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Running has taught me a lot. It has helped me be a better person. I’ve become more patient and more consistent because I figure performance won’t improve overnight; it’s built by the day-to-day training.
I feel more grateful. I’m thankful for how the human body is gifted for endurance activity. I’m thankful that when I struggle in the race, people around me cheer me on even when they don’t know me. I’m thankful for experiencing the leaves changing, the sun rising, flowers blooming and snow failing when I run. I’m even thankful for the physical pain from running. Getting a running injury is actually a privilege. It reminds me how happy I should be when I’m healthy.
Running boosts my mind. As a software engineer, running pulls me out of the stressful situations and calms me down. I get a lot of creative ideas while running. It also helps me to have a positive attitude when facing failure. Now truly believe failure is the path leading to success.
Life is like a long run: It is not easy, it has ups and downs, it’s not about how fast you can be in the first three miles, it’s about how you can hold a solid pace for the entire distance.
The content published on RW includes everything that a runner needs. From the recipes to the running shoe reviews, to the training tips. But the thing I love most are the stories from other runners. Listening to their struggles, feeling their pain, as well as their happiness with achievements. These stories motivate me and I love being a member of this positive group.
I started running six years ago when I moved to US from China. Moving to a new country is not easy. At the beginning, I used running to kill time, but the more I run the more I love it. I love how my body feels when I push through the long run, how fresh my brain feels after a run, and how happy I am post-run. I joined a running group, run a lot of races, and I’m making friends with some super cool dudes.
I run after work six days per week. I’m not a morning bird. My muscles always feel a little tight in the morning. Monday is the only non running day. I cross-train: indoor spinning and some core workouts in the gym.
Most of the time, I run on the Lake Sammamish trail which is a very popular trail in Redmond. It’s super flat and not very crowded, so it’s perfect for speed intervals and tempo runs. On recovering days, I run on Snoqualmie Valley Trail which is a gravel trail. The view there is so pretty, and sometimes I see deer.
I’m also a running shoe nerd, I’ve tried so many of them. Currently, I wear the Nike Pegasusv36 or the New Balance Beaconv2 for my easy run, the Nike Turbov2 and the New Balance Rebel for my tempo days, and of course the Nike Vaporfly Next% for racing. Goodr sunglasses are my other go-to for running gear. They are super cheap and have a very fashionable design. I even wear them under chilly, cloudy weather since my eyes tear running in cold conditions. As for apparel, Janji is my favorite brand. The fabrics are super lightweight and seamless. Also, Janji collaborates with artists on original prints and graphics. It gives the products a unique look.
The short-term goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon 2021. I need to be three minutes faster. The long-term goal is to be a participant in all six Abbott World Marathon Majors.