After the first race, we followed our plan and trained intensively without interruption.
Before we knew it, August had arrived. Thanks to the meticulous training plan designed by Hana, my physical condition had improved to an ideal level as we entered the hot summer season. Our long runs had increased to almost 20 kilometers, and according to Hana's plans, it would be extended to the maximum of 35 kilometers by late November, which would be sufficient preparation for our full marathon race in mid-December.
"Why isn't our longest training distance the full 42 kilometers of a marathon?" I once asked her, "Won't we be unable to complete the race?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewu8aFXyFp
"There are different views on the optimal longest training distance for a full marathon," Hana explained patiently. "Some believe runners need to practice up to 42 kilometers to fully understand that distance. Others think runners should practice up to 50 kilometers or more, to ensure they have ample physical reserves to handle the uncertainties and emergencies on race day. However, I believe that runs longer than 35 kilometers consume an enormous amount of energy, requiring the runners to have longer recovery periods, and also carry a very high risk of injury - which is simply not worth it. We just need to increase the longest training distance to 35 kilometers in November. Then in December, we'll gradually reduce the training volume to ensure the body gets sufficient rest, so we can be in the best condition to tackle the marathon in mid-month."
I was happy to Hana's detailed explanation. Because the summer training had been far more arduous than I had imagined.
But at the same time, I also felt the results of this gruelling training: my weight had decreased to almost the level when I graduated from university. Today, when I tried on clothes in the fitting room of a sportswear store, I couldn't help but exclaim excitedly.
"Oh man, I got it! Size S! I can finally wear size S clothes again!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIWnUAb7Z3
"Shhh, keep it down a little!" Hana tapped on the fitting room door, reminding me.
After the fitting, I sheepishly came out of the fitting room, holding a pile of size S clothes and chuckling: "Sorry, I got a bit too excited."
"It's okay to be excited, this is the fruit of your hard work!" Hana laughed.
After leaving the sportswear store, we went to Penny's coffee shop.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL80aFBsfY
"Hey! Two mochas, right?" said Penny enthusiastically after seeing us.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Ux7xGIFX
"Yes, please. Thanks man." I said.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYWu2qkJCR
"You don't need to be so polite, quick, go and have a seat first!" Penny said.
A little while later, Penny personally brought the coffee to us.
"Making you personally serve us, how can we let the boss 'Mr. Umibozu' do this?" Hana laughed.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sia0tbQuH
The "Mr. Umibozu" she referred to was the coffee shop owner who was originally an assassin in the Japanese manga "City Hunter".
"What the....!" Penny exclaimed: "Although my father is not 'Li Ka-shing' (the richest tycoon in Hong Kong), look, I have hair and I'm good-looking..."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh6TvxTk3U
"Alright, alright, thank you, mate." I stopped him from continuing his "Stephen Chow mode": "How's business lately? When will you consider opening a third coffee shop?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhT3jIosVI
"Although I ain't making millions per second, the business is still pretty good." Penny said: "But as for the third shop, let's talk about it later as I'm so busy that I hardly have time to accompany my family! How about your Taipei Marathon? When do you start signing up?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALfSaAaGmS
"We just signed up last week and joined a three-day and two-night Taipei Marathon tour package!" Hana said excitedly: "This way, we don't have to worry about not getting a lottery spot!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zQl3abpVs
"That saves a lot of trouble! What's this? Is it your 'battle gear' for the race?" Penny pointed to the shopping bag we just bought some things from the sports store.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF0r60LFhr
"No no no, these are just some training clothes I bought for Brother Janny." Hana said, picking up her phone and showing Penny a photo.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZLiBUsWhs
"'Sports Superheros'? And the sentence on the back... 'I don't make excuses, I make results'? Where is this from?" Penny asked curiously.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmAHsglt96
"It was Hana's choice," I said. "'Sports Superheros' is a sports group that trains twice a week, and this is the quick-drying sportswear they designed, and the saying on the back is their slogan."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQexm8Xnv8h
"I see." Penny said: "But won't it be a bit hot to wear black when running?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwTvylONTX
"Other than coffee, what else do you know?" Hana laughed: "It's winter in December! Black has a warming function!"
Penny gave Hana a look and said "You're something else," then went back to work.
Later, we said goodbye to the busy Penny and left his coffee shop.
As we left, Hana discussed the Taipei Marathon route with me.
"The starting point is Taipei City Hall, it will be very grand!" Hana was obviously very excited: "Then we'll pass by many famous buildings in Taipei, such as Taipei 101, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, the Presidential Office Building, etc. But the most crucial part, they say, is the section along the Keelung River after the 20-kilometer mark. For regular runners, the 'wall period' when they've used up the body's carbohydrate reserves usually appears around the 20 to 35-kilometer mark. And in the Taipei Marathon, this is exactly the cold and lonely Keelung River section."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLblmH2QI3F
"But with me and you together, will you still be afraid?" I gripped her hand tighter.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1ba3z2wPR
"Although this is not a matter of fear or no fear, as long as you are by my side," she answered playfully, "we will definitely be able to finish it!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIMvKgCyel
"Yes!" I said with great determination.
My determination came from something I had finally decided and no longer hesitated about.
At the finish line of the "Taipei Marathon", I will propose to Hana!
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