I never thought that this article would have a postscript and that it would be placed at the front of the article.
In the morning, I received the prize from the Xixia Essay Competition. Suddenly, I feel that time flies so fast. The past events are still vivid in my mind. In a blink of an eye, several months have passed.
Therefore, no matter the hardships, ups and downs, the more experiences you have, the more good memories you will have.
See you next year, Xixia~
To this day, I am still very glad that I went to Xixia.
The train ticket to Xixia was bought at around 10pm the night before departure. In other words, with a tangled heart, I made a decision at the last moment:
I want to go to Xixia.
Two years ago, I was still a novice runner. I didn’t know what cross-country was, and I never thought that cross-country would have something to do with me.
After two years of running, with the encouragement of my friend Shan Shui, I tried my first cross-country race: the Xichuan Cross-Country Race.
I once watched Sanmao’s "Wandering Through Thousands of Rivers and Mountains" and felt so romantic, free and yearning.
Off-roading too.
The green mountains and green waters look beautiful. After running through it, I realized that another meaning of green mountains and green waters is: climbing over mountains and overcoming thorns~
The biggest feeling after returning from Xichuan is that the process is painful, but the memories are happy and fulfilling.
However, off-roading is like playing skewers. The more numb, the more energetic, the spicier and more addictive, and the aftertaste is endless. So when I heard about the Xixia Cross-Country Race, I signed up immediately.
At the beginning, my ankle was hit by a small stone, causing a dull pain, which affected the training plan.
Later, the group said: On the day of the competition, rain was forecast in Xixia.
So, I have been very confused: Should I go? Still going?
It was already noon when we arrived in Nanyang. After leaving the station, under the leadership of volunteers, we smoothly got on the shuttle bus to Xixia.
It was almost three o'clock in the afternoon when the car arrived at Xixia.
In Times Square, when I got off the car, I saw those flags shining brightly in the sun.
The familiar atmosphere of seeing each other again after a long absence makes people feel relieved from the dullness of the afternoon and the fatigue of a long car ride, and they feel excited and enthusiastic inexplicably.
After receiving the equipment and tasting the specialties, we found a hotel to stay at. Then take a short rest and go to Temple Mountain Park together.
When we came out of the hotel and crossed the road, a middle-aged woman greeted us enthusiastically: What do you mean (skiing)?
Her local accent brought us a lot of joy.
I said: Go home.
Everyone smiled tacitly.
This meme is very interesting. When we go out, we are often asked by others:
Are you from Henan?
Therefore, when I came to Xixia this time, although I am from Hubei, I felt at ease, as if I had finally gone home.
When I first saw Xixia, I liked this small county very much.
The streets are clean and tidy, neither wide nor narrow, which makes people feel at ease and can walk calmly. The houses on the roadside are three to four stories high, not depressing, but relaxing and comfortable.
Sishan Park is a national forest park, separated from the city by a river. The trees in the garden are lush and the atmosphere is cool and pleasant.
In the leaf litter beside the steps, I also saw a wild four-legged snake: a lizard for the first time.
The little things are fleeting, passing by so suddenly, it is very surprising.
On the way back, it rained. The patter is dripping, sometimes dense and sometimes sparse.
As soon as it comes, I’ll settle for it, so I don’t have too much to worry about.
It’s just the drizzle that makes the trees and streets in Xixia a little more spiritual. This is exactly what the saying goes: Green mountains and green waters are mountains of gold and silver.
The joy of off-roading is not just the moment of completion. But every step of the process.
Including getting up early.
Because we had to catch the shuttle bus, we got up at around four o'clock. After leaving the hotel, I saw a few small shops open.
My friends guess: Open 24 hours a day? !
When dawn fully woke up, we arrived at Laojieling. Here, a group of people who don’t know each other gather together because of Xixia.
Maybe we didn’t communicate much with each other while running all the way, but maybe it was a smile, maybe a greeting, even if we just passed each other, it might warm and encourage each other.
I remember Bian Zhilin wrote in a poem:
You are watching the scenery on the bridge, and the people watching the scenery are watching you upstairs.
The bright moon decorates your windows, and you decorate other people's dreams.
Off-roading is like that.
In the crowd, I accidentally discovered the photographer named "Peanut". He usually captures us in many marathons and cross-country events.
This time, I photographed him.
Although the photos are one-sided, they also have warmth. What the eyes see is what the heart sees.
Starting from Laojieling, the scenery along the way is breathtaking.
This time when I came to Xixia, I told myself that I could be a Buddhist off-roader. While running, don’t forget to enjoy the scenery.
From the start, I felt the wind, the sun, the blue sky, the crowd~
Every flower and every color on the roadside is cheering for you enthusiastically Come on~
Enjoy and don’t forget to take photos. Every photo is an extra reward for me from off-roading.
Despite this, the problem of insufficient running volume (monthly running volume of 80 to 100 kilometers) soon became apparent.
After CP2, as soon as I climbed the mountain, my legs suddenly started to feel awkward. Later, my calves and thighs began to cramp together.
Of course, with Xichuan’s experience, I am not in a hurry when encountering this situation. If you can run, run, if you can walk, walk. If you really can't move, just sit down and listen to the wind and watch the scenery.
Suddenly I thought of the sign in the Alps: Walk slowly and appreciate it.
Aren’t I the happiest person I am now?
The person who caught up behind saw me and said hello with a smile on his face:
Are you okay? No problem? Come on.
What impressed me deeply was a young lady who said sweetly from behind:
Overtaking, overtaking~
I couldn’t help laughing. stand up.
Cross-country allows you to see yourself clearly, whether your strengths or weaknesses, every bit of persistence, every bit of effort, as well as sloppiness and laziness will be truly revealed while running along the way.
The entire second half of the journey was spent fighting cramps and skinning.
Once, I even thought of myself as a soldier. While jogging, I shouted firmly: 121, 121, 1234 to distract attention.
Finally, before it rained, I successfully completed the Xixia International Cross-Country Race.
In this world, is there anything that can be gained for nothing? Everything is a result of hard work and a reward. Therefore, no matter what results I get, I am very satisfied.
The next day, I got up early and walked around the square alone.
The morning after running seemed so peaceful and beautiful.
Although it is early, the square is already crowded with people, walking, dancing, or practicing Tai Chi.
I saw someone setting up the awards stage, so I walked over and watched them busy.
Their busy figures remind me of a sentence:
There are no quiet years, but there are people carrying the burden for you.
Looking back on this cross-country trip, I feel deeply convinced.
On the back of the stage, I found my name, and the names of all the runners.
Later, I told the running group friends, and when they were about to leave, they also came over to take photos with their names.
Of course, among these names, there is no volunteer’s name.
However, no matter when I came, when I left, or when I was running, I really felt their enthusiasm and dedication. From beginning to end, they were by my side and never left, so at this time , they and we all have the same name: Xixia International Cross-Country Race.
Only with experience can there be memory.
And those things that are never forgotten in our hearts will eventually become the best memories in our lives.
I wrote a postscript on a whim and shared the article with the Xixia Group.
My friends are so cute and help me point out problems. Screenshot this memo. grateful.
Finally, I have to commend you for making our articles easy to supplement and updated from time to time.