jingdezhen bright sunshine mothers day china ma guan men rabbit accompanies you to the end

What should you pay attention to when running a marathon in high temperatures?!

A fellow runner asked:

When encountering the scorching summer sun,

how do you cool down while running on the road?

Is there any way to avoid heatstroke as much as possible?

These are a series of questions

Are you prepared?

Have you ever felt heatstroke while running a marathon?

Regarding high temperatures, my personal advice is:

Apply sunscreen (SPF 50+ or 110+), wear compression quick-dry clothes, and bring ice sleeves and gloves.

This way, sweat evaporates quickly.

Don't miss any water supply stations.

When it's hot, you can use a sponge soaked in water and place it on the back of your neck to cool down.

May 12, 7:30 AM

The Tao Xichuan 2019 Jingdezhen International Marathon started with a gunshot.

Facing the morning glow,

12,000 runners ran on the beautiful track.

There were full marathons, half marathons, and mini marathons.

And our official pacers (nicknamed: Rabbits)

had breakfast and left the hotel around 5 AM.

Everything was ready, waiting under the arch for the gunshot.

The people of Jingdezhen are very enthusiastic.

Even the weather was so 'supportive' (scorching hot).

It felt like the high temperatures needed for 'porcelain firing' (didn't it?).

(Did you get sunburned running the Jingdezhen Marathon?)

A few days ago, a fellow runner said the weather forecast predicted rain.

The weather changes like a woman's mood.

And like a man, it can't be trusted easily.

The temperature was over 30 degrees.

Such a 'warm' holiday,

it felt like welcoming 'Mother's Day'.

The sun was smiling so brightly.

(Since I started as a pacer, I encountered the coldest Heyuan Marathon, and now the hottest China Marathon in Jingdezhen.)

At that time, I felt a bit conflicted.

I felt both lucky and challenged.

We were a group of four pacers.

Due to the weather, some got heatstroke.

Only two pacers were left (me and Sister Juan).

I remember Sister Juan saying:

Yingying, you must persist to the finish line, don't get heatstroke.

I said: Okay, I will keep going.

At that time, I was still a bit worried.

Because I saw many runners getting heatstroke due to the weather.

Or they couldn't keep running and got on the rescue vehicle.

(I told myself to persist, cool down, and stay relaxed.)

Face everything in life with a smile.

The hidden meaning behind flowers.

Someone asked if they could give me a flower while running on the road.

Isn't it tiring to run with a flower?

(Life needs a sense of ritual: Mother's Day)

Before departing from Huizhou, I prepared and trimmed roses myself.

After more than ten hours of travel, I finally arrived in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi.

I wanted to give them to:

female staff, female police officers, female photographers, volunteers, etc.

Handing the flowers to them and wishing them a happy holiday.

You all worked hard.

Seeing their happy smiles,

Sister Juan and I were also very happy.

What impressed me the most was:

a female police officer specially drove up to take pictures of us.

Sometimes life is just this simple and happy...

Thank you to the photographers for waiting in such hot weather.

It was the first marathon where I had popsicles.

They were provided spontaneously by the spectators along the way.

I was very touched.

After 20 kilometers, there was no shade on the road.

A water station was set up every 2 kilometers.

The organizers were very considerate.

Enjoying the 'sunshine shower'

Especially when we reached the sprinklers,

we were as happy as 'children'.

It felt so comfortable to cool down.

Refreshing~ Refreshing~ Refreshing~

A fellow runner asked how to sign up to be a pacer.

I also want to sign up to be a pacer for fun.

Is it fun to be a pacer?

Pacers have tasks and responsibilities.

If you just want to have fun, I suggest you don't sign up.

To sign up as a pacer, your pace should be at least 30 minutes slower than your personal best.

This requirement ensures that the 'pacer' can complete the pacing task smoothly.

1. Pacers need to control their pace.

They can't run too fast or too slow.

2. They need to check in at every 5-kilometer mark.

3. Pacers must follow all arrangements for food, accommodation, etc., by the organizing committee.

4. The pacer's mindset is very important.

They need to be prepared to handle some criticism.

5. When they see a runner in discomfort, they should help them.

Take them to volunteers or medical staff.

6. If a runner has questions,

they should explain and share some marathon knowledge.

7. During the race, they should not engage in dangerous behavior.

Such as running across the track horizontally.

8. Pacers should not run side by side; they should run one after the other.

9. They should not drink alcohol before the race.

10. The finish time should not differ from the target time by more than 1 minute.

Have you ever experienced a breakdown while running?

How do you view it?

Official pacers (rabbits) are also ordinary people.

The possibility of a breakdown is unavoidable.

Even machines can break down.

Let alone humans.

Especially the faster pacers.

Factors like weather and physical condition on the day

can cause a breakdown, especially for female pacers.

If they happen to encounter their menstrual period, it is also unavoidable.

The Jingdezhen Marathon encountered a 'heatwave' with a ground temperature of 36°C.

Some runners got heatstroke or couldn't bear the heat and gave up, getting on the rescue vehicle.

(Knowing when to give up is good; safety comes first in everything.)

There will be opportunities to run next time.

(I hope fellow runners can understand pacers who break down and spread less negativity.)

As the saying goes: 'Understanding is everything!'

Life has a bit of love.

I once read an article

written by Brother Squid.

He said he hoped that if an accident happened on the track in the future,

our first reaction would be to lend a hand.

And not to raise our phones.

If we don't have the ability,

then not disturbing is your kindness.

(PS: More love and kindness will make life better.)

A meaningful marathon day.

In temperatures over 30 degrees,

I persisted and finished in 6 hours and 15 minutes.

Successfully completed the task.

Thanks to the organizers for giving me the opportunity to learn more about the pacer spirit.

Thanks to the team leader for taking care of us and the companions for their company.

The summer couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of Jingdezhen.

Thanks to the photographers, volunteers, police officers,

medical staff, and other workers.

You all worked hard.

Besides gratitude, I am very thankful.

Finally, I wish all mothers in the world: 'Happy Mother's Day!'