We are the Women of the World Team
We come from different countries.
We come from different backgrounds.
We come in different shapes and sizes.
We are so different and yet so similar.
We share a passion for running.
We feel happy when running on trails.
We love spending time in the nature.
We want to encourage and inspire more women to join us and run together.
This is who we are and we are proud to represent all women of the world!
Punch (Thailand)
1. How long have you been trail running?
I started 2 years ago.
2. What led you to trail running?
After signing up for many road running races, me and my father got bored of those city views. We decided to look for races in other provinces and then we found trail running!
3. Why are you running?
There are so many reasons why I run. First - I was dealing with a lot of stress, depression and anxiety since high school and all the way throughout university. It was too much to cope with so I wanted to do some activities that would lift my spirit up again.
Second - I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I always lived my life in the same routine and felt like a robot in the society. I wanted to do something that makes my heart beat like a human and trail running makes me feel this way. Third - it feels good to be surrounded by positive energy from people who I meet during the race. I can't find that feeling anywhere else.
4. Did trail running help you change your life for the better? If so, how?
It changed and shaped my life so much more than I expected. Trail running taught me a lot. Every race I signed up for taught me a new lesson. I learned to be patient, consistent and committed in everything I do and I know that I will achieve my goals someday. Both my mental health and physical health are getting better since I started running. Besides, my dad's health is also getting better. After he was diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease he decided to change his lifestyle and now he is trail running and cycling with me every weekend.
5. What is your message to women who want to start but lack the confidence in themselves?
This is a message to all women and a note to myself too. Sometimes I feel that I lack the confidence if something seems too hard to achieve (that's what I thought when I signed up for the ATG challenge at first). My message is: Throw away all your negative thoughts and give yourself a chance to try. Do your best, forget about the failure or judgement from other people. Eventually, you will realize that you are more capable than you think.
Veronika (Slovakia)
1. How long have you been trail running?
I did one race end of 2017 but properly started in summer 2018.
2. What led you to trail running?
My friend persuaded me to go for a trail race to just give it a try because she knew I liked running and I was a fan of being outdoors.
I gave it a chance and realized that this sport is what I have been missing in my life.
3. Why are you running?
I run because it makes me feel alive. It makes me feel strong and fast. It helps me clear my mind and forget about daily stress. It helps me stay fit and healthy. It gives me so many great feelings. Even if some days I don't feel like running I know that if I go out there and run - even just a few kilometers - I will end up feeling better.
4. Did trail running help you change your life for the better? If so, how?
Trail running changed my life in so many ways! It helped me discover my real passion and talent. It helped me get confidence not only in races but in my everyday life. It helped me discover many beautiful places and connect to wonderful people all over the world. It helped me to figure out what I want and don't want to do in my life. And finally, it helped me meet the love of my life.
5. What is your message to women who want to start but lack the confidence in themselves?
Trail running is so different to other sports. It is not only about the physical effort but also about connecting with your inner self and with the nature all around you. Forget about the running part - just go on a trail near you and enjoy the moment. Start by hiking and run just a little. Step by step you will feel more confident and comfortable and you will forget about all of the initial worries.
Sabrina (Malaysia)
1. How long have you been trail running?
I started in the middle of 2018
2. What led you to trail running?
My friends from the Labuan Runners community who are never getting tired of supporting me to keep on running. Thank you for your endless support!
3. Why are you running?
I first started running because it was a necessary form of training that I needed to join The Annapurna Base Camp Expedition 2018 (Labuan Team). The day I started I immediately fell in love with running.
4. Did trail running help you change your life for the better? If so, how?
Being surrounded by beautiful views and nature is my kind of therapy. It gives me calmness, happiness and strength.
5. What is your message to women who want to start but lack the confidence in themselves?
Find an encouraging person who will help you to start with trail running. Slowly but surely you will find your confidence.
Shamiera (Malaysia)
1. How long have you been trail running?
I started one year ago.
2. What led you to trail running?
My dad. He was the one who introduced me to this sport and I fell in love with it very quickly.
3. Why are you running?
This is a broad question. Running improves both physical and mental health. For me it is not as much about the physical (I have always been a very active person) but it is mostly about the mental. To be more specific, I run because I feel that when I'm running I can really embrace my true-self. I do it for my own happiness, to be able to discover my capabilities and to go further in this sport.
4. Did trail running help you change your life for the better? If so, how?
Certainly! I see myself growing in this sport. I am more disciplined - in terms of my responsibilities as a young girl stepping into the real world as well as a growing athlete. I learned to manage my time for training, house chores, family time and most importantly for some good quality rest time.
Trail running also helped to increase my determination and motivation to succeed while enjoying the journey.
5. What is your message to women who want to start but lack the confidence in themselves?
Life is simple. People tend to make it complicated and some may just spread negative vibes. My message to women who want to start but lack the confidence in themselves is: To just start, put people's thoughts aside, focus on yourself, your goals, prove them wrong, and you could be living the life you've been dreaming of!