Transgender runner's love of running
Jogging lovers in Hanoi are no stranger to Nguyen Dang Huynh Tien (21 years old, real name Nguyen Thanh Long). From 4:30 a.m. every Saturday morning at Sword Lake, there is always a girl with a tall and thin body over 1m7, working hard in the fastest group of people. Vitality is overflowing in the footsteps of this particular runner.
The girl from Soc Son, Hanoi believes that running is also a way to express the sporty and dynamic spirit, spreading the values that transgender people can create. Fairies do not dress flamboyantly, usually in black, and restrain their words and actions with the mindset of "gaining respect and a normal look from everyone".
"Running helps me forget the pressure, make new friends. I also realize that there are many people around who are open, caring and supportive of my journey," Huynh Tien said.
Nguyen Dang Huynh Tien is a transgender from male to female. She is gender-conscious since 2019 when she felt "shaken" in front of male classmates. Through a long period of self-examination, Tien realized that she was not gay (gay) but aspired to be a girl. Because of that, Tien's personality is gentle and her soul soars. At the peak, Tien was once blocked by a classmate and beaten with a mortar. The school days are haunting days filled with harsh words. Many times Tien had to drop out of school because of fear. The good thing is to have my parents by my side, empathetic and supportive.
In 2020, Tien was admitted to Ho Chi Minh City College of Art. At this time, she had long hair, dressed as a female, but had not yet undergone the transgender process. Realizing that he needed surgery to be himself. Tien temporarily stopped studying, went to work part-time to collect money to go to Thailand. After more than two years of accumulation, plus the support of her family, in mid-2022, Tien went abroad alone, fulfilling her long-standing wish. In 28 days, the 20-year-old girl underwent three major surgeries: laryngectomy, breast reconstruction, genital surgery, followed by a long process of medication, taking care of new organs. Tien lost 6kg, weak health, only eat porridge every day.
"I cried a lot because I was happy when I saw my new body as I dreamed. On the day I returned home, my father bought me a dress and told me to live confidently, from now on I don't have to wear a sneaky dress," Tien said. about family support. Her parents and relatives are always beside her to take care and encourage her, which makes her feel more confident and strong.
Over the past year, Tien has had to get used to having female organs after 20 years of living with a male body. The only thing left is the bow legs. Therefore, Huynh Tien came to jogging a few months after the surgery to improve her gait, help her legs slim and strengthen her health. That's when she realized running had a strong attraction. The new subject quickly became a part of the 21-year-old girl's life. Each time she runs, she takes 15 minutes to bind her breasts to ensure safety.
Tien joined the Cisan Runner Club, being one of the members with the hardest training plan. Since the first runs were still difficult, now Tien's body responds positively, so the volume keeps increasing. After working as a barista (bartender) at a beverage shop, she immediately put on her shoes and rushed to West Lake to run. Tien said every day runs 10-13km, weekends are long runs 24 or 32km on Sword Lake.
Love and rapid progress helped Tien reach the first milestone of 1 hour and 29 minutes at a distance of 21km. The results helped her finish third, at a marathon in Hanoi. She said she tried her best to rush to the finish line as quickly as possible, raising the flag of the Cisan Runner Club in pride. The moment she stood on the podium to receive the award with other famous athletes, Tien almost cried.
However, the joy was "short and short", the organizers soon announced that Tien's results were not recognized. The reason is to register to participate as a female runner, but Tien's citizen identity is male, with the name Nguyen Thanh Long. Tien hid in a corner, burst into tears, but only had to accept it because the organizers followed the regulations in the charter. The final third prize was raised.
A few days later, the runner born in 2002 is still sad. "I came back to practice 10km at the beginning of the week but sometimes I cried," Tien said. Being transgender makes it difficult to verify identity during marathons.
Family, friends, especially the brothers in the club, are always there to support her in difficult times. Tien said that he still loves marathons, continues to aim for many other prizes and hopes that the organizers will pay attention to the LGBT group. Currently, many tournaments around the world are gradually opening up, using hormone measurements to divide athletes.
"In a short time, the rules will be difficult to change and it will be difficult to compete, but I will continue to run for myself and cheer for those like me," Tien affirmed and is working hard to aim. conquering the 42km distance at events including the MetaSports Marathon Hanoi Midnight later this year.
"I won't be looking for awards because recognition doesn't just come from medals. I will try my best to let people see that even transgender people are still active, positive and valuable", runner born in the year 2002 said. Tien said that she still runs with the female gender but will actively not contest the rankings so as not to fall into the same ironic situation as before and not affect the efforts of other athletes.
