He has not yet put on his sword, but in the blink of an eye he is in the world.
May I go through thousands of sails and come back still young.
I came from the ordinary and returned as a young man
During the trip to Singapore, I didn’t tell my parents or my uncle, and I saved up money for more than half a year. A friend asked me: "You traveled across the ocean just to run a marathon in Singapore? How crazy are you?" Knowing that my friend was puzzled, I told him a story.
"Legend has it that there is a young man who heard about the art of slaying dragons in the East, so he made up his mind to go and learn it. He did not hesitate to go over mountains and ridges to fight through thorns and thorns, and he went away for ten years. When he came back, he was in a mess. The villagers laughed at him: "There is no dragon in the world, so why talk about slaying dragons? It's ridiculous! "The young man in the past had already passed his thirties and had no wife. He lowered his head and did not know what to say. He sealed his sword and went to work in the fields without mentioning the past ten years. Three years later, there was a dragon at the bottom of the lake near the village that did evil. Many strong men carrying water and peasant women doing laundry fed it. The young man took off his hat and raincoat and remained silent. He drew his sword and fought the dragon alone, fighting hard day and night. On the sixth day, the clouds in the west were like blood, and the young man took the dragon's head and returned. We never thought that his blood had not cooled down, but he did not mention the past. "
From 2008 to 2018
In the summer of 2008, I came to Singapore for the first time with my junior high school classmates. Although it only lasted for half a month, this trip had a profound impact on me. It was like planting a seed and growing into a strong consciousness. When the high school teacher asked the students to write down the name of the target university, the high spirits of that year made me firmly write down the National University of Singapore. But in the ten years since then, I have experienced an extremely bumpy road to education in my life. I have experienced angrily dropping out of college, and also experienced a second failure in the college entrance examination.
Ten years ago, our hearts were so thick that they could be broken by force. Inside were letter paper, red armbands, clockwork frogs, feather shuttlecocks and brand-new jai alai sneakers. Ten years from now, our hearts will be so thin that they will break if we blow them. Inside will be street lamps, beer bottles, sleepless nights, dark circles under the eyes, and forgotten computers.
But after ten years of drinking ice, it was hard to cool down the hot blood, so I would be paranoid and get one offer after another when applying for graduate school. However, in the end, I chose Wuhan University, which was not excellent in engineering, amid a lot of opposition, just because of the instructor's experience in Singapore. Ten years later, on the third day after my birthday, I boarded a flight to Singapore again in the name of marathon running. In fact, I just wanted to see if I still had the same mood at such a special node in ten years, facing the same scenery.
Just like that, carrying the third-level bag with the national flag on my back, I went to Nanyang again.
From Changi Airport to Nanyang Polytechnic
This is a country of more than 700 square kilometers and a population of less than 5 million. She is Singapore. From Changi Airport at the far right end of Star Island to Nanyang Polytechnic at the far left end, the distance in between is enough to condense the essence of Singapore. So although the time is short, three days is enough for me to appreciate most of Singapore's landmarks.
It was already afternoon when I arrived in Singapore. Maybe I had stayed in Wuhan for a long time, but the humidity and heat in Po County did not make me feel too uncomfortable. The feeling I felt when I got off the plane was the same as ten years ago. The fresh air hit my face and was filled with the fragrance of flowers.
Then I plugged in the local phone card I bought on Taobao in China at the airport and called Brother Shuo to play guessing who I was. Unexpectedly, I was almost mistaken for a fraudster. I opened the browser and found that the Internet speed was good. Coupled with the Singapore international traffic activated by my original mobile phone, it can be said that I have returned to the earth from the lost population. At the airport gate, I asked an Indian girl in English where to recharge the bus card? Unexpectedly, she answered directly in Chinese: "It's in the back." I was stunned. The subway was very quiet, but it was filled with the fragrance of foreigners. I believe everyone in China has had similar experiences. When foreigners pass by, the fragrance fills the sky.
It was a sunny day outside the subway station, and then it started to rain lightly. The Mobikes and yellow bikes on the roadside were quite nice. Surprisingly, they could be opened with domestic software. I heard they were charged according to the kilometers traveled, but riding a bike here really requires a big heart. You might be whipped if you break any traffic rules, so I just unlocked the lock, and then silently closed it again.
I used Baidu Maps to search for the hotel Summer View I booked, and then followed the navigation all the way forward. At a traffic light, I found that as long as the green light was not on, no one would cross the road even if there were no cars for several miles. I was standing at the intersection looking around, and suddenly an Indian guy wearing black sunglasses and a leather jacket parked in front of me on a motorcycle. I was really shocked. Is it a robbery or a robbery? He saw that I was not crossing the road, so he continued to move forward on his bike. Only then did I realize that he was giving way to me. The same scene also appeared in front of me with buses and cars. I was really embarrassed, so I took the initiative to stay away from the route when the light was red. It's really the car that makes people, it feels amazing. Baidu Maps directed me to a large house called "Summer View", with the front and rear doors locked. I asked passers-by everywhere how to enter, and a Malay aunt helped me look at it for a long time, but found that I still couldn't figure it out.
I had no choice but to carry my Level 3 bag and walk to pick up the equipment. I found that the place I wanted to go could not be found on Baidu Map. Amap is completely useless in Singapore. I tried to download Google Map. Unexpectedly, it was like opening the door to a new world. It was accurate and comprehensive. The pick-up location was in the Race inside F1 PIT BUILDING. Village, in fact, this is a temporary channel specially opened for outside runners, so as long as it is simple and efficient, it does not require a large formation. Just scan the QR code to pick up the items and it will be OK, without looking at the ID.
I went back and used Google Maps to search for the bus. It seemed that there were not many people in the bus in Singapore. It was like a big refrigerator. I got off the bus to keep warm while facing the map. I ate Hainanese chicken rice by the way. To my surprise, the boss was actually a Northeastern person. In Nanyang, we chatted in Northeastern dialect for a long time, and the air was full of joy.
This time, the map helped me find the real Summer View Hotel. After checking my passport, I checked in. The environment was pretty good, and I was waiting for my roommate Chaoge. In fact, this time I was excited to sign up for the marathon running hotel package. I still recommend everyone to book a capsule hotel by yourself. Firstly, it is affordable, and secondly, you can experience Singaporean culture. The open platform makes it easier to make friends from marathon running around the world.
In the evening, I met Brother Chao and decided to visit the night view of Po County together. The first stop was Chinatown. Chinatown refers to Singapore’s Chinatown. The name of Chinatown comes from the fact that there was no running water at that time. The sight of oxcarts transporting water was very common in Chinatown, so Chinatown was called Chinatown. Today, what attracts us most here is undoubtedly the snacks here. The Hainanese chicken rice and Songfa Bak Kut Teh are must-try delicacies. The Indian temples and mosques scattered around witness the cultural blending of various ethnic groups on this small island.
Walking to Clarke Quay, the music here is very dynamic, various open-air bars are filled with carnival crowds, and the gorgeous lights seem to say, look! This luxurious city that never sleeps. The Indian guy was teasing the tourists with Internet celebrity ice cream. Unfortunately, I was also caught in the trick and was stunned for a while. It was extremely entertaining, but the taste was surprisingly good.
Then we came to Merlion Park. Merlion Park is located on the reclaimed land next to One Fullerton. It is the smallest park in Singapore. "Singapore" means "Lion City" in Sanskrit, and Merlion means because Singapore is an island, so Merlion has become a symbol of Singapore. Across the river is the majestic Sands Hotel. The night view under the Singapore River is luxurious and gorgeous.
The next day's itinerary was a pilgrimage, visiting two institutions of higher learning, the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. The first stop was the National University of Singapore. Ten years later, I was once again exposed to these top universities in Asia. I had mixed feelings. The garden-like campus was full of life, but there were few people passing through. The campus was quiet and empty, which made people think of the solemnity of focusing on academics. Passing by the student dormitory, I can still vaguely remember the scene ten years ago.
Turning towards Nanyang Polytechnic, the sky changed drastically, thunder rumbled, but luckily it stopped raining. I had been to Nanyang Polytechnic ten years ago, but I only visited the museum on campus, so I was not very impressed with the environment of the entire school. This time I came prepared and checked the school map before. Similarly, there were almost no people on campus. The buildings here are very artistic. It is difficult to compare with the traditional engineering schools in your impression. The campus is clean and beautiful. Unknowingly, it turned to 4pm on campus. Considering the sundown at night, we decided to return.
We first went to Lau Pa Sat to eat Indian rice Chicken Set Meal, and then returned to the hotel to rest. I ran the Sundown Marathon from night to early morning (more details in the next chapter), and then slept until the afternoon the next day.
I found that Little India was just a few hundred meters away from me, so I walked directly there. I was very curious about Indian culture, and Little India did not disappoint me. Compared with the slightly high-end atmosphere in Singapore that I had experienced before, Little India was obviously much more down-to-earth. Little India is a gathering place for the Indian ethnic group in Singapore. It is like a microcosm of India. It is located on Serangoon Road in the south-central part of Singapore, where many Indians gather.
Here, sitting on the floor seems very common. The whole street is crowded, but I am the whitest person in the whole street. I can't help but brush up my sense of presence. I ordered a Butter Chicken and yogurt at a roadside shop, and then sat among three Indians to eat. I really loved curry. This meal was delicious and a little expensive, but the taste is still unforgettable.
As the sky gets darker, you can go to the Gardens by the Bay to watch the light show. Gardens By the Bay is a vast urban garden in this busy city. It is built on a reclaimed land and covers an area of 101 hectares. Three themed gardens work together to create a breathtaking view of the Marina Bay. Being among the world-famous horticultural masterpiece of Gardens by the Bay, you will really be amazed by the dazzling coastal scenery. The Grove Supertree light show here is beautiful. I heard that the Singapore government spent one billion US dollars to build it, which shows Singapore's determination to create the world's top "garden city".
On the last day, we visited the Malay Cultural District, Kampong Glan, in the morning, and spent the afternoon at Changi Airport, the world’s best airport and department store center. From Changi Airport to Nanyang Polytechnic and back to Changi Airport constitutes the core axis of Singapore travel notes.
From midnight to sunrise at the F1 Pit Building
The purpose of this trip is still to run marathons, so I want to focus on the Singapore Sunset Marathon, which is the most famous night-time long-distance running event in Asia. As the name suggests, it is a race after the sun sets. Along the bustling Esplanade, you can see many attractions along the way, such as the landmark Merlion Park, Esplanade Park, Ferris Wheel and Sands Hotel. Running from the first day to the second day also feels fresh and exciting. As the most popular Singapore Marathon event among Chinese people, the Singapore Sunset Marathon has been officially renamed the "Singapore Sundown Marathon" since 2017. The first "Sundown" Marathon was launched in 2008.
The theme of this year's Sunset Marathon is "Sleep can wait". It is sultry and windless, with a temperature of nearly 30°C and an air humidity of over 90%. It is a great test for runners both physically and mentally. They start at dusk and arrive at sunrise. This can definitely be called a marathon against humanity. Why did I come? In addition to self-organizing at the ten-year mark, it is also because I feel that running like this is cool enough and I feel the thrill of blood flow, which is what young people look like.
The waiting area before the race was like a big party. The lights and music shook the runners' nerves. The booths with five-star red flags filled us with endless pride in a foreign country. What I was particularly happy about was my classmate Ji Lele before the competition. I couldn’t be more excited to meet my gay friends in a foreign country. After studying the starting times, I found that except for the 5km and 10km races, the half and full races started at midnight.
I started the race at the starting point. I was in Zone C and started last. Before the race, I had underestimated the humidity and heat in Southeast Asia. When I started running, I realized that in Singapore, which is located in the equatorial low pressure zone, it is really not easy to stay up late and run under the thin air, high temperature and humidity. There were no noisy spectators, and the volunteers were all bleary-eyed. This should be said to be the quietest marathon I have ever run. In the air, everyone's breathing could be heard very clearly, and only the occasional volunteers shouted "Good" Jop" can break the tranquility of the track. There are no highlights in the initial section of the road. You enter the sidewalk and drive side by side with the passing vehicles. Some sections can only allow three people to pass side by side. There is no cheering sound and no audience. The thought of the long 40-kilometer road, hot and humid and boring, is inevitably discouraging. Finally arrived at the first supply point, replenished energy and regained consciousness before slowly entering the state.
Running alone, ten kilometers into the seaside section of Marina Bay, there will be a Lion City running group to cheer everyone, eating cherries from Po County, it can be so sweet. There are outdoor camping people on the beach staring at the flow of people passing by at midnight. I can’t tell whether they are excited or angry. I even wonder if this group of runners who are still messing around in the middle of the night have disturbed their rest. This kind of road section really requires all kinds of random thoughts to distract my attention. I finally arrived at the beverage replenishment point, Ice Plus+. I drank three cups in a row. The feeling was really extremely refreshing.
A few kilometers away, my random thoughts kept me going as fast as I could. This chaotic state was quite effective. In the blink of an eye, we reached 22 kilometers. I saw a European-American-looking uncle with white hair and white beard who was full of energy, so I shamelessly followed him. And said to him: "You gave me the power to run. I want to follow you." It doesn't matter whether this European and American man understands it or not, I am determined to follow him anyway. The uncle said OK, and I followed along without saying much to each other until we reached a supply point. I took the initiative to grab some energy gels for the uncle, which broke the ice for us. During the rest of the journey, the uncle started chatting and asked me which country I was from and how many marathons I had run. I was pleasantly surprised that I could still understand. Running was no longer chaotic and became interesting. I thought that we could go to the finish line like this, but the uncle was exhausted at 30 kilometers and said to me, "You are young. Go "First." I said goodbye to the uncle. After running for a while, I couldn't run anymore. I went to the bathroom on the beach to wash my face. Then I started walking and walked out of the seaside park. It was a long stretch of road. I was breathing heavily, looking at my watch, and calculating alone. It was 8 hours away. There were still 4 hours until the closing time, and the ten-kilometer distance would be covered in four hours, so I walked more calmly. Maybe I could walk slowly enough to catch the sunrise on the beach. I secretly rejoiced in my own wit. This reason why I couldn't run was perfect.
Suddenly, a voice broke the quiet of the night. I turned around and saw my angel of the race: an unbelievably energetic pacer I started calling Sister Rabbit. At first I thought she was Indian. Along the way she kept calling out, "Join us, join us!" to tired runners around her, and somehow our little group kept getting bigger. She kept coaching us too: "Forget your legs! Noooooo legs!" Then came her huge, joyful laugh. When we passed the Supertrees at Marina Bay and the waterfront path across from Marina Bay Sands, she would shout again, "Sooooo beautiful, enjoy the scenery!" and laugh all over again. Around 40K, I passed the Western runner I had been following earlier. I had thought he was incredibly strong, and he told me I was young and should go ahead. Only then did I realize I had somehow caught him. In the final stretch, every time Sister Rabbit saw a kilometer marker, she led the cheer: "Wow huuuuuuuu! XX km!" It was exactly the jolt of energy we needed. Exhausted or not, she stayed wildly excited to the end. Finally, I reached the finish. The happiest little coincidence was that on 5/20, I finished 42.195 kilometers in 5 hours and 20 minutes. That felt meaningful.
I arrived one step ahead of Sister Rabbit, and waited for Sister Rabbit to cross the line at the finish line. Then, with the mood of a star-chasing little fan, I applied for a photo with Sister Rabbit, and she happily agreed. Then we started chatting, and it turned out that she was not Indian, but Thai, but had lived in Singapore for 24 years. The Sunset Marathon was the third marathon she had participated in this week. She said she loved running. I told her that I was from China, and finally Sister Rabbit said that she likes China very much. There are many great marathons in China and it is beautiful there. I reluctantly said goodbye to Sister Rabbit. Maybe some people can only see her once in their lifetime, but it was touching enough.
The medals and Masaki after the race looked very crude. If you look at the Sunset Marathon by the standards of domestic marathons, it is obvious that both the logistics support and the track atmosphere are below the standard. However, the focus of this kind of race is the urban experience, especially this international atmosphere. Fascinated, I always believe that the meaning of "reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles" is not only the scenery I encounter, but also a spirit of "exploration". Starting a journey with a very courageous attitude is a kind of "self-transcendence" and a new understanding that running brings me. This experience convinced me that you can break out of the inherent rhythm of life and discover unknown possibilities. The world is as big as your horizons are.
After stretching, it was already bright. I said goodbye to the Ferris wheel and looked forward to seeing you again next time...
From "The Wind Blows" to "The Moon and Sixpence"
The two books I have read recently are "Strong Wind" and "The Moon and Sixpence". The book "Strong Wind" tells the story of ten roommates from the Kansei University dormitory "Zhu Qingzhuang" who formed a miscellaneous long-distance running team. The oldest long-distance running relay race "Hakone Ekiden" is advancing. The whole book is about youth and struggle, showing the courage and passion of young people. The ending is also like many youth dramas, very ideal, telling us that the so-called indomitable spirit is the attitude of youth.
In comparison, the theme of "The Moon and Sixpence" is much more serious. It mainly tells the story of Strickland, a stockbroker in London. After studying painting at night school for a year, he left his family and went to Paris to study painting alone. Later, he came to the South Pacific island of Tahiti, where he died of illness. During his lifetime, not many people appreciated his paintings; after his death, he became a genius famous in the history of painting. This book explores life and choices. We often call people like Strickland prodigals, but prodigals also have different grades, as Somerset Maugham said: "If it is for a woman, it is unforgivable, but if it is for an ideal, it will be deeply sympathized with."
Ten years ago, I might have been like Keiji Kiyose in "The Wind Blows". But today, ten years later, I think more of the choice between the moon and sixpence in "The Moon and Sixpence". Ideals are a powerful double-edged sword. If you want to realize your ideals, you must struggle to give up some precious things. Many people give up in the process of struggle. Because we cannot live as pure people. As long as you have the moon, you will starve to death. As long as you only have six pence, you will live a mediocre life. If you want to grasp the moon and sixpence with both hands, you will fall into this dilemma: you don't see enough of the moon, and you don't see enough of the sixpence.
Is life like this? Maybe ordinary is the only answer?
Beyond the ordinary, you will still be young when you return
Finally, I boarded the flight back home and watched Singapore change from brightly lit to a bright spot. I was a little disappointed. I thought that maybe there is really no so-called dragon-slaying skill in this world. The legendary boy only has a rusty iron sword and a worthless obsession...
I couldn't help but lower my head, looking at the dark skin that had been tanned over the past few days, and feeling the soreness in my body after running 42 kilometers, but this feeling was clear and so real and real. I had been here after all.
As for the young man, when everyone was fleeing in panic, he had the courage to step forward with a sword. Is this enough? We were once teenagers, and as we grew older, gained weight, and lost our moral integrity, we saw the awe-inspiring behavior of others in their lives, and we would also fight against the world gently.
Perhaps, the changes that ten years have brought to me have made me more convinced that the figure who strives forward can still be tall and tall, with an indifferent expression but more stubborn. Running has transformed me, and I believe that no matter where I go in the future, I can still be young forever and have tears in my eyes forever.
- End -
Words · Arsenan
Photos · Arsenan
Design · Arsenan