I'd like to talk about a time when I couldn't use my phone, which was during my first half marathon two years ago. At that time, I had been training really hard, but I hadn't built a solid running foundation and could only manage a couple of kilometers at best. I remember feeling quite overwhelmed because I was also juggling my job as a UI Designer in Shanghai, often working late hours.
On race day, I woke up early, full of excitement and nerves. The weather was crisp, and the atmosphere at the venue was buzzing with energy. Everyone was warming up and chatting, and I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. I had planned to track my run using my phone, but just before the race started, I realized my phone battery was dead!
At first, I panicked a bit. I had relied on it for my training plan and thought I wouldn't be able to push myself without my usual tracking. But then I took a deep breath and decided to focus on the race itself. As I started running, I found my rhythm. The cheers from the spectators and the support from volunteers helped keep my spirits high.
Around the fifteen-kilometer mark, I started to feel fatigued, but I remembered all the effort I had put into my training. I focused on each step instead of worrying about my pace. In the end, I completed the 21 kilometers in just over two hours. Crossing that finish line felt incredible, and it taught me that sometimes, you can rely on your inner strength rather than technology. This experience really stuck with me because it showed me the importance of resilience and being present in the moment.