One time that comes to mind is when I encouraged my friend to join me for a half marathon. This was about two years ago. At that time, I was just starting my training, and I could only manage to run a few kilometers. My friend, who was always quite hesitant about running because of a lack of confidence, was really reluctant to sign up. She was worried about not being able to keep up and felt embarrassed about failing in front of others.
I remember sitting down with her at a coffee shop in Shanghai and saying, "You know, it's not about how fast you run; it's about finishing the race and enjoying the experience." I offered to run alongside her during the training sessions. It was my way of showing her that she wouldn't be alone in this journey.
Initially, she hesitated and was unsure, but after a few days of discussing it, she agreed to give it a shot. We trained together, slowly building her confidence as she managed to run further each week.
On race day, when we crossed that finish line together, the joy on her face was unforgettable. She felt so proud of herself. This experience taught me how important support can be in helping someone overcome their fears. It reminded me that encouragement can make a massive difference, and seeing her succeed filled me with a sense of pride too.