best runner Alee bright red personality plus strength

"Born in 1981, an amateur marathon enthusiast. For me, age is just a number, and I am always striving to become a more perfect version of myself. I've left my footprints in the Athens Marathon and the Great North Run in the UK, and I am determined to run around the world in the form of marathons. Healthy running, running into old age, is the most beautiful promise for us amateur marathon enthusiasts."

Personality plus strength, the direction is in my hands—let's step into the world of 'The Best Runner' @Alee Yan Hong and listen to her sports story.

Editor: How many marathons have you run?

Alee Yan Hong: So far, I have participated in five marathon races and two 100-kilometer trail runs. I've done more than twenty online marathons. I run a half marathon every week, with an average monthly mileage of 200 kilometers, and the most I've run in a month is 400 kilometers. I consider myself a hardcore running enthusiast and an amateur marathon die-hard.

Editor: Tell us about your most unforgettable running experience.

Alee Yan Hong: The most unforgettable run was this November when I participated in the Athens Marathon. An hour before the start, my period, which was a week late, finally arrived, causing my heart to flutter a bit. It seemed like it came just to greet this marathon. The Athens Marathon is a highly challenging course, with almost continuous uphill running for the first 30 kilometers. After 30 kilometers, it starts to descend. The cutoff time is 8 hours.

It was my first time running on an unfamiliar course without any companions. Along the way, I felt loneliness, fatigue, and even thoughts of giving up. But those thoughts quickly vanished. Since I carried a hydration pack, I only entered the aid station at 15 kilometers to drink some energy drinks. By the halfway point, due to the continuous uphill, I had blisters on both feet. However, I was reluctant to stop and adjust my socks. At 27 kilometers, I decided to stop and check. While waiting in line, I took off my socks and used a safety pin from my bib to pop the blisters on both feet. Then I continued running barefoot in my shoes. I finished the race in 5 hours and 10 minutes.

Editor: What is the biggest gain running has brought you?

Alee Yan Hong: Every girl has a heart that loves beauty. When you walk into a fashion store, see your favorite clothes, and want to try them on, only to be told by the salesperson, 'Sorry, ma'am, we don't have your size,' how heartbroken would you be? Initially, I also took many wrong turns. To lose weight, I barely ate three meals a day. But if I overate just one day a week, a week's efforts would be in vain. I also tried slimming teas and diet pills, but they made my heart feel abnormal—palpitations, nausea, dry mouth, and diarrhea. My blood pressure once dropped to 40/90, and the doctor told me I was close to a state of shock. Once, I almost fainted on the street, but luckily, a passerby helped me, preventing an accident. However, after I started running for fitness, I no longer needed to control my diet strictly. Because after exercising, my metabolism sped up significantly, and I often felt hungry. Exercise allows me to enjoy delicious food and makes my body age younger. Now, when I occasionally show friends photos from a few years ago, they all say, 'You are really aging in reverse. You look more energetic than a few years ago.'

Editor: What is your definition of a Running Girl?

Alee Yan Hong: Through the selection of 'The Best Runner' in the Running Girl competition, I want to advocate for healthy running and joyful running! Fitness and running should make us healthier and have stronger bodies so we can appreciate more beautiful journeys in life. Time will leave traces of years on your face, and each stage has different perfect life experiences. Without the accumulation of quantity, never compete with yourself. During the semi-finals of the Running Girl competition, entering the Leiling Moment and the Leiling Dual Engine Moment, you can earn double mileage with the help of running. At this time, I always remind my friends who support me to do what they can. Healthy running, running into old age, is the most beautiful promise for us amateur marathon enthusiasts!

This is the positive energy that needs to be conveyed by a Running Girl! I am honored to participate in the Running Girl selection, and advocating for healthy and joyful running is my goal in this competition. Age is just a number; pursue a more perfect self, and you can!

Running Girl is a large-scale national selection event for female runners initiated by Codoon. We thank GAC Toyota Leiling and Leiling Dual Engine, Rexona, and Watsons for their strong support of this event. The selection will be divided into three stages: auditions, semi-finals, and finals. Win big prizes and become Codoon's 2016 spokesperson! We look forward to meeting a better you on the running road!