This episode: Youmen brings a full report from HTC’s 10th-anniversary relay — 143 km, 5-6 per team — plus trail-running notes from Japan; guest ChaCha (musician YEHAIYAHAN) shares five years of fancy rope skipping. Four topics, from race course to mountain forest, body to creation.
Topic 1 · HTC Relay: The “Hood to Coast” 10th Anniversary
Two home legs: Chongli and Hainan — this year marks the 10th anniversary. 5-6 runners per team, one car, a 143 km relay, legs of 6-14 km; at least 3 licensed drivers per team, no consecutive legs. Staggered starts by predicted finish time — misreporting earns penalties.
This year: 1,200 teams, ~6,000 runners, limited slots; Saucony as the core partner brand, this year’s grey-green tie-dye race shirt designed for everyday wear.
Youmen raced for the second straight year, stepping in last-minute for an injured teammate — rain and hail along the way, teammates covering supplies and warmth. Companionship outweighed results. Victory in running needn’t compare with others: finishing safe, earning team memories, and breaking your own limits is victory enough.
Next year’s plan: recruit listeners and friends to race as a team — with licensed drivers on board.
Topic 2 · Japan Outdoor Travel & Trail Race Notes
Route: Tokyo → Nagano (Olympic host) → Nagaoka (Echigo region). Trail race density is extreme in Japan; Goldwin’s full line is in stores; Patagonia Japan designs and produces independently; the weak yen makes spending feel like 20% off.
The niche 63 km Echigo race: 200+ runners, only 29 women, 99% there for the experience; delightfully local prizes — local rice and snacks, with 5 kg of rice for the top three.
Topic 3 · Guest ChaCha: Fancy Rope Skipping
Started during lockdown — space was tight, a sunset skipping video hooked her, and she’s practiced 5 years, fusing in street-dance elements.
- Double balance — music creation is free-flowing; skipping is precise and repetitive, a fast path to flow, stillness balancing motion
- Core insight — don’t try to “master” the rope; yield to its gravity and rhythm — transferable to creation and life
- Body & mind — the vibration clears fascia tension; leaving the ground is the closest ordinary people get to “flying”
Topic 4 · Chengdu Screening of “A Fleeting Mountain”
The trail-running short film hit a Chengdu cinema screen. Its core: trail running is more than physical competition — it’s looking inward and connecting with nature. Don’t cling to outside judgment or perfect results; the process of pushing through and showing up fully is itself the reward.