#anyways 5k!!! a solid goal to aim for

[touchmycoat]

pride and prejudice AU, WIP that I WILL finish for ficwip5k

“It is a truth universally acknowledged,” Wei Wuxian lectured, “that a single man in possession of good cultivation must be in want of a cultivation partner. And have you heard, my three ridiculous children? Qiong Ding Manor has let at last.”

“Oh my,” Shen Jiu, the second oldest of the lot (also the second youngest for that matter), intoned flatly as he scrubbed the dirt from an enormous radish in a washing basin. “You must want to tell us who’s taken it.”

“I want someone to ask me first,” Wei Wuxian sighed, throwing a hand over his forehead and himself over a hard wooden bench. “But of course my cruel, demonic sons are beyond pity for their poor parent. Except A-Yuan. A-Yuan ah, you’re not one of the cruel, demonic ones, are you?”

Shen Yuan cleared his throat, set down the cabbage he was peeling apart, and put on an angelic smile just a beat too late.

“Certainly not. Do tell, dearest father, who has let Qiong—uh, Qiong…?”

“Qiong Ding.”

“Qiong Ding Manor?”

Look beatific, was Shen Yuan’s self-reminder, but again it was too late, even with Shen Jiu’s murmured assist. Wei Wuxian had dropped to his knees in the dirt and begun shaking his fists at the sky.

“Oh this unfair world, oh wretched fate! At my darkest hour you drop three brilliant young souls into my path to light my way across the lone-log bridge, and in return I have taken on your mission to nourish them into adulthood. All I wish is to ensure they have cultivation partners capable of keeping them comfortable for the rest of their lives but look here, what are these pieces you’ve dealt me? My eldest, who would be disingenuous to placate his crazy old father! My second, who brandishes his cutting comments without a filial care in the world! And my third!”

The sixteen-year-old, as stretched out and delicate as the vine on a beanpole at his age, smiled a lazy little smile before gutting the rabbit in his hands.

“Always just sitting there like a pretty little flower, head empty. Hua-hua ah,” Wei Wuxian said miserably. “Don’t you know you have the worst lot here, being the youngest? You ought to be encouraging your brothers to go to more functions, meet more potential partners.”

“And why should we be so eager to sell ourselves off as spiritual energy storage tanks to some rich Young Master or Mistress?” Hua Cheng asked idly. The meat he shaved off the hunted game hit the hot wok in loud sizzling chunks, and Shen Yuan readied a bucket of water to make it into stew. “Is father anticipating death sometime soon?”

Wei Wuxian and Shen Yuan both froze. An unintentional jerk splashed water from Shen Yuan’s bucket into the wok, and oil exploded into the air like the aftermath of a bomb. Meanwhile, Shen Jiu walloped the head off the daikon he’d polished as white as mutton fat jade and jabbed the blade in Hua Cheng’s direction.

“This is why nobody will ever want to cultivate with you.”

“But I learned it all from you and your line of suitors out the door, Er-ge”

“Boys,” Shen Yuan interrupted, “enough. Our father is not dying. Is he?”

Wei Wuxian waved both hands carelessly.

“Of course not! Don’t be ridiculous, the evil, all-powerful Yiling Patriarch cannot die—no matter how much his youngest son curses him. Hua-hua, how could you bear saying such a thing?”

Without a word, Hua Cheng bent down, picked up the radish head Shen Jiu had thrown his way, and lobbed it at Wei Wuxian. Wei Wuxian caught it without thought, and the moment it touched his bare hands, the leftover greens at the top wilted—and then the whole thing promptly dissipated to dust that fell through Wei Wuxian’s fingers before anybody could react.

Shen Yuan set the bucket down and started forward, energy coating his fingertips.

“Let me—”

“Don’t—” The red flickered out of Wei Wuxian’s eyes as swiftly as it flickered in. He was grinning again, a toothsome expression that was every bit as disingenuous as Shen Yuan’s smile had been moments ago. “Don’t you know it’s disrespectful to touch your elders without ceremony? Let your father have a little dignity here! In fact, you ought to treat your father like the legendary Patriarch he is!”

“Then the legendary Patriarch,” Shen Jiu said, expression neutral though tilting on the side of concern, visible only to the family who knew him best, “ought to get out of this filthy kitchen. Heavens know you’re too lazy to help with the prep.”

“A-Jiu’s right,” Shen Yuan said, hand retracted and smiling with a touch of apology. “Won’t our esteemed father please make his way to the dining hall, where the meal will be brought to him with proper ceremony?”

Wei Wuxian looked like he wanted to pat them both on the head. Shen Yuan had a distant memory of him doing that long, long ago, but not for years now.

“Finally, a display of the proper teachings I’ve given you. Yes, this father shall be waiting then. I’ll even bring out the good china.”

By which he meant the set of four bowls without chips on the rim, only cracks along the body. It’s poetic, Wei Wuxian liked to say, swishing soup in his bowl like a wise old philosopher pondering tea. Scars and damage, such and such, you know? If you know you know. (To which Shen Jiu had replied, you’re dripping soup everywhere.)

Once Wei Wuxian had gone, the three brothers proceeded with the stew in silence: Hua Cheng expressionless, Shen Jiu scowling, and Shen Yuan eyeing them both. After a while, Shen Jiu finally threw down his cutting board.

“Wei Wuxian’s not dying,” he declared. “And even if he is, we’ve got enough demonic cultivation between the three of us to bring him back. Why did you have to bring it up you insensitive little jerk?”

“Merely to encourage my brothers,” Hua Cheng replied, speaking coolly over Shen Yuan’s admonishment for calling his brother names, “to go to more functions and meet more potential partners.”

//

So the thing was, Shen Yuan was a transmigrator.

No, that was neither a misspelling nor a misunderstanding. Shen Yuan was a transmigrator, a bright young modern mind (read: an internet-obsessed shut-in) who died and got placed into the universe of a classic novel—one of his favorites that he’d been rereading just before dying, in fact. He was lucky, he supposed, that he was placed in the actual novel and not its zombie apocalypse, sorta-tongue-in-cheek sorta-taking-itself-too-seriously spinoff, which he’d also been (spite-)reading on-and-off. Though there had been some zombies in sight when he first got to this world, Wei Wuxian took care of them with such ease that Shen Yuan knew these were only the zombies in the classical Chinese sense, not the scary movie sense.

As for misfortunes, Shen Yuan supposed he would say the worst he’d suffered was first transmigrating into the body of a nine-year-old. That put him now, at twenty-four all over again, fifteen years in Wei Wuxian’s not-so-tender care, which was absolutely batshit to think about. So Shen Yuan didn’t think about it.

[phatjosh180]

180 WEEK: My Top 10 Favorite Running Moments

Do you know how hard it is to rank your Top 10 favorite out of 180 races? So hard. Now I know how a polygamous Mormon must feel like picking a favorite child. Seriously.

I didn’t set some complex criteria to rank these races. And, how could I? I’ve had a lot of amazing experiences with many amazing people over the past seven years. I’ve accomplished a lot — not only have I done over 150 half marathons, but including nearly a dozen marathons and a number of ultra distances — including a 50 miler.

While some of these races reflect some of my personal accomplishments — the ones that have meant the most have been the races I’ve had memories with others attached to them. Whether it was running with Jill during her first marathon, Lizz during her first half marathon or my first pacing gig — I have a lot of cherished memories.

I’ve had a number of races that have helped shift my perspective in life and running. Oddly, most of those have happened while running the Salt Lake City Marathon? Go figure?

Anyways, I don’t want to give too much info on the races below. Here are my Top 10 races of my 180 journey! Enjoy …

RACE 10 Timp Half (07/19/14)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on May 31, 2016 at 5:36pm PDT

RACE #69 — This was my first — like VERY first — pacing gig. I paced the 2:40 group with my friend Jay and the RYR Pacing Team. We had a blast! Not only was it the first time pacing, but it was my first time running the Timp Half.

This race really started a gig that I’ve enjoyed IMMENSELY throughout my running journey. Being able to help others reach their goals is truly a gift, especially when you can help them through an empathetic point of view — because you’ve been there too.

What also set this race apart is that I paced Jill for the last few miles of the race — and it was quite the experience. To make a long story short — I held back a bit around Mile 11 or so to pace her in, letting Jay go ahead — and then we fought through some nasty July heat.

It was also the time I learned that there are people who can swear worse than a sailor. Jill was NOT happy about running in the heat — and she let her displeasure known. All I could do was laugh. But, she did awesome as she PR’d and subsequently swore off July races.

RACE 9 Ogden Marathon (05/17/14)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on May 31, 2016 at 1:04pm PDT

RACE #62 — I love surprises. I’ve done it a number of times throughout my running journey and — well — life. This one was pretty fun. My friend Becca was training for her first marathon and at the time when she signed up and I just wasn’t interested in them. I had taken about a year off from running them — and wasn’t feeling it yet.

But, I started doing the training runs with her and — well — that attitude changed. After a couple longer 14-15 mile runs I decided to run the Ogden Marathon as well. But, instead of telling her I decided that I’d surprise her at the starting line — so that’s what I did.

I made up this whole rouse throughout my blog and social media about not running the marathon. I even claimed to be running another race in Salt Lake City that day. But, I came to the pre-race meal with the rest of the group in Ogden just to be THERE. Little did Becca know I stayed with some other runners that night instead of heading home.

I ended up surprising her at the starting corral and despite separating around Mile 7, we met up around Mile 21-22ish after he nearly got pulled off the course because of the heat. But, we ended up finishing together and she became a marathoner!

Not only did I cherish the moment and surprise, but that’s also when I truly fell in love with the Ogden Marathon — even during the years that it down poured on us!

RACE 8 Salt Lake City Half Marathon (04/21/12)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on May 29, 2016 at 5:01pm PDT

RACE #12 — This race meant a lot to me. The previous month my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and instead of collapsing into previous old habits — I used running to help me process how it affected me. I hadn’t had too many races under my belt and her diagnosis really shifted my focus and mentality — as I was running for someone besides myself.

After my mother’s diagnosis I joined the Huntsman Hometown Heroes team — a team that raises money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where my mother was being treated. With little time to raise money for the SLC Half — I decided to get attention by promising to run in ALL DENIM if I raised over $1000. And, by full denim, I mean — long denim pants, a denim vest and the works.

Needless to say, I raised well over $1000 for the Cancer Institute and I ran the race in full denim. It was hot and rather miserable. Not to mention the number of comments I got from runners, volunteers and a few police officers along the course.

And, if you’re wondering — my mom has been in remission now for over five years!

RACE 7 Handcart Days Half Marathon (07/23/11)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on May 29, 2016 at 3:15pm PDT

RACE #1 — This might seem a little low for my first race, but I’m sure you’ll agree the six races above are worthy of the ranking. Yet, that doesn’t diminish the impact and accomplishment of my first half marathon.

It was a fight to get to the starting line. Sure, it was difficult physically to train for my first 13.1 miles, but honestly I thought it was harder training for my first 5K then any other distance. But, the mental preparation was immense for me. I didn’t know what to expect? I didn’t even know if I could do it?

But, I put in the needed work and training and had faith that I’d reach the finish line. And, obviously, I did it. It wasn’t easy. It was tough. But, crossing that finish gave me a confidence that’s been unmatched since.

The other take away from this race was the fact that I did this — alone. I drove to the race alone. Stood in the corral alone. Ran the race alone. And, finish alone. Well, not really — my sister and brother-in-law did show up to take pictures.

But, I knew nobody within the running community — and now seven years later … that’s all changed. I can’t be any more grateful for the friendships I’ve gained in that time span. I feel blessed and lucky to be a part of this running community here in Utah. I can only imagine what it will be like when I cross that finish line on Saturday — a complete 180 if you ask me.

RACE 6 Salt Lake City Half Marathon (04/19/14)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on May 31, 2016 at 6:38am PDT

RACE #58 — This might seem like such an odd race to put in my Top 10, especially this high. It seems like such an mundane race to have on this list. But, this race shifted my perspective about running more than any other race. Not just in my approach toward goals, but the power that running can have to change your life.

Within running terms — this race sucked. I was going off less than an hour or so of sleep thanks to spending the previous night ghosthunting. And, despite that fact, I really want to push for a solid 2:20 finish time. I came nowhere near that goal. And, I learned to be completely fine with that with this race.

Within three miles of the race I knew I didn’t have it in me so I decided to just make the most of the situation and just have fun. So I started running with friends and just enjoying the moment. And, by Mile 8 I found myself at an aid station handing out bagels to runners. I felt like I couldn’t have had any more fun — but, I was definitely wrong about that.

It was at that aid station that I ran into my friend Jill who was having a sucky, sucky run. She was in the pain cave with a sour attitude — to say the least. Once I started running with her and we both confessed our sucky runs we just decided to make the best of it and have fun.

And, we had fun.

We ended up posing for pictures in Liberty Park, making friends with a lady running in a Star Wars costume and then we topped it off with a Slurpee at Mile 12.8 — which we ran with across the finish line. We came in over three hours — and we couldn’t have cared less.

This race really taught me a lot — too much to cover just here — but, namely the importance of shifting your narrative when things don’t go as planned and it’s okay to not have a good day. That mentality really changed not just my running, but my life. I’ll always be grateful for this run because of that.

RACE 5 Deseret News Marathon (07/24/12)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on May 29, 2016 at 6:48pm PDT

RACE #19 — This was my first marathon. Having ran my first half marathon just a year before — this was tough. Going from a 5K to a 10K to a half marathon was a relatively “easy” progression. But, doubling 13.1 to 26.2 miles?! It was feat I had to physically AND mentally prepare to do.

And, it was tough.

I was actually aiming to make the St. George Marathon my first marathon, but I made the decision to move up my first marathon — to get it done with and to commemorate my the anniversary of my first half marathon by running it.  I did a lot of my training by myself — including my 20 miler, but like I still do — I used a lot of my half marathons as training runs. And, it got me there.

Most of my training was done while my mom was still battling cancer, which really helped propel me toward my goal. Knowing that she couldn’t give up when it got tough gave me the courage to keep pushing forward when it got hard for me. She really inspired me.

I will always remember standing at the start line reflecting on what I was about to do. My mind nor body knew what was ahead. But, I was ready to find out. I ran with cards of quotes, reminders and notes from family that I read at every mile.

I was joined by my friend Susette for the last 7-8 miles — and she really helped me get through the wall at Mile 20. Not only that, but we had a BLAST especially at Mile 22 when we had a Powerade belching contest.

Since my mom was going through chemo treatments at the time she wasn’t able to be at the finish line. But, my sister was there once again filming my finish. It was a special moment for me crossing that finish line and being able to call myself a marathoner.

RACE 4 Antelope Island Classic 50K (11/14/15)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on Jun 2, 2016 at 7:38pm PDT

RACE #113 — When I started my journey I never had any intention to become an ultrarunner. The thought of running 30, 50 or 100 miles sounded like pure misery and agony (which it is, but that’s a story for another day). I was happy running half marathons with the occasional marathon thrown in here and there.

But, something happened in 2014, 2015 — my health started going to pot. My thyroid tanked and I started gaining weight and just not feeling well. Which to make a long story short — I was eventually diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease a few years later. But, in the interim between the symptoms and the diagnosis — I was frustrated.

I was frustrated that I was getting slower. I was frustrated I was gaining weight despite my best efforts. And, I was frustrated that my health just wasn’t where it was a few years before. I was at a lost.

But, after running the Buffalo Run 25K trail race with Jill, she helped me realize that you don’t have to be fast to run many of these trails races — as we watched other friends do these trail 50Ks, 50 milers and 100 milers. It planted that seed and soon I was believing that I could actually do a 50K.

So I took the step to sign up and started putting in the training for this race. I used marathons and a few 20+ milers to prepare myself. My friend Tim signed up to run alongside me as well as Jason — so I knew I wasn’t going to be doing this one alone.

It was a tough race. The first 13 miles killed me and the last 20 miles or so we were being stalked by the sweepers. But, I met the needed cutoffs (some barely) and we got to the finish line — dead last (something I repeated the following year) But, I did it! I was an ultrarunner!

After hopping in Jason’s car we ran to the first 7 Eleven we could find and I loaded up a Double Big Gulp cup with Slurpee. It was heaven. It was victory. I had earned it.

I’m still in awe of this accomplishment — and every ultra I’ve done, because I seriously never would have believed something like that was within me.

RACE 3 Drop13 Half Marathon (6/8/18)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on Jun 10, 2018 at 10:50am PDT

RACE #177 — This is the latest entry on this list — and happened just less than over a month ago. This will always be one of my favorite moments for many, many, many reasons. I met Lizz at a luncheon I was speaking at the previous year and we became fast friends when she asked for help with her health and weight loss.

This is a pretty long story so I won’t share it here (gotta save something for my book, right?) — but — there was a touch of the define involved us crossing paths. Almost immediately meeting her I invited her to run a 5K which she embraced. Then not much later I kinda casually told her she was going to run a half marathon soon.

She chose this race because it was almost a year after we met and she started her journey. She put in a crazy amount of work, lost over 100lbs. and went through a lot to just get to the start line. She fought hard.

Like Becca in Ogden, I wanted to surprise Lizz at the start line. So I made up some story that I wasn’t running and that I was going to volunteer at the start line. I even dressed in my normal clothes. But, minutes before the gun went off I pulled her aside and told her I couldn’t let her do this alone since I got her into this mess as I was pulling my shorts and hoodie off to reveal my running clothes.

We then ran the whole 13.1 miles together. We ran with a number of other friends, got stopped by many more congratulating Lizz on her accomplishment and talked a lot about life and what it took to get to THAT moment.

It was a special race for me.

Not only did I fall much deeper in love with this running community as I watched so many runners encourage her on, but I saw a friend who had to give EVERYTHING to get herself there. She reminded me to be stubborn and resilient when dealing goals.

There are too many things about this race that I could share, so either go read the race report or just wait for my book to be finished.

RACE 2 Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon (9/13/14)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on May 31, 2016 at 6:25pm PDT

RACE #75 — Oh gosh, this really should be in a tie for second place along with the Drop13 Half Marathon, because both were equally special to me. Where do I even begin with this story and experience?

Jill and I met in college. We, along with her husband Mark, befriended each other in Communication Research after bonding over an epic paper we group wrote about Chuck Norris. Jill turned to running after a couple of bad pregnancies and the passing of her first daughter Isabel to Anencephaly.

Fast forward to 2014 she was kicking around the idea of running a marathon since a lot of people in our group were training for their first marathons as well. Going through exactly what I did when I fretted whether or not she could do it — I told her if she signed up I’d run the whole race with her.

And, I did.

It was a tough yet great race. Full of the ups and downs you’d expect from a marathon. We were joined by our friend Tim Gill for most of the race and then ran the last 5-6 miles with the sweepers — Susette and Cory.

The finish line video is still one of my favorites to watch when I need a little motivation. That moment meant so much to Jill and opened up a world of possibility that eventually propelled her into running ultra races.

I can’t not share the video, I’m sure you’ll love it too …

RACE 1 Pony Express Trail 50 (10/21/16)

A post shared by ＪｏｓｈｅｒRuns 180 (@joshruns180) on Oct 24, 2016 at 9:32am PDT

RACE #134 — This was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done ever. Ever, ever. This took a tremendous amount of training, dedication and mental strength — among other things. When I started losing my speed because of health issues I decided to focus on the longer distances — if I couldn’t run fast, run epic, right?

After running my first 50K the fall before I decided to tackle a longer distance — 50 miles. I picked this race for a number of reasons — but, more than anything it seemed very first time friendly because you provide your own crew who aren’t allowed be further than four miles from you. Being a ‘back in the pack’ runner — this brought a lot of comfort to me.

I was crewed by both Tim Sledgely and Jill — and they couldn’t have any better for me throughout the race. I ran many miles with Coach Blu from Addict II Athlete and a few other runners — I was having a great time. The first 40 miles actually weren’t that bad — I would send Tim and Jill ahead 2-3 miles before fueling up.

But, then I enter the pain cave. And, it sucked. But, at the same time I was anticipating it — almost wanting it. You’re probably wondering why I wanted to be in pain? And, the short answer is complicated — but, pain is a teacher. You can learn so much about yourself when you’re in the moment.

The pinnacle of that pain came at Mile 45, I was completely broken down. My body was worn out, my feet were dead and mentally I couldn’t picture myself taking one more step. I only had 5 more miles to the finish line, but it could have seemed like 50 more miles in the moment.

I sent Jill a mile or so ahead and told her I’d meet her there. I had so many thoughts going on in my head, but as I stood there in the pitch black with car lights driving off in the distance — I cried. I couldn’t stop the tears and I didn’t care. I hurt. I felt like I couldn’t take one more step.

Turning to the only thing I knew, I prayed. Probably one of the most frank prayers I’ve ever uttered. I just told God I couldn’t do this alone right now and to please send me someone — but, in the meantime to just help me take one step in front of the other.

Within 10-15 minutes that prayer was answered as Jed from my Addict II Athlete team rolled up and asked if I needed a pacer. I started crying again as I bawled out some semblance of saying — “YOU’RE AN ANSWER TO MY PRAYER!” I may of shock Jed, but he was a godsend and answer to my prayer.

The last 4.5 miles or so were tough, but Jed and Tim helped me so much. Once I got to that finish line, Jill was there with food ready for me devour as I tried to process what I just did.

I ran a 50 miler.

And, it is because of this experience that gave me the confidence to tackle a 100 miler one day. I wish that I would have done it by now. Thanks to injuries and recovery time I’ve had to put that dream on the back burner.

But, one day I’ll tackle it — because I know I can do it.

A post shared by The Runcast (@theruncast) on Feb 5, 2018 at 7:02am PST

180 WEEK: My Top 10 Favorite Running Moments was originally published on PhatJosh | My Life Running.