100 days he ran 4050 kilometers

@RunnerBear, whose real name is Xiong Xianjun, is from Shaanxi. He came to Shanghai for university in 2006 and fell in love with running the same year because of the Shanghai Marathon. He has been running for ten years as of this year. On September 10, 2016, he set off from the Shanghai Bund to travel alone by running. He successfully completed a 4050-kilometer journey from Shanghai to Kunming.

The direction of moving forward includes not only roads but also the heart.

1. First of all, congratulations on completing the challenge. Can you tell us about the overall completion of the challenge?(Total mileage/cities passed/number of accompanying runners, etc.)

Footprints from Shanghai to Kunming, 4050 kilometers

Running from the Shanghai Bund to Dianchi Lake in Kunming, I completed a total of 4050 kilometers over 116 days, with 93 actual running days. I passed through six provinces: Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan, covering 48 cities and over 200 towns, with more than 500 runners accompanying me. The journey was smoother than I imagined. I believe: with a kind heart, heaven will bless you.

2. What made you think of taking on such a challenge at that time?

Enthusiastic friends in Kunming

I never considered this running trip a challenge; running is just my way of traveling. I see it more as an exploration to discover all the beautiful unknowns. Meeting people and stories, and pursuing happiness and beautiful things, is my original intention. And facts have proven that I encountered enough stories with my own feet, and this experience is a wealth of my life. Along the way, there were typhoons, torrential rains, scorching sun, and extreme cold at high altitudes. These experiences are precious because I have a dream in my heart, so these are not difficulties. I wanted to do what I most wanted to do at the prime of my life, so I went.

3. In your sports circle, we saw many runners accompanying you. Are there any that left a deep impression on you?

Every photo is a story, and every accompanying runner is etched in my heart. They are all very memorable because the road was run with my own feet. Perhaps few runners can truly feel the sense of 'runners around the world are one family,' but I was lucky to experience it to the fullest. When I went to a city, many runners informed me in advance that they were waiting in that city, which filled me with anticipation. When I actually arrived, the enthusiastic welcome from the city's runners made me feel like I had family there, making the city feel particularly affectionate. It's not because the city is beautiful, but because of the enthusiastic friends there that I remember the city deeply.

Professor at Huaqiao University in Xiamen: Zhao Ziyu

There are many deeply impressive events, so I'll list a few. I remember when passing through Xiamen, Professor Zhao Ziyu accompanied me for a day, took me to his office, and I found out he was much more impressive than I imagined. He had run numerous 24-hour ultramarathons and countless marathons. He had participated in the 800-mile Liusha Challenge. When I held Professor Zhao's General Tiger Talisman, the heavy feeling conveyed an indomitable spirit, which is the spirit of Chinese ultramarathons. He became my role model, and having a role model makes it less tiring.

Some of the runners who accompanied me, thank you for being with me along the way.

When passing through so many cities, every segment with the runners was very memorable. I remember in Wenzhou, it rained heavily all day, and during a workday, more than 40 runners took time off to accompany me. Their high spirits running in the rain gave me even more determination. Many times, runners waited for me at their segments, and when they said, 'We've been waiting for you for a long time, finally seeing you,' and when they handed me over to the next group of runners, saying, 'Take care of him,' and the response was, 'Rest assured, we'll take good care of him,' these simple yet heartwarming words were the most powerful. A word of trust gave me infinite strength; a word of reassurance conveyed true human affection.

4. What other events left a deep impression on you?

When I went to Linhai, friends took me to visit the Jiangnan Great Wall. They told me that when they were children, they used to insert coins into the wall, which was very fun. Decades have passed, and the wall has weathered and needs maintenance. Each household needs to contribute money. They also told me stories and the history of the Great Wall. These stories that accompanied their growth made me deeply remember the historical origins of the Great Wall. True travel allows you to touch history with your hands, and at that moment of touch, you can feel the space-time from a thousand years ago.

Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau

I remember one day the weather was particularly good, but that day I had to climb the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, running 70 kilometers from an altitude of 300 meters in Guangxi to over 1400 meters in Guizhou. It wasn't really running, but climbing, walking along winding roads, pushing my luggage cart. Because it was the border between two provinces and entering the plateau, there were no accommodations or restaurants for 70 kilometers. When I reached the top, I burst into tears, looking at the road I had traveled, and with friends' concern, seeing the grandeur of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, I was moved to tears. It was so beautiful. I reached a county town late at night, very tired but very satisfied. This is a feeling that other travel methods can never experience, and this is why I love ultramarathons. Only different methods can provide such beautiful enjoyment.

Founder of Shanghai Ultramarathon: Aris / Explorer: Jin Feibao and runners in Kunming

The last stop was Kunming. Friends from Shanghai who saw me off at the start flew to Kunming to welcome me. My good brother, Aris, the founder of the Shanghai Ultramarathon, supported me with his feet without many words. Ten years ago, explorer Jin Feibao, who had climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents and trekked to both poles, accompanied me in Kunming for four or five days, arranging everything in Kunming. Before meeting Jin Feibao, I felt his experience was like a giant, but after hugging him, the imagined distance disappeared. Perhaps the more successful a person is, the more humble they are. Listening to Jin Feibao's stories for those few days made me realize that my passion was insignificant compared to his. Having a giant accompany me strengthened my dream.

There are many more profound stories, and everyone will gradually understand!

5. Many people are curious about the baby stroller you push. Why did you think of bringing it for running? Wouldn't it be better to run empty-handed?

My 'running companion artifact'

This stroller is not an ordinary one; it can be called a running artifact. It is a sports stroller designed specifically for running and can also be used to push a baby while running. I use it to carry my luggage because I travel alone and need to bring a lot of luggage. Running empty-handed is impossible with dozens of kilograms of baggage. On the strong recommendation of friends, I brought the stroller.

6. Have you heard any opposition or doubts about your challenge? How do you view these voices?

Starting from Shanghai, returning here

I never considered this a challenge; it's just my way of traveling with passion. At the prime of my life, I do what I most want to do. I only care about my inner voice. Every day is new, meeting different friends, encountering different stories, filled with hope and expectation, and living happily and genuinely every day. Doubts and opposition have nothing to do with me. On the road is my dream, and there is never a shortage of doubts on the road to dreams. Living is not for others to see or to prove how strong I am, but to truly live. I live for happiness and to pass that happiness to others, which I find meaningful enough.

7. Many people ask, don't you need to work? How do you have so much time?

Yes, I quit my job to travel. I believe life has more possibilities and greater value and meaning waiting for me to realize. Traditional views dictate marriage, children, and supporting a family, which is fine. There's nothing wrong with working hard to earn money for a better life for your family. But some people live for their dreams, believing that dreams can be realized with their feet, not just defeated by reality. When I achieve my dreams, many people become stronger in their work or life because of my story, even starting to change. This is my life's value and meaning, and my social mission. Only a small number of people dare to persist in their dreams with action.

South of the Clouds

As for where I find so much time, in reality, time is the fairest thing. We all have 24 hours a day and are busy. I don't wait until I have money, time, or am old and can't go anywhere to remember my dreams. I don't live to have everything people want on the day I die but to live happily every day. I care about the process, not the result. We all have a measure of time in our hearts, and I don't have a minute more than anyone else.

8. Running an average of a marathon a day is very intense, exceeding the physical endurance of ordinary people. What is your basis for completing or daring to challenge this?(Physical preparation)What is it?

Life's stormy road

First, I started running ten years ago, which laid a solid foundation for me. Like a tree that can withstand wind and rain, not because it is sturdy, but because its roots have grown tens of meters. Ten years later, after running a full marathon, I don't have lactic acid buildup or much fatigue, just need enough sleep to recover. I'm just an ordinary person, but with ten years of accumulation and a well-trained mindset from running. I thoroughly understood the climate, weather, and geographical environment of each region and had a comprehensive physical examination. In recent years, I've been running and traveling, gaining valuable experience, which helped me complete the 4050-kilometer journey smoothly. It's not a spur-of-the-moment trip as people say.

9. If someone wants to take on a challenge similar to yours, would you support them? What advice would you give?

I'm back, come listen to the stories.

I support exploring the unknown, but first, you need to know why you are doing it, what it means to you, and whether you fully understand your body. If doing it makes you very happy, I will support it. If it's just to prove your strength or meet others' expectations, or if it makes you miserable, then reconsider. My advice is to do what your heart wants, fully understand yourself, and if it makes you happy, don't hesitate.

10. What is your biggest feeling and gain after completing the challenge?

Spring City Kunming

Actually, I want to say, let's replace the word 'challenge.' I prefer exploration and discovery. My biggest feeling is that I live genuinely every day, feeling fulfilled and happy. My biggest gain is having hundreds of friends across the country who accompanied me, giving me greater courage. Because of these friends, I have countless stories in just four months. The scenery, stories, and emotions along the way have become invaluable life wealth that money can't buy. This is my gain.

11. Do you have any new challenge plans for 2017?

After the Spring Festival, I will continue running and traveling, starting from Shanghai and heading north, passing through Nanjing, Qingdao, Beijing, Dalian, the three northeastern provinces, the northernmost Mohe, through the primeval forest of the Greater Khingan Range, to the vast Hulunbuir Grassland, and finally reaching Hohhot. I plan to cover 8000 kilometers in 2017. Only with a long enough distance can I encounter enough stories, so I will always be on the road, exploring and discovering.

12. Say a few words to those who have always supported you.

A mischievous kid

Thank you to all the friends who support me. Because of your support, I have the opportunity to realize my dreams. If you are not happy, follow me, and I will share the happiness I encounter on the road with you. If you feel the pressure of life is too great, follow me, and my persistence in dreams may give you some inner strength. If one day you feel your dreams are out of reach, don't worry, follow me, and I will give you the courage to persist. If you want to see a different world, follow me, and I will show you everything in this vast world. Who am I? I am the one who brings you happiness, hope, courage, and strength, always on the road witnessing dreams. I am the vegetarian runner, RunnerBear.