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Hannamiina Tanninen

I hate running. So I signed up for a 250km ultramarathon.
Racing The Planet’s 2019 Gobi March multi-stage race will take place in Mongolia from July 28 for six days, and I am one of the runners.
By the time you read this, I will be somewhere deep in the mountains of the Gobi Desert and hopefully finished at least the first 40km.
I got the go-ahead exactly 100 days before its start, well shy of the recommended six-month minimum preparation time.
I not only had to get in multi-marathon shape, but to learn to like running too. The first thing I did was to hire a personal trainer to whip me into condition and help avoid injuries and frustration.
The personal trainer I hired was Ryan Whelan, a friend from paddling at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club dragon boat team Royal X.
Wong Ho-chung becomes first Hongkonger to win 4 Deserts

I knew he did some trail running, but a couple of months into the running programme I learned that he is one of the best male trail runners in the city.
When the preparation started, we were both facing a time pressure like never before. In retrospect, it was a good thing, as there simply wasn’t time for second-guessing. We just had to get to work.
Dominant Whelan loves to win, set to improve after breakout season

My very first run was 5km on the Hung Hom promenade. My second was 10km, which took an hour and twenty-five minutes. You can only build from there. The only goal I set myself for training was not to miss a single run on my programme, and I am proud that I achieved that.
Sticking with the programme no matter what taught me that not every run has to be perfect, and that even a slow run is better than no run. When you start, there will be runners flying past you left and right. It is very discouraging at first, especially when you feel like you can’t take another step with a couple of kilometres still left.
But once you focus on your own running and stubbornly keep at it, slowly but surely the results will come. The 10km runs turn to 12km, 15km and 20km. Your running technique and confidence improves too. Then the biggest change of all – you look forward to the next run instead of seeing it as a chore compared to staying at home watching Netflix.
‘Competitive juices’ flow for Parr, taking second in Namibia desert race

The last couple of weeks I have been running, when I haven’t been eating, sleeping or at work. Maybe I won’t enjoy the race. There have been moments when running has been easier than others, but I can’t say I have ever experienced any runner’s high. Most of the time running has been hard work with a lot of discipline.
However, I have learned not to be afraid of the distance. Before I started running, I thought taking part in one of those 5km or 10km fun runs would require months of preparation, or a 20km hike would take a whole day. With consistent training those are achievable quicker than you might think.
Getting more distance to my runs has also given me a whole new access to my home of nine years. Just from Hong Kong Island alone I have found many new trails with amazing views I have never seen before.
Will I be able to finish the whole 250km? In any case I have given finishing a very good run – the longest in my life so far.


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Extreme fitness

From Netflix lover to Gobi March race in 90 days: Hongkonger explains how to prepare to run a 250km ultramarathon

The Gobi March is a 250km multi-stage ultramarathon. Photo: RacingThePlanetLtd

Dan Parr came second in the 4 Deserts multi day ultra marathon in Namibia. He was soundly beaten by Floria Vieux, but also soundly beat third place runner Santini Christophe. Photo: Mike Hermsmeyer

Recovering teenage drug addicts given chance to ‘walk a different path’ thanks to Gobi Desert ultramarathon

Agnes Cheng Ming-wai (centre back) is with students of the Christian Zheng Sheng Association during the 2014 Total Run trail. Photo: Handout

MixedRecovering drug addicts, who were substance abuses as teenagers, go to the gobi march ultramarathon and walk a new path, some becoming photographers.

The head of the Esquel-Y.L. Yang Education Foundation Agnes Cheng Ming-Wai, runs along the Tai Koo Shing water front, Hong Kong on June 28, 2017. 28JUN17 [FEATURES HEALTH FIT N FAB] SCMP / Antony Dickson

This handout image shows Agnes Cheng Ming-wai (L), runner, with Edwin Li (R) at the start of Gobi March 2015.jpg [HEALTH FIT AND FAB] CREDIT / Racing the Planet

4 Deserts, Namibia: Hongkonger takes second place at race of champions, riding highs before lows of ‘hating yourself’

Dan Parr rides highs and grinds through lows to finish second in Namibia. Photos: Mike Hermsmeyer

4 Deserts, Namibia: Parr puts running in perspective with children’s charity – ‘it may be miserable, but it’s a privilege’

Dan Parr on his way to winning the gruelling RacingThePlanet Gobi desert race in April 2010. Photos: Handout

Former Hong Kong Football Club rugby winger Dan Parr on his way to winning the gruelling RacingThePlanet Gobi desert race in April 2010. credit: SCMP Pictures (HANDOUT)

Former Hong Kong Football Club winger Dan Parr on his way to winning the Racing The Planet Gobi March on July 3 2010.

Sport

Outdoor

Trail Running


Hannamiina Tanninen learns to like distance running through hard work and discipline, not a series of ‘runners highs’
She heads to the Racing The Planet event still unsure if she will come to love the sport but filled with confidence



Hannamiina Tanninen learns to like distance running through hard work and discipline, not a series of ‘runners highs’
