By Les Tan/Red Sports
Koh Thong Mui gives a thumbs up at the start of his 5km race. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Bedok Reservoir, Saturday, Jan 19, 2013 — The main pack of runners had already gone past at the SAA Cross Country Championships.
As I stood by the gravel path with Mr Kunalan, we spied Mr Koh Thong Mui coming along in the pouring rain.
He was all by himself.
To keep his valuables dry, he had an NTUC Fairprice plastic bag wrapped around his waist pouch. Mr Kunalan shouted out words of encouragement and Mr Koh gave us the thumbs up.
Most casual runners will usually stay away from such elite competitions. I know I would be too embarrassed myself to join.
The last thing you want is to finish dead last — which was the case for Mr Koh — and have everyone waiting for you at the finish. Or worse, start packing even before you cross the finish line and give you that look of impatience.
But maybe we miss out on life when we are too concerned about face.
Because, Mr Koh, in getting up that morning, going to the start line, running and finishing the race, he had fun in the rain.
And after seeing him, I wish I had joined in too.
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