“Eh uncle, want try #HYROX or not?”

That one sentence came in like LHDN letter.
Peaceful life immediately gone.

So this week, I signed up HYROX.

If you never heard of it,
HYROX is a structured fitness race.
Run 1km, then one functional station.
Eight rounds.
Run + strength.
Repeat until you finish.
Simple format.
But your lungs will %$*# you.

For more than one year, I’ve been gym kaki.
Two to three sessions a week.
Each session 40–60 minutes.

Very disciplined type.
No handphone.
Hardly talk.
I just workout like robot.

My routine also very boring accountant style.
80% leg and core.

Squat. Deadlift. Leg press. Lunge.
Same pattern.
Same template.

Then recently, something worse happened.

A few times I drove to the gym car park.
Five minutes from my house only.

Sat in the car.
Engine running.
Aircon cold.
I stared at the entrance like it owed me money.
Then I drove home.

No drama.
Just… no mojo.

Then my Ironman friend Zee Lim asked, “Come try HYROX trial this week?”

I said yes unexpectedly.
Maybe I was bored.
Maybe I just miss suffering with a purpose.

Tuesday 8am was my first trial.

In 40 minutes, I sweat like dog.
Heart rate sky high.
Garmin showed anaerobic almost same as aerobic.

Normally my heart rate takes time to climb.
This one?
Fastest spike in my life.

After that session, I signed up monthly package immediately.
Because if I can die so quickly, means this thing working.

Thursday second session. Still tough.

Today supposed to be cycling day,
but I signed up weekend class.

Bigger group. Different energy.
Running was ok.
But the transitions… the intensity… the pressure…
very different from my usual “solo training”.

Then the sled push taught me humility.
I thought I was strong,

I always train alone. Lone wolf.
Ultra runs. Ironman style. Gym.

But in HYROX class, when people beside you are suffering together,
you don’t quit so easily.

You rest 60 seconds, then you continue.
Because quitting in front of others is very paiseh.
That was my turning point.

Sometimes stagnation is not about strength.
It’s about environment.

I can be disciplined.
Structured. Consistent.

But if the environment doesn’t challenge you,
growth becomes “susah”.

Weekend class got many shirtless 小鲜肉.
Wah. Very motivating.

You see them, suddenly you stand taller.
Suddenly your legs “recover” faster.
Suddenly your brain says, “Ok lah, one more round.”
Tempting to bite those juicy 小鲜肉 like CNY 肉干.

Whole week I am sore.
Maybe what I need is not more motivation.
Maybe I just need a different room.