Race Media

Trail running for 16 years and counting

Ida Lee on her passion and MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50

Hong Kong trail runner Ida Lee will be participating in MSIG Singapore Action Asia 50 for the first time, with her husband Chor Kin Law. The running couple is now training hard for the race. Here are some thoughts that Lee would like to share.

What makes you fall for trail running? How long have you been doing trail running?

I did my first trail running race in 2001, and have fallen in love with it ever since. Now, I have been doing trail running for 16 years and I still enjoy being in nature and enjoying the scenery. Every trail is different so it is always new and exciting for us to join different races.

How have you prepared for this race since Singapore’s terrain, climate and environment are all different from Hong Kong?

I did participate in some running races in Singapore, but this is my first time doing trail running here. It is hot and humid in Singapore, therefore it is a bit tricky to control the speed. I have not tried out the trail for this MSIG race, but trails in Singapore are more even in general, my goal for this race is to complete the whole course.

How do you balance your work life and training?

We are not professional athletes and we can only train during leisure time. I usually do some long courses during weekends and try to intensify my stamina and strengths by doing some light running and strengths training during weekdays.

What expectations or goals do you have for this race?

Since it is my first time doing trail running in Singapore, I am quite excited to learn about the trails. I’ll be appreciative and enjoy the course while running. I have known some Singapore runners in the past and they are all nice and friendly, I look forward to knowing more of them.

How different does it feel to participate in races outside Hong Kong?

It’s definitely more exciting. I am quite curious about how different things would be since all the environment, trails, race arrangements are all going to be unfamiliar to me. However, this is exactly why overseas races are more exciting, I always look forward to them.

What advice would you give to new runners? How should they overcome the hot weather?

For new runners, it is the best to start slow and steady, then slowly increase the intensity. They can start with 10km races and choose trails that are less difficult. Once they start getting used to the easier trails, they can start doing trails with more difficulties. As for the hot weather, I think the best resolution would be training more under the sun. Let yourself get used to the hot weather and dehydrated situations, then it would be easier when it happens during races.

How would you encourage your family and friends to participate in trail running?

I often go hiking with some friends to let them try out and experience the fun of trail running.

 

是甚麼原因令你愛上越野跑? 你跑了多久越野跑?

我參加越野跑緣起於2001年參加毅行者，之後便迷上了越野跑可於山野間奔馳的樂趣。至今已有超過１６年的越野跑年資。越野跑迷人的地方是可以享受郊野的風光，路況山勢每個比賽都不同，可以說沒有一個越野賽是一樣的。

對於今次比賽是在新加坡進行，地形，天氣，環境等等都跟香港不同，你如何為這次比賽進行一些不同的訓練？

以往都曾在新加坡參加路跑，但越野跑則是第一次。新加坡天氣濕熱，所以在速度上的掌握要比較謹慎，要因應氣溫調節速度。另外，雖然我未跑過這次MSIG新加坡動感亞洲50的賽道，但一般來說，新加坡地勢較平坦，沒有太多大山，所以會以全程輕跑為目標。

平日是怎樣平衡工作/學習和訓練?

我們始終不是職業運動員，因此只可在工餘時間練習。一般我會在星期六或日做一課長課，平日便盡量抽時間放工去跑一下或做體能。

對今屆賽事有甚麼個人目標或期望?

由於未曾嘗試過在新加坡參加越野跑，對賽道得是好奇。我會抱著欣賞賽道的心情，好好享受這個比賽。而且我認識的新加坡跑友都是很熱情的，所以亦希望能認識多一些新加坡的越野跑手，交流一下。

出國參加比賽的心態會不會跟參加本地賽事不一樣?

好奇心會多一點。出國比賽通常都是在不熟悉的環境作賽，對賽道、環境、賽事安排、補給等都會比較陌生，不過，亦正正如此，新鮮感亦會大增，所以我一般都會非常期待國外的比賽。

有什麼越野路線或距離建議給越野了跑新手? 如何應付炎熱的比賽環境?

對新手來講，無論距離及難度亦最好循序漸進。最開始時以十多公里賽事為目標，選擇一些難度系數少的路徑如港島徑。待上落山能力加強以後，可試較多上落的山徑如大東山，鳳凰山等。至於應對炎熱天氣，我覺得最好便是多在陽光下操練，了解自己在炎熱氣溫下的反應，例如秏水情況，比賽時便比較容易掌握自己身體的狀況了。

會怎樣鼓勵家人,朋友和其他人參加越野跑?

我經常會約一些不同的朋友行山，讓x他們一同體驗行山越野跑的樂趣。