Even though most people are skeptical about the fact that "running can be a meal", Zhang Jiazhe still believes that he can make a career in long-distance running and find the true meaning of sportsmanship. Zhang Jiazhe, who has been involved in long-distance running since the third grade of junior high school, has a father who fell in love with long-distance running at the age of 30 and joined the "Harmonious Long-Distance Running Club". He also has an older brother who was taken to long-distance running by his father because of poor health since childhood and later became an athlete. As for him, he decided to go running with his father because he didn't want to be locked up in a cram school classroom. Unexpectedly, this run made Zhang Jiazhe discover that running is a very personal thing. You can control what you want, as long as you concentrate on yourself. Unlike playing baseball and basketball, you must think about the team and cooperate with the coach. Tactical action. In comparison, running is more suitable for my personality, so I just fell into it. He said that running allowed him to find what he wanted to do. If he had not gone for running, he would have become a gangster on the roadside.
When he participated in the road running competition for the first time, Zhang Jiazhe won more than 100 places. His father laughed at his poor performance, but he said, at least I won more than a hundred points. Such an optimistic attitude helps him continue to work hard in the long-distance running world. Zhang Jiazhe believes that running is very similar to Tai Chi. He said that he had never been able to feel the "center of gravity must be tilted forward" when the coach taught him. It was not until he took a Tai Chi class in his senior year that he finally understood what the center of gravity was and finally learned to use the change in the center of gravity to move. In addition, people will unconsciously shrug their shoulders when they are nervous. At this time, just remind yourself to "sink your shoulders and elbows" to relax your body posture. Zhang Jiazhe, who participated in the calligraphy club when he was in graduate school, also likes calligraphy and feels that calligraphy looks like words dancing. He also said that running can actually be elevated to the realm of art. Expressing one's own will and thoughts during running is also a kind of performance art.
One of the motivations for Zhang Jiazhe to continue working hard in the long-distance running world is that he wants to know, "What is sportsmanship?" He said that in college, everyone taught you how to win, but no one taught you How are you going to lose. Why enter the competition when you know you will lose? He believes that the most important thing is to compare yourself with yourself and constantly pursue progress. If you only want to win over others, you will only pick the weakest persimmons. In this way, your own abilities will only remain in place or even deteriorate. If you have the courage to challenge the masters, as long as you lose less and less, it means you have made progress. In addition, Zhang Jiazhe also doesn't understand why athletes can actively pursue breakthroughs and have strong willpower on the court, but cannot apply these qualities in daily life? How can we be called "strong" if we don't have the ability to change the sports environment? Therefore, he never complains about the external environment, but will find ways to solve various practical problems. However, he also believes that competitive sports are performances, just like dance troupe performances, which must have the support of the audience so that these athletes can make a living doing what they love.
On the other hand, Zhang Jiazhe also founded the LoveShoes. charity project to help many economically disadvantaged student-athletes. He said that he initially participated in the DWD Taiwan Triathlon Leisure Sports Association's group training and found that everyone had a lot of fake shoes. Some were given as gifts for participating in competitions, and some were bought by themselves because they were not used to wearing them or If it doesn't fit, it will be "frozen" in the shoe cabinet. In schools, although there are funds available to increase resources for protection and rehabilitation, the most fundamental problem has not been solved. Because athletes train with excessively damaged shoes, it is one of the main causes of sports injuries. Usually, running 500 to 800 kilometers will consume a pair of shoes. For long-distance runners, it takes about one and a half months to change to a new pair of shoes. He said that some sports require financial support, but sports should not be just for the rich. Therefore, he founded LoveShoes., hoping to create an intersection between those with financial means and those in need.
Recently, road running activities have become more and more popular in Taiwan. He reminded people who are interested in joining the ranks to stop running in moderation, not to be too pushy, and not to be too superstitious about willpower, because ability requires training; at the same time, the climate in Taiwan is very hot. Remember to drink plenty of water; in addition, remember to go to bed early. Adequate rest is more important than training. Zhang Jiazhe underwent surgery due to a foot injury in 2014 and is still actively recovering with the goal of restoring his original performance. The next sport I want to challenge is Go. It seems that static Go is actually a competitive sport. It was included in the Asian Games in 2010. He said that he became interested in Go due to the influence of the beautiful girl Hei Jiajia; when playing Go, you need to pay attention to the entire game and the subsequent trend, and not just look at the present moment, which is very similar to long-distance running. Although the general values ??in Taiwanese society do not believe that running as a career is a good choice, which will inevitably make Zhang Jiazhe feel lonely, he is lucky to have the support of his family and is able to persevere bravely.
Zhang Jiazhe profile
Taiwanese long-distance runner, personal best results are 5 kilometers 14:26.64, 10 kilometers 29:48.95, half marathon 1:05:55, full marathon 2: 15:56. Founded LoveShoes. Charity Project in February 2015 and served as CEO. History of participation in important international events: 2006 Duha Asian Games Track and Field Marathon 10th place 2007 World Athletics Championships Marathon in Osaka, Japan 28th place 2009 World Athletics Championships Marathon in Berlin, Germany 38th place 2009 Hong Kong East Asian Games Track and Field Half Marathon Bronze Medal 2010 The 10th place in the Guangzhou Asian Games track and field marathon. The 7th place in the 2012 Pyongyang Mangyongdae Marathon, North Korea. The 77th place in the 2012 London Olympics track and field marathon. The 50th place in the Bulgarian World Half Marathon in 2012. The 15th place in the 2013 Pyongyang Mangyongdae Marathon, North Korea. 32nd place in the 2013 Moscow World Athletics Championships Marathon 109th place in the 2014 Copenhagen World Half Marathon
Written by/Hong Zhenlu Photography/Li Wenqin