Lisa

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 feel the blood flowing through your body. Think about what your goals are, then take action. Think about the kind of person you want to become and what makes you happy. Then take a deep breath and exhale. Do some visualization exercises to motivate yourself to move toward your goals and keep working hard to move forward.

A: A track or anywhere you can run—as long as the conditions aren’t too bad, you can train there. Who knows, I might be 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 dining table at home. We care a lot about what we eat, including how fresh it is and whether any artificial flavorings have been added. Since it goes into our bodies, I feel more at ease cooking with ingredients I’ve bought myself. For family celebrations or get-togethers with friends, we often go to Smokey Joe’s. The menu is incredibly extensive, and the interior design and decorations are really distinctive. I’m sure lots of people in Kaohsiung have eaten there!

A: Training takes up most of my time. Whenever I have time, I try to spend it with my children and family, and I do my best to plan outdoor activities. I don’t want my children to become too 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 unpredictable, but I stay focused 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 we’re together, I always put my phone away and focus on playing with him. It’s not easy to balance all these roles, 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 you encounter all of them over the course of just a few hours. In the moment of running, I get to know myself better, again and again. In 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. Running is a long-term pursuit, and you won’t see results in a short time; progress comes from building up over time. Pay attention to your body’s warning signs, and adjust your training volume if you feel discomfort or pain. As for gear, I wouldn’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 group. There are many similar groups on Facebook that organize runs where you can run with others. It’s more fun and motivating, which can help you keep going.

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

A: After reading *A New Earth* by Eckhart Tolle, my perspective changed quite a bit.
Whether it’s “genius runner,” “model,” or “athlete,” none of those labels really matter. Let go of the labels others place on you. I know who I am. Learn to understand your true self. We all have many sides to ourselves and many voices within us, but sometimes we can quiet down and reflect: Is that really you? If you can find your true essence, your potential will be limitless. The journey of self-discovery never ends.

Taiwan may be small, but it has everything—from hills of all sizes to vast oceans. These natural landscapes are beyond anything I could have imagined. Most importantly, Taiwan is also home to many of the “Hundred Peaks” that rise above 3,000 meters, such as Snow Mountain, Jade Mountain, and Jiaming Lake. The expansive views from these magnificent mountains will make you feel a sense of release in both body and mind. If you get the chance, you should go explore them.

A: The inn’s convenient location—whether there’s a convenience store or an MRT station nearby. I’m not looking for luxurious amenities or avant-garde design; I just want to feel relaxed and at home when I return to the inn.

A: A hotel that doesn’t feel like a hotel—it’s more like a miniature art gallery. I remember that the rooms on each floor of the CityInn Hotel on Fuxing North Road featured works by different artists, displayed throughout the space. Walking through the whole building felt like visiting several exhibitions. The front-desk staff were very thoughtful and friendly, and the hotel maintained a certain standard of quality. Staying at a hotel in Taipei makes me feel very safe.