The highest vertical building run ever: 552 vertical meters up Earth’s second tallest building–Shanghai Tower. Shanghai, China. 上海 中国🇨🇳 Always intrigued by Empire during 12 years in NYC, but never tried to get in. And very difficult to get into. But I am a Professional Adventurer now. And it is my duty to run such…
Tag: 26.2
Can’t I Just Take the Elevator?
In a nutshell: No. For the 900 or so of us warped ones, we will be running up. Why? Face my fears. When race organizers say “no” to those who fear heights, I sign up; hopefully, I will not go into cardiac arrest when I look out from above. Life is not about how much…
Beijing Comes to Shanghai
I’d planned to write today about running on the Great Wall last weekend. Yes, life is pretty rad when I can casually type out such statements. But that story will come later. I feel more compelled to tell you all how my boy from Beijing contacted me yesterday. This is the race director, 6 years…
Chang Cheng: I am here
The Great Wall. “Yahweh” first taught me about this place. That’s Professor Hall Peebles of Wabash College. Circa 1997, he opened my eyes to other faiths, cultures, traditions. This had a profound impact on the course of my future. Stories of ancient Chinese traditions flowed from his lips, as the trusty tissue in his hand…
Running Shanghai, Part II: How is it Different than USA?
Hot tea at the ready in Century Park for our pleasure upon finishing a long run in 80% humidity and about 85 degrees. Haven’t seen that in Central Park, nor Van Cortlandt. It was great, though. Actually, at the 10k point of my run, I mixed tea with lemon lime Gatorade. It was quite good….
Meet One of the Fastest Runners in NYC
Welcome to the second edition of Meet a Bronxite. I would like to introduce everyone to Bobby Asher, one of the fastest and most consistently competitive runners in the New York City region. Mr. Asher is a teammate of mine with the Van Cortlandt Track Club (VCTC). Note: Minimal editing below for clarity but otherwise…
500 For the Fallen Relay, II: Van Cortlandt to Columbus Circle
Our comrades arrive around 12:30 today in Van Cortlandt Park–The Bronx! Organizers have been at it non-stop since 0900 Thursday. Flags exchange hands… We’re off to Manhattan! We know we HAVE to make it. A team is awaiting our arrival in Columbus Circle, including parents of a fallen soldier. Success is the ONLY option. Straight…
Part III: In the Palm of Your Hand, My Marathon Report
My marathon on April 30th, the expected race of a lifetime, was by 9.1 miles like my eyeglasses—flying through rain drenched air before bumping hard across slick asphalt. Recovered, the glasses slipped again from my confident grasp as I came nearly to a full and complete stop. Finally, the glasses perched again atop the bridge…
Forging a New Path
For the first time since 10:25 a.m. on April 30th, I ran. It is a gorgeous evening here in The Bronx, New York. I was compelled to rejoin the natural world after my post-marathon respite. I yearned for sun, sky,my friends the trees called out to me. And for my first run in history, of…
Wrestling
Our ambition propels us forward. Runners set goals obsessively as we put in our daily 8-10 mile maintenance runs. Then come our scheduled track and tempo sessions–5 miles at [fill in pace here]–enroute to our weekend long run–21 miles at [pace/effort]. Confident.Determined. We strive for the golden moments when our best performances will be forever…
Don't Let My Parents Read This 