almost thirty years old first time flying for an off road race

Returning from a trip to Xi'an filled with food and sightseeing, I am bursting with complaints, yet hesitant to put pen to paper. I am very grateful for this opportunity to step out of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai free shipping zone and come to the Qinling International Trail Challenge, where I experienced the endless fun of trail running.

01.

As a man nearing thirty, I was extremely excited to take my first flight. After picking up the plane tickets, my companion and I sat down to rest. We heard the announcement: 'Passengers who have not yet collected their boarding passes, please proceed to check-in.' Anxiously, I asked the staff:

'Hello, where do we get our boarding passes?'

'Isn't that what you're holding in your hand?'

It turns out the plane ticket is the boarding pass! How embarrassing...

We landed around seven o'clock, hurried to the hotel to collect our gear, and it was already past eleven when I lay down. I closed my eyes to rest, preparing for a wild day in the mountains tomorrow.

Photo caption: 'Nanjing Gang' group photo at the starting point

02.

Having neglected systematic running for half a year, I was surprised to find myself in great form, striding confidently and staying with the leading group.

'Would you like a drink or mineral water?' A volunteer was busy helping me fill my water bag.

'One for water, one for the drink, and put another bottle in my backpack.'

Ahead is Despair Slope, and CP2 only marks the checkpoint without providing supplies. I need to carry enough water for the 15-kilometer ascent, which climbs nearly 2000 meters. Just thinking about it is thrilling.

A slope of seventy to eighty degrees, with loose stones, decayed wood, soft soil, and vines, it was like a survival challenge with no way back. I buried my head and climbed arduously upward.

'Watch out for falling rocks, be careful.'

'Got it, everyone stay safe!'

Trail friends called out to remind each other, and stones occasionally slid down beside us. Some stones were as smooth and large as 'Guo Da-Statham's' forehead.

'Is this trail running or wilderness survival?'

'Paying to suffer, it's much better to stay home with the air conditioning and eat watermelon!'

Despair Slope instantly became a 'complaint zone' where we engaged in a war of words.

The grueling climb finally ended, and I reached CP3.

'How many people are ahead in the 50k?' I asked the volunteer while gnawing on a big bun.

Photo caption: Nearly vertical descent on soft soil, relying entirely on sliding down (like a slide)

'There are probably four or five in the 50k.'

I stuffed down three buns and drank two bowls of tomato egg soup. After filling my soft water bag, I hurried on my way.

The small flame in my heart was instantly ignited, and shamelessly, I even thought about standing on the podium.

After running two kilometers, the buns and soup felt like a nuclear reactor in my stomach. Overeating combined with running caused a stitch and bloating. Unable to bear it, I slowed down to digest.

Running under the scorching sun of over thirty degrees, the burning sensation on my shoulders and the heat in my body washed away the dirt from sliding down earlier.

03.

At the last supply point, volunteers proactively fanned me with cardboard to cool me down, and I sat down to munch on watermelon.

'Seeing you guys is so comforting. I've been looking forward to this since the last CP point, like seeing family.'

'We volunteers are even happier to see you. We've been looking forward to you too.'

Sitting under the canopy, I chatted away, getting more and more excited.

'Your mental state is better than the previous ones.'

'Really? I feel okay physically, just too much sun...'

'The previous ones just drank some water and left without saying much.'

'I'm afraid of getting tanned...' (though I'm already dark)

The hardest part was over, with only the last stretch of country road left. I jogged along, with volunteers at every turn guiding and cheering me on. It felt great, not fighting alone.

Photo caption: Eyes shining upon seeing the arch...

When Squid Brother finished the TNF Qinling Station on May 20th with an injury, I told him:

'You did your best, no regrets!'

Squid Brother said:

'No, doing your best means no regrets.'

This time, I have no regrets either.

Photo caption: My 2, my 2, accompanying me to the finish line

Photo caption: Almost in the top ten, the revolution is not yet successful, men still need to work hard

Life is like trail running, starting with full hope and beautiful expectations, traversing mountains and forests in the morning sun, experiencing the unknown and challenges. In fact, trail running is life, and life is trail running. Only by truly experiencing, trying, and going through it can you discover that trail running is actually experiencing life.