always pb my dad you are my role model
April 3rd, the eighteenth day of the second lunar month, is Old Wang's birthday.
Old Wang is now fifty years old, having crossed the halfway mark of life.
- 01 -
Old Wang got into marathons on September 17th, two years ago. I accompanied him for his first online full marathon. He used Codoon for the first time, and then on October 16th, I accompanied him to his first offline full marathon—the Guang'an Red Marathon.
On the Guang'an track, he ran his first marathon with a time of 3:36.
As for me, I ran my personal worst time, which left me mentally devastated, but I was happy for Old Wang.
I started running on July 10, 2015, and Old Wang started even earlier than me, but he didn't run much or fast. Then on March 18, 2016, I completed my first marathon—the Chongqing International Marathon. After that, I began to encourage Old Wang to run marathons."If I want to run, I can just run at home. Why spend money to participate in races? Are you crazy?"As expected, Old Wang dismissed the idea with disdain.
Fortunately, I inherited Old Wang's 'never give up' spirit and successfully persuaded him.
At that time, I was genuinely attracted by the charm of marathons. After all, I was a girl who, after finishing her first marathon, still felt unsatisfied and wanted to run again.Later, I thought that having someone to accompany me in future races would be nice, and I wouldn't be nagged by Old Wang for being too skinny (I was only 83 pounds then).The best part was that travel expenses for races would be reimbursed.Unexpectedly, Old Wang fell in love with marathons and became even more enthusiastic about participating in races than I was.
From Guang'an two years ago to last year's Chongqing, Liupanshui, Beijing, Guang'an, Guangzhou, and then this year's Chongqing. Fortunately, Old Wang and I always managed to travel together, compete together, achieve personal bests together, get injured together, and even miss our flight together after both achieving personal bests at last year's Guangzhou Marathon. We were left staring at each other in frustration and amusement at the airport.
- 02 -
I have been running for nearly three years now, covering over 8,000 kilometers.
Old Wang has been running for nearly two years, covering over 6,000 kilometers.
Both Old Wang and I are diligent and serious runners.
Old Wang and I have never been very close.
So, Old Wang probably doesn't know how to care for me.
To me, Old Wang has always been a figure I fear. The word 'father' makes me feel nervous and scared.From childhood to adulthood, I never received a birthday gift from Old Wang. He rarely even wished me a 'happy birthday.'In my memory, the only thing Old Wang ever did for me was cook noodles once when I was a child. He never showed interest in my studies.
Old Wang has done many 'excessive' things. For example:Old Wang never encouraged me, no matter what achievements I made. He would never praise me.When I published a book, Old Wang would mock me, saying it wouldn't sell much.When I participated in a cooking competition, Old Wang would say I wasn't good enough.When I drew well, Old Wang would say it was useless.When I ran 10 kilometers in 40 minutes, Old Wang would say my watch was faulty.
He never took me for running training (though I must correct this: I actually taught Old Wang most of the running knowledge and methods he knows, feeling proud for a minute here), because he thought I was too slow and would hold him back. Yet, he would accompany friends who ran even slower than me. This always made me feel resentful.
I'll skip over many words here because if I continue to write negatively, I might get kicked out of the house...
- 03 -
However, Old Wang is actually a warm-hearted person. Although this warmth sometimes requires a 'microscope' to see.I admire Old Wang's integrity, his broad-mindedness, his sharp tongue, and his perseverance.
Old Wang is a very talented and capable person. His disdain for flattery has caused him some trouble, but Old Wang is just Old Wang. He is my dad. He is broad-minded enough. Old Wang taught me through his actions that 'gold will always shine. Instead of complaining, it's better to improve yourself and become better.'
Two years ago, Old Wang had a car accident.He broke more than ten ribs and fractured his collarbone. It took a long time for him to recover, but even before he was fully healed, Old Wang was happily running with a steel-plated arm.What made me happiest was that, from then on, I was no longer the only one being called a 'running maniac'; Old Wang joined me.
Last year on my birthday, I received my first birthday gift from Old Wang—a sports watch. Although I had to ask for it, it was still the first gift from Old Wang.The feeling of being touched in my heart was overwhelming.
Old Wang is amazing; his marathon times have already met the Boston Marathon qualifying standard.
I said, 'Old Wang, I will work hard to reach the BQ standard soon so we can run Boston together.'Old Wang said, 'It's too expensive; I'm not going.'I said, 'I'll work hard to earn money and cover all your expenses.'
I said, 'Old Wang, you're so lazy. Look at all your gear, from clothes to shoes to watches, and every race's tickets and hotels are all arranged by me. And you? You just bring yourself.'Old Wang said, 'I can pay for it.'I said, 'Old Wang, look, my half-marathon time is getting closer to yours.'
Last year, Old Wang said, 'At least I finished the half-marathon in under 1:30.'I said, 'Old Wang, you ran a personal worst, and I achieved a personal best in Guang'an. Despite all the hills, my time was better than in Beijing. Your time wasn't even as good as your first year in Guang'an. Ha! Ha! Ha!'
In the end, 'Look, I didn't waste a single second. Chongqing Marathon 3:09:59.' Old Wang's satisfied and proud smile showed what it means for fortunes to change.
Old Wang, to me, you are always a goal to strive towards.
I love talking about running with Old Wang all day long.I love watching 'If You Are the One' with Old Wang, making fun of who looks suspicious while seriously talking nonsense.
I love feeling slightly nervous yet excited with Old Wang when we go to a new city for a race.
I love the excitement that lasts for half a day after achieving a personal best with Old Wang, then endlessly discussing every detail of the race, every point of collapse, every moment of gritting our teeth, and then every gain and reflection.
I love participating in the hometown's 100-kilometer road run with Old Wang, running back to our childhood home.
I once said that one of the main reasons I love running is its independence; it doesn't require company and has a primal solitude.
But at the same time, it gains a touch of tenderness and emotion from the seemingly contradictory companionship. 'Although I can only see Old Wang's back every time I start, I know that as long as he is waiting for me at the finish line, I feel at ease.'
Running has created a bond between Old Wang and me that goes beyond blood relations, adding a sense of mutual understanding.Old Wang's white hair and wrinkles are increasing, but these memories are no longer dry.Once we start running, they become warm and moist.
Happy 50th birthday, Old Wang.Thank you for being with me on the running path and in life.