Running Reimagined: Smart Plans for Fitness Enthusiasts [2865]

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, there is a folk ceremony to worship the God of Wealth: people set off firecrackers and fireworks to welcome the God of Wealth. Receiving the God of Wealth symbolizes that he will bring gold and silver treasures into the home, ensuring prosperity for the family in the new year.

Since there is a ceremony to worship the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, what deity should we runners, who have worked hard all year, worship? How about Wuyan Zu lists a few 'running gods' for everyone to worship? Maybe you'll set a new personal best in this year's races.

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Kua Fu, the leader who sacrificed for the survival of his tribe

The first running god recommended by Wuyan Zu is Kua Fu, known for his public spirit and great love.

During the time of the Yellow Emperor, there was a great mountain in the north where the Kua Fu tribe lived. The Kua Fu people were enthusiastic about public welfare, skilled in running, and possessed great strength. However, the world was desolate and backward at that time, with poisonous snakes and fierce beasts rampant, making life very difficult for people. The leader of the Kua Fu tribe often led his people to fight against floods and fierce beasts for their survival.

One year, there was a drought, and the scorching sun baked the earth, destroying crops and drying up rivers. To ensure the survival of his tribe, Kua Fu vowed to catch the sun and make it obey human commands. Thus, while the sun moved across the sky, Kua Fu chased it on the ground like a whirlwind. He ate wild fruits when hungry and drank river water when thirsty. After running for nine days and nights, Kua Fu became exhausted and thirsty. After drinking up the Yellow River and the Wei River, he died of thirst on his way to the Great Lake. Later, his staff turned into a peach forest, and his body became Kua Fu Mountain...

Later, people used the story of Kua Fu chasing the sun to praise his spirit of benefiting future generations. Would you choose this public-spirited runner Kua Fu as your running god?

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Dai Zong, the Swift Star who could run 800 miles a day

When it comes to running gods, we must mention Dai Zong, the Swift Star from 'Water Margin'. Those who have read 'Water Margin' know that Dai Zong was originally a jailer under Cai Jiu, the prefect of Jiangzhou. He was known for his running skills. Most famously, he ran 800 miles a day to deliver a message for Song Jiang. Ranked 20th among the heroes of Liangshan, his star number was the Swift Star. His nickname, 'Swift Star', indicates his speed and running prowess, earning him the title of 'Flying Legs'.

So what does running 800 miles a day mean, and does it qualify him as a running god? Let's calculate:

Assuming one mile equals 500 meters, running 800 miles a day translates to 400,000 meters a day. This means he ran 400,000 meters / 24 hours = 16,666.667 meters per hour, approximately 277.777 meters per minute, and about 4.629 meters per second.

Comparing this to the world marathon record holder, Kenyan runner Dennis Kimetto, who holds a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 57 seconds for 42 kilometers (42,000 meters), which translates to 7,377 seconds, his speed is approximately 5.69 meters per second. Thus, Dai Zong's speed is not as fast as the modern marathon world record holder Kimetto.

However, in terms of endurance, Dai Zong, who historically ran 800 miles a day in 'Water Margin', is undoubtedly a running god. After all, maintaining high-speed movement for an entire day is something only an engine could achieve.

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Pheidippides, the warrior who sacrificed for victory

Marathon was originally a place name in Greece. In 490 BC, in the town of Marathon, the Greeks won a war against the Persians. To quickly deliver the news of victory to Athens, a warrior named Pheidippides was sent to run from Marathon to Athens.

Although Pheidippides was already exhausted from the war, he was filled with determination when given this task. He ran the 42 kilometers to Athens as fast as he could, but upon arrival, he was so exhausted that he died after delivering the news of victory. To commemorate this warrior, the marathon race was introduced in the first modern Olympic Games.

Therefore, this warrior can also be considered a running god.

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Usain Bolt, the miracle of humanity

If we must mention a modern person everyone knows, it has to be Usain Bolt. This Jamaican sprinter holds the world records for the men's 100 meters and 200 meters. 'I don't know how fast he can run; he doesn't seem human, more like an extraterrestrial,' said Chinese sprinter Liu Xiang about Bolt.

So how fast is he? In August 2009, Bolt set the 100 meters world record of 9.58 seconds in Berlin, Germany. The host at the time described him as an engine stronger than a Ferrari. From the 2008 Beijing Olympics to the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bolt won 9 Olympic gold medals across three consecutive Olympics, with world records in three events bearing his name. Known as the 'Lightning Bolt', this world-renowned sprinter has become a miracle in the world of athletics with his achievements.

Would you consider him a running god?

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Conclusion

Whether it's the ancient Kua Fu, the Swift Star from 'Water Margin', the warrior who sacrificed for victory, or the well-known Bolt, running represents life, loyalty, and victory. Each era has its own significance, but running symbolizes these values. From this perspective, they are all undoubtedly running gods.

Of course, you could also mention Sun Wukong with his 108,000-mile somersault cloud or Cao Cao who arrives instantly. Feel free to share your thoughts with Wuyan Zu in the comments!

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