Bibo Gaga says Black or missing toenails are something like a fashion statement and a badge of honor

Bibo Gaga, 39 finished the 2017 New York Marathon in 3 hours and 7 seconds, placing first for Chinese women. She also has competed in ultra-marathon races. She ran 127 miles in 24 hours at a race last year, breaking the course record. She was the women’s champion in five ultra-marathons last year and was the overall champion in two of them. “Indiana is my lucky place, however....I look forward to making another achievement in the Carmel (Indiana) Marathon coming up at the end of March.” Gao said mental and physical perseverance are the keys to distance running. “In a marathon or ultra-marathon, there are always some moments we refuse to give up, but our body refuses to go on,” she said. “Sometimes I get chafing on the inner thighs, sometimes I found my stomach upset and began vomiting, sometimes I got a rolled ankle, sometimes I was under the risk of hypothermia. Blisters and black or missing toenails are something like a fashion statement and a badge of honor. I know it’s useless to complain at those moments. Give up on giving up and you will always find a way.”

posted Saturday March 24th