Two weeks ago during an 8km Hash run, someone shouted at me:

“Oi… fatty!”

I laughed.
Inside insult lah.

But that night, I reached home, took off my shirt, stood in front of the mirror…

Mirror very honest one.
It didn’t laugh back.

Before MCO, I was 73kg.
Now I’m 83kg.

Ten kilos of
“never mind lah”,
“after CNY start”,
and “last coke only”.

Then a few days later, my ironman friend Zee posted on Facebook:

“I’ve always wondered how fast HYROX pros run so they don’t burn up during the functional legs. Sub-1 pace. Madness.”

I read.
Ego itchy already.

So I replied without thinking (big mistake):

“KL got HYROX this December or not? Want or not? Let’s go shirtess.”

I expected a 😂 emoji.
Or at least “lol”.

He replied:
“On.”

That was the moment my peaceful uncle life ended.

Next thing I know, he found a HYROX gym.
Not in KL.
In Taman Molek.
Near my office.

Near means what?
Means no excuse.
Means cannot hide.
Means fate already sign contract.

Next Tuesday.
First trial.

For those asking, HYROX is what actually?
Uncle explain simple.

You run, then you work, then you run again.
Run 1km.
Stop.
Do one torture station.

Then run another 1km.
Then another torture.

Not finish yet ah.
You do this 8 times.

Eight runs.
Eight workouts.

The workouts not yoga type.
Push heavy sled.
Pull heavy sled.
Lunges until your soul come out.
Burpee broad jumps (this one insult people).
Row or ski machine.
Wall balls until you see stars.

The challenge is not:
“Can you run fast?”
or “Can you lift heavy?”

The real challenge is …
Can you run when your legs already mati,
work when your lungs already bonk,
then still pretend everything okay and run again?

That’s why HYROX people all look half mad…
but body very nice.

For context, this uncle did Spartan Race Beast (21km, 30 obstacles) and Ultra (50km, 60 obstacles) before MCO.
I’ve seen dark places.

But lately my training very boring already.

Gym three times a week.
Squat. Deadlift. Lunge. Pull-up. Push-up

Good for legs.
Good for core.
Good for September bikepacking.

But mentally…
I feel bored and with my big tummy.

HYROX feels different.
It feels noisy.
It feels chaotic.
It feels like I will regret but in a good way.

Also must be honest.

Those HYROX guys with strong body and high intensity aura?
Very motivating.
Very yummy.
Very juicy.

Uncle also got dream lah.
Maybe can shirtless on KL HYROX
If not shirtless, at least less “fatty”.

So yes.
Next Tuesday, this uncle go try HYROX.

If I suddenly disappear from LinkedIn…
Please don’t worry.