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This was my first time participating in the Great Song 108 Trail Race. I had heard about its challenges and how the Rain God seemed to favor this event repeatedly. So when Peanut asked if I wanted to join, I replied, 'Can I register for the kilometers?'

Arranged, 50K....

Then I discovered my number was 001.

This year's events were quite frequent, leaving me with almost no time for systematic training. I mostly used races as training sessions.

Looking at Saturday's weather, it was still raining. Although I had climbed the mountains in Hangzhou a dozen times over the past two years since getting into trail running, I still felt a bit nervous about the endless stairs and the slippery rain.

Hmm, I thought finishing the race would be good enough...

It wasn't until I saw the big bag of race materials that I realized the race was really happening. Looking at the weather forecast, it was still predicting rain.

Thinking about the relatives who were about to visit,I touched my stiff legs from the Guangzhou Marathon,and felt a bit weak in the knees...

By the time I got home on Friday, it was already past 8 PM. I immediately started preparing my race gear.

As usual, I had pre-race syndrome. I searched through all the race bags at home and finally gathered the mandatory gear—rain jacket, headlamp, and some miscellaneous energy gels.I ceremoniously brought out my brand new second pair of Tecnica Lightning shoes.

Some say you shouldn't race in new shoes. Hmm, the Lightning might be an exception for me. From my first trail race until now, they have mysteriously fit perfectly.

I took a breath and snapped a photo, only to realize the headlamp batteries were dead (awkward). So I went downstairs in the middle of the night to buy AAA batteries.

Shop owner: 'Is it three AAA batteries?'

Me: 'You know me so well!'

The race started at 8 AM, which isn't early for a 100K race, but I still set my alarm for 5 AM.Because I dawdle,and I wanted to leave an extra hour to eat a few more bites of my favorite bread... I assume this is a common trait among women, haha.

The Tai Temple Square was already bustling. Everyone was eagerly preparing their gear. I saw my friend Miss Alalei from Ningbo, who ran over to hug me warmly, and other friends joined us for a group photo.I also saw many elite runners, including Panda from Running Sugar (the 25K champion), and many veterans who had run around West Lake with me.The emergency runners and volunteers were all raring to go.

I poured the cola I brought into my soft flask, planning to drink it at the first checkpoint as an energy boost.

I was testing the COROS APEX watch for this race. Fully charged, I liked its white strap and bright case, which felt clean and clear like a sunny autumn afternoon.

I finally stood at the starting line. Alalei and Liu Chao pulled me to the front. 'Candy, come take a photo!'

Hmm, the international tradition of taking a group photo on the road...

The first notable spot was Sun Erniang's Steamed Bun Shop, the base for the 100-day 100-marathon event. The buns here are made with old dough, giving them a solid texture. The volunteers were dressed as Song Dynasty people, inviting us to replenish our energy.

The weather was a bit cold, just right for running. I started with 500ML of water and 30ML of cola. Feeling warmed up, I didn't stop and continued forward.

After that, there were many dirt roads. The weather was overcast and cool, making it comfortable to run. I almost finished my cola.

I seemed to have walked this route last summer. As I groped my way forward, some of the trail markers were damaged. Just as I was worrying, a seasoned hiker came along. As an experienced trekker, he decisively said to go up, pointing out fresh footprints. Following him over a hill, I saw the long-missed trail markers.

Then I reached CP1. I felt I hadn't consumed much food or drink, so I planned to continue without stopping. Just then, I heard a familiar voice.'Candy, do you want to push yourself? The first place is just 2 minutes ahead!'I turned my head,and saw Zhu Anning leisurely shouting to me from CP1.I replied irritably, 'No, no, no, I just want to finish the race, not push myself.'

But honestly, my heart started racing. I told myself, 'Stay calm, Candy, don't forget how you fell like a dog on Laoshan...'

When I reached CP2, someone shouted from afar, 'Candy is here, you're so fast!'

I immediately saw Grandma Fu, who was a volunteer again! (I remembered the salted duck eggs she saved for me during my first 100K race and couldn't help but drool.)

I didn't even notice Grandpa Fu anxiously trying to check me in. I dove into Grandma's arms for food. She put a big handful of raisins in my hand, and without thinking, I poured them all into my mouth. Grandma hurriedly refilled my water bag and gave me some sports drinks.

Instantly, I felt fully recharged! I greeted them and continued running.

By the time I reached CP3, there were fewer women ahead of me. My stamina was still good, and being familiar with the mountains, I kept replenishing my energy, but only in small sips.

The mountains in Hangzhou are known for their many steps. The Great Song 108 route had a reasonable distribution of steps and trails, but the challenge came with the major climb between CP3 and CP4, with endless stairs going up and down.

The volunteers at CP3, Dream Chaser and President Gu Jianda, insisted I drink something hot and comforted me, saying I could catch up to the second place soon.

I smiled silently, feeling touched.

The IT band pain worsened, and I felt like crying on the downhill. I thought of my first 50K trail race. Even though I knew I had exceeded my limits, I still told myself, 'Pain makes you more awake.'

Hmm, just like that.

At CP3, my junior who was running with me was still nowhere to be seen. I started to worry because it had been raining continuously. I had given him my rain jacket shortly after the start, and the weather was getting colder. I began to worry about hypothermia and, after thinking for a while, called a friend.'I lost my rain jacket. Can you bring me one at CP4?'Then I hung up and continued forward silently, feeling anxious.

By the time I reached CP4, my lips were turning purple from the cold. Then I saw my friend waiting for me with a rain jacket!A million worries were lifted from my heart.And the Pathfinder brother at CP4 took out his stash of Nestlé black coffee! He blew on it to cool it down before giving it to me.

The small flame in my heart burned brightly. Rain or no rain, I was determined to finish the race.

At CP5, I met Sister Ailin, another warm-hearted volunteer. She gave me a huge steamed bun, which was delicious!

By this time, it was already dark. My companions were nowhere to be seen, and I continued on the road alone.

'Sister Ailin, how much further?'

'Almost there, just one last climb.'

'Will it be very dark?'

'Don't worry, there are small lights.'

I saw small white lights hanging on the trees and suddenly thought of a song lyric:'Star lights, guide me home, let the lost children find their way back.'

I hummed as I ran, making it less difficult. Then came a bunch of stairs. I drank the cola my friend brought, wrapped in my rain jacket, moving like a big dumpling. It was very dark, raining heavily, and foggy, with visibility getting lower. So I turned on my Six Feet app and imported the route. Later, I realized I had imported the 2016 Great Song 108 route, with the start and finish at Song City...Smart me didn't get lost, thanks to the dense trail markers. Otherwise, I would have ended up at Song City, crying and taking a taxi.

It was really scary at night. I thought it would be all boardwalks, but there was still a long stretch of dirt road. I vaguely remembered there were graves from walking there during the day.

Rainy night, alone, graveyard, dirt road, thick fog.I just focused on following the trail markers, carefully moving forward.Surprisingly, I didn't feel scared. Maybe because I was too focused, or maybe the heavy rain drowned out all other sounds.

As I approached Wushan, I met a volunteer auntie. She saw me with my headlamp in the dark and exclaimed:'Young lady, you're alone? You're really brave!'

I replied, 'I don't want to be alone either, auntie. There are no other runners around.' I felt a mix of amusement and a bit of pride.

Wushan was really beautiful, with twinkling lights in the mountains. I turned off my headlamp and quietly enjoyed the feeling of jogging on the boardwalk at night. My legs didn't hurt as much anymore.

Finally, I was almost there. I met two companions running the 50K, Mustang and Cupid! They led me to the finish line!

With 65% battery left on my watch, I completed the 2018 Great Song 108 Trail Race 50KM in 10 hours and 59 minutes.

Thanks to everyone who helped me,I will continue to train hard and move forward.

See you at the 2019 Great Song 108 Trail Race!