There's something about the Green Bridge. I don’t remember my first time there, but I'm sure I was thrilled. Nothing grandiose about it — it’s a simple, concrete bridge, surrounded by lush greenery on both sides. Maybe that's why it's painted green.
It rises 200 meters before descending back down, wide enough for four cyclists to ride side by side. Tucked away in Singapore's East Coast Park, this is a no-vehicle zone, a haven for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
The pedestrian path, where I always run, is made of metal sheets that sing underfoot. Charging up its steep incline, then whooshing down — it's exhilarating. When you're pushing uphill, seeing someone else effortlessly descending, there's a fleeting sense of envy. But soon, you're the one breezing down, and roles reverse.
Cyclists tackle the bridge differently. Seasoned bikers zip through, while newcomers face the slope as a rite of passage. It's a challenge, both for them and for runners like me. But that's what makes it special. Each trip to this bridge means at least a 12-kilometer run from my home and back — a commitment. Whether it's a training run for a marathon or a 'free' run without a fixed goal, it's always bliss to be here.
I've witnessed dawn break and twilight settle here, even basked under moonlit skies. Sometimes, I break my no-stop-while-running rule just to soak in the view from the top. This bridge is more than a running path – it's a monument to perseverance, a reminder that challenges are meant to be conquered. It’s where I practiced hill running after realizing I lagged in slopes, where I accompanied my teenager on her skates, and where I pushed my limits to a 35-kilometer training run.
I don’t remember my first time here, but I’m sure I would have felt a surge of pride — a once-noob runner, halfway through a daunting 12 kilometers.
Life changed, we moved a little further away, and visits to the Green Bridge dwindled. But it remains a point of reference, a landmark I point out to my kids on drives.
Recently, my 12-year-old said out of the blue, “I have never been to the green bridge you keep talking about.” That had to change.
So, this morning, we biked there together. For him, unused to long rides, it was tiring but fulfilling. Watching his pride in completing a 15-kilometer journey, I knew the Green Bridge had cast its spell again. A sense of achievement, a well-fought challenge.
Call me an unwavering optimist but I see the Green Bridge as a symbol of unfaltering optimism. Life will always keep throwing challenges. But it would also give you the strength to accept them and conquer them. You might cruise through the tiny challenges. You might take a moment to pause and celebrate your victories. No matter what you choose, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you find your green bridge, if you haven't yet.