qingma runner gritty woman, mighty and strong


A date with Qingma, greeted by the spring breeze

When the flowers bloom in Fengcheng

It is the best season for Qingma of the year



Departing from Huizhou at 7:30 AM on March 16th

Arriving at Qingyuan Stadium to collect gear at 10:30 AM

Arrived quite early, not many people collecting gear yet


*Taking a group photo


This year's Qingma race pack is very considerate

Includes sunscreen, disposable raincoat, and Liby soap

(Runners who love beauty, remember to take sun protection measures!)



Ran into the fairy lady

Remembering being the sweeper bunny together in Heyuan in 2018

Full of memories...



After collecting gear and taking the group photo

Of course, we went to eat Qingyuan chicken for lunch

Every time I visit a city, I taste the local cuisine

Combining running and tourism



In the afternoon, we went to Qingyuan'sTaihe Ancient Cave


Natural oxygen bar, beautiful mountains and waters, birds singing and flowers fragrant

Listening to the stream flow, watching fish and shrimp in the water

Reminds me of the river in front of my old home...


Highly recommend everyone to visit



Marathon photo shoot

Returned to the hotel, washed up, and fell asleep by 10 PM

Resting well

Hoping to safely reach the finish line before the cutoff tomorrow



Breakfast at 6:30 AM on March 17th

Everyone headed from the hotel to the starting point

It didn't rain last year or this year

The weather is very favorable

I feel very lucky

They said it had been rainy for several years before



The gun fired at 7:30 AM, ready to start running

This time I was assigned to Zone B

Followed the 2:00 pacer at the front

Maintained a pace of just over five minutes per kilometer for over ten kilometers

The full and half marathon routes split

Felt a bit reluctant at that moment


Continued running alone

Reached over twenty kilometers

Started feeling a bit tired

Silently thought: Why didn't I sign up for the half marathon instead of the full marathon

Otherwise, I could have finished and gone home


I signed up for this marathon, so I have to finish it

Approaching 30 kilometers

I pushed myself a bit more


Oh no, this familiar feeling—cramps are coming

Knee and thigh muscles started to tighten, feeling uncomfortable

I slowed down a bit



Read some articles on how to relieve cramps before the marathon:

When you feel muscle twitching or cramping coming on

You can try to relax as much as possible when lifting your legs

And deliberately relax your muscles when landing

Do this with every step while running

A small technique to instantly relax tense muscles

Accumulating bit by bit, after running for a while

The most cramp-prone leg muscles can get some relief through continuous repetition

Shaking them loose to a certain extent



This deliberate forceful landing

And muscle-shaking technique

When I felt cramps coming

I deliberately increased the force of each step

Almost like stomping with each step

To keep my muscles as relaxed as possible

After trying this method, I felt it worked well

Much better than my first marathon where I cramped up



If you can relieve cramps without stopping during exercise

That's the best strategy, the longer you stay on the track

The more you will suffer

Stopping and starting repeatedly

Makes your muscles more prone to cramping

Because you keep interrupting the muscle's motion inertia

Disrupting the previous force and angle of muscle operation

This is not necessarily a good thing



Every time I passed a station

There were enthusiastic Qingyuan spectators, cheerleaders, and children

Every time I heard their cheers and encouragement

Even though I was very tired

After high-fiving, my heart reignited the passion for running

Thank you! You worked hard!



With 12 kilometers to go

I felt completely drained, my steps were heavy

So I walked for a while

A fellow runner said to me: Keep going, don't walk

Watching wave after wave of people pass me by

Feeling frustrated, having the will but not the strength


Me: So tired

Runner: You can do it

Me: Okay, I'll keep going


Some friends said they would wait and run with me

I said no need

Thank you, you go ahead

I can go slowly by myself

Oh, I don't want to hold them back



At 33 kilometers

A guy said he had seen me since the start

You were running fast in the middle, now I've finally caught up to you


Me: My leg is cramping, need to slow down

Him: Then slow down and be safe, I'll wait and run with you

I am willing to stay with you, keep going, you can do it

Me: Okay, thank you

(With someone accompanying and waiting, I had to keep running)



Reached 35 kilometers, so happy

Just a bit more

And I will reach the finish line



With all the encouragement and companionship along the way

I managed to run to the finish line

And achieved a personal best

Thank you all


*This year's Qingma medal design is great


Finally got the medal, tired but happy!



The result certificate is out

Improved by 30 minutes compared to my first marathon

Last year in Zhaoqing: 5 hours 4 minutes

This year in Qingma: 4 hours 33 minutes



Post-race summary:

1. Ate a lot after the New Year and didn't train

2. Weak core strength

3. Lack of systematic training


Although I improved by 30 minutes compared to my first marathon

For the next full marathon

Try to avoid injuries and cramps

From now on, be strictly self-disciplined,Keep going



Post-race food:

Zhongti was very considerate, since this year is the 'Year of the Pig'

Prepared roast pig, small cakes, porridge, soup, etc., for the runners

Wishing everyone: 'All the best in the Year of the Pig'



March is a bit busy

Fulfilling and happy

Weekends are fully scheduled

After running the Qingyuan Marathon

Next is the Guangzhou Conghua Trail Race

And the Zhaoqing Marathon at the end of the month

First time signing up for a trail race

Hope to safely reach the finish line before the cutoff

Wish me luck, everyone



Sincerely thank all the friends who care

And follow me

Grateful to have you all

Never forget why we started

Keep moving forward

Let's cheer each other on




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Created: 2019-03-20 05:56:21