In this age of information overload, we rarely have time to truly be alone. Messages on our phones, social media updates, and work emails are constantly vying for our attention. Running has given me an opportunity to step away from the noise. For one hour, there is no phone, no conversation, no tasks—just myself and the road beneath my feet. This solitude has taught me to listen to my inner voice, to sort through scattered thoughts, and to rediscover the center of my life.
The first time I put on a pair of running shoes, it was to get rid of a beer belly. I had just turned thirty, and the fatty liver and high uric acid on my medical report made me realize that if I didn't change, my body was about to flash a red alert.
Ten years later, running is no longer about losing weight. It has become an indispensable part of my life, as natural as eating and sleeping.
From Pain to Pleasure
When I first started running, even three kilometers felt like torture. Gasping for breath, heavy legs, and only one thought in my mind: "Why am I torturing myself like this?"
But I stuck with it. Not because I had superhuman willpower, but because I found a wonderful sense of rhythm in running.
When breathing and footsteps gradually synchronize, when physical exhaustion is replaced by the euphoria of endorphins, and when the city scenery slowly unfolds beside you—I began to understand why some people fall in love with this sport.
Running is not an escape from life, but a better way to step into it.
Three Things Running Has Taught Me
1. Slow Down to Go Faster
The most common mistake new runners make is rushing for quick results. They want to run the farthest distance in the shortest time, and the result is often injury, burnout, and quitting.
Running has taught me: Truly important things require time to settle.
Improving fitness, strengthening muscles, and enhancing cardiovascular function—these changes don't happen overnight. But if you persist a little every day, when you look back after a year, you will find that you have come a long way.
2. Solitude Is a Skill
In this age of information overload, we rarely have time to truly be alone. Messages on our phones, social media updates, and work emails are constantly vying for our attention.
Running has given me an opportunity to step away from the noise. For one hour, there is no phone, no conversation, no tasks—just myself and the road beneath my feet.
This solitude has taught me to listen to my inner voice, to sort through scattered thoughts, and to rediscover the center of my life.
3. The Journey Matters More Than the Result
When participating in a marathon, everyone focuses on their finish time. But after running more than a dozen marathons, I've found that what I remember most isn't my PB (personal best), but those moments on the course:
- The enthusiastic cheers from volunteers at the early morning start
- An energy gel handed to me by a fellow runner I'd never met
- A cup of warm water offered by a spectator when I hit the wall
- The hugs from family and friends as I crossed the finish line
These are the true meaning of running.
Advice for New Runners
If you are just starting to run, or are hesitating about whether to begin, I want to say to you:
- Don't compare yourself to others — Everyone starts at a different point and has a different pace
- Enjoy every outing — Even if you only run one kilometer, it's better than sitting on the couch
- Invest in a good pair of shoes — This is the most basic protection for your body
- Find a running partner — Having company makes the journey more enjoyable
- Record your progress — When you look back, you'll be amazed at how much you've changed
A Final Word
Ten years of running, and my total mileage has exceeded twenty thousand kilometers. That number sounds staggering, but broken down to each day, it's only about five or six kilometers.
Greatness comes from the ordinary; miracles come from persistence.
I hope every one of you who laces up your running shoes can find your own answers in the run.