What are you up to at the moment?
I was over in the Dolomites for the The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail, part of the Ultra Trail World Tour. It’s a 119km trail race with more than 6000m of ascents. It is probably the most spectacularly beautiful place I’ve ever run. The mountains are dramatic, with unbelievable rock formations. The trail is fairly runnable for the first half but the second half of the race, especially the last 40km, is very technical, and has rocky, steep climbs and descents. I placed 1st female, 18th overall and set a new course record. It was the icing on top of an already delicious cake. My experience in Italy reinvigorated my running. Before going over to Italy I was feeling a little ho-hum about racing and running in general. But after spending a few days out on the trails for six to eight hours a day I’m more excited than ever!
Where is your favourite place to run?
Wherever my two feet can take me. I prefer areas with mountains, single track, views, no people, wildflowers, a gentle breeze. Mountain ranges like the Alps, Dolomites, Sierra Nevadas, San Juans – they all satisfy these requirements. Running is all about the scenery for me. I refuse to run indoors or on a treadmill because, mentally, I find it exhausting. I do not have the fortitude to run just for the sake of running. I like to use running as a way to escape from everyday life or to see a new place. Fitness is a great by-product. I choose races based on location rather than competition. If I’m running somewhere that inspires me, or I find beautiful, I usually have a better race anyway.
Do you remember your first-ever race? How old were you, and how did you fare?
Yes. It was the Presidential Fitness Challenge, Grade 3 (8yrs old), 1 mile. It was brutally difficult. Turned me off running for years! I remember my best friend beating me and thinking she was so cool because she could run so fast. I think I puked at the end. Not my distance.
When someone asks you for a training tip, what do you tell them?
Take advice but make sure to listen to your body. There is no one-size-fits all for ultra marathon training. When I first started running longer distances I was too concerned by what other people were doing and would feel anxious or like I wasn’t training hard enough when I compared my workouts to other runners. Do what feels right to you. I don’t keep a training log or follow a plan. I train based on my intuition and what my body needs. Sometimes this means doing structured interval workouts. More often it means putting my pack on and exploring the mountains all day at a leisurely pace. This laissez-faire approach doesn’t work for everyone, sometimes it doesn’t work for me, but it’s an unstressful way to train … which I like.
Do you like a running gadget?
No! I prefer to keep it as simple as possible. I don’t even wear a watch. The only gear I need is my pack, a hat, sunglasses & shoes. Wait, are you asking do I like gadgets that run? The answer would still be no. Imagine how hard it would be to find your phone if it could just get up and run away.
Do you ever run to music?
Yes, on occasion. I also listen to podcasts if I’m on a long solo run. My favorite podcast is actually British. It’s called Answer Me This. A tad absurdist yet informative. I like upbeat music when I’m doing speed workouts or any run with lots of flat sections – since it helps keep the leg tempo up.
What’s your post-race indulgence?
Anything salty, fatty or sweet that I can shove in my mouth usually hits the spot. A steak and a glass of red wine usually sounds great, followed by dessert. Getting hungry just thinking about it!
What’s the worst thing about running?
Tapering. That’s why I don’t race more often. I don’t like to taper. It feels like wasted time. If I was a more sophisticated person I could use the non-running time to read Proust or brush up on my Latin, but instead I cyberstalk cute boys and daydream. Not very productive.
And what’s the best thing?
For me it’s the flow sensation that comes usually after a few hours of running. Everything clicks in to place and the motion of running feels effortless. This doesn’t always happen but when it does it’s fantastic.
What’s the furthest you’ve ever run?
166km/106 miles.
What do you eat on the morning of a long run or hard session?
Funny you should ask. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with breakfast. My old standby used to be a bowl of oatmeal, berries and almonds. I looked at my diet and realised I needed more greens. I eat enough veggies for lunch and dinner but my breakfast was lacking. So, lately this has been my go-to: steel cut oats (partially cooked the night before so it only takes 10 minutes in the morning), plus blueberries, avocado, one or two eggs and a giant handful of arugala or kale. It all goes into one pot. Sounds odd to put greens in with oatmeal but I’m odd so there you go. Power brekky.
Have you ever run barefoot?
Yes, but not habitually. I think it feels quite nice to run barefoot on a football pitch or other grassy area or the beach but not for a really long period of time. I like shoes.
What’s your greatest running achievement?
I won my grade 8 cross country championships. Probably the happiest I’ve ever been for placing first. Everything else has paled in comparison to the elation I felt then. Teenage emotions are just so powerful!
Would you rather watch Mo Farah or Usain Bolt – or is there someone else who would trump them both?
They are both great runners with fantastic running form but a few others would top my list: Kilian Jornet on a steep, technical descent is magic to watch. Anton Krupicka on any climb. I try to emulate his running style. So smooth and effortless. Then Shalane Flanagan, the US marathon runner; she has amazing form. I drool just looking at her. Or Anna Frost, Emelie Forsberg, Lizzy Hawker or Ellie Greenwood – all female ultra runners who have their own style and are wicked fast. Plus any runner in the paralympics: I tear up with emotion; very inspiring.
Who is the greatest ever runner?
The person who gets the most joy out of it.
Rory Bosio is one of The North Face’s global athletes
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