Devoted female runner defies nation's toxic air

Unsexy sport

Running has seldom been a sexy sport for Chinese women. Professional Chinese female athletes dominate so many fields in the Olympics, yet nationwide, the most celebrated are usually divers and gymnasts. Not runners.

Running is lonely, boringly technical, with little aesthetic appeal.

Growing up, my parents, mom in particular, warned me of the “side effects” of exercising: a big butt. “You already have one,” she would say.

I did not continue ballet because mom worried my calves were getting too big. A muscular woman is unsexy and intimidating in this culture.

Yet when I moved back (from the United States) to my country of birth, I continued my running, with my polished nails and carefully chosen wardrobe.

On December 1, 2013, I ran my second Shanghai half marathon, along with 35,000 other runners. Sadly, the air index on that day was over 320, “heavily polluted and protection recommended.”

When I woke up, the air smelled like someone had just barbecued in my backyard. I didn’t want to quit a race just because of bad air. After all, I wouldn’t be the only one getting poisoned and growing potentially cancerous cells.

After I crossed the beginning line, air was immediately out of my mind. My single focus was how to get around the crowd to keep my pace. It turned out to be a pleasant race, after all.

Day 6 of my recovery: I started stretching at home. Pneumonia has taught me patience, but I am counting the days until I can finally run among the poisonous air and a culture that looks disapprovingly at my muscular calves.

I simply need to run to live.

The author was born in Hebei Province, came of age in the United States and now works in Shanghai as a consultant.