Gymer lost 10kg for the goal of running sub3 at VnExpress Marathon Hue

Nguyen Them lost weight from 71 to 61kg in one year, accumulating physical strength to realize his dream of completing VnExpress Marathon Hue 2024 in 3 hours.

Nguyen Them (23 years old, Phu Loc, Thua Thien Hue) - a final year student at Hue University of Economics, before becoming a runner, started out as a fitness trainer. A year ago, Them's body was considered by his friends to be a "gymmer" standard with a weight of 71kg, and standard measurements. "To have the body like that at that time, it took me a lot of time to build muscle. However, after finding my passion for running, for a year now I have accepted losing weight and muscle to reach my dream of sub-3 marathon distance", Them shared.

Nguyen Them in the 42km run at VnExpress Marathon Hue 2023. Photo: VM

In 2019, after a period of working out at the gym, Nguyen Them was invited by his sister - a famous amateur runner in Hue, Nguyen Ngọt - to go running. From just the two of them running together every afternoon along the Perfume River, Them and Ngọt joined the Hue Runners Club and became members of the board of directors. "Joining a community of many older brothers and sisters, an 18-year-old boy like me learned many good things, had a lot of fun and became addicted to running without realizing it," he said.

For the past 3 years, Them has been practicing both gym and running. Last year, he finished the VnExpress Marathon Hue at home with a time of 3 hours and 47 minutes. Realizing that he could do better, the 23-year-old changed direction and focused on running.

VnExpress Marathon Hue 2024 starts on April 21. Ticket sales are open. Runners register here.

"After 5 years of training, I realized that with proper training, regardless of age or gender, you can complete the 42km sub4 distance. However, to reach the sub3 mark, the problem is no longer physical strength. We need willpower, perseverance, and even talent and aptitude. So I set a higher goal to see how well I can do," Them said.

Preparing for this journey, Them made his own training and nutrition plan. The Hue native proactively lost weight by adjusting his diet and running more long distances. Along with that, he received professional support from his sister. "I have a basic knowledge of sports and have also read a lot of documents for running coaches, so I found this journey not too difficult. I only encountered a few problems in the beginning when I had to take on many roles," he said.

Sisters Nguyen Ngọt and Nguyen Them. Photo: Provided by the character

Earlier this year, when he entered the peak training period for the VnExpress Marathon Hue, the male runner was also doing his graduation thesis. Then he planned to open a running shop. He said that taking on many roles was on one hand a pressure, but also an opportunity for the 23-year-old man to become stronger, to have more exposure, and to gain more experience and life experience.

"Studying, earning money, coaching gym and running for students almost took up all my time during the day. There was a time when I felt exhausted and stopped working out. But with support from my sister and family, I regained my form and continued," Them said.

Family is the motivation for the 23-year-old man to overcome all difficulties and live with passion. The male runner said that in the family of 5 sisters, all 5 people love running. The eldest sister Ngọt Nguyễn was the one who initiated the movement, then the youngest sister Them followed in her footsteps to conquer the full marathon distance, the remaining sisters are also getting acquainted with short distances.

Earlier this year, Them also ran from the center of Hue city to his hometown in Phu Loc district to celebrate Tet. The total time to complete the distance was 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Currently, Nguyen Them said he is ready to conquer the sub-3 goal at the tournament at home on April 21. In addition to practicing for his personal goal, regularly twice a week, Them directly teaches and guides about 50 members of the Hue Runners Club to practice.

"Playing at home, we consider this the most important tournament of the year. Therefore, in addition to personal goals, I will help my teammates in the club achieve the best results possible," he said.

More on a run with runners in Hue. Photo: Character provided

Currently, Them and the members of Hue Runners have finished the heaviest training phase and started to reduce the volume to prepare for the race. He said that after completing the sub3 goal, he will continue to try the super long distances and ultra trails.

Thanh Lan

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/gymer-giam-10kg-vi-muc-tieu-chay-sub3-tai-vnexpress-marathon-hue-4726869.html