I'm getting nervous. Very nervous, in fact. Will I be fit enough to run 21 kilometers on the evil Great Wall stair climber in 53 days? 

It's not about winning, it's about not having a heart attack, twisting an ankle, or embarrassing myself.

My very sporty friend, Magda, who is organizing everything, appointed me today as an administrator on for the Great Wall Half-Marathon Training Group in Shanghai. For some reason, this freaked me out. 

Or perhaps it was the fitness regime that she has drafted for us to follow. I am supposed to have started this three weeks ago. Aiyo.



I'm not much of a runner. Never have been. I was brushing my teeth this morning and worrying. I was thinking that I need to make some life changes this week so that I will be ready in 53 days to finish the race with a little grace and style.

Last weekend, I was having cocktails at my flat with my friend who is a doctor.

He says, "You're planning to run a marathon, eh? Means you're planning to stop drinking till then?" 

I look at him aghast and then I look at the cocktail in my hand indignantly. "Of course not!!" 

I ask him to poke my kidneys. "Do they feel ok, do you think I drink too much to run the race?"

That got me thinking. I quit smoking a couple months ago, but I do enjoy a drink here and there and regular helping of chocolate lava cake. Maybe I'm going to need to think about not drinking till the race, losing a couple pounds, running more, eating less carbs and getting more sleep for the next 53 days.

I ran three kilometers on the treadmill the other day and got bored, so went to yoga class for an hour. The furthest I have ever run in my life was eight kilometers in Shanghai's Century Park two weekends ago on a Saturday morning (with a hangover, btw). And that was because Magda motivated/forced me to do so. And sneakily lured me with promises of  a fabulous brunch at Azul Viva after. After brunch, I went home and slept for three hours.

Now the fact that it's going to be difficult and involve a commitment to training is starting to sink in. And I have paid the deposit, so can't back out now.

Marathons sound cool, but ya, training for them in advance on weekends: kind of a turn off. I had never been to Century Park (it's in Pudong) before and it reminded me a bit of Vancouver. Fresh air, trees, grass....

So in the mean time, read the letter that made me feel uneasy. It's from Magda. She signs it M. Like M in 007, who is the boss of James Bond. I don't want to spend my weekends running up stairs at Shanghai Stadium for hours trying to build endurance. That is NOT my idea of fun. But, it's probably a good idea...Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

From M:

Group training is a great way to commit and actually do it, so let's keep the momentum going. Only 7 weeks left. And cannot emphasize how important steps/stair training is for this event. I therefore like the Shanghai Stadium running idea; in the stadium and the steps/stairs. Alex/Brandon, can we get access and arrange say this Fri evening or next Monday night to do it? We need help to get Moganshan happen at least once before the Half-Marathon. Christine found some 10km race in Pudong. There will be Hash House Harriers runs on April 11th (Sat), as well as April 18th (Sat) out of the city which I will organise for us. Ok guys, this Sat is on as well, 11am Century Park run, meet at Exit 1 metro station.
Ciao, M.

Check out CTn's Feature Story: China's Great Wall Marathon: Feel the Love.

For more details about the Great Wall of China Marathon 2009, go here. For an awesome photo of someone on the Great Wall, go here.