Reflexive Reflections on Life and Future Through My 2nd Self-Marathon Journey

The 2nd marathon began at Terminal 2 of Changi Airport at 07:03, heading southwest. The early kilometers were marked by fresh energy and steady progress, with an approximate pace range for the first 4.5 km of around 10:01 to 9:55/km. This initial phase of the marathon mirrored the early years of my career—full of ambition, high energy, and marked by a relentless drive for achievement.

The route then shifted southeast toward the Navy Changi Base, reaching the 6 km mark at 08:03 at a pace of 9:55/km. The course continued to the U-turn at the 10.5 km mark, reached around 08:47. From 10.5 km to 16 km, the path back toward East Coast Park was marked by steady effort, maintaining a pace of approximately 10:02/km. Or arguably around 9:44 to 10:23 min/km, leaning towards the higher side of that range due to the slowdown in Lap 6. This phase symbolized continuous progress and focus, akin to periods of life where momentum builds toward a major transition.

At the 16 km mark, I took a mindful pause to apply handyplast for blisters and hydrate with a zero-plus drink. This mirrored the key life pauses I took, such as entering an MBA program or changing companies. These moments were not setbacks but strategic recalibrations that allowed for self-care and preparation for the next phase.

From 16 km to 26 km, as the course entered East Coast Park around 09:40, the marathon symbolized my forties—a period marked by sustained effort and resilience. The halfway point at 21 km, reached by 10:34 at a pace of 10:07/km, reflected the phase of my career where high energy and momentum met the reality of maintaining endurance. During this period, from 44 to 47 years old (mirrored by the 20 to 23 km stretch), I served as VP of an international company, pushing forward with intense drive and ambition. The 16 to 26 km segment echoed the essence of my forties, where the focus and achievements of a high achiever met the deeper reflections and adaptations needed as life moved further into its prime.

It brought a reflection that mirrored life's own midpoints—where the excitement of early years shifts into the reality of sustained effort and resilience. In this marathon, that midpoint felt much like the early days in my career, where high energy and drive marked the “high achiever” phase. Recalling this, it resonated with the fast pace maintained in the first half, the push that reminded me of my twenties when I was immersed in the industry.

Voluntarily retiring at 46 marked a pivotal shift in life, a choice to step back and create space for reflection and new pursuits. If my marathon’s “t0” began at 24 years old, the 22nd km, the halfway mark, echoed that moment of my career when ambition met reflection—a reminder of how balancing endurance and drive becomes a significant mental challenge. Just as the marathon required mindful steps beyond this midpoint, life called for mindful recalibration to push forward. I started thinking of doing a PhD when I was 49 years old, much like I reached my 25km mark.

After the 26.5 km mark, the marathon experienced a half an hour -long lapse—a deliberate break. This pause to change clothes, apply Voltarin cream, clean sunglasses, and replace the plaster on a blister echoed significant life pauses. Coincidentally, in life, when I was 50 years old (much like the 26km mark), the pandemic Covic-19 came and halted the world. It is like the marathon break.

Reentering the track at the 27.5 km mark brought renewed momentum, echoing the post-break energy needed to march on with clarity. The 30 km milestone, reached around 14:00, marked a new strategy to regain strength after the pause. The journey from 30 km to 33 km, completed by 14:30, became a reflection of resilience and steady resolve, much like how life resumed after personal and professional recalibrations. The 28.5 km mark of the marathon, much like when I formally began my PhD journey at 53 years of age, represented a re-entry into a demanding yet fulfilling track. This phase of life, akin to returning to the course with renewed purpose, was marked by the challenges and satisfaction of research, teaching, and writing—just as the marathon continued with both effort and resolve.

I am now 54, which is equal to the 30.5 km mark. The rest of my marathon journey until finishing at 42.195 km represents my future. See the graph belongs to Blanchflower & Oswald (2017) that I learned from Prof. Arthur C. Brooks and I wrote when analyzing "happy people in Norway" https://lnkd.in/gmJycMB8

Reflecting on this graph and the experience of running a marathon, the significance of the milestone at 29 km and beyond mirrors a meaningful chapter in life—especially at the age of 53 and onward. This period represents more than just a stage; it symbolizes resilience, the deep embrace of hard-earned wisdom, and the profound, fulfilled state of living, akin to what is described as makarios. https://lnkd.in/gNDe7fKA

In the context of makarios, which in Greek implies a blessed state or divine happiness, living in this phase becomes about internal contentment and peace. It transcends mere accomplishment and shifts toward a state where one's efforts, trials, and experiences converge into a sense of completeness. This aligns with the journey of a marathon: not just reaching the end but cherishing every step taken from 29 km onward, where fatigue meets determination, and where pushing forward transforms into a deliberate, mindful pursuit of inner joy.

Living in a makarios state means embodying this mindset—embracing moments as they come, fully aware of the blessings that come with age and the fulfillment of living deeply aligned with one's purpose and values. The years beyond 53 symbolize not just enduring but thriving, grounded in understanding and celebrating the experiences that define this stretch of life.

The 30 km milestone, reached around 14:00, marked a shift in strategy to maintain energy for the final stretch. This stage, like my life at 54, represented a time to slow down and savor each moment. Between 30.5 km and 35 km, my pace remained steady at 11:40/km, a rhythm that allowed me to fully absorb the experience—the green of the trees, the fragrance of the sea, the bright white sand, and the sound of waves hitting the wall. I cherished the camaraderie of fellow sportsmen I met along the way and the occasional whistle of bicycles passing by, which added a shared sense of connection to the journey. In life, this phase (54 y.o to 59 y.o) reflected a deliberate choice to prioritize what brings joy and fulfillment.

However, as I pushed past the 35 km mark, my pace began to slow, moving from 11:40/km to 12:00/km by the time I reached 39 km. The stretch between 36 km and 39 km was the most intense, feeling as though I had entered a desert. The temperature, later confirmed at around 38 degrees Celsius, pressed down like a relentless force. The heat seemed to wrap around me as I walked back from the Marina Barrage to the Gardens by the Bay, and the 2 km walk along the wall felt unbearably long and painful. I thought to myself, this is the longest 2 km I have ever walked.

The 36 km mark, reached around 15:00, represented sheer willpower, where every step mirrored life’s grind—pressing on despite the exhaustion. The 39 km point around 15:10 became a pivotal moment where mind and body merged to keep moving, drawing on the resolve built over years of perseverance.

After 39 km, my pace dropped further, hovering between 12:30/km to 12:40/km as I approached the finish line, each step feeling more labored but driven by an unwavering resolve. I drank a bottle of sparkling Perrier, a bottle of vitamin C and another zero-Plus ion drink. The final stretch from 39 km to the end was a testament to determination, where each step was fueled by inner strength and the appreciation of the journey itself. I looked at the sea, hearing the waves. I passed by the Makena where I used to live in 1999, all good memories working with Schlumberger bursted in. Crossing the finish line 42.195km at 15:48 ish and finally around 15:55 full stop at 42.93 km, reflected not just physical endurance but the power of mindfulness and resilience.

My 2nd marathon gave me a different glimpse of life compared with what I learned in my 1st marathon https://lnkd.in/grGzf7ca on 15 September 2024: life is not a sprint.

This recent marathon unfolded as a journey woven with lessons of growth and self-reflection, deeply resonating with the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Each stride told its own story, embodying a high-paced beginning, strategic pauses, and a mindful, deliberate finish—echoing a life that embraces every challenge and triumph along the way.

Thich Nhat Hanh's wisdom on mindfulness adds a profound dimension to this experience:

“Mindfulness is full awareness of your surroundings.”

Each step of the marathon became a practice in mindful breathing, a rhythm where each inhale and exhale harmonized with the body, creating moments of reconnection. His teachings highlight that

“Breathing can connect your body, your mind, and your feelings,”

reminding us that

“Home is the here and now.”

Through this lens, the marathon was transformed from just a physical challenge to an opportunity to listen inwardly and accept both the happiness and the pain.

The pauses during the race, instead of being interruptions, became essential elements of the journey. Thich Nhat Hanh’s advice,

“Stop thinking and talking but listen to your body. Mindfulness lets us recognize and take care of our sufferings,”

guided these moments of rest.

“Take the time to sit and pause as a practice of mindfulness,”

he suggests. During each pause, I took deep, thoughtful breaths, reflecting on his guidance:

“Breathing in, I am aware of my body; breathing out, I am sending out my sorrow.”

These breaks were moments where the mind and body met again, reinforcing that rest and reflection are as crucial as movement for building resilience and making progress.

Every step along the way reinforced his teaching:

“Recover yourself and connect with yourself with every step that you take.”

Each motion forward was a step closer to inner connection and harmony with the world, proving that even amid physical strain, there is space for compassion, peace, and the mindful presence that fuels perseverance.

REFERENCES:

Arthur Brooks & Leonard Schlesinger, (June 2022), Strength to Strength: Happiness and Success at Every Stage of Life, Class Materia (Unpublished)l, Harvard Business School Reunion, Cambridge.

Thich Nhat Hanh. (1991). Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life. Bantam Books.

Tambun, T (2022), Proof of “Crystallized Intelligence”: life lessons from my ex-bosses, LinkedIn Post, https://lnkd.in/gmJycMB8

Tambun, T (2024a), Life is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Reflections from My non-compete First Marathon, Linkedin Article, https://lnkd.in/grGzf7ca

Tambun, T (2024b), The Hidden Truth About Happiness in a Digital World, LinkedIn Article, https://lnkd.in/gNDe7fKA