Inspiring a Culture of Trail Walking
TRAILME: You’ve attempted the Oxfam Trailwalker for so many years now. Tell us about your trail walking team?
Five years ago, when we first started, we told ourselves we’re going to complete the Oxfam Trailwalker every year. We liked the format. Because you have four people in a team, you can all have different strengths. I’ll definitely say I’m in good shape physically, but our captain Jack is strong mentally. When we first attempted Oxfam, Jack was overweight. But once we started training, he gained his health. He’s a nurse, so if he doesn’t sleep at night it’s ok — he can keep going, and going. But for me, I can only stay up in the day. At night I definitely need my sleep. And one of our teammates has great memory. He knows the trail, he remembers the trail numbers, the posts, so he really helps out. One year one of our teammates wore a turban. So when we were competing, others were curious — they were curious about his turban! They were very keen to know our background. We brought very different skills together and that’s why we made a great team.
How has your experience this year been different?
Our main target was for the four of us to complete the race together. Apart from the support we get from Oxfam, everything else felt the same — the trail, of course the atmosphere was different. Usually, you have everyone cheering you on, and a big crowd, that was missing. But we stayed together as a team and pushed ourselves to finish the race — so that part stayed the same.
How often do you train?
Because this year we have new members, we try to train every week. On Saturdays. We run ten to twenty kilometers together. But when we first took up trail walking, we mostly trained twice a week.
What’s your favourite part about trail walking as a team?
My team members keep me going. When you go alone, you might give up. Ah I’m tired today. I’ll just stop. I’m not in a good mood. I’m not feeling well. The weather isn’t great. It’s raining. But when you have friends beside you, or you know your team mates will show up, then it’s very different. If just one of us turns up, the others will turn up eventually. Call it peer pressure, but in a good way.
I’m fitter than Jack, but he’s mentally resilient. So our target is just not to let him overtake us. If he does catch up with us, then we really grit our teeth and push ahead. And he’ll try and get ahead, and we’ll try and keep up. It’s how we motivate each other. A little friendly competition!
Is there one memorable memory from all your years as a trail walker?
That would have to be the time we landed up in a village that was off the trail path and three or four dogs began chasing us. And we were already exhausted, but we turned around, and started running like crazy. But once the dogs were at the boundary of the village they just stopped. So I guess they were protecting their territory. Those dogs, those we remember very well.
Do you have a favourite trail in Hong Kong?
MacLehose, Section 4! It’s tough, but you enjoy some great views, so well worth it.
Do you have any advice for others new to trail walking?
My advice is that we are born to walk, we must walk. Now you can decide whether you want to walk while shopping, or you want to walk outdoors. And walking in nature is so much better. You can enjoy the fresh air and great views. Whenever we introduce others to trail walking, we tell them to take it gradually — walk first, then run. Trail running needs balance and good joints, so you have to be careful. First walk, and train, and when you’re comfortable, then begin running.
We wish Billy the very best as he inspires others to take up trail walking in Hong Kong. Stay healthy, and keep up the good work!
