celebrity show middle aged man turns young again secrets in his first love diary
In 2014, at the age of 39, I was overweight, constantly tired, and my physical and mental state was deteriorating.
The medical examination results showed that apart from some issues with my cervical spine and obesity, other indicators were normal. The doctor advised me to exercise more.
According to Baidu, running is the most convenient and cheapest solution. So, one early summer morning, I haphazardly put on some sneakers and went out for a run. I didn't expect much and didn't know how long I could keep it up. Looking back now, I realize how naive and ignorant I was about running.
I vaguely remember getting up very early that day and running alone on a quiet country path. I felt very lonely and desolate. At that time, I didn't know how to use any apps and had no idea how far I had run. I just felt like I had exhausted a month's worth of energy that morning.
Although the run was tough, I managed to complete it. For the first time, I appreciated the sweet and pure air of the countryside where I grew up. The gentle morning breeze and the rising sun were so wonderful and enchanting. Even breakfast tasted exceptionally good that day, and everyone I met seemed to nod and smile at me. It felt great.
Later, I didn't know if it was the love for the morning countryside scenery or the lingering taste of the fresh air and breakfast, but I became obsessed with running.
Starting from running alone, I gradually met some fellow runners and joined several running groups.
In 2016, I participated in the Joyrun Li-Ning 10km Road Race (Shanghai Station). Over 6000 runners from various fields started energetically at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. This was my first official race and my first time experiencing the vitality and passion of running with fellow runners in Shanghai. I finished safely in 48 minutes and 34 seconds, ranking 523rd overall. This 10km race was my way of proving myself, but it also showed me my shortcomings.
After the race, I was determined to pursue running seriously. Talking to some experienced runners in the group, I learned that many had participated in half-marathons or full marathons, with some finishing a full marathon in under four hours! Some even did it in just three and a half hours.
At that time, I had no concept of this. When I calculated it, I was stunned: three and a half hours for 42.195 kilometers! That seemed like an unattainable number for me.
A fellow runner encouraged me, saying, 'With your current 10km performance, if you stick to scientific training, you could achieve it in another six months!'
This was very motivating for me. The runner recommended I download the Codoon app. From then on, I gained a more comprehensive and scientific understanding of running. I meticulously studied everything related to running, from equipment, clothing, running posture, stride length, cadence, pace, to core strength training and daily diet and habits. Whenever I had free time, I would research and study. To those who didn't run, I seemed like a 'running fanatic.'
Due to various rigorous training sessions, constantly chasing mileage and pace, I started experiencing strains, sprains, and falls...
Once, I had a severe strain and had to rest at home for half a month. Every day I couldn't run, I felt very depressed. I thought about persisting and also about giving up. Each injury made me reflect deeply, wondering why I couldn't just run slowly like before. Why did I have to push myself into such a predicament?
'Is it because I'm not strong enough? Otherwise, why would I get injured so easily?' I would ask myself with each injury. 'The path of running is just like the path of life, full of ups and downs.'
Strangely enough, the more problems I encountered while running, the more eager I became to learn. I continued running with a foolish persistence...
Finally, I awaited my first full marathon. I was lucky to get a spot in the 2017 Shanghai International Marathon. Without much experience, I started in the F zone. Perhaps it was the fearlessness of a novice, but I wasn't too nervous. Among the 30,000 participants, I overtook more than 20,000 runners and finished safely in 3 hours, 15 minutes, and 42 seconds, ranking 1147th overall.
42.195 kilometers—I conquered a distance I once thought unimaginable. My hard work paid off because my beloved family was waiting for me at the finish line at the 80,000-seat stadium. Crossing the finish line, I was moved to tears. This sense of honor is something only persistence can bring.
After falling in love with running, I started enjoying taking photos with my phone, writing, and carefully preserving every detail of my running journey, even though most of it was just boring numbers.
In December 2017, I jokingly posted that I 'almost froze to death on the Suzhou Taihu Marathon course,' but I finished in 3 hours, 22 minutes, and 2 seconds, ranking 204th.
In the 2018 Beijing Marathon, I broke my first marathon record with a time of 3 hours, 11 minutes, and 12 seconds, ranking 1225th.
In the 2018 Shanghai International Marathon, I finished safely with a time of 3 hours, 12 minutes, and 31 seconds.
Since August 2016, I have accumulated over 9000 kilometers of running mileage on Codoon, including 54 half-marathons and 5 full marathons, setting 7 new personal bests, reaching the top-tier 2-star level, earning 153 medals, and completing 113 online races...
Looking at these data, I realize that these race scenes and experiences will become beautiful memories for my lifetime!
Now, friends still ask, 'You've lost about 30 pounds, so why do you keep running like crazy?'
I say, 'Because I love it.'
But in my heart, I think, 'Because you don't run, so you don't understand. Don't always ask me why I run; you should ask yourself why you don't run.'
Do you really need so many reasons to run? On the road, you can see different sceneries, meet runners from all over the world, regardless of age or gender. On the road, everyone is a friend, and a gesture or a glance is enough to warm your whole day. Isn't life's happiness made up of these warm moments?
Of course, running also comes with injuries and mental confusion. Sometimes it can be lonely, but it is never boring. Once you start running, you will feel like me and genuinely exclaim: Running feels awesome!
I think running was my 'first love' in sports. Unknowingly, I've been 'dating' it for four years, and it has become like an 'old married couple.' Now, I have a pact with it: to love it forever!