How old are you?
47
Where do you live?
Selangor, Malaysia
Website
Here is Sunny’s YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAJCoh-HXOYnQQRtT8MVRgA
Strava
What is your history with sports and athletics?
I was never athletic back in school but I always dream to be, seeing my friends get selected to represent the school at the district or even at the national levels. Back in the days before the smartphone and computer, one of the favorite boys’ games at school was ‘Cops & Robbers’. I always like to be the Robber so that I can run and run and the Cop will never be able to catch me because I believe I can keep running forever! Once into adulthood, life gets in the way and I had stopped any forms of exercise. I was so busy chasing after money and so-called success. I had a very tumultuous childhood, being chased out from home at 16 by my own abusive and compulsive gambler parents. Guess, I started out everything late since then. At age 39 when life settles down a bit with my boys bigger, I found running again, or perhaps running found me! It has been a marvelous 7 years since.
What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?
Being an athlete, especially in running mimics my own life struggles. That I have to keep on going. Life is tough but I have to be tougher. In a sense, running gave me new meaning in life that there is something that I can do and keep on improving myself without relying on anyone. Running has since been a big part of my life, inseparable. It has definitely shaped me towards becoming a very tough person mentally. I believe we marathoners will go all the way against all odds to achieve the goals in our lives. I am not fast, (and still not fast) but my proudest accomplishment is – I can now run a 10k in 38mins vs 75mins in my first 10k race despite aging.
Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?
It is not easy being a runner for me. In my country where it is very hot and humid, it is even tougher. After each run, I will be drenched wet with sweat that I have to wash my shoes each time. The only possible time for me to run is early morning before the sun rises, I have to wake up 4:30am daily to get my runs in before reaching office by 8:30am. Somehow, I managed, by stop doing many of the other unimportant things in life. Sacrifice is the key word here.
Has your participation helped you overcome any major life issues?
Yes. It keeps me focus and purposeful. It made me a very discipline person. I did not start running to reduce weight but I was once obese and running has since kept me very healthy. I have recently lost my job, it has been 4 months now being unemployed. And being betrayed. Only those who have gone through the same will understand the feelings – the shame, being all alone in the space, the self-doubt and loss of hope. Running has become my outlet to rejuvenate and re-set so that I could keep on going. I cannot imagine how I will go through this difficult period if not because of running.
What is your “why?”
I often ask myself the same question but never really gets the answer. I am now running 7 days a week averaging 100-130km/week. But sometimes I heard myself saying, ‘God gave me this fitness, after so many years, I cannot just waste it away’. So that essentially keeps me running day after day, week after week, year after year. I will continue running as long as my body allows.
What is your favorite gear or training equipment?
It has to be my Garmin 945. I can’t live without it literally. Next would be the crowd favorite Nike Vaporfly for racing, nothing beats it for now!
Do you have a favorite race or event?
That has to be the Tokyo Marathon 2018. But I have a strong feeling my new favorite race is coming soon. I am aiming to run the Berlin Marathon and Boston Marathon one day.
What’s next?
3 Goals in running for me. Breaking the 3-hour barrier for the marathon distance before turning 50 will be my main goal. My second goal will be to run the Boston marathon and finally the third goal is to complete the six World Marathon Majors. Perhaps, after that I will slow down.
Any fun facts about yourself?
I am not a very social person. I started out in Strava-Facebook-Instagram using the profile name Gundam Master. Other than FB, I am still using that name. It actually refers to the famous Japanese mecha model kits Gundam. My other favorite hobby is actually assembling Gundam model kits.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?
Just run. Then add mileage. Then vary your paces. Slowly but surely, you will improve. You will get faster in no time.
Any other comments or stories you’d like to share?
The running community is beautiful – the volunteers, the spectators, the organizers, the marshals all play their roles to allow us have our races. If can, give back to the community by being a volunteer or a pacer or even money. Running is something that belongs to us runners, let no one take that away from us.