One step at a time
Updated: 2015-02-13 09:44
By Huang Xiangyang(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Runners dash out from the starting line.[Photo by Lao Yao and Kit NG/China Daily] |
'Beginning of bliss'
"Hang in there," I told myself as I trudged on. The decision to not drop out was partly made out of expediency, because I had to at least get to the next checkpoint to call it a day.
But on the way there-as I was plodding on the mountain ridge of Ma On Shan, within sight of Hong Kong's concrete jungle of high-rises illuminated against the backdrop of the night-something happened. I still find it hard to explain.
The Chinese saying that "extreme adversity is the beginning of bliss" may fit the situation. Murakami describes it as "passing through a stone wall". As if a chemical change had occurred in my body, I gradually and surprisingly found my steps lighter and pains numbed.
Yes, I resumed my jog and started to overtake other runners. When I reached CP6 at 10:40 pm, I was excited to find I was only 10 minutes behind time.
Tender was the night. Runners' flashing headlamps shone like a never-ending line of diamonds that stretched deep into the darkness, along the trails, up to the mountains and down to the valleys.
I overtook nearly 200 people as I passed through the next checkpoints.
I started to enjoy the run again, cheering others along the way as I passed by. Never had I aspired so much to win, to make it my big day.
So on I cruised, with my favorite music, Chariots of Fire, resonating in my mind. Sometimes I even screamed to motivate myself.
Time flew by. At 7 am on Jan 18, after a full night of almost nonstop jogging and walking, I found myself on top of Hong Kong's highest peak, Tai Mo Shan. With only 4 km to go, there was no doubt I could make it within 24 hours.
I heaved a sigh of relief: I had swum through a sea of agony, exhaustion and depression to reach the bank of success.
So after straightening my hair and clothes-I wanted to look my best as a winner-I started my descent, bathing in the rays of the rising sun. I didn't run full steam because I wanted to enjoy this last moment, the climax of my story.
Step by step, I ambled down the slope. Then I saw the finish line, and heard cheers and my name announced.
The time shown on the huge digital clock suddenly seemed to have stopped, frozen and eternal: 23 hours and 36 minutes. I had thought I would cry. But no tears came. I just raised both my arms, fists clinched.
On one forearm bore the tattoo-inked slogan of the race: "Ordinary people being extraordinary."
I felt I had lived up to these words.
- Eight-year-old turns camera on premier
- Pole dance under rime trees
- Couples go to extreme height for love
- When Spring Festival rush encounters Valentine's Day
- Are you a sunshine boy or a gone girl?
- Clown therapy for sick children
- Top 10 box-office countries in 2014
- Spring Festival reception held in Vancouver
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
BC lures Chinese tourists |
Festival Special: Apps that make holiday shopping easier |
Alibaba places China smartphone business bet with $590m Meizu deal |
China, US vow to deepen military relations |
Premier Li attends Davos Forum |
Li Na expecting first baby |
Today's Top News
Xi's New Year visit marks village homecoming
Jackie Chan's son apologizes after release from jail
US smartphone launch still some time off for Xiaomi
Beijing strengthens festival safety
The things Chinese do for love
Car crashes into US Consulate in Shanghai
China plans quality growth, anti-graft drive in 2015
US must help to safeguard cyber security, Beijing says
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |