Turning Setbacks into New Adventures
I had been planning a Sapa mountain marathon for over a year. The excitement of standing at the finish line somewhere in the mountain range was something I’d been looking forward to for months.
Every training session, every long run in preparation, was fueled by the idea of conquering those trails. I’d bought all the gear — new trail running shoes, hydration vests, trekking poles — everything was ready.
But as we know, things don’t always go as planned.
A week before the race, Typhoon Yagi struck Northern Vietnam, and suddenly, everything was thrown into chaos. The race was postponed, there were landslides, towns were flooded, and Sapa became inaccessible.
It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. After all the training and planning, after saving up for the trip and imagining what it would be like to run those trails, it was all gone in an instant.
It was just disappointing …
For a while, I didn’t know what to do. The emotions, feelings of frustration, sadness, and a deep sense of loss. I had worked hard for this moment, and now, it felt like I’d lost the key purpose of this trip. It was hard not to dwell on the negative.
But after taking some time to process those emotions, I realized that setbacks are a part of life, even when they’re painful.
I had two choices: let this disappointment ruin my vacation or find a way to salvage the situation. Instead of wallowing in frustration, I decided to make the most of what I had.
Safety was the main concern, especially with the typhoon’s recent impact, so I knew Sapa was out of the question. But there was still so much of Vietnam to explore.
That’s when I had the idea: if I couldn’t do the running vacation I had planned, maybe I could turn this into a photo and video trip instead. Vietnam’s stunning architecture and landscapes were still waiting for me, even if the mountains weren’t accessible. The forecast showed clear skies in Hanoi for the next few days — so why not use the extra time to explore it more deeply?
Initially, I felt that a week in Hanoi might be too long, but as I researched more, I realized how much there was to capture. Hanoi’s vibrant streets, the peaceful lakes, the historic temples — all of it seemed perfect for a creative project. I also thought about taking day trips to Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay but had to see the weather updates in these locations for upcoming days as they were also impacted by the typhoon.
I also made a key change — accommodation. Staying in the Old Quarter for a week, while exciting, started to feel a bit cramped. So, I decided to switch to a serviced apartment at the Westlake area, giving me more space, quieter surroundings, and access to more facilities.
It wasn’t just about making the best of a bad situation — it was about turning it into a chance to recharge and reflect. I even started thinking of it as a preliminary recce for a potential family trip in the future.
As I begin to look forward to exploring Hanoi’s bustling streets, photographing everything from the chaotic markets to the serene temples, there’s a shift in my mindset. The disappointment is still there, but it isn’t consuming me anymore. This will be a different kind of vacation than initially imagined, but it will turn out to be just as fulfilling in its own way.
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay.
It’s normal to feel disappointed, especially when you’ve put so much effort into something. But I learned that by staying flexible, understanding my emotions, and being open to new possibilities, I could still make this trip something special.
The marathon may not have happened, but I will still leave Vietnam with memories, experiences, and photos that make the journey just as worthwhile.