Let's explore the journey for the Chengdu Marathon as if it were the 1980-2000s computer game “The Oregon Trail.” Please note that the sound and music system used by the Oregon Trail is not compatible with any Windows or MAC products released after 1999.

           What was it like to cover more than 1,000 kilometers of plains, tunnels, and sidewalks? "Hope in Motion" allows you to experience one of the greatest adventures in my history. Here you’ll possibly need to make life-or-death decisions, like choosing the safer path when crossing rivers or deciding on your supplies (approximately 2 liters of water, a cell phone, and 4 energy gels). If your provisions run low, you may need to scavenge for food, maybe at the nearest food tent. Can you overcome diseases and weather? Hope you have your typhoid and/or espresso shot.

          Before we begin, we must register our names, the members of our wagon, and our occupations - I'm a teacher, Sean, and there is a merchant, John, and a child named Lionel in our group. After that, we need to purchase supplies, including energy gels, a portable speaker, water, and sports drinks.

       In the late spring, us three pioneers – a seasoned merchant, a greenhorn teacher, and their child – decided to join a caravan to challenge the Oregon Trail. Before hitching our wagon, we received valuable advice from the townspeople in Independence about the importance of breathable fur, well-oiled axles, and how to prepare for the adventure ahead.

      During the summer, we followed the North Mississippi River, seeking to stay close to a water source due to the extreme heat. We left in late June, allowing us to maintain a steady pace and reach the 13.1-mile mark at Independence Rock (our target by July 4th). I wisely stuck to bottled water, avoiding diseases like cholera and typhoid. I did catch a bout of shingles, but a doctor we encountered on the trail helped and said I could continue without rest.

       Our summer journey was peaceful, and we managed to forage some wild berries, although Lionel refrained due to safety concerns that they may bring about dysentery. Because the wagon we purchased was old, its tongue became slightly dislodged, causing a minor lean to the right. However, with two capable oxen pulling the lightweight cart, it wasn't a significant problem. The hunt for adventure remained ideal as did the health status of our wagon's members.

      Come September, our good luck took a turn for the worse. One of our oxen severely twisted its ankle and couldn't continue pulling the wagon for several months, which meant that the lone ox would have to shoulder the marathon journey. We had to adjust from a steady to a strenuous pace, and the rising heat and humidity increased the risk of dehydration. Even though we were still eating filling meals, exhaustion began to set in.

        Soon, the rains arrived, and we had to ford a myriad of puddles. I frequently lost the trail, and the wagon suffered bumps, causing us to lose items. At some point during one of our longer days, my chest was somehow bitten by a rattlesnake, resulting in a rash known as "runner's nipple." The feet of the remaining ox began to show signs of wear and tear. The child's condition remained excellent, while the teacher and merchant were in poor health. We decided to take a few days of rest.

       In October, the health of all wagon occupants improved. Our team will now caulk our wagon to sail down the Dalles River, covering a precise distance of 26.2 miles. We will have to navigate through rocks and other wagons on this challenging journey. We hope to join the Oregon Trail of Legends!