Personalized Marathon Training Plan Guide
Preparing for a marathon requires a systematic training plan. RunBox AI coach creates a customized 16-20 week marathon training plan based on your fitness level, goal time, and available training time.
Why Choose an AI-Customized Marathon Training Plan?
- Personalized Assessment: Based on your running experience and fitness condition
- Smart Adjustments: Training intensity optimizes automatically with progress
- Scientific Pacing: Based on your target finish time
- Injury Prevention: Reasonable intensity progression to avoid injuries
xichang qionghai | a seaside marathon full of poetry and picturesque views
Event Rating:
Course Experience: 10 points
Organization and Services: 9 points
Medal Design: 10 points
Event Culture: 9 points
Recommendation Index: 9.5 points
1. Before the race, my heart had already flown to Xichang.
Speaking of Xima's promotion, I must first mention my fate with Xima last September. I participated in the online running event of the creative route cooperation between Xima and Ningma. I was honored to receive the Yi lacquerware sent by the Xima organizing committee. This was enough to tempt me to visit Xichang in the near future because I love everything about the Yi people, without any reason, just like how I liked someone at the age of 18, at first sight, and couldn't forget him later.
Last year, I was still in college. This year, I have graduated. Last year, my location was in Yinchuan. This year, it is in Shenzhen. In early November last year, I was in my hometown Yulin, happily translating for black athletes with a madman. This early November, I came to Xichang for a marathon and a trip, because a life without running and traveling can only be called survival.
I have to say that Xima's promotion is very powerful, thoroughly attracting me. Xichang is 1925 kilometers away from Shenzhen, equivalent to running 46 full marathons to reach Xichang. Currently, I have only completed 19 marathons, and it is estimated that it will take another three to five years to complete 46 marathons. Speaking of Xima, I still came and wanted to leave my footprints in this mysterious place by running a marathon.
Xichang is an immortal myth. Watching over Qionghai, watching over the Daliang Mountains. Running a marathon here is my wish. The official website released a series of Xima information: Xima commemorative T-shirt, Xima medal, free scenic spot tours, and Xima special train, all of which provided convenient references for runners. When this information was released, my heart had already flown to Xichang.
Here, I would like to thank the staff of the Xima organizing committee: Xima, because of you, it is better; Xima, because of you, we receive excellent service, getting better and better.
2. Collecting race materials at Torch Square, looking forward to my closing run
After arriving at Daliang Mountain on the morning of October 31, I went straight to Torch Square. Torch Square is located in the center of Xichang. On the large circular square, 56 red torch-shaped giant pillars stand tall, symbolizing the unity of 56 ethnic groups. The flame-like ethnic culture center reflects the tall iron fire totem, showcasing the Yi people's reverence, pursuit, and love for fire.
*Thanks to the Yi volunteer who took photos for me, let's take a beautiful group photo.
Torch Square is the place to collect the race packs for this Xima. I experienced the real Daliang Mountain in advance. To collect the materials, you only need to bring your ID card to the collection window to print the collection slip, sign the disclaimer, collect the bib number, race pack, and Xima race outfit, and finally go to check the chip. The whole collection process is then completed. The last thing to look forward to is the six-hour pacing task along Qionghai on November 3.
3. Walking in Daliang Mountain, my little heart 'jumped' out of my body
After collecting the race pack, it was time to walk around Daliang Mountain, as this was a place I had always wanted to visit.
The first destination was the Liangshan Ethnic Style Park. After breakfast, I walked to the Liangshan Ethnic Style Park. Anything with the words 'Liangshan' excites me the most. On the square, the ethnic atmosphere was strong. Yi people were singing and dancing in their traditional costumes, allowing me to witness the Liangshan ethnic culture firsthand (my little heart was about to jump out of my chest). I quickly took out my phone to take photos and record videos. I used to only see Yi dances and hear Yi songs in videos, but now I finally saw and heard them in person, fulfilling my wish.
The unique ancient buildings and folk activities as the main body, vividly recreating the ancient culture of Liangshan, artistically displaying the origin and development of ethnic culture, combined with the dancing Yi people, the entire Ethnic Style Park formed a colorful living picture, deeply imprinting the beautiful Daliang Mountain in my mind.
Bidding farewell to the graceful Yi dancers, I walked 5 kilometers to the Liangshan Yi Slave Society Museum surrounded by forests. It is the first ethnic museum in China and the only museum in the world reflecting the slave society. The museum fully displays the political, economic, military, astronomical, calendar, customs, religion, agriculture, and handicrafts of the Liangshan Yi slave society. I felt guilty for only spending three hours to see thousands of years of history.
I felt like a person who had traveled through time, learning about the past Yi slave society of Liangshan and the long history of Yi culture. Coming out of the exhibition hall and returning to real life, this will be a significant gain from this trip.
Saying goodbye to the museum, I went down to Qionghai Wetland Park, the largest urban wetland in the country. I walked around Bird Watching Island Wetland Park, Dream Flower Sea, Dream Back to the Countryside, and the Shell Girl Statue, experiencing them all. Around Qionghai, I saw the ongoing Qionghai International Sailing Race. The athletes were setting sail, and I stayed for half an hour to watch the competition.
What impressed me most was an athlete from Shaanxi Province, who was focused on the competition. The sparkling lake surface, with flocks of seagulls and athletes, formed an indescribable picture. The clean lake surface of Qionghai instantly became lively and vibrant. I kept imagining myself running around Qionghai.
On the evening of November 2, the Xichang Satellite Launch Center was going to launch Beidou-3. It was veryfortunate for me to encounter such a good opportunity in Xichang. Sitting in the stands waiting for the Beidou-3 launch, the waiting time did not feel long at all. As the countdown progressed, my anticipation and excitement grew.
The feeling on-site was completely different from watching it on TV. Watching on TV, the waiting time felt long, needing to eat something and browse social media to pass the time. But on-site, with each countdown and the cheers of the people, the anticipation for the satellite launch far exceeded watching the live broadcast at home.
The satellite was launched, getting farther and farther away from us. The people in the stands applauded in unison. I knew this was our happiness. Being able to watch a satellite launch on-site once in a lifetime is worth it.
4. Xima Organizing Committee's Show-off Rabbits
Xima was honored to share the work of the relevant staff. With their support, I was responsible for the rabbit work, so I have a lot to say and write about being a rabbit.
On the afternoon of the 2nd, at 16:40, the rabbits gathered at the rabbit wall. This time, the official photo shoot was different from previous ones. The photographer and staff's ingenuity carefully prepared a photo mode for all the rabbits, breaking the traditional group photo and providing excellent treatment for the official rabbit photo shoot.
First, we took a group photo at the rabbit wall, and the jumping pose was the most beautiful. As the official pacers of Xima, it was our honor to lead the runners. As rabbits, we must not feel superior just because we were selected. Being a rabbit does not come with a sense of superiority, only a sense of mission and responsibility.
Even if you have a high appearance, if you can't complete the pacing task, it proves that your ability is still insufficient. If your ability is insufficient, don't rely on your appearance, because appearance is useless without ability. Speaking with strength is more important than being a vase.
The photographer and staff gave the rabbits a big surprise. They kept teasing me, saying I would know when the shoot started. Recently, there have been waves of flaunting wealth photos, so the photographer and staff's little surprise for us was: Xima Organizing Committee's Show-off Rabbits.
We beautifully showed off the rabbits in front of the PICC rescue helicopter. Teacher Shunliu directed us on how to pose and what expressions to make. These show-off rabbit photos are not just photos; they have risen to the level of art. The existence of art made the show-off rabbit photos unique and soulful in the history of Xima rabbits.
*Thanks to the rabbits who helped me blow up balloons, heart.
5. Tears filled my eyes while singing the national anthem, the most solemn sense of ceremony Xima gave me.
After the rabbits entered the venue, we stood in the VIP area. The scene of singing the national anthem before the race deeply shocked me. Having run so many marathons, this was the first time I felt the special meaning of the national anthem to me. Just like the lyrics of the national anthem, 'Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves,' 'Let our flesh and blood forge a new Great Wall,' tears instantly welled up.
This unique ceremony made me give Xima an absolute high rating. At the 41-kilometer mark, I received the national flag from Brother Dequan and crossed the finish line with the five-star red flag along with four runners who ran with me for six hours. The sense of ceremony in a marathon lies in remembering every moment of the run. This is not pretentious but stems from the love for marathons. We deserve to treat ourselves with such solemnity. The days of running and marathons will be endlessly memorable and wonderful.
My parents are particularly attentive to the sense of ceremony. Every year on my birthday, they make longevity noodles and a table full of dishes. The sense of ceremony is very important. During the New Year at home, there is a custom that at 5 PM on New Year's Eve, my mother makes a small bowl of noodles for everyone. Only after eating the noodles can we paste the couplets and prepare for the New Year's Eve dinner. The sense of ceremony in a marathon is like the noodles and New Year's Eve dinner my mother makes, with a very important sense of ceremony.
'Three, two, one,' the gunshot signaled the start of the race. The long-prepared Xima event officially began...
6. Poetic and picturesque, this is definitely the Xima course
The course service starts with the volunteers I met on the road. Their super enthusiasm made me interact with them. They were like the rays of the sun, illuminating every kilometer of my Xima run.
'Miss, keep going.'
'Little rabbit, you're the best.'
'Miss, give me a high five.'
These are definitely the best volunteers I've ever seen. Just for this, I give Xima full marks.
Starting from Aerospace Avenue, passing through Fengqingyuan Road, Haihe Tianjie, Haibin Road, Dream Back to the Countryside Wetland Park, Qinglong Boardwalk, Moon Bay, Dream Flower Sea Wetland Park, Misty Egret Wetland Park, Dream Water Town, Bird Watching Island, and finally returning to Torch Square.
Xichang has been rated as the most beautiful marathon course, and this is no exaggeration. From the moment I landed in Xichang to finishing Xima, the words 'poetic and picturesque' are the most suitable to describe the Xima course, and it suits my personality the best.
I must especially mention the staff of the sweeper vehicle. He asked me, 'Are you the closing rabbit? My sweeper vehicle needs to follow behind you.'
'Yes, this is definitely a qualified staff member,' I said, thanking them for their efforts, deeply grateful.
7. Completing the race in 6 hours, volunteers put the hero's ribbon on the rabbit
After finishing Xima, the moment I hung the medal around my neck, it signified that I had completed the race and the closing pacing task. The Xima medal symbolizes passion, protection, persistence, and transcendence. Wearing the Xima medal, it is not just 42.195KM, but also my honor as the six-hour closing rabbit for the full marathon.
The left half of the Xima medal has five stars surrounding the 'Moon Goddess.' These stars have two meanings: the first is that the 2018 Xichang Marathon is the fifth year, representing Xima's fifth anniversary; the second is that Xima and Xichang have walked together for five years, reflecting and growing together. The right half of the Xima medal features the Xima logo and the Chinese Athletics Association logo, making the entire medal look shiny and layered.
A beautiful and meaningful Xima medal hung on my chest, this is an explanation to myself and to the organizing committee. Successfully completing the six-hour pacing task in Xichang is my honor. Never be arrogant, because next year, Xima, I will come again.
After the race, I received the hero's ribbon prepared by the organizing committee for the rabbits. I felt supreme honor and pride. Having such a ceremony on the marathon field is very shocking. Just like the special ceremony of showing off rabbits, the ceremony of wearing the hero's ribbon is even more special and shocking.
Life is not smooth sailing. Everything goes through time's polishing to develop better. Allowing volunteers to wait for us closing rabbits for six hours and specially putting on the hero's ribbon is a highlight of this Xima event. I already liked Xichang and looked forward to running Xima. The hero's ribbon put a perfect end to the entire race.
Only those who have gone through difficult processes know how hard it is to do anything. These difficulties are all part of life's journey. Only in this way will life get better and better, filled with patience and tolerance for oneself and others.
Overall Evaluation
From my own perspective, as someone who works in marathon event execution, the hardships of event execution are unspeakable. Therefore, I have learned to view each event with a calm mindset. However, areas with problems still need improvement. Criticism is like taking a bath; only by accepting opinions and correcting shortcomings can an event be organized better and better.
On the bus, I met many runners. I asked them how they felt about Xima, and they replied that as long as they finished the race and enjoyed themselves, they were satisfied with the organizing committee's work. Every job is not easy. Every staff member is dedicated to their work, and hardships are inevitable. But when I finished the six-hour race, the event concluded smoothly.
*Every marathon, I handwrite a pace chart. The flower in my hand was given by a runner who said I worked too hard as the closing rabbit. Thank you to this thoughtful runner.
I hope next year's Xima will be even better, showcasing the 'sports spirit,' or more precisely, the 'marathon spirit.' Next year, I will come again, run in Xichang, and see Qionghai.
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