Ready to Race

I am communicating with Yang via Weixin (WeChat app in English) because this is how adults in China communicate when not in the same room. Even sometimes when in the same room. Yang tells me that she needs to go to Guangzhou over the weekend for work but that she will be back before I go to Singapore for my half marathon. I tell her fine, but that's a long time to be in Guangzhou. She says only a few days. I say I leave for the marathon on May 30, no April 30. Oh, she says. Weixin, or no Weixin, there are communication gaps.

I've been in China eight years now and have run five half marathons. For each one, I had to travel to the US shortly before the marathon which made it hard to feel really strong for the actual race. For this one I decided I would defer all US work trips even if I should really go. After all, what is my career if not to serve my narcissistic non work objectives? I ran in the race last year and it was a challenge because of a trip and because I didn't have my mileage base. Every spring now I need to reestablish my distance running since it is too damn cold to run in the winter here and the winter lasts from November to mid-March. And did I mention the race is in Singapore? Do you have any idea how hot it is in Singapore? To offset the heat they start the race at midnight and while it is still very hot and humid at least you feel like sleeping at around mile seven. Last year I went hard at the start of the race and was on pace for a personal best at mile six before totally running out of gas by mile nine and slowing down to something resembling a snake on top of a turtle shell when I crossed the finish line. So, this time, I would eat right, train right, sleep right, pace right, and get my time under my goal of 2 hours which would be a personal best since I moved here. Not fast, but fast for me.

Last Sunday I made 10 miles at a decent pace. Six weeks left to get to 13.1 and a bit faster pace. Definably on track, I thought. I thought until Monday. That's when the small mishaps came in. First, the H9N7 flu side effects. Not from the actual flu, from the fear that you could catch it by eating cooked chicken causing my work cafeteria to remove all chicken dishes. I didn't think much about it until the chicken salad I normally have after my lunch time run was gone. Nothing too bad, besides the omen, although I was attached to those salads. The next bad sign was getting sick for a week and not being able to run or eat right. Feeling slower and more bloated by the moment. Then my left foot hurt when I walked and even if I wasn't sick I would not be able to run. Then just to rub it in, the showers at work will be shut down for three or more weeks for renovation. This for a building that has been open for about two years. This for showers that spent three months last summer with no hot water.

Am I deterred? Yes. Will I admit I am deterred? No. Oh, I just did. Will I get back on track even if it means running at 5am and making my own salads?

Yes.