FROM 'I GOT IT!' TO 'I GOD IT!' - THINGS YOU NEVER EXPECTED TO LEARN FROM RUNNING A MARATHON

My marathon story isn't about speed or how I became first. It's about grit, determination, not allowing the world to say 'no' because in your mind, it's a 'yes.'

- TIM YAP

You know that feeling when you're about to enter an exam and you know you're not ready? That's the exact feeling I have each time I'm about to join a new marathon. You see, each marathon is a different story, and even if you've joined one before, you don't have an easier time doing the next one. It's totally not like riding a bike.

Each marathon is an entirely different story, and every marathon begins with a zero. As in you literally start from scratch. No matter what you've learned or gained from before, once you finish the last marathon, you're done; you're basically as good as the next beginner about to sign up at the Rockwell run club. So unforgiving, so merciless and so brutal, right? Exactly why people love it.

My marathon story isn't about speed or how I became first. It's about grit and determination, about pushing yourself to your limits, not allowing the world to say no because, in your mind, it's just a YES. It's about going for what you want—despite physical, emotional and mental reasons to not push through, you still go for it, no matter what. It's about championing the mind, and helping others and yourself in the process, too.

It was in 2019 when photographer Sara Black told me about the New York Marathon, how I would love the energy and the spirit. But please, she said, "Don't be one of those people who get addicted and join all the world major marathons. Don't be like that."

Fast forward to me now, six world marathon majors after.

TRIED MY LUCK IN LOTTERY