I'd like to talk about a time when I had to change a plan I had made. Two years ago, I decided to sign up for my first half marathon. At that point, I could barely run two or three kilometers, and I was really busy with my job as a UI Designer in Shanghai. Many people thought I wouldn't stick with it.
When I started my training, it was really tough. In the first week, I was panting after just three kilometers, and the next day, I could hardly walk because my legs were so sore. There were nights when I got off work late, around nine, and just wanted to go home and rest. But I reminded myself of my commitment and pushed through, lacing up my running shoes and heading to a nearby park.
I created a training plan on my phone, tracking my weekly distances. Slowly, I managed to increase my stamina, going from three kilometers to eventually running fifteen without stopping.
On race day, the atmosphere was electric. I remember feeling so excited, I started off much faster than I should have. Around the fifteen-kilometer mark, though, I hit a wall. My legs felt like lead, and I wanted to quit. But then, I saw the cheering crowd and realized that I couldn't throw away all my hard work. I focused on reaching the next aid station, one step at a time.
In the end, I completed the race in just over two hours. Crossing that finish line was such a huge thrill for me. This experience taught me that persistence is key, and that many challenges aren't as daunting as they seem. Since then, I've approached difficulties in life with a lot more patience, knowing that steady progress leads to success.