I got invited to partner with Sundown Marathon as a Sundown With Love Ambassador and I’m fund raising for IJHCC (IJ Homes and Children’s Centres). Here is an excerpt for those who don’t know of this cause.
Right from the time the school was first opened, babies were left abandoned at its gate (fondly known as the ‘Gate of Hope’) in Victoria Street (where the current CHIJMES is located). Ever since then, the IJ Sisters founded a service to care for these abandoned and at-risk children.
Over the years, this service evolved with the changing needs of the social landscape of Singapore. While the residential care for children continued, day care service such as learning support/out-of-school hours care programmes, Sounds of Providence (music, dance and speech) programme, Headstart programme for pre-schoolers, were offered alongside.
Today, the IJ Sisters, together with the lay partners, remain called to the service of the poor.
All my 3 daughters are in CHIJ schools and even my sister is from CHIJ schools too + being a father, it is unthinkable for me to know that babies are being abandoned so I’m fundraising for IJHCC. All kids should have their childhood and have an equal chance in life.
So donate generously this year end festive period and support this very meaningful non-profit.
Since Sundown with Love is an initiative by Sundown Marathon, I’m also going to be running 10km to support this cause. Come join me by registering with promocode “SDM2017NICK10” at sundownmarathon.com.
I’m also accompanied by fellow daddy bloggers Isaiah Kuan (J Babies’ Dad) who is running the half 21km and Andy Lee (Sengkang Babies) who is running the full 42km. I salute them and am will also be rooting for them.
I did a short interview with them and you can check it out originally at sundownmarathon.com
I have loved running since secondary school, and always asked my PE teacher if the class will run 2.4km at every lesson. Recently I gave myself a challenge to run 5km for 30 days straight, and although I almost gave up half way, I managed to conquer it with encouragement from friends over social media.
I started blogging since 2000 and am part of the Daddy Matters network of Daddy bloggers advocating active fatherhood. I married my childhood sweetheart, and we have three daughters together. When not running or parenting, I work as a Digital Strategist at a global marketing agency and have been online since owning my first modem in 1995.
It’s the first time you’re coming on board as our Sundown With Love ambassador. Tell us more about yourself!
I’m a family guy and I like to believe I’m a fun daddy / friend to my three daughters. I have many interests ranging from Extreme Sports to Lindy Hop, EDM to Jazz, Calligraphy to Photography, Science Fiction to Online Culture and many more.
In the day I work as a digital strategist at a global marketing agency. I have been super active online since 1995 when I got my first modem.
How do you get your family and kids involved in running?
My eldest daughter Clié is a sprinter with explosive power, while my second daughter Cleo has stamina and is more of a distance runner. Sometimes they join me on my runs. With my wife, we walk around our neighbourhood after dinner or on Saturday mornings. Living in Punggol also means we are blessed with Punggol Waterway.
You participated in Sundown Marathon previously. How was your experience like?
My last Sundown was actually in 2013. With my hectic work schedule and parenting commitments, I can only run casually and have not been joining many organised runs. I’m glad to be part of OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017.
Which category will you be participating in OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017?
I will be running 10km, alongside the many other Singaporeans who bow down in respect to those who can do half and full marathons.
What will be your goal at OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017?
I’ve always done 52mins to 55mins for 10km, and hope I can go under 50mins this time. I’ve been training for it, so I hope I can break my personal best.
What advice would you give someone who is participating in Sundown Marathon for the first time?
Running at night is really comfortable and there is no need for sunglasses, so that is already an advantage. But in all seriousness, if you’ve not been running at all or have not been running for a very long time, do train a bit to get your body slightly more conditioned for the run so that you will have a safe and injury free run.
Get wireless headphones and start building your favourite music playlist for running.
How do you divide your time between blogging, family, and ensuring you lead a healthy lifestyle?
Having no time is very real when you have to juggle work, family and exercise. I really think it is all about your mind set. If you decide to do something, you should make time to do it. I do however have certain timeslots in the week for some activities. For example, free evenings are set for blogging; and nights and weekends are dedicated as family time. For runs, I usually run before dinner or after everyone has gone to bed on weekdays, and on weekends at Sunrise.
What tips can you provide dads who are considering on participating in OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017, but have yet to sign up?
As a dad myself, I think it is a responsibility to exercise and stay healthy for my family, so regular exercise is necessary. If you have not signed up, ask a few friends to join you. You are also welcomed to join me and a few fellow daddy bloggers for OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017. Andy Lee will be running 42km for the first time, Isaiah Kuan will be running 21km and I’ll be running 10km, feel free to join any one of us.
What’s your favourite food and why?
BEEF, CHEESE and WINE. I have one too many of these session with my friends at home and I’m looking forward to the next one all the time. It’s not just good food, but also great company.
How does the theme ‘Sleep Can Wait’ resonate with you, and why?
From young, I’ve always seen my mom sleep late and she never insisted that we sleep early. She thinks sleeping is a waste of time, but what she really means is that there is so much we can do in life that sleep almost feels like wasting time. I agree with her. I sleep because it is needed, and if I had a choice, I would rather stay up and do stuff or wake up early to go for a run.
So indeed, sleep can wait.