perseverance is the best gift from dad

Running every day, unless encountering such a continuous rainy weather, can justifiably enjoy an extra half-hour of golden sleep. This feeling is wonderful!The fixed time, fixed route, and fixed running every day require a firm determination to persist. It's almost been a year, and the initial passion and impulse have gradually diminished over time. The only thing that can support me to continue this endeavor is probably the profound sense of accomplishment after each run!

I have never felt as peaceful and fulfilled as I do now. It's not about being indifferent to honor or disgrace, but at least I can remain calm and composed. Work is still as monotonous as it has been for over a decade, and my social circle is still within the professional sphere. I've met some people I've never encountered before and witnessed 'extreme' cases among the masses, experiencing unusual ways of handling things. Surprisingly, I can remain so calm and composed. This amazes me! I've been wondering what has changed me, making me so patient and turning my easily triggered temper into such gentleness, handling various issues with ease. I think the answer is only one: my persistent running career!

In May, during a regular Saturday training session, I set the longest distance goal for myself—32KM. After all, having run half-marathons for half a year, I need to move towards a full marathon. This is the realm a runner should pursue. Following the team leader of god-like status, I ran at the most scientific pace. I felt relaxed after the half-marathon distance, and the next 10KM was additional training. The team leader kept emphasizing the importance of running posture, and I kept adjusting myself to run in the most coordinated and relaxed way. After running 28KM, my left big toe started to ache slightly. I didn't pay much attention to it since this area had acted up many times before, always coming and going without reason. The pain persisted for two kilometers and seemed to intensify. Every time I lifted my left foot, I instinctively twisted my toe, hoping to alleviate the pain slightly. The more I thought about it, the more obvious the pain became, with a stabbing sensation and soreness spreading throughout my left foot, and even my right leg started to feel uneasy. This uncontrollable feeling replaced my inner peace with annoyance. Every time I swung my foot out, I felt a sense of relief, as if punishing my uncooperative legs. Why were they acting up now after being so cooperative for so long? The team leader was three or four meters ahead of me, and I kept cursing myself while eagerly waiting for the GPS to report the real-time distance.

Although I started running around five in the morning, almost three hours had passed, and the sun was already high in the sky, shining brightly. The last two kilometers seemed endlessly long, feeling like deliberate torture. Amidst the nameless anger and the unwillingness to give up, my footsteps extended step by step. I regretted challenging this distance, thinking it was a pointless challenge, at least at that moment. It made me so embarrassed, but no matter what, I wouldn't stop now. This ordeal came late but lasted long, long enough to wear away the boiling anger in my heart bit by bit on the endless asphalt road until only a numb, mechanical body remained. Only the swinging arms reminded me how far I was from the finish.

Like a speeding train passing through my mind, the speed was so fast, yet I could see every detail in the fragments. So many unresolved old matters emerged at this moment. Compared to the unprecedented fatigue my body was enduring, I instantly understood that the past entanglements were so insignificant. The memories of getting angry over trivial matters reappeared. At this moment, I was just waiting for the next second of beauty. Why waste time being sad over past events? Life must go through every stage of thinking growth, each stage overturning the previous one. In this long torment, I understood a truth: everything and everyone can be seen clearly. I am just a participant, no matter the outcome. I want to live in the present, enjoy every moment I can feel, and not be entangled in the past or worried about the future.

I really wanted to give my daughter a Children's Day gift by running. I planned to run 6.1 kilometers to end today's training, but I ended up running 12.99 kilometers. Well, after almost a year, my daughter understood what 'persistence' means. Now, no matter what clothes I wear, in her eyes, I am the handsome 'prince.' This can be considered my Children's Day gift to her for her 7th birthday! Driven by an unyielding heart, a vibrant body witnesses the effort put in every day. Even if as ordinary as a roadside grass, there will be moments of brilliance, bathed in morning dew and embracing the glow of dawn. Say goodbye to every second of the past, enjoy everything life offers at this moment, and bravely run towards the ideal self. You will surely encounter a beautiful tomorrow!!