As I live in Sha Tin, I noticed the increasing number of people running and participating in road races on the streets in recent years. Whenever autumn and winter come, Sha Tin district is always a popular race venue, with multiple races even held on some weekends, making it lively and inexplicably strange.
Why do Hong Kong people love long-distance running so much?
"Because we are paying more attention to our health," Kevin said.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIZWX8rWA6
"Really?" I exclaimed, "then why are our working hours getting longer?"
Kevin shrugged and didn't respond.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZQU2uB1FN
Perhaps it's the same for many other strange phenomena in society - we can only shrug our shoulders.
After getting through several (almost) sleepless nights, the date finally arrived - the Wednesday that I will be running with Hana. However, when I opened my shoe cabinet, I realised that I didn't even have a decent pair of sports shoes because I hadn't exercised for many years. With no other options, I had to make a last-ditch effort and go to a nearby shopping mall during lunchtime to buy running shoes.
"Wow, there are so many choices..."
I had always thought that there were only two or three dominant brands of running shoes when I was young, so I was amazed to see the overwhelming variety of styles and colours available now. My "indecisiveness" immediately kicked in, and after casually browsing through two stores, I still hadn't found the right pair. Just as I was hesitating about whether to just run barefooted, I passed by a store with only a handful of customers and remembered the company email I received last week, mentioning that employees could get discounts. So I decided to take a look inside.
As someone who always plays it safe, I took out my staff card and first confirmed with the salesgirl.
"Excuse me, does this staff card entitle me to a discount?" 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi9oBcuryT
"Yes, sir," the salesgirl smiled, "regular-priced items are 30% off. Please take your time to choose."
Because there weren't many customers, the salesgirl was particularly friendly and enthusiastic. After some recommendations and trying on, I chose a pair of lightweight dark red running shoes. After I paid, I hurried back to the office. Although I hadn't put on the running shoes yet, my mood was already "lightened" and especially relaxed, and my efficiency was faster than usual. I finished all my work before six o'clock and leisurely waited for the end of the workday.
Perhaps I didn't want to be late or miss the appointment.
To avoid unnecessary gossips, Hana and I didn't leave together, but only agreed to meet at the sports ground. After a quick dinner, I went home, changed into my workout clothes and put on my newly bought running shoes. I felt like an elementary school student embarking on a trip for the first time as I rushed out the door. When I arrived at the sports ground, Hana was there already waiting for me.
"Hello, Brother Janny! You're very punctual!" Hana said happily.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaamcU63ya
"Of course, of course!" I replied sheepishly. "It's my first time running with you, how could I be late?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCLvjUyy9Q
"Huh?" Hana noticed my running shoes. "So do you like this brand too? Look, we're wearing the same ones with different colours!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvsWGm7mIy
"Oh, what a coincidence! I haven't gone running in years, so I just bought these.... not long ago." I replied.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sjNIci6Sg
"You have very good taste!" Hana gave me a thumbs-up. "Let's warm up with a slow jog first!"
As I looked at her pink running shoes, I felt grateful for the salesgirl's recommendation, which created this coincidence. Just as we were about to start, I thought of something.
"Wait, don't we need to stretch first?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHuRTx1Jxx
"It's a matter of sequence," Hana explained. "It's cold today, so we must warm up before stretching, otherwise we might get injured."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXO247DKub
"I see!" I nodded. "At work, I'm your supervisor, but when it comes to running, I'm just a beginner."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MIO8fk38P
"Oh forget about work, let's just call you 'Mr. Beginner'," Hana teased. "Let's go, we'll talk while we run."
After that, we started jogging slowly. However, the idea of "talking while running" was for Hana only, who explained things along the way.
"Today, let's run a lap around the Shing Mun River, about four kilometres, and see how you feel."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnCIVzrrA4
"Four kilometres?" I was already panting like a bull. "I'm afraid I can't handle it..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLve2XEcJGB
"Don't worry, I'll run with you at a slow pace, and if you need to rest, you can stop anytime."
I didn't say anything else, but cursed myself for rashly agreeing to go running. However, perhaps because Hana deliberately accommodated me, running wasn't as difficult as I had imagined. After a while, I began to adapt to the rhythm and feel comfortable. Although I was sweating, I didn't feel anywhere near exhausted, which was wonderfully great. However, this "wonderfully great" feeling was soon replaced by a "horribly wrong" one.
My stomach was aching like hell.
Fortunately, the restroom was just ahead. After blurting out a few words to Hana, I rushed towards the restroom. After a few minutes, I came out, feeling embarrassed as I looked at Hana's puzzling and worrying expression.
"Are you okay, Mr. Beginner?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGAhvaskPT
"I'm fine now, sorry..." I replied.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ij9rzqgjY
"Don't worry, it's normal to have these kind of intestinal movements, which often worries runners. But I want to ask you, what did you have for dinner just now?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ3gTdQMMy
"Singaporean fried rice noodles."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUOFoYSkKY
"Singaporean fried rice noodles? Oh my god, Mr. Beginner, you really have no common sense, you only know about computers but nothing else! Couldn't believe you were the one giving me the stick of not knowing anything the other day!" Hana widened her eyes. "Before exercising, you should eat something easy to digest, such as sandwiches or rice balls. Spicy or hard-to-digest foods will make you embarrass yourself. Fortunately, there was a restroom just now..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFD1jE7r3T
"Okay, sorry, I get it and please stop." I grinned sheepishly. "I know I was wrong."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTUXjxhbpw
"Never mind, I'll just assume you didn't know and let you off this time. But the thing is... can you continue? If you still feel uncomfortable, we can just end it here." Hana puffed out her cheeks.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoTUSTsStZ
"It's okay, I can still do it."
Although I insisted with my mouth, my body was acting very honestly. Perhaps because of the embarrassment and worry, my breathing was not as smooth as before, and the "wonderfully great" feeling I had just experienced completely disappeared. After finishing the targeted four kilometres, Hana led me in stretching and cooling down. However, because I ran too slowly, she hardly broke a sweat and looked bored.
After saying goodbye hastily, I went home as this evening ended in the most awkward fashion.
"Damn, I swear I'll never ever eat Singaporean fried ri..."
As I walked into my home with regret, before I could finish the word "rice" in my mind, I received a text message. After reading it, all the unpleasantness and depression disappeared in an instant.
"Come Saturday morning, are you interested in running again? But please don't eat hard-to-digest food again, Mr. Beginner Brother Janny! ^o^/"
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