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?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ59wcVUnl
"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!"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh9RTsVMjl
"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.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7IuylFkxy
"Hey! Two mochas, right?" said Penny enthusiastically after seeing us.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXF5piASgB
"Yes, please. Thanks man." I said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ6Vi9BzUP
"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.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQc7iqEVM8
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..."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrykDFLsa7O
"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?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASK0CEZfR4
"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?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PdL4mAgs8
"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!"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44BwcZfkEY
"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.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9JlMrgM1b
"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.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXcCMOYAyY
"'Sports Superheros'? And the sentence on the back... 'I don't make excuses, I make results'? Where is this from?" Penny asked curiously.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWMbHYCdbS
"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."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gkBrTwdTR
"I see." Penny said: "But won't it be a bit hot to wear black when running?"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpKGvT8RsQ
"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."42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq9FRdBFcD
"But with me and you together, will you still be afraid?" I gripped her hand tighter.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K79AGHkIj
"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!"42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58ASXy5C8j
"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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