Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    WHILE “Running Man,” a reality TV show originally produced in South Korea and adapted into a Chinese version, has gained massive popularity among Chinese audiences, various types of running groups have been springing up in Shenzhen over the past years. As a result, an increasing number of local people — men and women, young and old — have been drawn to join in one of the most original and basic of sports: running.

    Among them is Li Xuchao, a running woman based in Shenzhen, who has also helped push the trend by spreading her positive energy to people around her.

    Before courageously taking the first step toward a marathon, Li Xuchao could hardly imagine herself running for over 20 km in two and a half hours, sweating yet enjoying her new experiences of releasing every bit of energy in her body.

    Li, in her late 30s, looks at least 10 years younger thanks to her persistent hobby. “For most people, running can be dull and tough, but I believe running keeps me healthy and confident,” said Li.

    Li is an art collector who moved to Shenzhen from Northeast China nearly 20 years ago. Possessing a special aesthetic sense, Li is particularly good at discovering and creating beauty. She sees running as a low-budget method of maintaining youth and health.

    As the current leader of a running group called Happy Snails, Li has a model-type figure that makes every woman jealous. With a height of 175cm, Li only weighs 45 kg even though she never refuses delicious food as she is a 100-percent foodie.

    Admire Li’s healthy and balanced life that keeps away anxiety about eating too much? Shenzhen Daily is now going to unveil Li’s story and her “Bible” of running for beauty.

    This confident woman started her running journey two years ago when she was introduced to a “snail team,” one of Shenzhen’s running groups. The team quickly expanded to become a much larger group under the name Happy Snails. After a few weeks of training, Li was offered an opportunity to run in the Beijing Marathon.

    Though Li is fond of running in the city’s well-planned parks with picturesque views, she did not picture herself running a marathon at such an early stage. After thinking about it for several days, Li decided to challenge herself with her friends’ encouragement.

    “I was thinking about having fun instead of completing the race, but I managed to finish the half marathon in two and a half hours, which was surprising to me,” said Li. “And I was proud of myself at the same time.”

    Since the Beijing Marathon, Li began running training for longer distances with professional help. Compared to marathon training, Li might be moving at a snail’s pace, but she is just as diligent.

    Li has taken part in almost every marathon around the country, including in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. She runs four times a week, clocking in 100-160 kilometers every month, depending on the season.

    Favoring running in parks instead of monotonously circling around stadium tracks, Li found running gives her a valuable period of time to indulge in the natural world and herself.

    Running, in a way, is a sport that allows her to spend time with herself. She can talk to herself, listen to her inner thoughts and thereby know more about herself.

    “There are so many people who don’t know themselves well enough and that could be a source of anxiety and pain. Running is a good way to get control of oneself. Not to mention the healthy body one will gain,” said Li, who is confident enough to enjoy life without feeling guilty.

    Even though Li loves participating in all sorts of marathons, the training can be arduous. The most challenging part is keeping a regular running schedule.

    “To make running more relaxing and interesting, I will dress up in colorful outfits, take selfies with my companions, and admire the beautiful scenes along the route, doing anything that can add more fun during a running session,” said Li.

    After the former leader of the group quit, Li was nominated as the new leader for Happy Snails at the end of 2013. She organizes diverse activities for the members to engage in and helps them socialize with one another, through which some have even found love.

    “One newlywed couple met each other in our running group several months ago. It always excites me to see how members in this group help, support and love each other while running for hope, confidence and a positive way of living,” said Li.

    Interestingly, to join the Happy Snails running group, one has to follow certain rules. For example, every member should participate in one group run every month. How far one must run is not regulated but showing up and running with other members once a month is important.

    At the end of each month, each group member needs to prove that they have, on a weekly basis, ran at least 40 km for a woman or 60 km for a man. Those who fail to meet the requirement may still stay in the group but only as a volunteer or photographer.

    “We do think highly of the need to relax, but as runners, a certain amount of exercises is vital. In fact, our running requirements are not as harsh as many other running groups,” said Li.

    Apart from running, the Snails are also devoted to supporting charity. In fact, many of the Happy Snails runners are going to join a fundraising marathon organized by OCT Hotel and the city’s autism societies for the autistic community.

    The charity event will take place at Shenzhen Bay Park on Sunday from 8-11 a.m. All of the funds collected from the marathon will be donated to needy families that have autistic members.

    Li’s tips for beginning runners:

    — Clarify what you need before starting.

    People run for different reasons. Some may want to lose weight while others may want to challenge their limits. Thus, training will be different according to an individual’s goals. Beginners need to be persistent as well as goal-orientated.

    — Learn how your body works.

    It is important for runners to understand how their bodies function. It can effectively help the runners to find the most comfortable way to run further and faster.

    — The first step determines how you keep going.

    Li reinforced her philosophy of “taking the first step” several times while talking with Shenzhen Daily. She emphasized the importance of starting in a good location — a park, for instance — because the scene along the track could be an incentive for runners to keep going.

    — Professional instruction help avoid injuries.

    Although running is a basic sport, professional instruction can help a runner avoid injuries and joint deformities that could result from long-term exercise.

    — Persistence, persistence and persistence.

    Running is an easy sport to start since the only equipment one needs is a pair of sneakers, yet it is also one of the most difficult sports to stick with as it requires determination and persistence. Li encourages everyone who wants to take control of their lives to take the first step and insist on running all the way to health, happiness and confidence.

    Zhang Qian

    zhqcindy@163.com

    WHILE “Running Man,” a reality TV show originally produced in South Korea and adapted into a Chinese version, has gained massive popularity among Chinese audiences, various types of running groups have been springing up in Shenzhen over the past years. As a result, an increasing number of local people — men and women, young and old — have been drawn to join in one of the most original and basic of sports: running.

    Among them is Li Xuchao, a running woman based in Shenzhen, who has also helped push the trend by spreading her positive energy to people around her.

    Before courageously taking the first step toward a marathon, Li Xuchao could hardly imagine herself running for over 20 km in two and a half hours, sweating yet enjoying her new experiences of releasing every bit of energy in her body.

    Li, in her late 30s, looks at least 10 years younger thanks to her persistent hobby. “For most people, running can be dull and tough, but I believe running keeps me healthy and confident,” said Li.

    Li is an art collector who moved to Shenzhen from Northeast China nearly 20 years ago. Possessing a special aesthetic sense, Li is particularly good at discovering and creating beauty. She sees running as a low-budget method of maintaining youth and health.

    As the current leader of a running group called Happy Snails, Li has a model-type figure that makes every woman jealous. With a height of 175cm, Li only weighs 45 kg even though she never refuses delicious food as she is a 100-percent foodie.

    Admire Li’s healthy and balanced life that keeps away anxiety about eating too much? Shenzhen Daily is now going to unveil Li’s story and her “Bible” of running for beauty.

    This confident woman started her running journey two years ago when she was introduced to a “snail team,” one of Shenzhen’s running groups. The team quickly expanded to become a much larger group under the name Happy Snails. After a few weeks of training, Li was offered an opportunity to run in the Beijing Marathon.

    Though Li is fond of running in the city’s well-planned parks with picturesque views, she did not picture herself running a marathon at such an early stage. After thinking about it for several days, Li decided to challenge herself with her friends’ encouragement.

    “I was thinking about having fun instead of completing the race, but I managed to finish the half marathon in two and a half hours, which was surprising to me,” said Li. “And I was proud of myself at the same time.”

    Since the Beijing Marathon, Li began running training for longer distances with professional help. Compared to marathon training, Li might be moving at a snail’s pace, but she is just as diligent.

    Li has taken part in almost every marathon around the country, including in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. She runs four times a week, clocking in 100-160 kilometers every month, depending on the season.

    Favoring running in parks instead of monotonously circling around stadium tracks, Li found running gives her a valuable period of time to indulge in the natural world and herself.

    Running, in a way, is a sport that allows her to spend time with herself. She can talk to herself, listen to her inner thoughts and thereby know more about herself.

    “There are so many people who don’t know themselves well enough and that could be a source of anxiety and pain. Running is a good way to get control of oneself. Not to mention the healthy body one will gain,” said Li, who is confident enough to enjoy life without feeling guilty.

    Even though Li loves participating in all sorts of marathons, the training can be arduous. The most challenging part is keeping a regular running schedule.

    “To make running more relaxing and interesting, I will dress up in colorful outfits, take selfies with my companions, and admire the beautiful scenes along the route, doing anything that can add more fun during a running session,” said Li.

    After the former leader of the group quit, Li was nominated as the new leader for Happy Snails at the end of 2013. She organizes diverse activities for the members to engage in and helps them socialize with one another, through which some have even found love.

    “One newlywed couple met each other in our running group several months ago. It always excites me to see how members in this group help, support and love each other while running for hope, confidence and a positive way of living,” said Li.

    Interestingly, to join the Happy Snails running group, one has to follow certain rules. For example, every member should participate in one group run every month. How far one must run is not regulated but showing up and running with other members once a month is important.

    At the end of each month, each group member needs to prove that they have, on a weekly basis, ran at least 40 km for a woman or 60 km for a man. Those who fail to meet the requirement may still stay in the group but only as a volunteer or photographer.

    “We do think highly of the need to relax, but as runners, a certain amount of exercises is vital. In fact, our running requirements are not as harsh as many other running groups,” said Li.

    Apart from running, the Snails are also devoted to supporting charity. In fact, many of the Happy Snails runners are going to join a fundraising marathon organized by OCT Hotel and the city’s autism societies for the autistic community.

    The charity event will take place at Shenzhen Bay Park on Sunday from 8-11 a.m. All of the funds collected from the marathon will be donated to needy families that have autistic members.

    Li’s tips for beginning runners:

    — Clarify what you need before starting.

    People run for different reasons. Some may want to lose weight while others may want to challenge their limits. Thus, training will be different according to an individual’s goals. Beginners need to be persistent as well as goal-orientated.

    — Learn how your body works.

    It is important for runners to understand how their bodies function. It can effectively help the runners to find the most comfortable way to run further and faster.

    — The first step determines how you keep going.

    Li reinforced her philosophy of “taking the first step” several times while talking with Shenzhen Daily. She emphasized the importance of starting in a good location — a park, for instance — because the scene along the track could be an incentive for runners to keep going.

    — Professional instruction help avoid injuries.

    Although running is a basic sport, professional instruction can help a runner avoid injuries and joint deformities that could result from long-term exercise.

    — Persistence, persistence and persistence.

    Running is an easy sport to start since the only equipment one needs is a pair of sneakers, yet it is also one of the most difficult sports to stick with as it requires determination and persistence. Li encourages everyone who wants to take control of their lives to take the first step and insist on running all the way to health, happiness and confidence.