Theresa

A: After waking up, give yourself 10 minutes to bring your focus back to yourself. Don’t touch your phone. Feel your presence in the moment and the flow of your blood. Think about what your goals are, then take action. Think about the kind of person you want to become and what would make you happy. Then take a deep breath and exhale. Do some visualization exercises to motivate yourself to move toward your goals and keep striving forward.

A: An athletics track or any place where you can run will do, as long as the conditions aren’t too poor. You might even find me running right beside you! (laughs) I train almost every day because I want to become a professional athlete.

A: The place I visit most often is my own dining table. We care quite a bit about what we eat, including how fresh it is and whether artificial seasonings have been added. After all, it goes into our bodies, so we feel more at ease preparing meals with ingredients we’ve chosen ourselves. For family celebrations or gatherings with friends, we often go to Smokey Joe’s. The menu is incredibly extensive, and the decor and furnishings are distinctive. I’m sure lots of people in Kaohsiung have eaten there!

A: Training takes up most of my time. Whenever I have free time, I try to spend it with my children and family, and arrange outdoor activities whenever possible. I don’t want my children to become overly dependent or lose their sense of adventure, so on weekends I take them to the mountains and the sea.

A: Just three words: “Find a way.” Every day, I keep readjusting how I allocate my time. My work schedule is rather irregular, but I focus on the present and make the most of my time to get things done. When I’m training, I don’t think about my child. When I’m spending time with him, I put my phone aside and focus on playing with him. Balancing all these roles isn’t easy, but there’s always a way.

A: Running is a microcosm of life for me. Life brings experiences of disappointment, happiness, perseverance, and pain, and all of these can happen within just a few hours. In the moment of running, I get to know myself better, again and again. In times of pain, people are forced to grow and learn. Running is much the same: when you break through a plateau, you discover the strength within you.

A: First, take it gradually and don’t rush. This is a long-term sport, and you won’t see results in a short time; progress builds up slowly. Pay attention to your body’s warning signs, and if you feel discomfort or pain, adjust your exercise volume. As for gear, I don’t recommend buying what elite athletes use just because they use it—it may not suit you. When you’re starting out, you can join a running club. There are many similar groups on Facebook that organize group runs. Running with others is more fun and motivating, which can help you stick with it.

Long-distance running is a demanding sport that requires willpower. During training or a race, thoughts like “I’m so tired! I can’t keep running” or “I really want to give up” may occasionally cross your mind. When they do, don’t let them get to you—though I know that’s easier said than done (laughs). Think about what you truly need, then keep going, and you’ll see yourself making progress little by little.

A: *A New Earth* by Eckhart Tolle. My perspective changed quite a bit after reading it.
Labels like “prodigy runner,” “model,” or “athlete” don’t matter. Let go of the labels others put on you. I know who I am. Learn to know your true self. We all have many sides to ourselves and many voices within us, but sometimes we can take a moment to be still and reflect: Is that really you? If a person can find their true essence, their potential will be limitless. The journey of self-discovery never ends.

A: Taiwan may not be very big, but it has everything, from hills of all sizes to vast oceans. These natural landscapes are beyond anything I could have imagined. What’s more, Taiwan has many of the “百岳” peaks that rise over 3,000 meters, such as Snow Mountain, Yushan, and Jiaming Lake. The sweeping views from these magnificent mountains can make you feel liberated in body, mind, and spirit. If you get the chance, you should go explore them.

A: Convenient transportation is important when choosing a hotel—whether there are convenience stores or a metro station nearby. I’m not looking for luxurious amenities or cutting-edge design; I just want to feel relaxed and at home when I return to the hotel.

A: A hotel that doesn’t feel like a hotel—it’s more like a miniature art gallery. I remember the CityInn Hotel on Fuxing North Road displaying works by different artists on each floor, so walking through the whole building felt like visiting several exhibitions. The front desk staff were very thoughtful and friendly, and the quality was consistently high. Taipei hotels make me feel very safe.