a full marathon without supplies


This was an unexpected, unprepared full marathon.



The Kaifeng Marathon Association scheduled a 36-kilometer rehearsal run for the Zhengkai Marathon on February 27th. Due to work reasons, I initially did not plan to participate in the entire event, but I couldn't resist the itch to try it again after a long time. Codoon's marathon season was in Tokyo! It might even be the last stop. As a Kaifeng native, how could I remain indifferent? Kaifeng was historically known as Tokyo Bianliang. So, I decided to run the full marathon.


I got off work at 10 PM, prepared my gear, and went to bed at 11 PM after dinner. The alarm was set for 2:12 AM. I received a nuisance call shortly after midnight. I woke up at 2 AM, unable to sleep with my goal in mind. I hydrated and had some rice porridge. I dressed, checked everything again, then opened the app and did some stretches. I went downstairs and started running.


Feeling not at my best, I decided to run the first 10 kilometers at a 6-minute pace, then cross the Zhengkai Bridge for the half marathon. I would assess my condition for the rest. After all, it was my first time running a full marathon without any support.




I headed west along Songcheng Road, mostly catching green lights. I wouldn't challenge cars with my body, nor do I want anyone to violate traffic rules. Life is precious, so please take care! Night running requires extra caution! I warmed up at a 6-minute pace until I reached the Zhengkai Bridge. There were few pedestrians, just the occasional quarreling couple or night-shift worker. The bridge was empty, making it feel like a personal marathon. My long-time dream was to run a half marathon on the bridge. The temperature was 5 degrees, and the air was good. I started to speed up, running at a 5-minute pace. When I turned back at the end of the bridge, my right knee hurt, so I paused to massage it. Without any support, I decided not to exceed 25 kilometers or drop below a 6:30 pace. By 30 kilometers, I couldn't maintain a 6:30 pace anymore. I managed to get some water from a rotating sprinkler head. The slower I ran, the colder it got. By 5 AM, the temperature had dropped to near freezing with wind. In over two hours, I saw fewer than 20 people, including a skinny guy with glasses running. I finally completed my goal of a half marathon on the bridge. My body felt okay, and my legs were fine.




With an hour and a half left before our 7 AM meeting at Longting Front Gate, the remaining 11 kilometers should be easier. I ran leisurely, enjoying the city lights, surprisingly maintaining a 5:30 pace without much effort. Previously, I would be exhausted after 30 kilometers. The weekly half marathons this winter had paid off, improving both my agility and endurance. To avoid low blood sugar from running on an empty stomach, I bought a bottle of water and two lollipops at an internet cafe at 35 kilometers, immediately consuming one. More people were on the streets, and electric scooters whizzed by. The streetlights had gone out, and it was cloudy with no sun. I ran into Daliang Gate, humming a tune after three hours of running. My music player had long died, and the noise of passersby drowned out the music in my head. I turned at Xinjiekou, passed through the ancient Songdu Imperial Street, and reached Longting Square. With 3 kilometers left, I ran counterclockwise around the lake, hoping to see old friends, but they were likely preparing for the 7 AM rehearsal.



I completed the 43 kilometers around the lake, achieving my goal! The entire run took 4 hours and 19 minutes, which was unexpected yet reasonable. Unexpected because I didn't expect to run so easily and quickly. My previous four full marathons didn't break 5 hours, and I aimed to break 5 this time. Reasonable because my efforts hadn't been in vain. The roads I ran didn't lie. Hard work pays off, and there's no regret after trying. This fifth full marathon surprised me, boosted my confidence, and motivated me. Two days later, I wanted to add the finishing touch by running around Bianxi Lake. I ran wildly to the dragon head, and when the wild path ended, I completed the half marathon in under 100 minutes! I was overjoyed; this had been my two-year goal, achieved in less than a year without preparation or support.




I took the bus back, feeling a bit carsick and almost vomiting. It seems I can't fully handle a pace of just over 4 minutes. Transforming an electric tricycle into a supercar is much harder than buying a new car! Moreover, we built it ourselves, purely by hand! Every runner is unique, without exaggeration. The roads you run won't speak or lie. Your sweat doesn't need to be measured, nor is it soy milk! Your efforts won't be wasted or in vain! You run towards your goals. After achieving them, you'll realize how strong and resilient you are. It's easy to surpass others, but constantly surpassing yourself is hard. You enjoy the process of self-transcendence, moving yourself with your steps, understanding life through running, and feeling life through running. You are a runner, running with your heart. The difference between a runner and a jogger is insight! Running is a practice, reflection, Zen, and wisdom. Life without running is life, but life with running is different. I don't know what running will change in me, but I know it has already changed me. For example, the words before you are a change. Running can be a belief or a religion. Whether you run or not, the road is always there!


Please don't call me a thinker or debater. I'm just a beginner runner, freely running in my mind. I'm merely sharing my experiences after long-distance running with those who don't understand marathons. We are not crazy; we are just playful runners seeking joy.



Created: 2016-03-09 08:46:10