they will run. Charles told me that he would be running Berlin this year.
Berlin is one of the Elite Marathons of the world, like Boston, New York and Tokyo. Running Berlin in itself is not an interesting story. However, running Berlin, or any marathon, when you are 68 years old, have fought and won against cancer, has had a hip replacement, is an inspirational story, a truly remarkable big kid moment.
It helped that Charles has been running since he was 23. Has run many marathons, Boston and New York to name a few. But still it was a battle.
You first, battle the unruly cells trying to take over your body and kill you. You then undergo a replacement of the part of your body that help keep you upright and moving. After which, you need to get yourself strong enough to train a marathon. After all that you will run the 42.195km. That to me is simply courageous, strong and most of all an inspirational story. From 2016 to 2019, it took Charles 3 years.
This is Charles’ big kid moment story.
“ As a runner, I only heard of Elite Marathons in 2018. So, when I balloted for Berlin marathon and got picked, I was elated. I have been running since I was 23 when a friend invited me to join his club run. I did and have not stopped since.
I have always wanted to run Berlin marathon, which has always been rated among the 10 in the world. I wanted to find out for myself why it is so. I had completed Boston, Chicago and New York which are part of the 6 Elites the other two being London and Tokyo. My other reason for wanting to go to Berlin was to see history specifically where the wall that divided East and West Germany, before the Unification in year of 1990.
I started my German trip by arriving in Munich (Munchen) as the local called the city. I saw how they celebrated Oktoberfest as early as in September until end of October. They all dressed up and the adults walked around with beer on their hands. I managed to take pictures with them and joined the celebration.
Second stop was Prague, Czech Republic. My guide Maggie, who is my running buddy’s wife took me to Neuschwanstein Castle, very grand and picturesque Bavarian Castle. Tourists from all over came to see it too. We even met some young Singaporeans.
I arrived in Berlin on September 26, 2019. Settled in the hotel and began to meet runners. Thomas, who ran with me in Sydney marathon in 2009, also got his name picked for Berlin. I am so blessed to have him run with me and have his family travelling together. We began exploring the neighborhood around our hotel before settling in.
After breakfast, we made our way to the old Berlin airport where they had the Runners Expo. We picked up our package with our numbers with all the necessary information about the race. I had the pleasure of meeting and taking photos with runners from all over the world.
Thomas and I started the journey of Berlin marathon at 10:10am on 29th September 2019. We ran among 44,000 runners from 133 nations in cool, cloudy morning. It rained after the 10k mark and at times it was pouring. I collected my medal and enjoyed alcohol free Edinger at the end of the field prior exiting. I wore the finisher poncho which act as warmer after running in the rain for most of the route.
My impression of Berlin marathon is not as what I had expected. I gave it 7/10-lack of crowd supports at places, minimal goodie bag and treats at the end of the race made it less desirable experience.
I started with the masses, but brisk walking and slow jog, I ended up too slow for them and after 5k, I ran mostly on the sidewalk. I reached 12k mark, I was lost, the signage was nowhere to be seen. They were cleared and streets were reopened. I kept walking wearing my poncho as rain was pouring down. I decided to go back to hotel instead. Outside the train station, the runners are passing by. I decided to rejoin the race to finish. I completed within the limited time of 6 hours and 15 minutes. Although I did not run the whole 42K but half, I was grateful and thankful for the experience. The lesson learned was it does not matter much how one starts but the ending is what counts. Not giving up despite obstacle along the way but focus on the end result.
For a 68 year young, cancer overcomer running with new replaced hip, I cannot but rejoice. ”
Read more Big Kid moment stories here!
Story text & Photo credits: Charles Wu