NEPAL

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING WITH MILE 27?

I have been training with the Mile 27 since April 2021.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?

I competed in the school competitions in athletics and I ranked 2nd in the annual athletics championships in Jumla, which was my first competition outside of my village. I got the encouragement to pursue athletics from then on.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE RACE SO FAR?

I don’t have any specific favourite race but I think I find my first international race in Hong Kong in 2016, very important and valuable. I like the races I win 🙂

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM A RACE?

The most memorable moments in the races are my assistance checkpoints. I feel a different energy when I see my teammates at the assistance points.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ULTRAMARATHON ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

I had never run 50K distance when I started ultra racing in Hong Kong. But I gave my best and ranked second. I was in pain and I really fought hard having no prior experience. And I got to be the youngest Asia Skyrunning Champion in 2016. After that race, Thailand by UTMB was another achievement and until now my most valuable achievement is 2nd at  UTMB CCC in 2022, given the level of competition.

WHAT IS ON YOUR RACING BUCKETLIST?

I want to win the World Mountain and Trail Running championships someday. That’s the bucketlist.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM ULTRAMARATHONS? WHAT HAVE THEY TAUGHT YOU ABOUT LIFE AND YOURSELF?

Self-awareness during the high competition time. I learned from my ultramarathons that there are different kinds of participants. If a participant is confident of his energy s/he doesn’t go too slow or too fast, they manage their energy well until the finish. A person without confidence or awareness about their energy- they sometimes start too fast and slow down in the middle of the race. I think I learned to be aware of my energy level and be aware of other people in front of me and behind me. In life also, I think I learn to make my decisions depending on what I am capable of and my level.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF TRAINING?

I love my long mountain training and running on the ridges.

HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BENEFITED FROM TRAINING WITH MILE 27?

I have benefited a lot from Mile27 training. I had never done this kind of training before. I get a weekly training plan and my training is monitored. It is more disciplined and structured. It helps to make up my mind and I can schedule and plan my training and day accordingly.

WHAT IS THE ONE TIP YOU WOULD GIVE A FELLOW ATHLETE TO HELP THEM ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE OF RUNNING AN ULTRA MORE?

Try to Improve slowly and steadily. Don’t aim to run 100 km in the beginning even if in the beginning, there is a lot of excitement when you feel you can run on the trails. Don’t aim for speed, make your mind strong and focus on being able to enjoy the long distance training first.

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT RACE?

My next race is TNF HK100 km

Sunmaya is sponsored by COROS Watches and is part of the Asia Pacific  Adventure Team.