Winter Olympic champion Gu Ailing has always adhered to the habit of running with her consistent self-discipline, whether it is during her studies or participating in various activities in China.
Countless netizens have shared the moments of sweating when they met her, and those running photos have become a vivid portrayal of her self-disciplined life.
Just a few days ago, Gu Ailing got up at 3 a.m. and started at 4 a.m., and when most people were still asleep, she participated in the world's largest charity run, Wings for Life, to bring hope and strength to patients with spinal injuries by running.
This is the fourth consecutive year that Gu Ailing has participated in this charity event. Admirably, she didn't train specifically before the race and didn't resupply during the race.
After 2 hours, 31 minutes and 7 seconds of fierce competition, Gu Ailing successfully completed the 31.168 km running challenge, maintaining an astonishing pace of 4 minutes and 50 seconds per km, setting a new personal best record.
At 4 o'clock in the morning, it was still dark and it was almost impossible to see the ground, Gu Ailing almost fell and finally completed the whole process successfully.
Prior to that, Gu had participated in the half marathon in San Francisco, where she finished in 1 hour and 40 minutes, and won second place in the under-19 category, which is her half marathon PB.
According to the standard of middle and long-distance running for mass runners announced by the Chinese Athletics Association in April this year, her half-marathon performance has reached the level of the first level of the public.
I believe that with her efforts, the full marathon is only a matter of time.
Running and skiing
Gu Ailing combines running and skiing training seamlessly. As a top skier, she understands the importance of maintaining excellent physical and mental fitness. Gu Ailing's experience in running, especially in terms of endurance and willpower, has greatly helped her performance in ski competitions.
She needs quick decision-making and strong physical support before each sprint down the slopes, and running training provides an excellent foundation for this.
During her running training, Gu focused on improving her endurance and speed, which not only strengthened her heart and lungs, but also strengthened her lower limbs. The results of these trainings translate directly into the need for speed and strength in skiing.
The long running sessions also strengthened her ability to withstand stress, keeping her calm and focused during high-pressure ski races.
Gu Ailing once said that running has brought her not only physical improvement, but also psychological tenacity and upward motivation. This mental training has enabled her to be more confident and calm in the face of the challenges of ski competitions.
As a result, running and skiing are complementary in her training program, and together they shape her into a well-rounded and exceptional athlete.
What is commendable is that even Gu Ailing, who became popular on the whole Internet after becoming famous, still adheres to her original life trajectory. Not only did she insist on going to school and constantly absorbing the nutrients of knowledge, but she also showed self-discipline in running, and never slackened in the slightest.
Mental & Physical
When Gu Ailing was in school, she was the main force of the school's track and field team and cross-country team. Every spring and autumn, she devotes two full seasons to running training.
In the first half of the year, she focused on the meticulous polishing of the track races, striving to get the best out of the short distance. In the second half of the year, she turned to the hard training of trail running, challenging various complex terrains to enhance her endurance and adaptability.
Whether it's the spring breeze or the autumn leaves, she insists on running for about two hours every day.
Running and physical training not only strengthened her muscular endurance and cardiopulmonary fitness, but also improved her consistent performance during long races. Her outstanding performance in the ski races behind her is the result of long-term running training.
In May 2020, Gu Ailing participated in a large-scale 24km charity run, which attracted nearly 80,000 runners from around the world. Gu Ailing showed good strength, winning the women's 18th place in the United States and 714th in the world.
For Gu Ailing, running is not only an important way for her to reserve her physical fitness, but also to exercise her willpower.
Gu Ailing once admitted in an interview that the spirit of competition she showed in the extreme sport of skiing was learned from the sport of running. Running has taught her how to stay calm in the face of challenges and how to persevere in the face of difficulties, and these valuable qualities are fully reflected in ski competitions.
It can be said that running has injected a strong impetus into Gu Ailing's career, allowing her to face various challenges more calmly and confidently on the field. It is this mental strength that allows her to perform well in all kinds of competitions and pressures, and she has a psychological advantage over her opponents.
What's more, her personal qualities and spirit of the game have also become inspirational to others.
Inspiration and inspiration
Gu Ailing's running event quickly caused a heated discussion on the Internet. On social media platforms, countless netizens have left messages to express their admiration and praise for her.
A netizen wrote: "Ailing's 31km result is incredible, she finished running, and I haven't gotten up yet!" ”
Many netizens also said that Gu Ailing's efforts inspired them to challenge themselves and join the ranks of running: "Seeing Gu Ailing working so hard, I decided to run to work every morning, hoping to reach half of her achievements one day." "This positive mindset has been praised by many.
Not only praise and encouragement, many netizens also said that they should take Gu Ailing as an example and integrate sports into their daily lives to improve their quality of life.
At present, Gu Ailing is still training hard and preparing for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Previously, she has firmly stated that she will represent the Chinese team, which undoubtedly makes our expectations for her to win more Olympic gold medals for the Chinese team again.
Her story is not just about the triumph of sport, it's a story of resilience, perseverance and growth: everyone has the power to reach new heights, no matter the field, through hard work and self-challenge.
Her actions inspire everyone, especially those who dream of reaching the top of their careers in sports or any other field, to set and pursue their goals positively.