Taipei Marathon - Post Report

Well as you all know I had some things going against me pre race. I didn't sleep all that well and for sure didn't get 8 hours. But that doesn't actually matter. I had a head cold - that didn't matter. Seriously, I don't think either of these affected me. Why? I didn't let them.

I woke up on race day and thought, aw my head cold, I feel like crap. Should I bail out -- "FUCK THAT, IT'S RACE TIME." Yes, that is how I talk to myself when no one is around. You have to be your own biggest critic if you want to be great at anything. It's not that I spent so much time preparing for this race (5 weeks is nothing to prepare for a marathon), it is that I decided to do it and unless running it was really going to hurt me, I was not bailing out. My pre-race photo:

Well it was cold, the temperature fluctuated in between 11 and 12 degrees Celsius. Not bad for a marathon, a couple degrees colder than I wanted. I wore a long sleeve black shirt under the racing jersey, then some nice racing shorts with long black spandex for bottoms. It was probably the best choice of clothing to have gone with. Then I ran, I was frustrated at first because I had a hard time finding the staring line and which way to run out. So I was actually at the very back, behind all the old people. Oh man and they wouldn't let me push my way forward too far, so the start was painfully slow. Fortunately it thinned out quickly, a lot quicker than the Boston Marathon does (there were much fewer people here). After maybe 10 minutes I was able to run comfortably, it was crowded, but I could maneuver around people and move at my own pace. I was really slow at the first split I recognized. Maybe it was the 10k mark and thought that was weird because I felt I had been going fast. Then I remembered the initial hold up and decided to keep pace.

Marathons are boring. By the way, I just wanted to race. But in a marathon you have to pace yourself. So it's boring, it takes forever, even the good runners. Anyway, I hit the halfway mark a bit fast. The race was boring and my competitive nature could no longer be restrained. I changed to a specialized, pre-made playlist on my i-pod. The "Resurrection" playlist. I made this to bring me back, if I hit a wall in the marathon. I had not hit a wall at this point, I merely decided that my initial goal of 3:30 was too slow, this race was boring, I should finish faster, and all those people in front of me, well I'm better than them and should beat them. That's my competitive nature.

Then I remembered the qualifying time for the Boston Marathon, for my age group, was something like a 3:10. Okay, lets pick up the pace and try to hit that. The music was good, I passed many people. Even when I was running slower and recovering I was constantly moving forward in place. I couldn't go any slower, I couldn't pace off of anyone else, I just needed to keep passing and moving forward. There were plenty of people to run by. It was great. Of course there were still many more in front of me, I'm not an elite marathon runner.

So I kicked it in. It was painful at the end, there were some downhills. I know what you're thinking, "running downhill is great!" NO, not after you've run over 20 miles. Your legs soar and every time they flex it hurts. When you run downhill your legs hit the ground harder and your muscles -those soar and aching muscles - they absorb the impact. In other words, each step hurts so much more when you have to run downhill.

I crossed the finish, running strong, in a time of 3:14 (unofficial). I didn't check the posted results, I figured I'd wait for them to post them online. So I don't know my place, although I'm eager to see my official place as well as the times that those elite runners crossed in. They were really good. After the race I was fine. I mean I was aching and in pain but it was nothing like when I ran the Boston Marathon in 2007. Back then I could hardly walk, going downstairs was torture. I feel that way now, but back then I couldn't walk down stairs - I had to fall down them. This year I could walk up and down all I wanted, it just hurt. That's what happens when you actually prepare for a marathon - it won't kill you.

All in all I'd say the marathon was good. The course wasn't great but whatever. They gave you a towel and medal after finishing. The racing jersey was sweet and the registration fee wasn't that steep.

This is how I looked after returning home:

Pre race report

The marathon is tomorrow. How do I feel, not really excited. I'm a bit sick and even though I haven't run since last Monday I had a weird spasm in my left calf around 6am this morning. I started moving to Taipei today and Taiwan just got hit with a wave of cold weather.

The jersey is nice, I love Taipei. I'm exhausted, though. At check in I was pumped, I remembered what it felt like to see the guys your going to race against. My instincts and desire for victory momentarily took over. But I'm not that excited now, I've been in a lot of races before. I'm just hoping to get through things with killing myself, really.

I mean when I'm out there the opinion will change. My racing instincts will kick in and I'll have to do my best to control my pace. Hopefully the weather's good and the race goes well. Hopefully I'll have something nice to share with you after the race tomorrow.

A weekend of weird encounters

I live a pretty ordinary life. My interests are running, Tennis, Kung Fu and culture. I don't spend lots of time out at night. Perhaps that's what makes this weekend so interesting.

On Saturday I went to Taichung to buy some clothes. I went to this shop in the night market, near the Taichung boys high school. The guy working was very helpful, although he came off as super gay. So when he was friendly and telling me what looked good on me, well it was a little uncomfortable, but not too bad. I found a great jacket, hand made in Japan and everything. But I had already bought a couple shirts and another jacket so I was out of $$. I resigned to come back the next day.

On my way home I decided to take a cab to get me the one mile back to the train station. I had a date to get to at 6 and did not want to be late. The cab driver asked me where I was going and volunteered to take me the whole way for $500NT. No way man too expensive. I got the price down to $420, and by that time he had already changed his route. More expensive than the train, but worth it if I wasn't going to be late.

So we talked, obviously in Chinese. The conversation came to women and he spent some time telling me how the women here, Taiwanese girls, really, really like US guys, especially the ones like me: so young and able to speak Chinese. He tells me about how he overheard his daughter talking with her friends about exactly this.

Later on he asks for my number, saying he'll introduce me to some girls and then I can give him a red envelope. Red envelopes are traditional Chinese gifts given out at New Year's time: they contain money. Sometimes a lot of money. He says yea, I'll introduce you to some pretty girls and if you get married you can send me a red envelope, you know what I mean? Of course, yea, I know what a red envelope is.

I get out of the cab, after he gives me his phone number, I go to meet my friend. I tell her about my weird encounter - she reveals the cab drivers true identity: a pimp. OH MAN! I did not see that coming. Maybe you did, but come on, this is my second language and Chinese always ask strangers questions about girlfriends and marriage, so the conversation was quite natural. Then the hints he was dropping, I mistook them for questions testing my knowledge of the culture. Incredibly naive, I admit, but now wiser for the experience.

The weekend was not over yet. I returned to Taichung to pick up my jacket the next day. On the way in two guys approached me asking about who I was and if I liked to go out to bars and clubs in Taichung. Then asking for my contact info, hoping to take me out sometime. They didn't look gay, but I have two guesses: they are either into me, or they want to take me to a club and use me to attract women. Why else would two random dudes come up and try to make friends like that? Seems odd to me.

Back at the store the same guy was working, "帥哥" (Shuai Ge) - Handsome Brother, he announced with enthusiasm. He was busy helping out three Taiwanese guys shopping around. He engaged me in friendly conversation, a bit on the over friendly/ enthusiastic side. The Taiwanese guys all laugh.. "like look at the gay dude hit on the foreigner, oh man." ~Awkward~ It gets better, kind of. I pick up the coat and try it on again, nice fit. Okay, lets buy it. But the guy wants to get my photo taken first to post it on the website, oh man. He says he's going to put it on the home page if I don't mind. I'm flattered, but feeling a bit awkward.

I guess I should be flattered, right. But it's awkward to be hit on, or just think you're being hit on by guys. I mean, it'd be nice if women were just coming up to me and asking for my MSN/ phone number all the time. I guess that does happen on occasion, but this weekend was somehow off.

The Outsiders

Ethnicity cannot be changed. To study a foreign culture one must assume a role in the community and fully submerge. However, one can never become a true member of that culture, despite being able to put on a different skin, they cannot change their blood, their ethnicity and their own personal past. Despite these physical barriers, these outsiders are the most qualified to study the local culture, more so than those that make up and live the culture themselves.

Once immersed in a foreign culture the outsider learns not about his new environment, but about his original culture. “One cannot see the forest for the trees,” and this is the first time he has been taken out of the forest that is his culture. From this new perspective he is able to see and understand his way of life for the first time, not just bits and pieces, but the whole picture. At the same time he is immersed in a new culture giving him a comparison, but also forcing him to question the meanings behind various cultural differences. Experiencing a new culture enables the outsider to view how different cultures use different methods for interpreting the basics of human nature that we all feel. He is no longer just learning about the two cultures, but also about the underlying nature of humanity as a whole.

After immersion the outsider realizes the truths of their own culture they were previously blind to. They have learned how to learn about cultures in general and are qualified to study their new environment. They are able to see from a far enough perspective that they can get the whole picture. At the same time they can immerse themselves in it and dive in to analyze it firsthand. So the outsider has the unique ability to view the forest from afar, but also dive in and take a close look at the trees. Conversely the locals are limited to their “tree perspective.” The same people who believe a foreigner is incapable of understanding or fully appreciating their culture. Blinded by their own sense of pride, they are unable to understand their own culture and thus their own individual identities.

The outsider has to face many obstacles in the study of a foreign culture. Immersion is not enough. The frustrations associated with cultural differences must be conquered, the language must be learned and every aspect of the culture must be lived. May things are impossible to experience: I can never be a high school student in Taiwan. I can, however, teach English to children in Taiwan and study their experiences second hand. For many aspects of culture and life, second hand experiences are the best one can hope for. Full knowledge and understanding will require years of experience and immersion in the culture, approaching the learning process with an open mind and learning from the full range of people and classes in the culture. The culture needs to be studied on the personal and intimate level as well as the general and impersonal level: looking at the specifics of relationships and how they change with each generation, but also looking at the social norms and public behavior.

The outsider has to face many disadvantages when studying a new culture but by being an outsider they are in the ideal position for learning. After overcoming the initial obstacles they are able to learn not only about their new culture but also about their native one. Most importantly they gain an understanding for human nature common to all cultures of the world.

Ignorance equals bliss: Education equals isolation

Isn't it true that the more ignorant of the world we are the happier we are in it? It's easy to just go with the flow and live a care free life.

Conversely education, some of the things I value learning most in my life, have led to isolation from my peers.

The first time I had this experience was after I decided to become a runner. I put more energy and passion into running than I saw anyone else put in towards their endeavors. What it taught me was the values of hard work and long term commitment: the meaning of living for the purpose of achieving your goal. I made it my life for over four years. I also failed; I lost races I should have won. I know what it feels like to work for four years, pouring you heart and soul into something, and then fail. I also know how to stand back up and win the next time around.

Conversely I would see other runners. Perhaps they would set a goal halfway through one season, and after a month of focusing on this goal, with wavering ambition, fail. They'd be heartbroken. Are you kidding me? After putting in so little effort, how can you be so emotional? If your goals meant so much to you then you should have worked harder.

In the end I was left with a strong sense of dedication and ambition. The majority of people lack this much resolve, and so I am left, even to this day, feeling a bit segregated from them, as if they can't really understand or fully appreciate these values.

Going to college furthered my education and thus my isolation. Not only did I learn about the technical world of mechanical engineering, but I was exposed to city life in a bright and culturally diverse setting - Boston University. It was hard to return home. There was no good Chinese food, people were oblivious to some my new interests. They seemed to move around and think slower. My unique education had again led to segregation.

Now I'm fully immersed in a foreign culture. I've learned so much here to the point where I don't really feel like an American anymore. At the same time, I'm not a Chinese or Taiwanese. I'm not unlike an orphan. It's not that I wouldn't be welcome back in the US, or not that I'm not welcome in Taiwan, but my education of both cultures has brought me to a new level of isolation.

It's always been my personal belief that one should choose an unhappy truth over an ignorant bliss. I may be less happy, in some ways, but I'm certainly more satisfied living this way.