Taking up trail running in Covid-19 has taught this Hongkonger resilience, planning and dealing with uncertainty

Antonia Li was forced to look for new activities when all the gyms were shut due to Covid-19. Now, the Hongkonger has found a new passion in trail running and wants to show that you do not have to be a professional to run ultramarathons.

“The ups and downs, it’s applicable to daily life. Everything is so much better once you’ve earned it,” she said.

“Just bite the bullet and do it. Even at night, when the temperature drops, your body hurts. Night changes my mentality. Visibility is low, you’re relying on your touch. Everything changes, that’s the way life is too. Not everything is a smooth sail. That night prepares you for the day. I feel more committed to the pain, I like to learn from it.”

And she has learned quickly – just a few months after taking up the sport, she completed a 56km virtual race. She also became an ambassador for Pressio, a new compression wear brand.

“The wellness trend is booming and I want to show trail running isn’t intimidating. It’s not just for professional, full time athletes. Brands now want ambassadors who can show that in everyday life, doing sports doesn’t just help the way you look but the way you feel,” she said.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been full of uncertainties and trail running has helped ride out the difficult months.