White frost on forehead

Today I finished a half marathon in Happy Valley, Causeway Bay, and re-experienced the endurance of long-distance jogging. Although for various reasons, I cannot run every day like Haruki Murakami, but I have consciously maintained this habit for more than a year. Looking back at the beginning, when the running distance increased, a thin layer of salt gradually adhered to the surface of the body, and sometimes it crystallized on clothes and the brim of the hat. I was surprised, because I had never encountered this phenomenon before.

This raised a question that has been lingering in my mind: Is this salt secreted from my body, or is it left on me by the sea breeze?

I usually run by the sea. The starting point is my residence. After passing a railway bridge and a newly built residential area, I reach the seaside promenade, which is about one kilometer long and is a good warm-up section. There are two options for running to the coast. To the north is Tai Po Market and to the south is Shatin. This is a perfect long-distance running route that connects many elements: Da Wang Ye Temple, Science Park, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Fo Tan Racecourse, Shatin New Town Plaza... As long as you want to run, you can keep running.

This sea is called Tolo Harbour, and it is especially beautiful in the early morning. The scenery is different in each season, but I prefer the winter when the weather is not so good. The sea water hits the rocks on the embankment, and jogging against the wind, you can feel a cold and hard atmosphere of life that you can't find anywhere else.

I don't want to explain it scientifically, I still think it's the traces left by the sea breeze on my body. Every time I wash my face with tap water after running, the water mixes with the salt on my face, and that's the smell of sea water in my memory.

About a year ago, I went to Chengdu to participate in my first half marathon, which was held in Wufengxi Ancient Town along the Tuojiang River in Jintang County. The Tuojiang River should have some scenery, but I don't remember much about the river view. I only remember the ups and downs of the mountain road and some potholes in the cement road. The former residence of philosopher He Lin is located in the ancient town, so it is also known as the Philosophy Town. I didn't feel any philosophical atmosphere, and the only thing left in my mind was the smell of the tourist product, the ancient soy sauce.

Neither the first running race nor the sightseeing in this philosophical town answered the big puzzles in my life. Running and philosophy should not be deified as a panacea that can solve all problems. It’s just that I am willing to keep running and thinking.

However, I am sure that the answer to that little question was found in Chengdu: the white frost on my forehead is the salt that has been precipitated from my body, because this place is really far away from the sea.

April 9, 2024