China’s Dong Li is really making a name for herself on the international trail running scene in 2015 with her pair of second places at the Vibram Hong Kong 100k and the MSIG Sai Kung 50k, and now her third place at Transgrancanaria. In the following interview, hear how Dong’s race went, what she thought of running her longest-distance race so far, and what other races we’ll see her at in 2015.
For more on the race, read our 2015 Transgrancanaria results article.
[Click here if you can’t see the video above.]
Dong Li Post-2015 TNF Transgrancanaria Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Dong Li after her third-place finish at the 2015 The North Face Transgrancanaria. Congratulations!
Dong Li: Thank you.
iRunFar: Early in the race you were with the leaders and running very strong, but by 50k you looked very tired. How were you feeling 50k into the race?
Li: The first half is a lot of climbing and that’s why after 50k I was exhausted. I think it’s normal. I really was just very tired.
iRunFar: Maybe that was more climbing than you do in most of your races?
Li: Yes.
iRunFar: You looked stronger later in the race. Did you start to feel better?
Li: Actually, I felt just normal in the second half. The first half felt the same. I passed another female athlete in the second half. I passed her. I just thought, I can’t stop. I keep running. Running is faster than walking. So I just kept running.
iRunFar: You passed one woman, and that made you feel good. Did you try to catch more women ahead of you, or were you just trying to survive?
Li: I just wanted to finish the race, and I didn’t want to let that girl pass me again.
iRunFar: Ahhh, so surviving.
Li: Yes.
iRunFar: This was also your longest race, yes?
Li: Yes.
iRunFar: What did you think of the extra distance?
Li: It’s very difficult. It’s very tough.
iRunFar: Will you do another race over 100k again?
Li: Yes.
iRunFar: What races do you have on your schedule?
Li: TNF 100k – Australia, another domestic race in China organized by China’s official organization, and UTMF.
iRunFar: In Japan, yes?
Li: Yes.
iRunFar: For this, is this the furthest you’ve traveled from China?
Li: Japan and Chamonix are similar to here.
iRunFar: Have you enjoyed your time in Spain?
Li: Very hot and the wind is strong.
iRunFar: Hot because it’s winter in Hong Kong. It’s winter in Hong Kong, so it feels very hot.
Li: Yes.
iRunFar: Do you think you’d come back to Transgrancanaria?
Li: Maybe if I had a chance.
iRunFar: Did you learn any lessons from the extra distance and longer amount of time in this race?
Li: First of all is the supplies and to have a supply plan. Also, don’t be rushed in the first half, just follow your pace. Don’t be rushed too much.
iRunFar: Very different than Vibram Hong Kong 100k, you were fast, fast, fast at the beginning. Maybe you need to change that?
Li: Yes, I do.
iRunFar: Congratulations, Dong, on your great run. Hope to see you again soon.
Li: Thank you.
[Editor’s Note: Thank you to Wyan Chow and Yadi Guan for the translation.]
