North Face 40K Challenge - Jia You!

Ever since I read The Go Girl's Guide to Living in Your 20s, I always wanted to run a marathon before my 30th birthday. In it, the author listed the top 10 things to do during your 20s, and one of the items listed was to run 26.2 miles. Having done cross country and track in high school, I always enjoyed running, but never really had the discipline nor the patience to actually train for a marathon. I thought marathon runners were nuts, and after hearing stories about bloody nipples and people throwing up, I didn't think it was something I could do. When I came to China, people told me about the Great Wall Marathon, and I thought, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to run a marathon in China?" But then right before I signed up, I found out that the registration fee was $300 USD plus - an expensive way to torture your body!

Then a friend of mine told me about the North Face Challenge held outside of Beijing. It wasn't exactly a full marathon (40K vs 42.2K), but close enough. It wasn't on the Great Wall, but the course took us through all of the emperors' tombs. The event took place right before my 30th birthday, and best yet, it was only 100 RMB. So I thought, what the heck? When would I ever get the chance to trample through a bunch of graves, say I ran a "marathon" and pay only $15 for it (plus get 2 free t-shirts!)?

Map of the course -

Reservoir Platform坝底平台/ North Dam北坝头/ Mangshan National Forest Park蟒山公园/ Tianchi Lake天池/ De Ling Village 德陵村/ De Ling 德陵景区/ Yong Tomb 永陵/ Jing Tomb 景陵/ Crossroad of Chang Ling长陵镇政府路口/ Chang Tomb长陵/ Xian Tomb献陵/ Qing Tomb庆陵/ Yu Tomb裕陵/ Mao Tomb茂陵/ Tai Tomb泰陵/ Kang Tomb康陵/ Ding Tomb定陵/ Deshengkou Village 德胜口村 / Zhao Ling昭陵 / Chang Ling Village / Yong Ling Road永陵路/ Deling Village德陵村口/ North Erba二坝北口/ South Erba二坝南口/ Nanxin Village南新村/Jiulong Park West Gate九龙西门/ Reservoir Platform坝底平台

So I signed up and talked Mike into doing it. And the more I trained, the more I got into it. I met other fellow runners in Beijing, and somehow talked another friend into doing it. I trained in the city, was stared at by the Chinese (sometimes laughed and pointed at), and ran through ancient temples like Badachu. Last Friday, I pulled a calf muscle/tendon and thought about pulling out, for fear of permanent injury.

Posing with other fellow Beijing runners in Badachu. Kate, the girl next to me, got 5th place in the NF 40K Challenge!

Stopping for a break with Mike during one of our training sessions

Running behind Mike in Badachu

Then on the morning of the race, I wrapped up that damn calf muscle, popped 3 advils into my mouth and went to the race site. I was amazed at the number of people who showed up! 300 people signed up for the 40K race, and most of them were Chinese nationals. The official fired the gun at 9 am and off we ran! The course started off with climbing 2,000 steps to get to Tianchi Lake, followed by a narrow descent.

Picture of Tianchi Lake, courtesy of travelingislife.com (I didn't take this pic since I was busy running!)

My calves and quads were dying, but we kept going, and I saw some of the most spectacular views. Then we reached the bottom of the mountain, and I ran and ran. My knees were killing me, my ankles were sore, and I cursed myself out for putting my body through so much pain. The villagers screamed, "Jia You! Jia You!" and the children waved their arms ferociously. Then somehow, I passed the halfway point...2:08...then I passed 31.3K...then I got closer and closer...until a sign said, "4K more to go"! I caught up with Mike (who graciously ran a little slower to wait for me) and we bolted towards the finish line together, clocking in 4:00:53. YAY! I can't believe it - I actually ran 40K!!!!! What's even more amazing was when I crossed the finish line, someone handed me a slip of paper that said I came in 8th place for women's! OMG!

View of the Reservoir Platform the morning of the race

The start and finish line

Mike still standing and smiling after the race

Wen Szu and I smiling and standing before the race!

Although my legs still hurt, and I can barely walk down the stairs, the entire experience was amazing and I would absolutely try to run the race again. Now I can see why people say marathons are addictive! It was really painful, sometimes grueling, but really rewarding - I'm so happy I ran the race and now I can check off one last item before turning 30!

Also, congratulations to Wen Szu, Mike and Sarah for finishing the race, especially Sarah who got 10th place for women's! Great job for hauling up the mountain!