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Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Shiyun spent her JC days jogging on the NJC track, pumping weights in the gym and slogging under the mercy of the sun. Then, canoeing was to her like what Track n Field was to me in Cedar. Its more than a CCA, more than a hobby... it was like it was our vocation. We can't do anything else other than that, because we've fallen so deep into it. To me then, Track n Field was like my fulltime job, studying was part time. Till this day, whenever I think of my Cedar days, the knowledge (if any) I gained from the classrooms isn't what comes to my mind first. T&F is.

Shiyun found her calling in JC when she was quickly enveloped into the world of canoeing. She rose thru the ranks rapidly and became a gold medalist despite undergoing 7 months of training. Though it was merely 7 months, the process was hard, long and extremely tedious. Training was draining, so draining, that my T&F training can never match up to hers. She claims that canoeing is one of the very few sports she can excel at cos it uses plain brute strength cos she doesn't have any pyschomotor skills. I.E. ask her to play a game of basketball and she will totally suck. haha

She continued with training even after JC, going into the National Team. She's trained long and hard for 1yr+ with them now, enduring twice daily training sessions at Macritchie. Despite being mentally and physically drained and left with almost no leisure time to call her own, she still loves it. That, my friends, is passion. Intense fascination with whatever you're doing, determined to emerge triumphant even it it robs you of everything else.

I remember being thrown into Cedar T&F, young, energetic and eager to perform. Thankfully, I was blessed with height and strength, so it wasn't that hard actually. I cared more about T&F than anything else, and like any wannabe out there, would dream that I will one day represent the country in the SEA games. But that passion for T&F sorta fizzled out by Sec 4, and I found myself checking off the days in JC until the last day of training in YR 2. Sure, the rewards were pretty awesome. People looked up to me, I am a well respected figure in the local scene of T&F (I remember the SEA games goldmedalist James Wong saw me train once at the National Stadium and asked my coach how old I was (i was 14) and commented that I was pretty impressive), I get to go on overseas competitions which led me to meeting people and later forging lifechanging friendships with them... but if you ask me whether I will drop everything and revert back to that life I had, the answer will be a definite 'No'. No, I don't have to consider...its a N-O.

I got into it accidentally just cos some teacher 'discovered' me, and learnt to enjoy it cos I found something I was fantastic and could win at. It started off with a few medals in Primary School which I displayed proudly on top of my wardrobe, and then the collection grew until there wasn't any space and it was collecting dust. Then everything snowballed and I found myself representing Singapore Combined Schools. I ended up feeling that I had to commit to T&F in JC cos I appealed into VJC through that, and found it to be a tiresome chore. But of cos, since I've promised to give my 100%, I did. I will do what it takes for me to win and win 9 points/event for the team, but don't ask me to go beyond. I asked myself continually 'whats wrong? why aren't u enjoying this like you used to?' Mannn I don't know. Perhaps I had exhausted my quota for enjoying T&F in Cedar, or maybe it was just an interest that ran outta gas towards the end. Or maybe it was cos reality set in and I realised I didn't wanna commit myself to sweat, trackshoes and mud for the rest of my life.

After I quit T&F, I had people came up to me and ask 'Don't u think its a waste to quit? you have great potential u know...'. To me, it was great while it lasted. As much as I relish the trainings and teammates and memories, I wouldn't wanna deny myself a new perpsective just to relive those times. You see, closing the chapter of T&F wasn't bad at all to me, because like they say 'When one door closes, another opens.' So why mourn the closing of one door when you KNOW that another is gonna open? If you realise you don't like what you see, close that door and open yet another one la!

I chose to depart the world of T&F after 10 national Gold medals (2 each yr for 5 yrs), a handful of medals from invitational meets, a few medals from regional meets, a number of plaques and trophies that engraved 'BEST PERFORMING ATHLETE' in my division, 5 yrs worth of Zonal/National colors Awards and a couple of records in my name. But like all other records, they were wiped out pretty soon. Who cares? It was once mine, and its that is all that matters to me. So why should I lament leaving the scene when I retired on such a high, when people still know me as the best out there instead of continuing on, my interest waning day by day and eventually being 2ND-BEST- 3rd best- top 8th- semi finalist?!? I understood that everything went in cycles. What goes up, must come down. I chose to back down myself while I was up, instead of one day waking up and realising that I'm labelled a 'has been'. OH HELL, NO. My pride won't allow myself to do that. As you can see, my ego is a big issue for me. I remember telling my teammates, that if I can't get 1st, I don't want a medal, cos I cannot stand the thought of me standing on 2nd or 3rd place on the podium and see someone else above me. They thought I was crazy to say that, but they don't understand.

And so thats my story, from being the star on the Field to being a spectator of the sport. (its not too bad actually. but I feel old whenever i revisit the training tracks). Today, as I am typing this entry, I have left the sport for nearly 2 years and counting. My 'GLORY' has now been stashed in an IKEA box underneath my table for 1 yr+ (those who went to my house would have seen them). Nevertheless, Track N Field have taught me so much, particularly about discipline and leadership. Now and then, I still keep in touch with the coaches and teachers whom I feel have taught me well, and because they are partially responsible for my being who I am today. The 6 yr journey was exhilirating though exasperating at times, trying yet necessary. After much sweat and tears and sometimes blood and injuries, I can tell you from my heart that the experience has made me a better, stronger person, and I'm grateful that it happened.

Well, so where do I go from there? Right now, my focus is on being one of the leaders in The Sch of HB, planning activities/events, executing them in the best way I am able to... aim of it all? To prepare myself for future ventures. Because very soon, I know this chapter of College-life will close(like it or not), and yet another one will begin. T&F prepared me for College by teaching me leadership and communication, and now, all I can do to help myself is to prepare myself for the big unknown awaiting me in 2 yrs time.

Anyhow, this post was supposed to be about Shiyun but I had alot of gan3 chu4. She will be leaving for the Philippines this Saturday for SEA GAMES! WOOPIE! Her hard work has paid off and she's having the chance to represent the nation! Everyone, wish her luck!

ailing, shiyun & me. (i don't have a nice pic of both of us =P)
GAMBATTE NEH!
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