15/04/2026
OooM Featured Runner Write Up - Sharon Teo
'To be very honest, like many others, I don't enjoy running initially'..........
Being in the school basketball team, the competitive spirit is very in me. As part of training, we got to run. And because my role requires me to have speed and through much training, I came to realised I may have a natural flair for it!
Cross-country and Track events on sports day then became my annual fixture, winning medals for the house i represented along the way.
That was how I transit from a basketball player to that of a runner which i began to take pride in! However..........it ended as fast as when teenage years came to a close.
Soon, working lifestyle and social partying was the order of the day. It was literally crazy and what you would term happening.
Attempted getting back to shape few times over the years but something just doesn't gel. Entered few race events and even got myself injured due to inconsistent and non-systematic training.
Came upon me after some time that I was heading nowhere. That was the turning point.
I realised if I want to get back my fitness and who I used to be, I cannot treat running casually, it has to be part of my life. The WHY I getting back to running shouldn't be for races or improving on my timing. I want running to be part of my life!
So for the past 2 years, especially the last 4 months, I’ve been running consistently, and now I’m fully committed to a weekly regime - 3 times a week and is no longer something I “try” — it’s part of who I am, and I see it staying long-term. And that's HOW it was settled!
Running also became my way to stay grounded and disciplined outside of my fast paced high intensity advertising industry i am in. It’s a big shift from partying and late nights to structured training, gym, proper nutrition, and recovery.
Running didn’t just change my fitness — it changed my habits and mindset.
Goal setting tracks my progress and reminds I reaped what I sowed. With structured and strength training coupled with proper nutrition , I have cut and improved my Half Marathon timing from 2h40m to 2h07m.
I recently completed my first 42km race in Danang. That really meant a lot to me. It gave me confidence — not just physically, but mentally.
It reminded me that with consistency, discipline, and faith, I can do all things.
Moving forward, I want to build a stronger me and work towards sub-2 HM and sub-4 FM in 1 and 3 years respectively. Over the long term, I envisioned myself a more experienced runner to help guide and inspire newer/younger runners.
Beyond training and timing, the process is what I treasure most. The small little improvements, the excitement leading up to race day, the race itself! The atmosphere, the crowd, the route, the pain that pushes you but doesn’t break you….....
and of course finally crossing the finish line, stopping your watch, and knowing you did it!
That is something cannot replace with medal and finisher tee. Not even the timing result.
Running gives me back a version of myself I thought I lost. Now that I am found, I hope to influence people who feel like they’ve “lost that version of themselves” or think they’re can't be sporty enough. Because I’ve been there and I know it’s possible.
The running community energy and positivity has been a huge influence on me. Very grateful to Citizens Runners and Punggol West Running Club whom I train and grow with. Really love the running scene in general! It’s definitely something I want to continue being part of for a long time.
So see me around and hi-5!
Let's OooM together!
