(若大家喜歡我鏡頭下的馬拉松風景,不妨Click樂施會的標誌,資助他們的扶貧工作)

2010年12月19日星期日

Food for Run and Thought 27

「We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.」Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete and Olympic gold medal winner

「Racing is the fun part; it's the reward of all the hard work.」Kara Goucher 

「Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running.」Sarah Condor

「If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort.」Dave Weinbaum, Businessman, writer and part-time stand-up comic

「This is not about instant gratification. You have to work hard for it, sweat for it, give up sleeping in on Sunday mornings.」Lauren Fessenden, Cross Country Athlete

Food for Run and Thought 26

「I run because it's my passion, and not just a sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I'm going where I'm going and I'm already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude. Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise... it's a consistent reward for victory! 」Sasha Azevedo, Model and runner

「I was pushed by myself because I have my own rule, and that is that every day I run faster, and try harder. 」Wilson Kipketer, Kenyan born Danish former middle distance runner

「Running is real and relatively simple - but it ain't easy. 」Mark Will-Weber, author and running coach

「Good things come slow-especially in distance running. 」Bill Dillinger, Oregon coach

「There is no satisfaction without a struggle first. 」Marty Liquori, American middle distance athlet

Food for Run and Thought 25

「It's very hard to understand in the beginning that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit.」Dr. George Sheehan

「If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat.」Herschel Walker, American football player 

「That is the sort of race which one really enjoys - to feel at one's peak on the day when it is necessary, and to be able to produce the pace at the very finish. It gives a thrill which compensates for months of training and toiling. But it is the sort of race that one wants only about once a season.」Jack Lovelock, a New Zealand athlete

「He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.」Muhammad Ali, former American boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion

「Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.」T. Alan Armstrong, author

Food for Run and Thought 24

The beauty of running is its simplicity; the beauty of runners is that we all have a similar drive to improve. We are either trying to run a personal best, or toeing the line for the first time, which will snowball into a future of trying to run personal bests. We road racers are a tight community of mileage-happy, limit-pushing athletes.」Deena Kastor, long-distance runner who holds American records in the marathon, half-marathon, and numerous road distances 

「In a sport that's ruled by the clock, freeing myself from the minutes and seconds that define success was liberating. I was now free to run when I wanted, without the gnawing obligation that comes with a competitive pursuit. I no longer have an interest in running "against" anyone. Rather, I'm often looking for someone to run "with," and it's the camaraderie, rhythm and ritual that continue to hold my interest.」Tom Ratcliffe, "Running Past the Finish Line," Running Times, December 2010

「Running well is a matter of having the patience to persevere when we are tired and not expecting instant results.」Robert de Castella, World champion marathon runner

「Before your next marathon, think about a person who helped make your marathon possible. Then consider showing your appreciation by dedicating the race to that person.」Joe Henderson, American runner, running coach, and writer

「There are no standards and no possible victories except the joy you are living while dancing your run....you are not running for some future reward-the real reward is now!」Fred Rohe, author of The Zen of Running

Food for Run and Thought 23

「I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.」John Hanc, running writer 

「Running is about finding your inner peace, and so is a life well lived.」Dean Karnazes, Ultrarunner and best-selling author

「Pain and suffering are often the catalysts for life's most profound lessons.」Dean Karnazes, Ultrarunner and best-selling author

「We may train or peak for a certain race, but running is a lifetime sport.」Alberto Salazar, American marathon runner and coach

「Running long and hard is an ideal antidepressant, since it's hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time. Also, there are those hours of clearheadedness that follow a long run.」Monte Davis, runner

Food for Run and Thought 22

「Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like muscles of the body.」Lynn Jennings, Nine-time champion of the USA Cross Country Championships

「The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.」Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ

「I think I get used to, even addicted to, the feelings associated with the end of a long training run. I love feeling empty, clean, worn out, starving, and sweat-purged. I love the good ache of muscles that have done me proud. I love the way a cold beer tastes later that afternoon. I love the way my body feels light and sinewy.」Kristin Armstrong, Author and runner

「Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve.」Mary Kay Ash, Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.

「Pacing is a skill. Some people just don't have that internal clock. I've been running for 14 years, and through practice it's second nature to me. You're doing constant repeats. You've just got to feel it.」Adam Perkins, pacer for Bernard Lagat when he set the U.S. indoor 5000-meter record of 13:11:50 in February

Food for Run and Thought 21

「The more I train, the more I realize I have more speed in me.」Leroy Burrell, former American athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meter sprint

「It's my own space, my own time, when I'm just out there letting my thoughts go. It's part of my day like eating, and it's one of my favorite parts.」Louise Kent

「The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at.」Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete and Olympic gold medal winner

「Take care of yourself. Eat well, rest, train hard and smart, make time to think and breathe. Be intentional with your time.」Kristin Armstrong, Author and runner

「There is something beautiful about working so hard that you are reduced to silence next to your friends. Some friendships never get to the level where silence is comfortable, let alone productive or healing. Some friends will never understand the unspoken.」Kristin Armstrong, Author and runner

Food for Run and Thought 20

「Obstacles are those frightening things that become visible when we take our eyes off our goals.」Henry Ford

「The most important day in any running program is rest. Rest days give your muscles time to recover so you can run again. Your muscles build in strength as you rest.」Hal Higdon

「Everything I know about life, I learned it from running.」Ruben Toledo Rosado

「Spirit has fifty times the strength and staying power of brawn and muscle.」Author Unknown 

「A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.」Steve Prefontaine, American middle and long-distance runner

Food for Run and Thought 19

「Like a hamster, I enjoy only the illusion of freedom, but unlike a hamster, I can put on running shorts and break through the tube walls.」Peter Sagal, a 3:20 marathoner and the host of NPR's Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me! 

「The great advantage of our sport over all others is that we don't need a ball or a team or a field, or even, according to some, shoes. We just need to stand someplace, imagine ourselves in the center of a circle, pick one out of the 360 degrees available to us, and head thataway.」Peter Sagal, a 3:20 marathoner and the host of NPR's Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!

「I definitely make running a priority. That's not always possible, but my office knows that it goes first on the list.」Dr. Jill Biden, Second lady and college professor

「Just do the best with what you have, and you'll soon be doing it better.」Gil Hodges, American first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball

「It is the runner in me who can make peace with her body and the passage of time.」Kristin Armstrong, Author and runner

Food for Run and Thought 18

「You only ever grow as a human being if you're outside your comfort zone.」Percy Cerutty, running coach

「My thoughts before a big race are usually pretty simple. I tell myself: Get out of the blocks, run your race, stay relaxed. If you run your race, you'll win....Channel your energy. Focus..」Carl Lewis

「If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it, you have won your race. Your goal can be to come in first, to improve your performance, or just finish the race. It's up to you. 」Dave Scott, triathlete

「At the start of races 50 miles or longer, most people have the spirit of 'We're about to embark on an adventure.' At the finish, regardless of how we place, we're all equals because we have finished a grand adventure.」Kami Semick, 2009 national 50-K and 50-mile trail champion, IAU 100-K world champion

「I run marathons twice a year to keep me training year-round, so I'm not obsessing about a PR every time. 」Pam Anderson, Chef and marathoner

Food for Run and Thought 17

「I loved testing myself more than I feared being beaten.」Ron Clarke, New Zealand middle-distance runner

「Too rapid a buildup is critical in injuries. You need to know your limitations.」Russell Pate, exercise physiologist

「I run because I enjoy it—not always, but most of the time. I run because I've always run—not trained, but run.」Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Editor At Large and marathoner

「If you want to be a better runner, you've got to run more. It's as simple as that.」Tom Fleming, running coach

「Spend at least some of your training time, and other parts of your day, concentrating on what you are doing in training and visualizing your success.」Grete Waitz, champion runner

Food for Run and Thought 16

「It is better, I think, to begin easily and get your running to be smooth and relaxed and then to go faster and faster.」Henry Rono, champion runner

「Running gives me a sense of controlling my life. I like the finiteness of runs, the fact that I have a clear beginning and end. I set a goal and I achieve it. A good run makes you feel sort of holy.」Nancy Gerstein, runner

「Running is a statement to society. It is saying 'no' to always being on call, to sacrificing our daily runs for others' needs. When we run we are doing something for ourselves.」Phoebe Jones, runner

「So much in life seems inflexible and unchangeable, and part of the joy of running and especially racing is the realization that improvement and progress can be achieved.」Nancy Anderson, runner

「You should run your first marathon for the right reasons, because you'll never be the same person again. You must want to do it, not do it because your boss did it or your spouse did it.」Bill Wenmark, running coach

Food for Run and Thought 15

「Now I am not running to please sponsors or to be the No.1 U.S. runner. Now I look at each step I get to take as a gift. I run because I love to run. I want to be able to run until I am 90 years old.」Suzy Favor Hamilton, Olympic miler

「The first thing is to love your sport. Never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours.」Peggy Fleming, American figure skater

「What I love about running is you can meditate while running. It's a peaceful place. You pray and think of the children and what you're doing, and you get through it. The time passes clearly. The first mile is the hardest.」Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd, Runs marathons to raise money and awareness about children orphaned by AIDS

「Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer.」Percy Cerutty, an athletics coach in the 1950s and 1960s

「Don't be concerned with what you can't do. Work on what you can do - then count your blessings.」Alan Robinson, 56-year-old partially paralyzed marathon runner

Food for Run and Thought 14

「It's that bond of female runners that makes me want to be a better runner - to push me a little harder.」Cherie Hill Lombardo, High school principal and participant in the Runner's World Challenge

「I usually run the first half of the marathon and run-walk the last half. It gets harder to run 26.2 miles at my age, but I'm inspired by the memory of friends I've lost.」Harriette Thompson, 87-year-old grandmother of ten and marathon runner

「Jitters are actually good for a short race. Adrenaline will rev up your engine. Think of it as fuel.」Lucinda Seares-Monica, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist

「Part of the challenge of the marathon is pushing past what you think is physically possible. You can do more than you think you can.」Christine Hinton, a Maryland running coach

「My first real race was as a 15-year-old. It was a mile long. I won in 5:20; I was surprised to win, and was encouraged to join the cross-country team with my brother, Charlie, and my friend Jason. This was in 1963, and we're all still running today.」Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of the Boston and New York City marathons
.

Food for Run and Thought 13


「I probably should consider this my last marathon, but you never know what'll happen. My friends reminded me that I said that last year and the year before and the year before.」Robert Borglund, Winner of Boston Marathon's 80-and-older age group two years in a row

「Do the things that you used to do without fear. Take the risk. It's all right to fall down and scab your knees.」Pat Tyson, Head coach of the Gonzaga University track and cross country programs

「Slow-but-sure has always worked for me, in running and in most other arenas. I wouldn't mind being a Carl Lewis or Usain Bolt, but I've found little payoff in attempting to be what I'm not.」Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Editor At Large

「Running uphill makes you a faster runner on the flats. Hills build strength, and make the flats feel easy!」Jon Sinclair, Running coach in Fort Collins, Colorado

「My first race was a 60-meter dash, with starting blocks. I was more excited than nervous. I came in last, but I wasn't disappointed, because it was so much fun. My coach treated everybody like winners - that was probably the most important thing.」Grete Waitz, Nine-time New York City Marathon winner and 1984 Olympic Marathon silver medalist

Food for Run and Thought 12

「People can't understand why a man runs. They don't see any sport in it. Argue it lacks the sight and thrill of body contact. Yet, the conflict is there, more raw and challenging than any man versus man competition. For in running it is man against himself, the cruelest of opponents. The other runners are not the real enemies. His adversary lies within him, in his ability, with brain and heart to master himself and his emotions. 」Glenn Cunningham - American runner, Olympic Games medalist

「There is no failure in running, or in life, as long as you keep moving. 」Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Editor At Large

「Every man is the builder of a temple called his body. 」Henry David Thoreau

「Winning is not about headlines and hardware [medals]. It's only about attitude. A winner is a person who goes out today and every day and attempts to be the best runner and best person they can be? Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up. 」Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Editor At Large

「Mentally, I think the biggest thing I've gotten out of this 10K is that I've learned to kind of just shut my mind off during the race and not think about laps or pace. 」Chris Solinsky, 10,000m American record holder

Food for Run and Thought 11


「Of all the races, there is no better stage for heroism than a marathon.」Dr. George Sheehan

「I have to make myself take a day off. I get addicted, and I feel guilty if don't run. I have to remember it's the recovery days when you actually get stronger. When you take a day off, you can run fast and hard next time you get out there.」Danica Patrick, Professional race-car driver

「He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.」Muhammad Ali

「Often I feel like I can just run forever. If someone told me I had to run for 10 hours, I probably could.」Mika Brzezinski, Co-Host, MSNBC's Morning Joe

「Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things.」Joe Paterno, Head football coach of Penn State University

Never Let Me Go.Prague

刊於《JET》一月號


“Prague doesn’t let go. This little mother has claws.”[1] 布拉格抓住了卡夫卡,短短的四十一年人生,除了在日記上抱怨兩句,卡夫卡一直住布拉格。我沒有卡夫卡這麼幸運,可以在布拉格長大和生活,我只是這裡的過客,但布拉格一樣抓住了我,我偶爾夢回布拉格,夢到暮色時份的Vltava River及Charles Bridge...布拉格不曾讓我離開過。

在歐洲的城市中,布拉格算幸運的,它並不是二戰的主要戰場,躲過了坦克的炮火、轟炸機的空襲,古舊的建築仍然保存得了。經典電影《莫札特傳》就是在布拉格,而不是維也納拍攝,因為布拉格更能表達十八世紀維也納的古典藝術氛圍。

布拉格不算大,大部份吸引的景點和古蹟,都在Hradcany(布拉格城堡)、Mala Strana(Charles Bridge的一端)及Stare Mesto(舊城區)三區,前兩者與後者,以的Charles Bridge相連。

但布拉格幸運,其實是被出賣的結果。一九三六年的慕尼黑會議,為了換取德國希特勒承諾和平,英國首相張伯倫(Neville Chamberlain)讓德國吞併捷克。到二次大戰後期,布拉格又再次被出賣,盟軍與史大林的蘇聯達成協議,布拉格要由蘇聯紅軍解放,合併了的捷克斯洛伐克於戰後也淪為蘇聯的傀儡國。

在Stare Mesto的舊猶太人區,穿過斑駁古老的暗巷,卡夫卡的故居仍在,他那雙憂鬱的眼神在咖啡店、T恤及各種紀念品上注視你,因為這問Café名叫做Kafka,賣的咖啡特別昂貴,色調偏冷沉鬱,想像自己是《變形記》的主角,喝了這杯咖啡後,你將慢慢脫變成為昆蟲...

卡夫卡已是布拉格的代言人,他的Icon也是最好賣的紀念品,但卡夫卡在生時,他與布拉格倒有點格格不入了,卡夫卡是用德語寫作的猶太人,而很長一段時間,捷克語是被操德語的統治者打壓。早逝對卡夫卡是一種赦免,若他活到納粹德國統治捷克的一天,集中營將是卡夫卡人生的最後一站。

今天的布拉格已幾近沒有猶太人居住了,Stare Mesto猶太人區的廟和部份建築,已改建為博物館,讓遊客了解布拉格猶太人的生活習俗。卡夫卡三個妹妹Elli, Valli及Ottla與77,000名被屠殺猶太人的名字,全部寫在Pinkus synagogue(猶太教廟)刷白的牆上。

卡夫卡後,布拉格另一個名作家是捷克前總統哈維爾(Vaclav Havel)。在共產捷克斯洛伐克年代,哈維爾是知名的異見人士,他於1977年提出《七七憲章》後被捕,東歐共產陣營倒台後,哈維爾被選為捷克總統。哈維爾是劉曉波角逐諾貝爾和平獎的提名人,劉曉波的《○八憲章》是受到他的啟發。

哈維爾做總統也有點戲劇性,1989年11月24日,已出獄的哈維爾在Wenceslas Square帶領一場30萬人的遊行,成千上萬人高呼:「Havel to the Castle!(哈維爾,進城堡!)」翌年,哈維爾獲選為捷克斯洛伐克總統,正式入主布拉格城堡,一群無政治經驗的流亡者、異見人士和過氣政客,組成了捷克第一任政府。天鵝絨革命的四年,斯洛伐克和平獨立,國家也一分為二變成現在的捷克與斯洛伐克。

在今天的布拉格,一些有舊蘇聯特色的巨型建築仍然殘留著,但外牆蓋上了H&M金髮女郎泳衣照。消費主義取代共產主義成為新的信仰,連物價也急起直追,努力與西歐水平接軌。華沙公約國的訪問團,敍利亞、阿富汗及埃及的武器採購團(共產捷克斯洛伐克盛產槍械)不見了,彎彎窄窄的小巷,全是滿是拿著照相機及Burberry手袋的遊人。

只可以在共產主義博物館中,才可以找到舊布拉格的遺蹟。博物館位於Na Prikope大街,不要以為博物館很大,它隱藏在一幢不起眼的大廈之二樓。博物館的擺設也是亂糟糟的,館方是盡可能在有限的地方,放置最多的展品,領導人的銅像、舊課室擺設、宣傳海報、糧票、各種工業產品、當年的奶粉及朱古力的包裝,模擬一個已消失的世界給遊客想像。

每年五、六月,布拉格都舉辦「布拉格之春」國際音樂節。這場音樂節倒不是紀念1968年「布拉格之春」民主運動,而是捷克最老牌的音樂節,1946年開始第一屆。今年打頭炮是一場免費音樂會,於舊城區的廣場舉行,由搖滾樂隊Blue Effect表演。音樂會與布拉格馬拉松合辦,為翌日比賽的跑手加油打氣。

布拉格最令人難以忘懷的,還是古城區內的小街、及Charles Bridge。粉灰色的墻和橙色的屋頂沿著碎石礫鋪成的小巷延伸下去,是像卡夫卡筆下的世界。Charles Bridge兩端有哥德式的橋塔,栩栩如生的聖人雕像,站在Charles Bridge的兩旁,自哈布斯堡皇朝統治捷克以來,他們一直守護這城市。

無論是遊客還是布拉格人,來Charles Bridge不是要到河的彼岸,而是呼吸布拉格的氣息,讓你知道活在布拉格的感覺是甚麼。清晨,河上的霧氣仍未消散,遠處漏出的晨光,把河畔染成金黃色,既夢幻又詭秘。到中午,這條橋更像是畫廊、跳蚤市場、工藝品市集、音樂廳及露天劇場,遊人如鯽,樂手在聖安東尼的聖像下唱歌。

很羨慕布拉格人,可以每天到Charles Bridge走走,但我的布拉格之旅很快要結束。我帶了Thomas Swick的遊記到布拉格,永遠都記得他寫道:在Charles Bridge碰到一對夫婦,男的是美國人、女的是捷克人,三人聊起來了...

After more conversation, the man says softly, “Let’s go, Lucka, we have to pack.”

‘’I hate to leave this,” Lucka says, turning around for one last look at the storybook city, her hometown. “I don’t want to leave.”...

讓我留多一秒,可以嗎?

注意事項:
1. 捷克的啤酒較水便宜。
2. 布拉格一些的士司機會濫收車資。布拉格報章曾報道,市長Pavel Bem曾扮遊客微服出巡坐的士,但司機把40元的車資,說成是280元。
3. 不少旅遊書說,布拉格多扒手、店主看騙遊客不找錢,但我沒有遇到這些問題。
4. 賣護膚及日常護理用品的連鎖店Botanicus及Manufaktura極受日本人、韓國人、台灣人和大陸人歡迎。Botanicus位於舊城區的旗艦店,更聘請台灣學生當兼職服務員。

5. 一些有用的網頁
Manufaktura:http://www.manufaktura.cz/
Botanicus:http://www.botanicus.cz/en/
布拉格之春音樂節:http://www.prague-spring.net/
共產主義博物館:http://www.muzeumkomunismu.cz/

延伸閱讀:
1. Travelers’ Tales, Prague and the Czech Republic, David Farley and Jessie Sholl編
2. 哈維爾評論集,米蘭昆德拉等著,貝嶺編
3. 變形記,卡夫卡著

[1] 存在主義作家卡夫卡(Franz Kafka, 1881-1924)十九歲時,寫信給父親的一句話,這封信並沒有寄到給他父親。

Food for Run and Thought 10

「My younger girls, Gracie and Willa, ask me why I run so much, and I answer honestly, "because I love it."」Peter Sagal, a 3:20 marathoner and the host of NPR's Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!

「Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be.」Dr. George Sheehan

「I run because it's my passion, and not just a sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I'm going where I'm going and I'm already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude. Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise... it's a consistent reward for victory!」William Arthur Ward, American author

「Set your goals high because what a person accomplishes is in proportion to what they attempt.」Mitchell Naufell

「Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.」William Arthur Ward, American author

Food for Run and Thought 9

「For me, running is a lifestyle and an art. I'm far more interested in the magic of it than the mechanics. 」Lorraine Moller, Olympic Marathoner

「Running, one might say, is basically an absurd pastime upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning in the type of running you need to do ... chances are you'll be able to find meaning in that other absurd pastime - LIFE. 」Bill Bowerman

「The real purpose of running isn't to win a race; it's to test the limits of the human heart. 」Bill Bowerman

「When you are well prepared to meet the demands of a race, not only will your race probably go well, but your recovery should go smoothly, too. 」Susan Paul, running coach, exercise physiologist, and program director for the Orlando Track Shack Foundation

「In high school, my two older brothers ran track. They'd come home sweaty and mud-covered—I could tell they enjoyed it. So I started running and haven't stopped since. 」Mika Brzezinski, Co-Host, MSNBC's Morning Joe

Food for Run and Thought 8

「The clock isn't slower; you're just faster.」Adidas

「Any idiot can train himself into the ground; the trick is working in training to get gradually stronger.」Keith Brantly, U.S. Olympic Marathoner

「Anything is possible, but you have to believe and you have to fight.」Lance Armstrong

「The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.」Nike Running Poster

「When you put yourself on the line in a race and expose yourself to the unknown, you learn things about yourself that are very exciting.」Doris Brown Heritage, 5 time World Cross-Country Champion

Food for Run and Thought 7

「Friendships are born on the field of athletic strife and the real gold of competition.」Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete and Olympic gold medal winner

「The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed.」Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champion

「Believe in yourself, know yourself, deny yourself, and be humble.」Irish Olympian John Treacy's four principles of training prior to Los Angeles 84

「Having a true faith is the most difficult thing in the world. Many will try to take it from you.」Steve Prefontaine, American middle and long-distance runner

「When people ask me why I run, I tell them, there's not really a reason, it's just the adrenalin when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line, and know that you are a winner no matter what place you got. 」Courtney Parsons

Food for Run and Thought 6

「Top results are reached only through pain. But eventually you like this pain. You'll find the more difficulties you have on the way, the more you will enjoy your success.」Juha Vaatainen, former Finnish athlete and winner of the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter gold medals at the 1971 European Championships

「Running has the power to change your life. It will make you fitter, healthier, even happier.」Selene Yeager, "Let's Get Started," May 2010 issue of Runner's World

「With a body made joyous through movement, the mind is able to relax. With mind/body balance, we can take the power of feeling good and generate compassion.」The Sakyong, Jamgn Mipham Rinpoche

「Running is simple, but there's opportunity if you want to go deeper. I guess I'm drawn to simplicity.」Biz Stone, Cofounder, Twitter, Inc.

「Runners...you're competitive, but you want to have fun, too. You want to enjoy life. And runners really get to do that, I think—after we recover.」Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of the Boston and New York City marathons

星期日明報,探討名校系列之四

刊於2010年十二月廿六日.星期日《明報》

(明報周日副刊,十二月都有文章講名校,我也手痕弄了一篇,並訪問了我的中學老師,由資深老師的角度,講講這個問題。)

名校和屋村中學我也讀過,中一至中五,我在一間屋村中學念書,會考後以理科二十九分的成績轉到拔萃男書院讀預科。名校教育不是優質的保證,名校學生也不全是天賦異稟、優秀出眾,正如英國讀中學的不少精英,連在機場過聖誕也熬不住,證明溫室中長大的小花,完全經不起大風雪的考驗,但我慶幸兩種學校都讀過,見識兩者的分別。

會考放榜轉校那一天,也是我第一次來到男拔萃,原來市區也有這麼大的校園,長長的馬路沒有盡頭。副校長Mark Rosario告訴我﹕「你想讀純數組,但你的附加數學沒有A(我考B03),你只可以去生物組了,你讀不讀?」

「讀!生物組也讀。」心想﹕反正我也不想做工程師,不讀純數也沒有關係。當年生物班還有另一名陳姓同學插班,但陳同學大概不習慣由頭適應新環境,不到一個月便轉回到他的母校讀預科,我們也沒有繼續聯絡了。據知,陳同學高級會考成績也相當優秀,成功升讀港大醫學院。

論教育質素,拔萃跟屋村學校並沒有大分別,兩間學校都有好老師及成績優秀的學生,但學生對學校的歸屬感和投入有天淵之別了。在男拔萃,每逢早會大聲唱校歌也不用害羞,因為旁邊的同學往往比你更大聲。

回顧十年 學生階層背景單一

當年的拔萃照顧草根階層,窮學生可以在校內享用廉價午餐,同學也沒有階級觀念,大家可以打成一片,他們的知識和視野也很廣,從他們身上學到很多東西,而我人生第一次坐Benz也是在男拔萃的日子,有同學的親戚駕Benz來接他放學,幾個同學一併坐順風車離開。

我沒有再坐過Benz了。到今天,我仍記得後座的沙發是什麼顏色。

幾天前,我以記者的身分重返校園,訪問當年預科的班主任程張迎老師。教中文的程sir在拔萃任教超過二十六年,看著拔萃轉變為直資中學。已有很多名校的畢業生投稿談母校,不如換一換資深老師的角度,談談各種關於「名校」的問題,以及直資的影響。

莊﹕回顧過去十年,拔萃的學生有什麼變化?

程﹕拔萃於03年9月轉了直資後,學生無論在學習、處事、音樂、體育、課外活動方面的優秀表現都沒有改變,與其他學校比較仍是很優越。學生的家庭經濟背景(social economic status)與過往有明顯分別了。我沒有客觀的統計數字,但據我的觀察,學生的家庭背景較過往富裕,而這個趨勢是會維持下去。

因為拔萃中學和小學行一條龍制度,中學的大部分學位都被小學畢業生填了,公開派位的影響不及以往大。能夠進入拔萃小學的學生多是中產或以上的家庭,這類家庭是會積極為孩子爭取的。

直接進入拔萃中學有點困難了,理論上每一級有六班,每班四十人,每年總共收240人,但有150個位要給拔萃小學畢業生,剩下數十個位讓其他人讀。即使如此,我仍看不到有其他社經背景的學生,大多數學生仍是來自中產或以上的家庭。

莊﹕這觀察是怎樣得出來?是否多了人駕車接載兒子上學,馬路塞車情况較我讀的時候更嚴重?

程﹕也是。現在上學的交通相當擠塞!

莊﹕還有沒有其他觀察?是否學生的行為較轉直資前不同?

程﹕我也很想了解,究竟全校有多少家境清貧的學生,需要申請學費減免?我不用知道是誰申請,只想知道數字,但我一直得不到答案,印象中我也沒有處理多少申請。

莊﹕你有沒有正式問校長?

程﹕我沒有正式去找答案,但看來身邊的同事都不知道答案,其實校方有需要讓教師們知道,讓教師了解學生的背景很自然的事。

莊﹕如果有類似我這種家境極普通的學生,拿張會考證書來考拔萃,現在是否仍有機會獲取錄?

程﹕仍然有機會的,每年都有一個半個外校生拿會考證書來插班,但這只是一個半個,數目絕少,沒法改變學生階層集中的情况。這跟以往七、八、九十年代,學生家庭經濟背景分散的情况很不同,難怪一般人會覺得,讀名校的教育機會被中產壟斷。

特別是小一的收生,除了看學生的資質,家庭因素也很重要,較富裕的家庭會培養子女學各種技能、上「面試雞精班」、甚至以家長本身的人脈補救,這些都會增加入學機會,縱使基層家庭的子弟有潛質,但在這些方面比較便會輸蝕。

我希望學校可以把資料攤出來,究竟頒了獎學金給多少相對貧窮的學生?比例是多少?有資料才可以令公眾信服,拔萃這類直資學校仍是以有教無類的態度和原則辦學。

拔萃優秀的學生不比以往少,但讀書的心態和待人接物的態度,這十年八載也有很大轉變,也可能受到社會風氣改變的影響。

這一代更功利

莊﹕例如有什麼轉變呢?

程﹕現在的學生行為舉止態度顯得有點傲慢無禮,少了一份尊師重道,人際相處的能力也較弱、情緒化、自我中心和任性。犯了事後,他們不是先自我檢討,往往用對抗的態度對待老師。當然男校學生是頑皮一點,但你那一代的學生是較少任意妄為,總有些基本的紀律。

例如,有學生在走廊忽然用書拍另一個學生的頭,兩人打起架來,類似這種無聊的事件也時有發生。早一兩年很多學生遺失手提電話,校內很多失竊,有些學生甚至自己報警,校方也不知道,會有警察走上來問學校,哪個學生報案?這些東西也曾發生。

這可能是整個社會的現象,其他學校同樣發生,但我覺得頗深刻是現在的學生較你那一代更功利,我不敢說他們沒有理想,或可能因他們有相當好的家庭,家長已為他們安排前路了。

但我不覺得現在的學生希望在更高的層次貢獻社會,實踐自己的理想和抱負,他們較關心考試的形式和如何取分數,他們問也是這些問題。

莊﹕這與直資有沒有關係?是否太精英的教育環境,助長了這些性格?

程﹕如果不是直資,仍像喇沙以公開派位收學生,我相信學生的階層背景會更加多元化,不同階層學生的互相適應、學習、觀察和交流,會有些良好的效應。若果來自四方八面的band one學生都可以來,而不是十一、二年都是同一班人,互動是否可以更明顯呢?

莊﹕自從直資制度出現後,不少名校也轉了直資,你覺得直資制度有沒有影響社對名校這個標籤的觀感?是否令名校貴族化了?

程﹕以前大家以學生是否優秀界定名校,覺得名校是「叻」的地方,有各種不同長處的學生,也是多元的地方,只要你有專長便可以考入來。但現在名校除了「叻」之外,給人的感覺是,特別是那三幾間轉了直資的傳統名校,明顯地學生都來自中產或以上的階層。

直資學校收的學費,有如讓你在常餐以外「加餸食飯」,在政府的資助以外,家長要再付學費。以往你沒有錢「加餸」,也可以進餐廳吃常餐,但現在的情况是有能力「加餸」的人才可以入餐廳,「吃常餐的唔該過隔離」。

這些學校是應該考慮,怎樣扭轉這個印象,不要令人覺得直資學校是為某個階層服務,因為教育的機會應該平等。

莊﹕還記得當年剛轉來讀,最震撼是唱校歌的氣勢,在屋村中學就沒有了。轉了直資後,傳統目前仍有多大的影響力?

程﹕學生對傳統的歸屬感(sense of heritage)仍然很強,這裏的預科生,可以用一周時間,親自為陸運會做一條十幾米長的橫額打氣,他們相當投入學校活動。

他們有自信、接觸不同東西的機會多、處事解難能力好些、自我形象極高。學生的使命感仍然很強,為了延續運動王國、音樂方面的出式表現,對傳統的承傳、繼往開來的態度仍然有。

名校•社會資本•抱負

莊﹕最近《星期日生活》副刊都有不少文章談及讀名校是怎樣一回事,身為名校的資深教師,你覺得讀名校是否有必要?

程﹕我只教過一年地區學校,我大半生人都在名校度過。名校的學生是較複雜,名校可以給學生信心,讓他們覺得與眾不同,你是拔萃、喇沙、皇仁、女拔……名校有自己的傳統風氣,要建立名校品牌一點也不容易。

其實很多學校也相當不錯,只是傳媒的焦點老是放在傳統名校。學校之間的差異是否如此大?我覺得未必的。很多屋村學校給學生很多發展空間,培養學生成材。我最討厭傳媒過分吹噓,花幾百萬、幾千萬買名校區的單位,增加子女進名校的機會,考不入便慘如哭喪,這些新聞很無聊。

入不到名校不是世界末日、不是失去教育機會,這些風氣是絕不值得鼓吹,這對其他學校不公平。家長是應該考慮,什麼學校適合自己的子女,不是一味盲目追求入名校,以為入到名校便「一天都光晒」,以及管教得太過分、照顧得太過分。

莊﹕兩種學校我也讀過。名校與一般學校的教育質素未必有大分別,但從實用的角度看,我的拔萃中學同學,現在都是專業人士了,有醫生、律師、各種師,現在便發現讀名校真的很有用。

程﹕你說了很重要的一點。這些學校的學生,出來社會後在不同的範疇各領風騷、獨當一面,形成很強的聯繫,這些是很強大的社會資本(Social Capital),你畢業後打個電話、找個同學便可以解決很多問題,得到很多的資訊、照應和支援。這些無形強勢的特點,也令一些家庭著迷,希望子女躋身這些學校。

名校令你有些特別的經驗,繼續傳統的使命,自由多元的發展空間,令學生畢業後也會珍惜,畢業後同學有較強的互相支援,這正正是這些學校的優點。

莊﹕名校的教師跟其他學校的教師,有什麼不同的挑戰?

程﹕這裏的老師要懂得適應,你要明白學生的性格,然後因勢利導,引領他們發展,容志高老師做得很好。拔萃學生的課業和資質已十分優越,但他們仍是小孩子,我們身為教師要小心,我們能否教他們有更崇高的方向和目標?我們希望令他們發揮所長,更好地貢獻社會,而不是只出產一班功利的成功人士。

問 版主

答 程張迎

中文科老師,在男拔萃任教超過26年

Food for Run and Thought 5

「To succeed you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality. 」Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

「They say you can't run away from your troubles. I say that you can. 」John Bingham, The Courage to Start

「Dwell on the positive, but have controlled, passionate anger. 」Pat Tyson, running coach

「Encourage kids to enjoy running and play in athletics. Don't force them to run too much competition. 」Arthur Lydiard, New Zealand runner and coach

「Why should I practice running slow? I already know how to run slow. I want to learn to run fast. Everyone said: 'You are a fool!' But when I first won the European Championship, they said: 'You are a genius!'」Emil Zatopek on interval training. He won the 5000, 10,000, and the marathon at the 1952 Olympics

Food for Run and Thought 4

「If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run. 」John Bingham, running writer and speaker

「To know you are one with what you are doing, to know that you are a complete athlete, begins with believing you are a runner.」George Sheehan

「Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter; long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best.」Michael Johnson, American sprinter and Olympic gold medal winner

「I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you're capable of so much more than you thought.」Arthur Blank, American businessman and a co-founder of Home Depot

「We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.」Jesse Owens, American track and field athlete and Olympic gold medal winner

Food for Run and Thought 3

「I tape my list of goals, both large and small, above my bed so I see them when I wake up. This holds me accountable.」Chris Solinsky, Elite runner from Portland, Oregon

「Find a new trail, a different town, a place you've never been before to run.」Jason Karp, Ph.D., coach and exercise physiologist

「Running long and hard is an ideal antidepressant, since it's hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time. Also, there are those hours of clearheadedness that follow a long run. 」Monte Davis, runner

「What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the day gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate. 」John Bingham, running writer and speaker

「Everyone who has run knows that its most important value is in removing tension and allowing a release from whatever other cares the day may bring. 」President Jimmy Carter

Food for Run and Thought 2


「We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable. 」Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile

「Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about. 」PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

「The truth is that we can learn to condition our minds, bodies, and emotions to link pain or pleasure to whatever we choose. By changing what we link pain and pleasure to, we will instantly change our behavior. 」Tony Robbins, American self-help author and motivational speaker

「The training is constant. You just have to stick with it and you'll be successful. I use running to stay healthy and burn off the day's stress. 」Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, NASA Astronaut

「Training for shorter race distances makes the body use more fast-twitch muscle fibers and leads to better leg strength, cardiovascular fitness, and ultimately, faster times at all distances. 」Sean Coster, a running coach, exercise physiologist for the Nike Sports center, and cofounder of Run Portland

2010年12月16日星期四

馬拉松的意義與價值

《SportSoho》十月號

今年的渣打馬拉松,不消兩星期便滿額,成功報名的跑手和業餘田總最高興,前者務求再創佳績,後者的數千萬元報名費及贊助費的收入又袋袋平安。

渣打馬拉松在跑步討論區永遠是一項「惹火」的題目,我曾參與一些筆戰,有點意外的是,原來不少香港跑手抱著「有得跑已經很好」的心態,更認為真正喜歡跑步的人,應該要在意自己跑甚麼成績、好好把握每個比賽的機會,而不應批評大會的安排。

若馬拉松純粹是一項運動,跑手的責任就是拼時間、破記錄,其實也不必封路辦馬拉松,只需要召集跑手到運動場繞105.5個圈;又或在車輛稀疏的將軍澳工業邨,圍著《蘋果日報》及「無線電視城」的闊馬路跑.42.195個圈。

若嫌景觀太悶,甚至可以考慮在西九龍的空地排一千部跑步機,set program模擬「三隧三橋」,又有西九的海景可觀,水站安排也簡單得多,若認為香港的賣點是難度高,不如將program改做「五隧七橋」,這種馬拉松更可以天天舉辦,確保人人有份、永不落空。

但跑手會喜歡跑這些比賽嗎?

正因為馬拉松不只是競賽,跑手也希望看到風景、感受萬人空巷觀戰的氣氛、聽到打氣、鼓掌和歡呼聲;而且封路的成本其實是納稅人補貼,若馬拉松只是給一小撮愛好者競賽,政府沒有必要動用龐大的公共資源,特別照顧這一小撮人,及讓業餘田總不用投標競爭,便可以年年壟斷一項極賺錢的活動。

所以要求主辦單位問責、用心辦好賽事、讓馬拉松成為一項真正的全城盛事、香港創造更大的社會效益,讓其他市民一起同樂是絕對應該的。

每次參與歐美的馬拉松,我都會留意這些城市是怎樣辦比賽,如何發揮馬拉松對社會的正能量,不少比賽也做得相當好。本年三月我參加洛杉磯馬拉松。這賽事除了景色優美(所有地標景點盡在賽道旁),還有一個「Students Run LA」的計劃,讓草根階層的末段班學生,透過馬拉松激發他們的自信,自1989年起,已有超過23,000名初中生及高中生報名參與。

學生每星期都要練習,由義工跑手擔任老師訓練他們,與他們一起跑、同甘共苦,在練習的過程中,學生學懂了信任和尊重長輩,學生視老師為一起的伙伴,而不是要挑戰的權威。在練習的過程中,他們學習專注和忍耐,當他們發現原來自己可以持續不斷地跑,甚至可以完成馬拉松,自信心就是這樣慢慢建立起來。

或許他們需要五、六小時才完成,或許他們中途累了要步行,但他們衝線的一刻的意義,較我與你創造PB大得多。

這項計劃有多成功?以洛杉磯校網為例,高中生平均的畢業率只有六成八,但參加SRLA學生的畢業率是九成,畢業的學生全數升讀大學。這些成功畢業的學生,絕大部份都是來自低收入家庭,他們是家中唯一一個高中畢業的成員。

這才馬拉松的真正價值和意義,讓這項運動改變社會、令世界更美好。

相比之下,我們馬拉松那句「全城跑出正能量」、「從心出發、跑出信念」、「Run for a Reason」口號,只是多麼空洞和蒼白。把梁耀忠這些慢跑手趕上車,然後在號碼布打「X」的渣打馬拉松,究竟是製造正能量還是負能量?我們的主辦單位業餘田總,是否辜負了辦馬拉松應有的使命?

2010年12月5日星期日

「活化」樂施毅行者.Sport Soho 十一月號

十一月,是時候換一換題目,談談樂施會的毅行者。

身邊跑馬拉松的人,通常都會參加毅行者,因為兩項運動都需要耐力和腳骨力。估計大家的比態是既然有操山/跑步的習慣,不如同時參加馬拉松/毅行者,一雞兩味化算些,又可以享受多一項樂趣和滿足。

由04年起(除了06年),我每年都參加一次毅行者:04年和05年在香港參加(時間大約是29H27M、33H30M),由07年起開始走出香港,每年參加一個外國的毅行者,這四年間先後遠征日本、英國南、愛爾蘭及比利時。

四十歲前走遍世界毅行者,寫一本《世界毅行者攻略》是我其中一項人生目標。但隨著毅行者越來越成功,實現這個目標的機會越來越渺茫。由○八年至今,加拿大、愛爾蘭、荷蘭、英國北、法國、德國已開始辦毅行者,而西班牙、澳洲布里斯班、印度及墨西哥的毅行者,將於明年啟航。

(墨西哥是聽比利時樂施會職員說,網頁仍未有資料。據消息,北京原本有機會辦毅行者,但中國教育部封殺樂施會一役,令北京毅行者淪為泡影。)

走遍世界毅行者,彷彿是以有涯隨無涯。即使你有錢、有假期、不用上班,也很難找到三隻腳陪你四處征戰,而且外國毅行者籌款門檻高,最低籌款至少兩三萬,若全年無休不斷「揼」人心口,最終只會斷六親兼失去所有朋友。

我是很怕悶的人,當閉眼走麥理浩徑也不會迷路時,我實在提不起勁再參加香港毅行者,所以我很佩服那些年年不缺席毅行的山友,而香港樂施會也懂得利用港人講求競爭、效率、求勝的心態,繼「超級毅行者」後,再加設「24小時隊伍」,開辦「快隊分享會」等活動,甚至連「毅行教室」也有,鼓勵大家年年參與突破、樂此不疲破記錄。

我去年曾在《信報》比較香港與外國毅行者的競爭文化,這裡不重覆了。但鼓勵競爭也有局限,筆者身邊不乏一些退役毅行者,當他們突破三十、廿四、二十或十八後便沒有誘因再參與了,因為他們已達成目標,也不能花更多時間操練以提升速度。

樂施會其實還有很多方法增加毅行者的吸引力,最簡單的方法莫過於效法南非的Comrades超級馬拉松,每年把起點和終點倒過來,單數年在西貢出發、雙數年在元朗大棠起步,同一條麥理浩徑、Check Point也不用改便可以有多一種玩法,既可以吸引一些退役的毅行者歸隊,愛競爭的參加者可以打破多一個記錄。

毅行者的Check Point氣氛悲壯得很,我永遠都不會忘記周五凌晨,基維爾營「屍橫遍野」的慘況,舉步為艱、撐著雙杖的毅行者咬緊牙關、步履蹣跚踏出Check Point。比利時毅行者不少Check Point都有樂隊表演打氣,若香港樂施會可以請一些歌星樂隊義助,到基維爾營等Check Point唱歌表演,既可以激勵參加者,又增加活動的樂趣。

六千五百元的最低籌款額也可以相應調高,因為不少隊伍早已當這是入場費,每人付一千多元便大功告成,也不必怎樣找人籌錢。多出來的錢,則可以補貼連續十年參加支持毅行者的隊伍,豁免他們的註冊費作答謝,鼓勵他們繼續參與。

2010年11月30日星期二

比利時無癮樂施之旅

刊於《明報》十一月廿八日十一月,又是毅行者的日子,數千人不眠不休,由西頁北潭涌走到元朗大棠,三、四十小時連續不斷翻山越嶺。

這項Made in Hong Kong的慈善活動,近年來不斷向海外輸出,世界各地其他的樂施會分部,陸續開始辦毅行者,由○八年至今,加拿大、愛爾蘭、荷蘭、英國北、法國、德國已開始辦毅行者,而西班牙、澳洲布里斯班、印度及墨西哥的毅行者,將於明年啟航。

由○四年起(除了○六年),我每年都參加一次毅行者:○四年和○五年在香港參加(時間大約是29H27M、33H30M),○七年起開始走出香港,每年參加一個外國的毅行者,這四年間先後遠征日本、英國南、愛爾蘭及比利時,每次總是大開眼界,見識每個國家、不同文化,是如何舉辦毅行者。

香港最高難度兼最熱鬧、日本的風景最優美、愛爾蘭樂施會的職員義工最熱情好客、只有英國南仍是由尼泊爾藉的啹喀兵負責。全世界大概只有香港樂施會,需要在配給每隊的物資上寫下隊號識別,方便大會把亂拋垃圾的隊伍列入黑名單。

但最難忘和慘痛的一次是在比利時,令我第一次覺得山長水遠坐飛機參加毅行者,原來也有點「戇居」。

我都算有運氣,遇上有史以來最壞的天氣、最僵化嚴格的大會、最冷漠的樂施會職員。雖然比利時沒有多少山,但時限只有三十小時,較香港短十八小時,而且還規定你要在十二小時內,抵達四十六公里的三號檢查站,若超過十二小時還到不了便立刻取消資格,因為大會擔心若參加者翌日天亮前仍在森林,很容易在清晨的霧氣中迷路。我們在比利時沒有朋友,也沒有支援隊,除了每人身上的兩個杯麵、兩包燕麥粥外,只能靠比利時大會提供的食物。不少檢查站是只有熱啡、沒有熱水,想沖杯麵也沒有辦法,除了一個站有意粉、一個站有三文治,其餘的站只有樂施會出產,快要過期的「Fair Trade」薯片、白朱古力、及比石頭還要硬的果乾。

毅行者應該是一場山頭派對,支援隊、職員和義工在每個檢查站拍掌吶喊,香港的山頭人頭湧湧,不少參加者通宵開收音機,在麥徑山頭上輕談淺唱不夜天。愛爾蘭和英國的參加者比香港少,但檢查站也是相當熱鬧的,只要你堅持不放棄,樂施會的義工都會鼓勵你走下去...

但在比利時的檢查站,我被N次問到:「你們是否要退出?」當我們抵達二號檢查站,男職員告訴我們:「離三號檢查站還有十公里,但那個站將於一小時半後關門,不如你們現在退出,坐我們的車一同離開?」

「退出?我們山長水遠由香港來,怎可能這麼早便上車退出?」其實我們也不算慢,十小時已走了超過三十六公里,怎樣計也可以在時限前完成,有甚麼理由要我們現在上車?

見我們不想退出,這位哥哥便建議我們走捷徑:「不如你們直接去四號檢查站好了,這裡有路可以走過去,不要去三號檢查站啦!」「吓?走捷徑?唔係卦,坐十個小時飛機來比利時走捷徑?怎對得住我們的贊助人?」我們花了兩小時走這十公里。抵達三號檢查站後,站長大喝:「Three minutes, three minutes。」連廁所也趕不及去、水也沒有時間補充、休息不會也不可以,我們有如被追殺的逃兵、如被趕走的喪家犬,不能停、只能一直向走。

我們一直走下去,每次到新的檢查站,都親眼目睹印上樂施會標誌的橫額收起、帳篷及檯凳逐個被拆卸,我們在空地上食西北風,站長嚴厲下令醫護人員,不要再替輪候的參加者按摩,及趕我們這些仍在休息的參加者離開,好讓檢查站在時限前關門大吉。

還記得在最後一個檢查站,我們都很累了,連拿水的力氣也沒有,但職員忙於收拾東西,終於有一名女職員倒了杯水給我,但她同時贈你一句:「竟然要我服侍你囉。」

心想:「大姐,不用這麼委屈呀?至少我們也籌了兩萬元給你們啦!你們一聲多謝也沒有,只是不斷嫌我阻住你們收工...」

我們以廿九小時三十分抵達終點,職員都在等法定時間結束,然後放工會家休息,終點幾近沒有人,只有空的香檳瓶、地上滿是的銀粉和彩帶,為勝利者而設的派早已結束了。

謝謝比利時的樂施會,讓我明白原來毅行者成功捱到終點,也可以這麼無癮。

2010年11月6日星期六

蘇梅馬拉松.《Sport Soho》十月號

到泰國跑馬拉松是一種折磨,但像我這種跑手偏愛折磨自己,六月的布吉馬拉松後,九月再來一個蘇梅馬拉松。我還要嫌天氣不夠熱、陽光不夠猛烈,戴個鮮藍假髮,一邊跑、一邊跟路邊小販、小店店主、赤腳僧侶說聲Sawadika,透過汗水和雙腳,感受這個熱帶小島的風土人情。

蘇梅或許沒有布吉的名氣響,蘇梅馬拉松的歷史也不及布吉,本年才是第一屆,賽事也不及布吉國際化,但沿途風景倒是意外驚喜。你可以在馬拉松的路上看到象群,水牛就在你旁邊路過,伸手便可以摸摸水牛屁股;還有海、遊艇、沙灘、樹林、彩虹、可以瞭望四周的高地,當然少不了熱情好客的島民。

泰國的比賽都要在日出前起跑,蘇梅馬拉松是四時四十五分,以避過中午猛熱的陽光,要在賽前好好睡一覺根本不可能了。凌晨四時,跑手陸續抵達起點。預備區瀰漫著濃烈的冬青油混汗味,這種親切熟悉的味道,只有在預備起跑前才嗅到,快快用力吸多幾口,以喚醒仍在睡眠的細胞,預備大開殺戒,一鼓作氣宰掉這四十二公里。

忽然嘩啦嘩啦下大雨,還有雷擊閃電,跑手全擠在進帳篷裡避雨。起跑的時間越來越近,大會的廣播已催促各位到起跑區集合,我已不斷暗罵:「臨起跑先落雨,唔通連個天都唔幫我?早知帶對Goretex跑鞋來。」說時遲、那時快,漆黑一片甚麼也看不到,還未進入起跑區,右腳已踏進了大水氹...

起步前一刻沒有激盪音樂,只有淅淅雨聲及泰國副總理Suthep Thaugsuban的致詞。Suthep都算全力支持馬拉松,寧可犧牲睡眠也要來講話,但他也沒有多少知音,跑手呆滯的神情告訴你:即使我不是紅衫軍兼親政府,也沒有興趣在凌晨四時多等起跑的時候,聽政府高官演講。

我聽不懂泰文。或者總理的講話令天地動容?講結束後,雨勢立刻緩和了。這場及時雨來得真好,為酷熱的蘇梅降溫。

在蘇梅的Nathon碼頭起跑,橙黃的街燈引領前路,還有7-11及Family Mart等便利店的霓虹光。想像跑一次馬拉松,等於連續喝四十二罐可樂,每跑畢一公里,你把腦內的鋁罐「咔擦咔擦」踏扁。丟到回收箱後,再開另一罐慢慢喝,直至你喝夠四十二罐,到要嘔白泡反肚時,終點差不多在望了。

我以每小時丟八個可樂罐的步速前進,盡量留多一點力氣到末段拼,以我有限的訓練時間,爭取Sub 4是不可能了,我只能盡力以Sub 5完成。拼時間,還是留待在香港拼好了,我寧可慢一點跑,用心看看外地的風景。

踏扁第十個汽水後,忽然聽到有人呼喚我,回頭看,原來是新加坡藉的跑友Mohan!我也嚇了一跳,我們沒有任何約定下,又在蘇梅一起跑馬拉松。

Mohan是我認識的人之中,唯一完成超過一百次馬拉松的跑手,蘇梅是他第一百零四個比賽。我與Mohan結緣始自五月的布拉格馬拉松,我們在路上聊了一會。到六月的布吉馬拉松,我又路途上碰到他。蘇梅馬拉松是本年之內第三次,馬拉松把我們這兩個不相干的人成為朋友。

Mohan 也是拿著相機一邊拍、一邊跑的跑手,頸項還會掛上哨子。每當身邊的人慢下來、停下來、走不動,他像教練一樣,吹哨子鼓勵他們繼續跑,大叫兩聲:「Come on! Come on!」;若兩旁有圍觀的泰國人,他立刻上前拍照,用英語跟他們寒暄兩句。我們一起跑了五公里,又互相幫大家跟水牛、大象、僧侶及泰國人拍照,找尋最好的角度。

大部份跑手都是咬緊牙關、神色凝重、默默低頭,但Mohan永遠是笑嘻嘻,彷彿有用不完的精力,永遠不會疲倦。若你在路上碰到他,你也會受到他的感染,跟他一起快樂馬拉松,擺姿勢拍照,讓標示的公里牌,一塊又一塊在你身旁如飛如去...

每跑過特別的建築和景緻,我都會停一停拍拍。看到一間叫做Magic Alambic的Rum酒廠,問當地人才知道,這是泰國唯一一間Rum酒廠;原來蘇梅的椰子多得驚人,當地人是靠飼養的猴收割椰子;原來這裡是用酒樽盛載汽油,每支售價由91泰銖至100泰銖不等;我還特別走近海邊,拍下蘇梅不同的海灘。

日出後,雲層逐漸消散,開始看到藍天,小販開始營業,路上的車子也多了。大會沿途掛一些鼓勵跑手的標語:「It is not sweat, it is your cells crying!」令人眼前一亮、為之一振。看到這一句:「”Coke” waiting 4 U!」還以為下一個水站真的有可樂!

大會的水站其實只有水,沒有電解質飲料,更加沒有冰可樂,要喝請去7-11買。我早餐吃的那碗飯及公司三文治早已消化得七七八八,眼看路邊有炸雞、炸蝦餅、香蕉、7-11、跑手甲到士多買凍飲、拖著疲憊身驅步行的跑手乙,大概沒有帶錢,只能以落寞的眼神望著泰象啤(Chang Beer)的廣告牌...我開始後悔沒有帶點錢來!

陽光越來越猛烈,我已捱不到下一個水站了,只好把一直背心與背部的海綿拿出來,搾一點混了汗的海綿水解喝。丟掉第三十五個汽水罐後,終於忍不住找路邊小販「求救」,看看有沒有一些免費食物?老闆娘很大方,讓我吃一點香蕉,我身後的三名跑手看到後,又衝過來取香蕉,一大串香蕉被我們四人殲滅了。

但下一個街口的炸蝦叔叔不及香蕉大嬸熱情了,他耍手擰頭後,拿著一個硬幣,然後指著我。

最後,我以4小時58分的時間,完成本年第四個馬拉松,距離一百次馬拉松的目標,還有八十六個。原本還想試試蘇梅馬拉松的賽後按摩,只是我太慢才回到終點,按摩服務早已結束了,真是可惜!

蘇梅馬拉松:

日期:每年九月中旬
報名費:每年八月底前報名,約港幣125元(500泰銖);九月至比賽前兩天,約港幣175元(700泰銖);比賽前一天,約港幣200元(800泰銖)
項目:全馬、半馬、十點五公里
時限:全馬七小時
其他特色:賽後按摩服務、終點有午餐提供
賣點:離香港近、順便到泰國旅遊、風景不錯
缺點:炎熱天氣、跑道多車輛、比賽第一次辦,細節需要改善

2010年10月24日星期日

關愛不如公平

《明報》星期日副刊.10月24日

樂施會每年十一月都舉辦的毅行者,這項慈善活動深受市民山友歡迎,每年都為樂施會籌過二千萬的捐款。為了方便市民捐款,樂施會近年引入網上籌款,讓大家可以上網「碌卡」,捐贈各隊毅行者。

身邊有一些朋友參加毅行者,我曾嘗試到毅行者的網站捐款,當中列出一行說﹕「此網上付款系統由東亞銀行提供。」

但再看下一行,網站列出「銀行附加費」一欄,說﹕「你可協助樂施會減低行政開支,只需選擇『捐款包含銀行附加費(2%)。』」看到這裏,還是待下次見面才交善款好了,不要給東亞銀行賺附加費,這個網上捐款系統沒有多少人使用是意料中事。

為什麼不大大方方,把這些「零頭」附加費豁免算了,2%附加費可以為東亞銀行賺得多少?現在的結果多麼難看,原來東亞銀行連慈善捐款要收2%附加費,所以各 位善長不好意思,請你們捐多2%幫樂施會攤分行政開支啦!東亞銀行做了最壞公關示範,最終連那2%附加費也賺不了,因為大家寧願直接捐現金好了。

與其他地方比較,香港人算熱心公益,所以才熱心支持樂施會、奧比斯、東華三院、無國界醫生等團體各種籌款活動,還有每周六的賣旗籌款。以樂施會的毅行者為 例,48小時內走100公里山路這種高難度任務,參加的隊伍已逐年遞增至1150隊,還要抽中籤才可以有機會「折磨自己」,找朋友贊助毅行者也不困難,大 家都明白是什麼一回事,募捐時不需要花唇舌解釋。

但香港以外的社會,籌錢並不是這麼容易了。即使發達如日本,民間的籌款文 化仍是相當薄弱,日本人不會明白,為何每周六都有人在街上賣旗?若不是企業、學校動員舉辦,很少日本人會自發參與類似的活動。或多或少解釋了,即使日本山 景風光如畫,毅行者的終點就在富士山下,這一屆日本毅行者還是只有一百多隊參與,只是香港的七分之一,當中更有二、三十隊來自香港。

國民樂善好施未必好事

別以為歐洲人較樂善好施,英國以外的歐陸,籌款文化亦不比香港強。歐陸沒有賣旗籌款,當地的麥當勞也沒有捐款箱,大型籌款活動並不多。我去年愛爾蘭毅行者的 一名隊友是牛津大學的研究生。當她告訴意大利籍的教授,她要走100公里為樂施會籌錢,老師說﹕「?你要貼錢走100公里?我不如畀錢你去玩好了,不要拿 去捐。」

但大家不要以為,國民樂善好施一定是好事;國民對捐款冷漠,一定是壞事……

據英國 的Charities Aid Foundation(CAF)2006年研究,統計了12個較發達國家國民的捐款數目(包括美國、英國、加拿大、澳洲、新西蘭、南非、愛爾蘭、荷蘭、德 國、法國、新加坡),排榜首的是美國和英國,兩國國民每年的個人捐款,約佔該國GDP的1.67%及0.73%;排榜末的是法國和德國,兩國國民每年的個 人捐款,只等於GDP的0.14%及0.22%。

CAF的發現是,國民樂善好施的程度,與社會平不平等及稅制有關係,法國和德國人要交多點稅項和社會保障金(Social Security Contribution),扶貧的工作由政府負責,NGO的角色是次要,所以國民捐錢給NGO的風氣不強烈。

另一方面,美國與後戴卓爾夫人的英國,國民捐款佔GDP的比例較高,因為政府提供的福利遠較歐陸政府少,稅務負擔較歐陸國家低,社會較不平等,貧富懸殊問題也嚴重得多,給NGO的捐款擔當了較重要的角色。

若從CAF的發現推論,NGO發展蓬勃和籌款活動的參與踴躍,某程度是反映社會的稅制的不足,所以才需要再透過籌款分配財富。香港並不需要「關愛基金」,而 是要定公平的稅制及法例,讓富可敵國、佔盡便宜的大財閥付他們應負的責任,接受合理的最低工資、停止剝削低下階層、以及繳付更多的稅項。

2010年10月19日星期二

Marathonas.A place of no significance

刊於《Sport Soho》十月號
今年是馬拉松誕生2500周年紀念,馬拉松發源地希臘的古典馬拉松,更吸引大批外國跑手參加,希望趁百年一遇的機會,在雅典古奧林匹克運動場留下足印,大會的12000名額很快爆滿了,大會也希望為2500周年慶典辦多些活動。據我所知,本地的宇宙長跑會也會組了大型團參加,反應十分踴躍。

我曾參加去年十一月的古典馬拉松,宇宙長跑半年前邀請我向會友講解馬拉松賽道及比賽注意事項。這個馬拉松最難忘的四件事包括,在古奧運場衝線的激動、連續十多二十公里上斜路、起跑初段的滂沱大雨、及賽道兩旁之冷清。希臘人不知跑到那裡去了,半個雅典在休眠。

希臘是馬拉松的發源地,但希臘人並不見得對長跑及馬拉松熱衷,古典馬拉松更曾一度中斷停辦。若不計本屆,古典馬拉松從來不是世界上熱門的賽事,並不難報名。

馬拉松鎮(Marathonas)只是平凡小鎮。雅典軍2500年在這裡打敗波斯軍,以這地方的歷史和文化意義,絕對可以弄個「聯合國文化遺產」,但今天整個鎮連一間像樣的酒店也沒有、街上找不到賣明信片的商店、沒有馬拉松的紀念品、沒有馬拉松戰役紀念館、沒有向遊客說明馬拉松鎮歷史文化的展版。馬拉松博物館也只是近年才建好。

鎮中唯一的銅像,不是雅典兵菲迪普斯、不是第一屆奧運馬拉松冠軍史匹登,而是廈門馬拉松賽會送來一尊名為「永不停步」的銅像,擺放在博物館門外。

大概連鎮政府也不認為,馬拉松鎮有甚麼旅遊價值,值得要旅客在這裡宿一宵。我是來這裡是跑馬拉松,不是特地來觀光,但那些刻意來這裡尋馬拉松根、對歷史有幻想的旅客,肯定要失望而回了。

這個馬拉松周日早上,沒有馬拉松鎮的居民出來為你打氣,第一個為我們拍掌的是印度人。無論是遍遠的山區,還是雅典的市中心,連人也找碰不到多少,枉論有路人為你鼓掌,只有水站熱情的義工為你打氣,店鋪也沒有多少開門營業。

這四十二公里,你可以清楚聽到自己的心跳、及每踏在地上那一下撞擊,四周死寂的氣氛跟香港馬拉松差不多。當然希臘的公路沒有隔音屏障阻擋視野、天氣較涼、還有郊外、山景、小鎮,風景也算不壞。

若沒有最後一百米古奧運會場衝線這一段、你也不覺得希臘古典馬拉松的獎牌很重要(這是我參加的原因),這個馬拉松是可以不參與的。

曾經讀過美國版《Runner’s World》一篇關於希臘的文章。作者花了很久,才找到一名曾跑馬拉松的鎮民,這名跑手告訴作者:「腳也跑到流血了,幾經辛苦以四個半小時衝線。但這才是惡夢的開始…坐巴士由雅典回馬拉松鎮,沒有一人讓座給我。回到家後,母親問我去了那裡?我告訴她參加馬拉松。她嚇了一跳,最後連飯也沒有弄給我吃。」

禮失求諸野,馬拉松運動已在全世界遍地開花,但在這個有膾炙人口傳說、馬拉松運動搖籃的小鎮,倒沒有多少人珍重這傳統,只希望這次百年一遇的機會,讓馬拉松運動,重新在馬拉松鎮和雅典生根。

2010年10月9日星期六

蘇梅馬拉松三.風土文化

熱到半死,看到廣告但又無得飲凍啤,多麼淒慘...

去蘇梅跑記住帶錢,才可以到兩旁店鋪買凍飲!

不知道她在晒甚麼泥土?

這裡賣汽油寫英文,因為多外國人住在這裡租車。跑過N個攤檔,價錢大概是90-100元一支,這個檔將近全蘇梅最平了。

蘇梅有全泰國唯一一間Rum酒廠。

所謂有可樂是流料,原來是說:要可樂,請去前面間7-11買。

估計是在曬咸魚?

蘇梅馬拉松二.牛象好人好事

摸佢pat pat時都驚驚地,驚佢好似斑馬咁,虎尾腳踢你,但隻水牛乖到爆,任摸唔嬲!

都係第一次跑馬拉松見到象!仲要有咁多隻,想像自己參加Safari Run...

新加坡跑友Mohan,我僅有的跑過百馬拉松的朋友。跟Mohan跑很開心,只有他比我拍更多照片,我們一起跑了數公里,牛與象都是他幫忙拍的。

與和尚合照是男跑手的專利了!

跑馬拉松一定會肚餓,大會沿途沒有食物供應,幸有好香蕉大嬸讓我免費吃蕉。我到我吃,後面那三個跑手立即衝上前,掃掉嬸嬸一抽蕉。

泰國太熱,未捱到下一個水站已頂唔順,要問路邊民居取水!