Three months without running felt like a quiet punishment.

A back injury that brought me to the hospital for one night, followed by a strong uric acid attack on my feet, forced me to pause.

It was not only my running that stopped. My rhythm, my energy and the simple joy in my daily life also came to a halt.

So when I finally stepped into Kulai 沙威西南宫 for a hash run last Friday.

I knew this was not just exercise. It felt like returning to a place where I once found peace.

I’ve always loved being alone on the trail. This time was the same. Sole running.

The moment I entered the trail, the silence held me gently. It was a silence that did not feel empty.

It felt alive. Every breath, every footstep and every heartbeat became noticeable. This was my 禅修, a moving meditation that required no chanting and no temple. Only awareness.

As I moved deeper into the trail, I remembered why I loved it so much.

The roots under my feet guided my steps.
The muddy patches taught me acceptance.
The sunlight filtering through the trees reminded me that everything changes, moment by moment.

Trails always hold small surprises. A bend. A climb. A fallen branch. Each one a reminder to stay present.

The ground was soft and forgiving. My legs and back were not. Three months of rest came with its own stiffness and discomfort.

But instead of fighting the pain, I tried to breathe through it. Even with the soreness, my whole being felt lighter.

Sweat dripped, cloth, pant, sock and shoes soaked, but my heart was calm.

I completed eight kilometres in one hour fifteen minutes. There was no pride and no frustration. Only gratitude. The kind of gratitude that arises when you return to something that once shaped you.

The uric acid pain came back after the run, attacking my left foot again. But this time, I did not react with anger or fear. I simply acknowledged it.

Pain is part of the human condition. Joy is also part of the human condition. Both can exist at the same time.

I still run on the road when needed. Hill training. Long slow distance. But the trail is where my mind settles and my heart softens.

So yes, welcome me back to running.
The trail wait.
My breath return.