When did you begin running and why?
I started running in October 2007 when I just moved to the US. I thought it was the simplest exercise I could do to stay fit. The first run was two miles in a dark morning. My legs felt extremely sore afterwards. I ran on and off at Buffalo, NY. After I relocated to New York City in 2009, running also became my way to explore the city, especially Central Park. Anyone who lives in New York could not miss the buzz about New York City Marathon. Under the influence of other runners’ enthusiasm, I ran my first race in January 2012. It was a 10K in Central Park. I loved it and soon found out that running might be something I could be good at.
How did you find out about DCRRC and when did you join?
When I was still in NYC planning my move to Virginia, I Googled “running club DC Virginia Maryland”. “DC Road Runners” popped up. It looked like a really awesome organization that would offer around 20 free races for $20-35 per year membership. I joined DCRRC on November 19, 2017. My first race with DCRR was the 2017 Gar Williams Half-Marathon.
What are you training for right now?
My next goal races are the New York City Marathon on November 4, 2018 and the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2019. I will also run other races as training and tune-ups in preparation for the main events.
What is the toughest run or race you've ever participated in?
The toughest one so far was definitely the Boston Marathon 2018. After 18 marathons and near 150 races, I thought I had seen everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly, until I had to battle against 25-30 mph gale-force headwinds and constant rain with occasionally heavy downpours from Hopkinton to Boston.
What's your favorite part about being a DCRRC member?
The free races where I can run with great people!
What's the most important lesson running has taught you?
Running, as in many aspects of life, requires dedication and perseverance. It is beautiful to have a dream and work for it since running always pays me back at the right moment eventually – in actual fact already rewards me so much in the process of pursuing it.
What is your favorite route in the area?
Easy Run: Burke Lake Park
Long Run: C&O Canal
Long Tempo: East Potomac Park
Short Tempo or Intervals on the road: Fort Hunt Park
Hill Run: Prince William Forest Park
What race day traditions do you have?
Triple tie my shoelaces and triple check them.
What's your proudest running moment?
Chasing the unicorn down Boylston Street to Boston Marathon finish line in 2015, 2016, 2017, especially in 2018, and many more to come!
What’s your life like outside of running?
I had been doing biological research for near 15 years and now I am studying data analytics for a new career in the future.
What is one thing you wouldn't run without?
Happiness. Please visit my personal running website: henryruns.com that has my bio and blog. Let’s be friends!
