Susie Chan: Treadmill running World Record holder reveals her Inspirational Story   

Susie Chan is an ultra marathoner, a triathlete and a marathoner. She is treadmill running world record holder. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You began running quite late in life just to get a bit healthier, completing your first finish line in a race in 2010. The list of your winning and competing at different level over various distances on various terrains is endless. You reached the pinnacle of success when you setup the new 12-hour treadmill world record. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?

Ms. Susie Chan: There are lots of things that have lead me to where I am today. I credit my local running club to helping me get better at running. The social media side has been hugely encouraging too. It all started with encouragement from twitter (@susie__chan) Runners are such a supportive bunch and it's proved to be a great community to ask questions and get advice from.

I have made many friends via running, all these people have contributed to helping me build my running confidence. We have had fun along the way too! Running is all about your mind; having confidence, belief in yourself and being able to enjoy what you are doing. There have been races along the way have helped. Completing greater distance races, like non-stop 100 milers and multi-day ultra marathons help feed the confidence and have certainly contributed. I am also very lucky to have a supportive family. My husband, an ultra runner himself, and my daughter are very understanding. As you can imagine it can be quite a time-consuming hobby.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: One question which comes in everyone's mind when they see you running for miles at a stretch is, How you are able to 'beat the monotony in thought' in hours of running apart from physical endurance needed for reaching the success at the end?

Ms. Susie Chan: Several things which can break up a run. Most ultra races are along trails and being outdoors offers it's own entertainment with ever-changing views. Chatting with runners along the route also can pass the time. There are tricks I have to distract me when it gets a bit harder, obviously music is a great was to pass the time. Breaking things down into smaller goals really helps. Ultra marathons are often broken down into check-points along the way. Places where you can refill your bottles and check in with race staff. These help break up long distances, and give smaller achievable goals. There is no denying it can be quite tough mentally running for many hours. The key is to stay positive and think positively.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?

Ms. Susie Chan: I run a lot in the week, maybe 5-6 times a week. To supplement this I go to the gym to work on my core and arms, and do hot yoga, which is a really great way to ease out my runners legs. I have been known to cycle and swim too.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Ms. Susie Chan: No I don't have a special diet at all, I eat normally. However I do keep an eye on the amount of iron I take. Having suffered from anemia in the past - this can be exacerbated by running long distances. I take supplements like glucoside, iron and multivitamins to top up my normal diet.
 

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding ultra marathon girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of ultra marathon?

Ms. Susie Chan: Take the plunge! It's an accessible sport and if you pick the right race to start you'll discover that it is doable. If you can, pick a race which has no time-cut off so you don't need to worry about that. Maybe buddy up with a friend and tackle the ultra together. (that's how I started!) It's great sharing the journey with someone. If you have done a marathon, all you need to do is stretch yourself that little bit more and run a little bit slower.

You'll be amazed at how strong the human body is. The mind is even stronger, so believe in yourself. Women tend to do very well in ultra marathons, especially women who are 35+ I started at that age, so there are no barriers!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: How did you feel before and after your memorable completing the Marathon des Sables (MDS)?

Ms. Susie Chan: I have run the MdS twice now. The first time was in 2013 and I was terribly nervous. It seemed like a very difficult thing. Firstly running through the Sahara desert presents it's own problems with heat and difficult terrain. The other thing that proved to be tough was running with all you kit on your back. The race is self-sufficient, you need to carry everything you need to run for 6 long days in the desert, all your food, sleeping gear and safety kit. I struggled running with the weight on my back. Water is rationed and you only have rudimentary shelter so conditions can be quite harsh.. I trained very hard for it, with a goal to finish. It proved to be a truly wonderful experience. I went back last year in 2015 with the aim to do better. Having learnt a lot from the first time I raced the Mds, I ditched every single thing which was not compulsory kit, and minimum food to lighten my. I pushed myself even when all I wanted to do was stop with fatigue. By the end of the race I had worked my way up to the elite field. One of the performances I have been most pleased with.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Ultra Running is taking your physical endurance to its limit. This may lead to injuries. How you were able to overcome such a physical injury/setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar situation?

Ms. Susie Chan: I get injured like any runner. I find when I do yoga regularly I rarely get injured, but it happens. I'm naturally quite clumsy so have picked up injuries from tripping over things out on the trails! My best advice is not to ignore it. I stop as soon as I hurt anything and treat it with sports massage, physio, rest, ice, whatever is appropriate for the injury. It's better to take a few days out and do the right thing, rather than keep on running which could risk making things worse, resulting in a longer time out.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us more about your endeavor of setting a spectacular new 12-hour treadmill world record at 40 year of age when you ran a total distance of 68.54 miles (110.3 km) in 12 hours in the human performance laboratory at the University's Penrhyn Road campus, beating the previous women's record for the same time period of 66.79 miles?

Ms. Susie Chan: It came about from research that Chris Howe from Kingston University was undertaking into ultra runners. The research which I took part in involved an experiment of running 50 miles on a treadmill. I completed it feeling quite fresh when I finished. A friend pointed out that if I had kept going I would have broken the world record. At my age these opportunities come along - so along with help from Kingston University, we decided to give it a go.

On the day it was much tougher than I thought. Stringent rules meant I could not touch the treadmill, and had lots of other rules to stick to and think about continually for the 12 hours. Social media took off on the day, and with thousands watching I really felt the pressure! I became unwell with motion sickness, but managed to push on to get the record thanks to wonderful encouragement and support from the team.
 

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Now you are the world record holder doing 12-hour treadmill and running a total distance of 68.54 miles (110.3 km). What responsibility this world record bestow upon you in your future efforts and activities in the field of professional ultra running?

Ms. Susie Chan: It probably means lots of people will try to beat me! There are lots of very talented female ultra runners out there, I am not as good as many of them. Ultra runners looking at my 12 hour time and mileage will know that. I am always trying to improve my running, but also like to enjoy some races. I pick the ones which I would like to race, and the ones I like to run with my friends to enjoy.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career as ultra marathon runner?

Ms. Susie Chan: There are some wonderful role models out there in the sports world. Mimi Anderson was the first ultra running female I came across. I can remember reading her blog, and it leaving a huge impression on me. I was very new to running then, having only run a half marathon. I had no idea such crazy races existed! She is a truly remarkable lady who has accomplished some unbelievable feats.

A multiple world record holder, her ultra running career has taken her all over the world. She competes at the highest level. I have been lucky enough to meet her several times. She's a real genuine lovely lady and offers me lots of advice.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Susie Chan: Enjoy your training! Be comfortable with who you are and believe in yourself. Confidence is a very powerful thing.

To know more about Susie Chan: Check out at: http://www.susie-chan.com/

To know latest about her check out on her social networks:

• https://www.instagram.com/susie_chan_/
• https://twitter.com/Susie__Chan
• https://www.facebook.com/susie.chan.14

Women Fitness Team thanks Susie Chan for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.

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