Original by Dr. Steve Wong
October 18, 2024
I recently completed the LA Long Beach Marathon with my fifth child Urs who’s 20 years old. Despite being three times his age, I finished just 50% slower than him. My marathon journey began in 2001 when I decided to sign up during a casual chat with colleagues from the Bayer plastics department in Leverkusen. My experience as a cross-country runner in school gave me confidence to handle the 42 km distance. I went on to run marathons in Cologne for 18 consecutive years until the pandemic forced a pause.
Nowadays, I only participate in two to three marathons each year, mainly in the United States, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. In recent years, marathons have become increasingly popular, with many major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and London requiring a draw for qualification. Compared to when I started running, there were fewer participants and even fewer Chinese runners. Despite my unremarkable performance, I often ranked high among Chinese participants.
Over the years, I have persisted in running marathons mainly to counterbalance unhealthy habits in my life, such as unhealthy eating, smoking and drinking. Running has helped mitigate the negative impacts of these bad habits. Nowadays, my metabolism has slowed down, and smoking and drinking are occasional indulgences in social settings, not dependencies. My health is good, with only slightly elevated uric acid levels, requiring no supplements or medication, reminding me to maintain healthy dietary habits.
I strongly encourage friends around me to run or engage in sports because the benefits of running are immense.
Benefits of maintaining running for the body include:
- Improving cardiovascular health: Running strengthens the heart and lungs, promoting blood circulation.
- Strengthening muscles and bones: Regular running can enhance leg and core muscle strength and increase bone density.
- Weight control: Running is an efficient way to burn calories, aiding in weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight, in conjunction with healthy eating habits.
- Boosting mood: Running releases endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing mood.
- Enhancing immunity: Moderate running helps boost immune system function, reducing the risk of illness.
In conclusion, consistent running not only promotes physical health but also makes one feel more energetic.