When you open the car door and walk with your own two feet, the endless land is not the only thing you can see. — 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry'
A long time ago, while casually browsing the Codoon sports circle, I stumbled upon the 'Codoon Tianjin Running Group.' Seeing many runners join, I decided to join as well. Later, I also joined the Codoon Tianjin Running Group's QQ group. Perhaps due to my personality, I don't like speaking in front of many people, so even after joining, I rarely spoke. When Da Kai wanted to add me to the WeChat group, I hesitated because I was afraid I wouldn't have anything to say. However, the warm welcome from everyone in the group dispelled my worries. They joked, teased, and even sent red envelopes. The group leader, Ba Jie, introduced the members, and even the group owner, Li Shao, said that Mao'er was an active member. Hmph~ I won't tell them how shy I used to be (sneaky smile).
The Codoon Tianjin Running Group was established in October, with running activities every Saturday. I had wanted to join for a long time but was always held back by various things. After seeing the photos of the 'Traditional Chinese Medicine University Run' activity, with so many people skipping rope and exercising together, I was moved by their youthful energy. I could no longer suppress my restless heart and decided to participate in the next event to experience their atmosphere.
On January 9th, I finally participated in the group's seventh 'Galaxy Run.' That day was definitely the happiest day of my running journey. I had originally planned to meet Da Kai at the Yanghuo Market to take the Jinbin Line 3 to Tianjin Station, but then Tongxin Jie decided to join us and mentioned there was a convenient car going to the city. So, we met at Haimen Bridge, and it turned out the driver was Er Ge from the running group. We drove from Datanggu to Hexi's Galaxy Plaza in a grand procession.
In the picture are Er Ge, Tongxin Jie, Mao'er (me), and Da Kai.
Tongxin Jie and Er Ge had run together a few times before, but the rest of us were meeting for the first time. We greeted each other. If there was any awkwardness at the first meeting, it completely disappeared after the activity. We chatted and laughed like old friends, sharing our running experiences. The run was scheduled for 10 AM. Worried about traffic, we left early and arrived at Galaxy Plaza at 9 AM. The group's activities are always held in the city, and we are the farthest away, over 100 kilometers from the event location. The night before, Ba Jie reminded us to be on time, but we arrived an hour early. After greeting everyone in the WeChat group, Ba Jie and Li Shao arrived. Before the group was formed, Ba Jie and I had agreed that if I went to the city, I would run there; if she came to Tanggu, she would run a lap there. Haha~ This time, our agreement came true. Seeing them approach from afar, I ran to greet them.
Dear group leader, Ba Jie~
Dear group owner, Li Shao~ Li Shao is my 'exclusive nickname' for him. When I joined his sports circle, I saw he wrote his age as 18, so I called him '18-year-old Li Shao,' or simply 'Li Shao.'
Dear 'Good Girl' Yuanyuan~
Ba Jie, Li Shao, and Yuanyuan arrived early to keep our Tanggu team from feeling lonely. While others greeted each other with handshakes, we hugged each other shyly, like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years. Soon, Zhao Shu, Chu Xinjie, and other runners arrived. They ran a lap around Galaxy Plaza, scouting the area and checking if any other runners were lost.
The '90s 'Little Question Mark' and the '70s 'Zhao Zhongdong' Zhao Shu~ I particularly like this photo. It represents the youngest and oldest members of the group, but every time I see it, I think of the 'Eighteen-Year-Old Duo.'
Er Ge, Tongxin Jie, Good Girl, me, once, Chu Xinjie.
While waiting for other runners, we ran a lap with Zhao Shu, Er Ge, and Chu Xinjie (who usually run at a 4-5 minute pace). We were in a hurry, and I didn't have time to bring gloves or an arm bag. Zhao Shu immediately took off one of his gloves for me and put my phone in his pocket, encouraging us as we ran, 'Let's warm up for the first kilometer, no need to run too fast, keep a 6-minute pace. Speed up in the second kilometer, aiming for a pace between 5 and 5.5 minutes. You can do it!' In the second kilometer, we sped up. 'Swing your arms, don't worry about your legs yet, swing your arms hard, high knees, run!' Zhao Shu guided us while running and even took photos for us.
Group photo of the Codoon Tianjin Running Group members who participated in the event, from left to right, top to bottom: Angel of the Sea, Jingguo, Why So Serious, Gao Qiang, Yao Ge, Zhao Shu, Name, Jing Song, Dong Liang, Er Ge, Smiling Fish, King, Chu Xinjie, Running Bike, A Drop of Water, Wild Fatty, Shan Shui, Mao'er, Kang Fukai, Qin Huan, Shallow Smile, Tongxin, Lin Jun, Dandelion, Guanke, Jing Si, Once, Little Question Mark, Baxian, Zhao Runing, Xiaomei, Good Girl, Lingling, A-Li. After running a lap, the main group arrived, and we took a group photo. That day, I broke my usual shyness and greeted everyone, shook hands, and introduced myself, 'Hi~ I'm Mao'er~ I came from Tanggu~.' There were still some people whose names I didn't catch or didn't get to greet, but I'll make sure to do so next time~
After the group photo, we started stretching and running together.
Let me demonstrate~ Haha~ Er Ge is my 'wall' to lean on~
We are learning to do push-ups with our knees as support~ (We are all diligent students [applause]~ Haha~) Because I didn't master the technique last week, my waist hurt for a week. After consulting Coach Yu, I also learned the techniques for squats, stretching the waist, and doing push-ups with knee support. I remembered everything and practiced slowly at home.
After the event, Er Ge drove Tongxin Jie and me to the station. Tongxin Jie and I had lunch, went shopping, and returned to Tanggu. It was my first time participating in the event, and instead of feeling unfamiliar, I felt a sense of belonging, like finding an organization. I also received many unexpected surprises.
The Codoon T-shirt prepared by Li Shao fit perfectly. Zhao Shu encouraged us while running, Er Ge and Chu Xinjie led us, Good Girl waited for me when my shoelace came undone, Tongxin Jie handed me her thermos after the run, Da Kai waited for everyone to sign in and distribute Codoon T-shirts, Ba Jie didn't run to take care of everyone, Smiling Fish watched our bags and clothes, Coach Yu prepared warm-up stretches, photographers Angel of the Sea, Jingguo, and Wild Fatty took our photos and added funny captions to make everyone laugh, Name promised to accompany me on night runs along the Haihe River, Da Kai and Tuo Ge promised to teach me cycling, Ba Jie and Li Shao worked hard for the group before it was formed, and many other friends silently contributed to the group.
Even though the run ended a long time ago, I am still immersed in the joy and emotion~ It's so great to know you all. Thank you, running, thank you, Codoon, for giving me a healthy body and introducing me to so many warm friends.
When I got home that night, I put on the Codoon T-shirt and didn't want to take it off~ It's so festive~ I will definitely wear the Codoon T-shirt to run in the summer.
A woman like the wind—Sister Pu~
Shanxi fellow Da Kai
Tuo Ge~ Shanxi fellow and schoolmate~ We've met, but he couldn't join the run due to work. Every time there's an event, he complains a little about not being able to participate. When the weather warms up and there's a night run, we can run and enjoy Tianjin's night scenery together. My first time participating in the event, and I even appeared on Tianjin TV. I was so flattered~
After the event, I met many new friends. Whenever something comes up, we discuss it together. Being far from home, I feel a sense of security, like having a family.
Whether we run to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain good health, I think we all share a common desire: to become better versions of ourselves. As Haruki Murakami said: 'Many people run with the feeling that it doesn't matter if they don't live to be a hundred, as long as they live perfectly in their lifetime.' The same ten years, living purposefully and energetically is far more satisfying than living aimlessly (excerpt from Haruki Murakami's 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running').
If my daily walking or jogging is to break through and challenge myself, then participating in this event is an even greater breakthrough. It marks another beginning of my personality change (I was already much better in college). I want to slowly step out of my introversion, out of my small circle, and become more lively and cheerful. I don't want to say too many thank yous because it might sound insincere and uncomfortable. Now, I just want to say, it's great to know you all. Let's exercise, use Codoon, and once again, thank you, running, thank you, Codoon, for introducing me to so many warm and lovely friends. Next time we meet, I will open my strong arms and warmly hug each one of you.
(Ps: Haha~ Finally found time to record this. I didn't want to wait too long and leave it unwritten. I don't want to forget this warm and positive family, the Codoon Tianjin Running Group. I want to remember every person here who makes my blood boil.)