blind runners light up the second half of life through running

At six in the morning, Beijing Olympic Park is not crowded with people exercising. At this moment, the dawn and the thin mist are the main characters here. On a track that circles the park, the runners are sparse but orderly. From their balanced strides, it is evident that this rhythm has been cultivated through long-term running practice.

Like them, Brother Wang (Codoon ID: @Xiaoyao1631690118), who has been running here for nearly two years, also has a steady pace. It seems as if an endless ocean lies before him, allowing him to roam freely in any direction.

However, no one would have guessed that this swift runner suffers from a congenital eye disease, making his vision much weaker than that of an average person. Even so, Xiaoyao remembers every road he has run on, every plant and tree, as if they were second nature to him. Now, he no longer needs to find volunteers to accompany him; he can run freely on his own. The path ahead unfolds under his running feet, bright and cheerful.

Xiaoyao runs 12 kilometers in just over an hour, which is enough exercise for one day. After reaching his daily running goal, Xiaoyao heads home to change clothes and go to work, with just enough time to spare. Like many visually impaired individuals in China, Xiaoyao works in a blind massage parlor. Before he started running, his life was a simple routine due to his long-term visual impairment, a flat but unremarkable path.

The beginning of life is predetermined, but the second half is up to oneself to choose and start, with exciting events happening along the way. Xiaoyao's second half began a new journey because of running. When talking about how he got into running, his words are calm, but his smile is as natural as the rising sun. Xiaoyao said that in his daily work and life, he gradually realized that the health of the people and friends around him was not ideal, which made him worry about his own health. Many people chose to run for their health. By chance, he came into contact with some volunteer runners who aimed to help visually impaired individuals. Encouraged by everyone, he decided to break out of his closed and dark space. Without much hesitation, after carefully preparing his gear, he started running with the volunteers. Before this, his family, concerned for his safety, did not strongly oppose but showed worry until they saw that volunteers accompanied him during his runs, providing professional safety assurance. Only then did his family feel truly at ease.

The first time he ran, Xiaoyao felt utterly exhausted, but this physical fatigue was matched by a mental relaxation, a release of spirit after being utterly spent. This made the once introverted Xiaoyao feel as if he had found a bright exit. During his runs, he met more local runners and volunteers, helping him adopt a healthier lifestyle. As his social circle expanded, he began to have more face-to-face interactions with fellow runners, gradually becoming more outgoing and steering his life onto a brighter path. Additionally, he actively participated in every running group event and organized free massages for the elderly in nursing homes with volunteers and fellow runners. Their footprints can be found in many sports venues, including the Olympic Park.

When he first started running, Xiaoyao was a novice in running techniques, and it was inevitable that his running style appeared somewhat casual. At this time, volunteers and fellow runners provided him with significant help, correcting his running posture and sharing running experiences. This assistance allowed him to improve steadily, gradually running according to his own rhythm without relying on volunteers. All this help and support transformed into running momentum, enabling him to achieve rapid progress. Xiaoyao started running in 2017, and by March 2018, he unexpectedly participated in his first full marathon. This rapid growth is surprising for a non-professional runner. In this first marathon, five or six volunteers ran with him, with one leading, one accompanying, and one supporting. Although he did not achieve the result he had hoped for, the companionship and encouragement he received along the way moved him deeply. In the 2018 Beijing Marathon, he was fortunate to get a spot. He said he was glad he persevered, training for half a year in advance. Although he did not finish within four hours due to an injury, each challenge to himself is a victory.

Speaking of how running has changed him, "It has cultivated a resilient character in me, and you will inspire many people in life to start running." From the moment he decided to run, his life was no longer just a routine of work and home. Running has become a part of his life. Indeed, God took away his bright eyes, but as long as he runs with all his might, he infinitely expands the breadth of his life and breaks the shackles of fate.