Interview - Nancy Jiang (NZ)
Read time 5 minutes
Introduction
Nancy Jiang (NZ, Sponsored by La Sportiva) is an impressive human and athlete. She has won the highly competitive 100km Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB (2023), which saw her competing in Western States 100 miler (160kms), along with multiple top 10 finishes in UTMB OCC. Jiang is also an engineer, something she credits helping her problem solve in long endurance races when. In fact, it was her job as an engineer that led her to start trail and mountain running while living in Europe.
I first came across New Zealand’s Nancy Jiang last year, and when I saw her, I was mesmerised as she seemingly floated down a difficult downhill section on Coronet Peak, Queenstown, in The Wild 100 race. A race she won. In a leading pack of men who mostly seemed like stomping tree trunks coming down that section, she moved in a way that blew me away. I myself had gone down this section the day prior, and when I saw her come over the ridgeline in the race, her arms moving like an Eagle with such trust and ease in her body, I was in awe.
To follow along with Nancy’s mountain running, often through the stunning ridgelines of New Zealand, find her on Instagram @nj.running_wild
Interview
Let’s start at the beginning. How did you get into trail running?
I’ve always enjoyed running - ever since I was about 7 or 8 years old, and my primary school teacher had the class running around the school field bare feet to prepare for athletics day. But it was not until I was in my mid twenties, when during a 4 months season in the French Alps, I finally swapped my road shoes for trail shoes.
What are the 3 things you wish you knew straight away when you started trail running?
This one is probably for most endurance sports, not just trail running specific. Fueling and hydrating enough is so important in having a good race. When I first started, I used to think I was tough or something silly like that if I did a 3-4hour race and only had a few gels. Sometimes I ran well, but more often than not i’d crash and burn. It’s taken a long time for me to realise exactly how much calories you need to fuel to be able to run at your best. And it's as a lot! I remember telling someone as a last minute advice to them before their race that if they find themselves feeling poo, it's because they are not fueling enough. And because you feel like poo, you don't want to eat which makes you feel even more poo. You gotta fuel to get out of the bonk cycle.
Another one that is probably relevant to most other sports as well, is that i used to ignore niggles and warning pain signals and keep training, only to end up getting properly injured and not be able to run for a much longer period of time than if I stopped when the niggle first started. Listening to your body is so important.
Make the most of your trail running poles. When I first started trail running, I didn't use poles, mostly because I came from a road background. My quads would be so over worked from the uphills, I couldn't run down the hill. Poles save your legs on the uphills, so you can run the hill.
What is your proudest trail running achievement so far?
Winning Tarawera. To me, it meant that I have what it takes to hold my own against the professional international runners. And I really wanted the Haka at the end because of what it represents in NZ culture.
What is your favourite kind of trail to run?
I am a sucker for a mountain view, so any trail in the mountains with a good amount of vert. I like the sense of wide open space when I'm running along a ridge line.
What is your favourite trail you have ever run, and why?
This is a tough one, there are so many. I can narrow it down to a place - Glenorchy. I've ran on so many great trails there, the Routeburn, Caples, Greenstone.
What does your typical weekly training schedule look like?
It depends if I'm at home in NZ and working full-time or if I'm overseas training full time and working part time. In NZ, I'll do 1 or 2 key workouts a week, a mid week long run which is about 2-3hours. And on the weekend, I'll do a longer run and cycle on the other day. Other days are all easy running. I'll also do two days of gym work a week.
Let’s chat nutrition, what is your go-to stack for, let’s say, a long training run?
I love Pics Peanut Butter and honey sandwiches, or homemade lemon sugar crepes.
Any gear, nutrition, or apparel you swear by?
Merino socks. They warm up quickly after getting wet, and I seem to not get blisters in them. My favourite are the Yank socks, it's a local brand from my home in Nelson, NZ
Almond chocolate milk after a long or hard run is always a treat.
What is your preferred road training shoe and trail race shoe at the moment?
For the road, I kind of just wear my trail shoes that have no treads left, haha. But if I was training for a road marathon, my go-to would be the Hoka Carbon X2. My favourite trail shoes are the La Sportiva Prodigios. I tested the prototypes last year, and they should be available this April.
What up and coming trail running athletes are standing out for you at the moment, and why?
There are so many amazing and talented young guns, it's crazy. Goes to show how popular the sport is becoming. But just secretly, I think Nathan Fa’ave’s son Zefa is doing some incredible running, including beating his dad’s time at the coast to coast goats pass run earlier this year.
Any advice for new trail runners on how to improve their downhill skills?
Relax, look ahead, not down at your feet, and don’t be afraid to fall.
Where can we follow along on social media?
@nj.running_wild
Photo credits: Nancy’s Instagram and UTMB.
Read the feature story inspired by Nancy Jiang on Don’t be afraid to fall here.
Beginner resource: Downhill Running in Trail Running
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