03.12.08
Joining the NBK Walkathon
I’ve been nagging people around me to take part in the National Bank of Kuwait’s annual walkathon. Even though I may not come close to winning, but I think the experience is well worth it, and there is a lot to gain from joining.
Here’s how I see it…
New Experiences
The walkathon is more than a walkathon. It’s an activity we rarely (if ever) experience. What makes it worthwhile is that, by joining the walkathon, we get to challenge what we are accustomed to, and develop the willingness to try something new. It is extremely easy to put off a new experience out of fear of what it will feel like and what we would look like doing it. We can’t see ourselves participating in something new, and so can’t make the decision to put ourselves in the new context.
By deciding to break the mould of what you’re accustomed to, you will prepare yourself for taking on new ventures in other areas in life. It develops the habit of being willing to approach new experiences with confidence.
A Healthy Activity
The walkathon is a healthy activity. By simply participating, you would be doing something beneficial for yourself. Our health is one of the most neglected areas of our lives, and we keep putting it off because it’s not an urgent matter (for now!) that we need to address.
The walkathon might be the push you need to pay closer attention to your health, while being an enjoyable activity in itself.
Preparation is Half the Fun
Of course, you can’t really take part in the walkathon if you don’t know what it feels like to walk 8 kilometers (6 kilometers for women), so you need to practice walking that distance before the walkathon. This will give you an indication of what the actual walkathon will be like (though some of the conditions may vary, and the crowd certainly creates a different atmosphere).
Every time you walk the same distance, you will feel a sense of accomplishment, especially if walking such distances is something new to you. It will also be fun to practice with family or friends, and to evaluate your progress during your practice sessions.
Your Progress is an Incentive to Do More
Every time you practice for the walkathon, you will notice that you can do more than the session before. This will be great encouragement for you to not only put in more effort in your preparation, but can be an addictive feeling that you want to have after the walkathon itself. And, again, the feeling can rub off on other areas in your life, where you did not expect to be able to make similar progress, but with the results you get from preparing for the walkathon, you can see yourself practicing to get better at what you do.
We often want to make leaps from being an amateur to a professional, or from being unfit to becoming an athlete. If we can’t win the walkathon, we don’t see the point of joining. But the little progress we do make shows us that there are many degrees between where we are and where we want to be, and our progress shows that closing the gap is very achievable.
I would highly recommend that you take part in the walkathon, to practice as much as you can in the days ahead, to push yourself to your limits and to enjoy the day.
Registration closes on 21 March and takes place in the NBK tent by the Scientific Center (Salmiya). The walkathon is on 22 March…
Good luck! (just don’t beat me :D)
Bashar said,
March 13, 2008 at 1:01 pm
22nd March. Checked. I will avoid Gulf road then. Or go alone
Last time I remember, road was completely blocked. We figured women were doing the walkathon and ofcourse men driving thought the ocean that day was a magnificent view. We couldnt really move an inch.
The way back, it was men’s turn. People were driving full speed no one cared to look :P. I thought this is really funny, and annoying as well.
The funny story I heard about those walkathon is 2 youngs who registered, but did not go to start up line. Instead, they were eating at McDonalds, and when the contestants came by, they blended with them and got top 5 places, and won the award
So keep looking if you see me setting on a restaurant at end line :>
But seriously, I think it’s healthy for men. Women, sorry with what’s happening, I would strong disagree. 8 km shouldn’t be a problem to me. Walking doesn’t bother me. It’s the running. and every week I remember how unhealthy my body is at soccer game ;/
Haider said,
March 13, 2008 at 5:27 pm
So the lesson to learn from my post: avoid Gulf Road on the day.. I’m glad my post was useful!
Last year when I joined, I saw a lot of people cheating (running, or getting dropped off by their friends!). Although it’s sad to think that these people can end up winning, the experience itself and what you gain from it, regardless of the results of the race, are still rewarding.
And since running is not allowed in the race, I guess it’s your kinda race!
Bashar said,
March 14, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Seems you didnt have someone to push last year!
No thanks… I can walk at home
Haider said,
March 15, 2008 at 9:07 am
Walk 8km at home?
That’s a big home
But the experience is way different in the walkathon..
Bashar said,
March 16, 2008 at 10:19 am
Speaking of marathons, I got an SMS last night for a 2 hour soccer play 6 X 6. Now here we are talking not about pushing your self to the edge, but straight to the grave
I like soccer or sport as there is an objective that makes me push real hard. I want to get the ball, play it to the other side and win. It personally motivates me more.
mohammad alkazemi said,
March 18, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Salam
While i do not support propaganda (although I’m sure the Sayed’s intentions are pure) I think this surely will benefit whoever participates in it . I am a real fan of exercise ,not that i practice or anything, but the idea sounds healthy to me. I hate the thought that NBK will be using me as puppet to fuel its campaign but since Sayed Haidar is going then I’m definitely ……. ahh what the heck i know myself, sorry coz i think ill sit this one out. I’ll be cheering for u though, right here from behind my monitor. Cheerio Haidar. Go Go . YOU CAN DO IT BUDDY
Haider said,
March 19, 2008 at 7:55 am
Mohammad, thanks for your enthusiastic cheers, but I’d really appreciate them if they were right next to me while I walk
Also, if NBK is doing something of benefit, then there’s no harm for them to improve their image, and I don’t really see myself as a puppet.. actually, that would depend on how fast I walk!
Anyways, my views might change to “NBK is a bloodthirsty hound” if I don’t win the race!
Computerchi said,
March 23, 2008 at 1:28 pm
So how was it?
A Fils for Your Thoughts » After the NBK Walkathon said,
March 24, 2008 at 7:49 am
[…] wouldn’t be fair of me to encourage people to join the NBK (National Bank of Kuwait) Walkathon without letting them know how the experience […]