In 2022, Nguyen Minh Hai, Deputy Chief of Office at the Can Tho Department of Finance, turned 45, weighing almost 100kg and facing several health warnings. A hospital examination revealed his resting heart rate was only 33 beats per minute, a dangerous level that could lead to cardiovascular complications at any time.

Doctors advised him to get a pacemaker costing around 130-140 million VND (5,400-5,800 USD), a device with a 20-year lifespan. Concerned about the high cost and potential difficulties adapting to the device, he decided against the surgery, opting instead to improve his health through exercise.

The runner representing Can Tho at the VnExpress Marathon Da Nang in July. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

The runner representing Can Tho at the VnExpress Marathon Da Nang in July. Photo: VnExpress Marathon

"The doctors gave me a lot of advice, including analyses of the risks. I was worried I wouldn't be able to adapt to wearing a device constantly. The high cost also made me hesitate. In the end, I resolved to improve my health on my own instead of relying on a device. At the time, running was becoming popular. I thought I could learn more about it and give it a try," Hai recalled.

During the Covid-19 social distancing period, unable to go to the park or the gym, Hai remained determined. He ran laps in his room, which was only 4 meters long. Every day, he ran back and forth for 90-120 minutes at a speed of about 8 km/h. These were challenging workouts, as running repeatedly in a confined space can be demotivating.

After a month and a half, Hai had lost 13kg, his appearance changing so dramatically that his colleagues were surprised to see him. "I exercised a lot and limited social gatherings involving alcohol due to social distancing, so my weight dropped quickly. When I returned to work, some colleagues even thought I was ill," Hai remembered.

To date, he has lost a total of over 20kg, maintaining a stable weight and experiencing significant health improvements. At his most recent checkup 8 months ago, his resting heart rate had reached about 60 beats per minute, with other indicators stable. At the half marathon in Phan Thiet at the end of August, Hai completed the 21km distance with a pace of 5:05 minutes/km, maintaining a heart rate of 135-140 beats per minute.

The runner from the Mekong Delta also frequently participates in trail races. Photo: Provided by the subject

The runner from the Mekong Delta also frequently participates in trail races. Photo: Provided by the subject

To maintain his progress, he follows a strict schedule. Every morning, his workout must be finished by 6:15 am, so depending on the distance, he sets his alarm for 3:30 am to warm up and run. Some days, he splits his runs between morning and afternoon, reaching a total distance of 160-180km per week. "Running has become a part of my life. I no longer see it as an obligation, but as a daily joy," Hai said.

This change meant giving up many old habits. Previously, as Deputy Chief of Office, he frequently attended social events with clients, consuming alcohol. "One social gathering would mean missing a day of training, and it would be difficult to recover the next day," he shared. He then requested a different assignment from his superiors, avoiding social events and accepting some impact on his professional relationships to protect his health.

With the support of his family and the recognition of his colleagues, the local running community chose Hai as the leader of Can Tho Runners. On September 14th, when the VnExpress Marathon is held in Can Tho for the first time, with a course crossing 14 bridges, he and the other members are making final preparations to participate in the race with thousands of athletes from all over.

Lan Anh