Do you run for exercise? Do you like to run races, such as 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathons? As China is still a developing country, there aren't many running races yet. Western countries host thousands of running races each year. They're in nearly every city in the west in the summer months and year round in the warm climate states. 

I really hope that in the near future, that most cities in China host running races, bike races and triathlons for the enjoyment and health of millions of people in China. The life expectancy in China is just 74.2 years and Monaco’s life expectancy is 87.2 years. Part of the reason for life expectancy variations by country is because of the health and fitness practices of the people in those countries. In countries that have many races, and race publicity, running races, bike races and triathlons become very popular with the people.

When I was 39 years old, I was introduced to running races and triathlons by a client who worked as a scientist at a company that I visited as one my company’s customers. His name is John Holloway and he is very inspiring to many people he comes in contact with. John had been doing many running races and some triathlons for years. I am so fortunate to have met John. He coached me through my first marathon back in 1995. I was in better physical shape six months after I met John, than I had been since my younger years. I really experienced an entirely new feeling. It felt like I had been living in somewhat of a fog and now I had a more exciting outlook on life! It literally seemed like I could think much clearer and felt so much better than before.  In the years since 1995, I have always run for exercise, and I have done many long bike rides also.

In 2004, I was struck with an unthinkable tragedy. My youngest daughter, Sofia who had run at least one 5K race with me and got an age group award for that, was suddenly killed in a car crash. She was 17. I really hope people grasp this powerful message of dealing with heartbreak and tragedy through exercise. Please understand that every person suffers tragedy if they live long enough. The human mind is stronger and sharper when the body is stronger and healthier. So, in the six months after the most horrible tragedy struck, I was running an average of 35 to 42 miles per week. It was not planned that way at all. Each day when I awoke and felt the sadness that all parents who have lost a child feel, I jumped into my running shorts and ran for miles on a rail trail near my house. While I was running my head was filled with happy and positive thoughts. My suffering was lessoned by a massive amount of endorphins that filled my brain as I ran.

Now that I am sixty years old, I am even more grateful that I was introduced to running at the young age of 39. My own fitness and health is much better because I started running early. Everywhere I go, people tell me that they just can’t believe that I am that old. In the last three years, I have lost at least 10 friends in my age group who died because of poor health. None of them were runners or any kind of exercise enthusiast. I think they would all still be living if they had developed a habit of regular exercise and healthy eating habits at least ten to twenty years before they vanished.

In summary, I think China badly needs race promoters and inspiring people who will spread this message of lifestyle change to the masses all across this great country. Millions of Chinese people can benefit greatly by expended exercise knowledge and exercise venues in every part of the Middle Kingdom. Please share this knowledge about exercise everywhere. Please educate and inspire people on this subject matter as much as possible. A much better life is possible for people everywhere through a changeover to a healthy lifestyle.