Issue 03: QuaRunTine

Why I ran a triple marathon in Resorts World Sentosa Singapore during my 14-day quarantine

Years ago, I participated in Asia’s largest night race, the Sundown Marathon in Singapore. My motivation was a self-experiment. Can I complete it? The run started well. At kilometer 32 a huge thunderstorm with heavy rain came in the way. It was tempting to stop and just go home, I was drenched, totally wet, tired and exhausted. I completed it, holding the “finisher” shirt proudly in my hands. I ticked it off my bucket list and decided, I will never run a marathon again.

What has changed since then and what happened?

Let me start from the beginning of this whole story. End of July 2019, I relocated back from Hong Kong to Singapore. “If not now, then when”, I decided to take a break in order to travel the world, it was my dream for many years. By mid-March 2020 I flew back from the Caribbean to Germany, planning to visit my parents in Germany for a week and continue my trip. That week everything changed, the whole world shut down due to Covid-19.

My original flight back to Singapore in early June was canceled. I had a new ticket for end of August. Upon arrival in Singapore I had to be quarantined in a hotel for 14 days. I was up for the challenge, what an end to my “year around the world” trip.

Starting 14 days of quarantine

I had created a quarantine countdown calendar; I like being creative and create memorable experiences for myself and others. This was part of it. It was only day two of fourteen, I was getting itchy. I needed to move and started running in the room back and forth for one hour. What could I do now? Sit in the room for 14 days. I would get crazy. Have you been in a similar situation before, what would you have done?

In the evening I shared this with my friend on the phone and she said that people were running marathons during quarantine. Really? I googled it. The next morning, I woke up and decided to try this. If not now then when and I just did it and started right away. Have you ever done something crazy like this?

From the entry door to the window I measured 8 meters. I just went running back and forth for 8 hours, calculating roughly that I could do 5.5 to 6 km per hour, I ran for 8 hours. It was not easy, it’s all in your head. I was determined, I just wanted to do it. The scenery didn’t change, I ran past the sofa and bed every few seconds, it was tempting to stop and just continue watching Netflix. The indoor marathon also had advantages. It rained outside heavily during the day; I didn’t get wet. I had a constant temperature of 23 degrees without rain and thunder 😉 Questions I was asked.  

• Why have you done it three times? How did you manage to do it?

The first time I did it as a self-experiment. Playing the right music on my phone motivated me to continue. By coincidence, 5 minutes before my finishing line at 4.25 pm my parents called from Germany to check how I was doing. I told them that I’m at the end of my first marathon. You can’t imagine the look on their faces: “The daughter is getting crazy already and it’s not even half way through the quarantine” kind-of-look. The second time, I did it, because I needed to move again.  I had recovered. The last time, well, if you can do two, you might as well do three.

• How about food & drinks? Did you eat anything in between? Did you get any injuries?

I had all kind of snacks as two days before my friends surprised me with a Quarantine Care Packet. It was excellent timing with healthy marathon snacks inside. Another friend had delivered freshly home-made brownies which was my treat after completing the last run. It’s important to have good friends which support you during these times. Did you ever support a friend in a tough situation?  

• What kept you motivated?

I’m not even sure what kept me motivated, I guess it’s a mix of self-determination and proving to myself that I can do it. Even in quarantine you can achieve something special, something positive for your health and mind. You can inspire your family and friends by staying strong and making the best out of the circumstances. If I can do it, so can you.   What could you do to inspire your friends?

Making the 14 day quarantine a memorable part of my life’s journey through the marathon

Completing this self-experiment and crazy task was really uplifting. It gave me energy. If I can do this, I can achieve many other things, which look very difficult or impossible in the beginning. I did not want to waste this time in quarantine. I wanted to make it memorable and special, a unique part of my life journey.

I would like to leave you with these words. “If not now then when, just do it, don’t give up.”

Why I ran a triple marathon in Resorts World Sentosa Singapore during my 14-day quarantine

Years ago, I participated in Asia’s largest night race, the Sundown Marathon in Singapore. My motivation was a self-experiment. Can I complete it? The run started well. At kilometer 32 a huge thunderstorm with heavy rain came in the way. It was tempting to stop and just go home, I was drenched, totally wet, tired and exhausted. I completed it, holding the “finisher” shirt proudly in my hands. I ticked it off my bucket list and decided, I will never run a marathon again.

What has changed since then and what happened?

Let me start from the beginning of this whole story. End of July 2019, I relocated back from Hong Kong to Singapore. “If not now, then when”, I decided to take a break in order to travel the world, it was my dream for many years. By mid-March 2020 I flew back from the Caribbean to Germany, planning to visit my parents in Germany for a week and continue my trip. That week everything changed, the whole world shut down due to Covid-19.

My original flight back to Singapore in early June was canceled. I had a new ticket for end of August. Upon arrival in Singapore I had to be quarantined in a hotel for 14 days. I was up for the challenge, what an end to my “year around the world” trip.

Starting 14 days of quarantine

I had created a quarantine countdown calendar; I like being creative and create memorable experiences for myself and others. This was part of it. It was only day two of fourteen, I was getting itchy. I needed to move and started running in the room back and forth for one hour. What could I do now? Sit in the room for 14 days. I would get crazy. Have you been in a similar situation before, what would you have done?

In the evening I shared this with my friend on the phone and she said that people were running marathons during quarantine. Really? I googled it. The next morning, I woke up and decided to try this. If not now then when and I just did it and started right away. Have you ever done something crazy like this?

From the entry door to the window I measured 8 meters. I just went running back and forth for 8 hours, calculating roughly that I could do 5.5 to 6 km per hour, I ran for 8 hours. It was not easy, it’s all in your head. I was determined, I just wanted to do it. The scenery didn’t change, I ran past the sofa and bed every few seconds, it was tempting to stop and just continue watching Netflix. The indoor marathon also had advantages. It rained outside heavily during the day; I didn’t get wet. I had a constant temperature of 23 degrees without rain and thunder 😉 Questions I was asked.  

• Why have you done it three times? How did you manage to do it?

The first time I did it as a self-experiment. Playing the right music on my phone motivated me to continue. By coincidence, 5 minutes before my finishing line at 4.25 pm my parents called from Germany to check how I was doing. I told them that I’m at the end of my first marathon. You can’t imagine the look on their faces: “The daughter is getting crazy already and it’s not even half way through the quarantine” kind-of-look. The second time, I did it, because I needed to move again.  I had recovered. The last time, well, if you can do two, you might as well do three.

• How about food & drinks? Did you eat anything in between? Did you get any injuries?

I had all kind of snacks as two days before my friends surprised me with a Quarantine Care Packet. It was excellent timing with healthy marathon snacks inside. Another friend had delivered freshly home-made brownies which was my treat after completing the last run. It’s important to have good friends which support you during these times. Did you ever support a friend in a tough situation?  

• What kept you motivated?

I’m not even sure what kept me motivated, I guess it’s a mix of self-determination and proving to myself that I can do it. Even in quarantine you can achieve something special, something positive for your health and mind. You can inspire your family and friends by staying strong and making the best out of the circumstances. If I can do it, so can you.   What could you do to inspire your friends?

Making the 14 day quarantine a memorable part of my life’s journey through the marathon

Completing this self-experiment and crazy task was really uplifting. It gave me energy. If I can do this, I can achieve many other things, which look very difficult or impossible in the beginning. I did not want to waste this time in quarantine. I wanted to make it memorable and special, a unique part of my life journey.

I would like to leave you with these words. “If not now then when, just do it, don’t give up.”