I Don't Owe the Advertising Industry Any More

I was running around in the office, my advertising agency office.
My heart beats so furiously - at the same pace of my brain being bombarded with problems upon problems: juggling campaigns, rushing FAs, attending training, etc etc etc.

I was with one of the copywriter, a friend (J) who noticed something weird.

J: Dude, kau macam tak ok.
Me: ...................................
J: Muka kau biru.

I ignored him, and started running back to the main meeting room, to continue the training with my fellow group mates. And one of the mates (R), dah mula perasaan that something was really wrong with me.

R: Shuk, are you okay?
Me: Just having a weird headache.
R: Shuk. Muka you pucat. Pucat sangat.

And that was it. I felt it coming straight to my head. Straight to my lungs and fragile heart.
I can't breathe. My mind went hay-wire. All of the problems seem to be conjugated, creating a huge barrier that blocked my heart and lungs.

I was gasping for air.

That was the first time I collapsed because of work burden and depression.
I will not let this happen again. I will be happy. Let's change our life to a better, passionate life.
People will call me coward for leaving the industry. I love Advertising. But I don't see myself happy doing it any more. I don't need to sacrifice my happiness for my bosses, for my clients, for my colleagues. I don't owe them anything, any more.

Across City Centre.

It was a night to be remembered. I decided to run at night, not my normal 5 -6km runs, but a complete 15km run across Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Running the final 10km alone at night was an epic journey for me. 

But although I was 'free', I felt pain clinging on my left foot. Determine to complete at least 15km of running, I dragged myself, running through the streets around KLCC, Bukit Bintang, Masjid India, Kampung Baru, and finally back to Jalan Ampang.

When I reached the 15.05km mark, rain started falling. "Aku lari bukan kerana 6-packs, aku lari untuk push my human spirit".

I run with #salomonrunning shoes - City Trail.

I used #nikerunning app to track my runs.

Berlari kita

Bagi aku kaki manusia ciptaan Allah sangat menakjubkan.

Mampu tahan impak demi impak - internal and external.

Orang kata susah nak mula lari - Masya Allah sakitnya bukan perit lagi.

Tapi Allah kurniakan satu lagi kebolehan - adaptation.

Selingan: Kalau dalam Advertising Agency, perkataan ni yang paling Client suka guna untuk hentam kreatif yang guna visual konsep yang sama untuk medium yang berlainan.

Slow and steady - kaki kita terima impak-impak dan lama kelamaan proses adaptation menjadikan kaki kita lebih kuat. Lari tidak akan jadi lebih senang, tapi kita yang jadi lebih kuat. Lebih kuat untuk berlari lebih lama dan lebih jauh. 2km, 5km, 8km, 10km, 15km, 21km, 41.2km, 50km, 80km, 100km.

So start now. Start tonight and unleashed the strength that Allah has bestowed upon us. Just run now.

One of the most inspiring TV series that showcase the stories of professional runners of Salomon.
Get inspired. Start running now. It will change your life.

Salomon Running TV Season 3

The industry is getting sicker and sicker. Dark inspirations and aspirations are upon us. Its hard to focus and mistakes are common now. I need to move on, my heart squall, or we shall never find peace.

Salomon's X-Scream City Trail Running Shoe and Hydro 45 belt for serious runners.

A Runner's Diary #8th November 2014

6.30am

I woke up this morning, feeling a bit drowsy. Bangun, basuh muka, gosok gigi, subuh and get ready in my running suit. Did simple warm-up feet exercise, tend my rabbits and I'm ready to run.

7.00am

Walked to the starting line. In my mind, the starting line when I ran on the route to KLCC, from my house is always the Klinik Kerajaan. You can see the finishing line from here (which are the 2 KLCC's towers) and it just feels so far away.

7.05am

Started running. Time changed to kilometres for me from this point. Knee supporter started to squeeze both of my peha.

1km
Blerch started to kick in from behind. Negative thoughts started to flow in. Kaki dah start rasa pressure, but my hiking shoes are holding on. The first km is always the hardest for me. The process in which my feet adapt themselves to handle pressure and pain bothers my mind a lot. Just need to focus and set my mind to keep pushing my legs.

2km
The pressure was enormous for my legs. Not wearing a proper running shoes dah start giving a toll towards my feet. Can feel my bones are in pain or screaming or whatever. Its a war in my mind. Half of it nak stop, and another half push me to keep running.

3km
I think, if i'm not mistaken, the 3km mark is at the simpang Ampang Park. The sudden stop I took because of the traffic light shooked my legs. Sweat was pouring out. My hands feel awkward and my back feels uncomfortable - another thing I should look up - running and not hurting your back.

4km
Reaching KLCC. My mind is set. To finish the 5km target this morning. Ran into the park to complete the target. Breathing dah rasa macam okay. The pain in my feet dah numb. This is my favorite part of running.

5km
Getting a runner's high is ecstasy for me. My feet dah sakit macam mahu tercabut but my mind is eager to continue running. Ended my run right after the bridge near the park's swimming pool.

In the evening:
I ran for another 15km and damn I'm too lazy to describes every km. But it was awesome. Total KMs cover for one day: 20km.

"I choose not to fix my torment. I chose to own it. To posses it. I chose to run." - Oatmeal.

Its been 2 years since the first time i put on my running shoes. I remember my first run, it was filled with pain and god-knows-torturing moments that I endured. But it does not ends there. It was just a beginning.