Running the Wenzhou Riverside Half Marathon

The morning started with light drizzle — not ideal race weather, but as any seasoned runner knows, some of the best races happen when conditions aren’t perfect.

Training Block

My preparation followed a simple 12-week plan: three runs per week, with one long run gradually building from 12km to 18km. Living near the Oujiang River meant most training runs were on the same flat course as the race itself.

Race Day

The gun went off at 7:30 AM. My strategy was conservative — start at 5:30/km pace and hold steady. The riverside course was beautiful, with the city skyline emerging through morning mist.

By kilometer 15, the rain had stopped and the sun broke through. The final 6 kilometers felt almost effortless. I crossed the finish line in 1:56:32 — a personal best by nearly three minutes.

Takeaways

Consistency beats intensity. Those steady, unexciting midweek runs built the aerobic base that carried me through the final kilometers. And sometimes, running in the rain is exactly what you need.