Susie Chan Monthly Update – February 2017

What a month it has been in the life of Susie Chan! At Breathe Unity we are proud to represent endurance runner Susie Chan and are excited to share the latest happenings in Susie’s world.

10 Highlights of the Month – Susie Chan

1. The Running Bug – Monthly Column

Susie’s first column has appeared on The Running Bug, the much-loved social network for runners. In the first of her monthly columns, Susie shares how she fell in love with running. Her inspiring column tells us how she worked up from running around a field to earning her first race medal, and she’s refreshingly honest in telling us why it’s ok if some days we just want to sit on the sofa and eat mashed potato.

2. Running Magazine – Double Page Feature

A fantastic double page spread can be seen in the latest issue of Running Magazine documenting Susie’s Centurion Running Wendover Woods 50K, or WW50 as it is known. A 50-mile race taking place entirely on forest trails within Wendover Woods, this is not a race for the faint-hearted! Despite hitting the wall half way, Susie finished the very first WW50 on a high and was absolutely delighted.

3. parkrun UK Newsletter – Featured Story

Susie may be an endurance runner but that doesn’t stop her running her local parkrun whenever she can. Susie was the featured story in the parkrun UK newsletter for Intersport news on 31st January, and she tells the community why some weeks her 5K parkrun is a speed challenge, while other weeks it’s just about being there and soaking up the brilliant sense of community.

4. Photo Shoots

When it comes to photo shoots, Susie is a wanted lady! We’re not surprised; friendly, inspiring and positive, she is a brilliant face for sporting brands and a great role model for runners.

Susie has taken part in a handful of photo shoots and we’ll be revealing more details over the next few months…

5. Heat Chamber Training for Costa Rica

With Susie’s upcoming Costa Rica Coastal Challenge from 9th-17th February, one of the world’s most gruelling multi stage races covering 236km in 6 days, she’s been through an intense few weeks of training. Much of this has involved running in a heat chamber at Kingston University London in temperatures of 30+ degrees and 75% humidity, to help her acclimatise to the jungles of Costa Rica. That’s over 300 miles in the bag already for 2017, and it’s only February.

6. And She’s Off!

“I’m never running in another jungle,” said Susie after completing the 230km Jungle Ultra in the Amazon last year. Famous last words. This week will see Susie begin her Costa Rica Coastal Challenge, a race comprising 9,543m of ascent through jungles, up mountains and across beaches, including a section called ‘tarantula alley’. Note: she is terrified of spiders, and bugs in general. Best of luck Susie in this incredible challenge – you can do it!

7. Unilite to Support Susie Chan

Flashlight and head torch manufacturer Unilite is right behind Susie on her Costa Rica adventure. They will be supporting Susie on her journey by supplying products for her all-day and all-night jungle adventure. She won’t be able to carry much, but she’ll definitely need light!

8. Races Supported

When she’s not running Susie is often found cheering on other runners, and she recently spent 2 days crewing at the XNRG Pilgrim Challenge 2017, a 66 mile run over 2 days on the North Downs. There’s nothing like a friendly face to help you over the finish line and we know that Susie, with plenty of experience in ultras, provided heaps of positive energy to competitors when they most needed it.

9. Commentating at 2017 Vitality Bath Half Marathon

Susie will be commentating at the hugely popular Vitality Bath Half Marathon, taking place on Sunday 12th March.

She’s the perfect person to talk us through this beautiful 13.1-mile race that attracts 15,000 runners, over 130 official charities and 40,000 spectators to the streets of Bath each spring.

10. What’s Next?

2017 is set to be a big year for Susie and we can’t wait to support her phenomenal running challenges. Following hot on the heels of Costa Rica is the Tokyo Marathon, one of the World Marathon Majors which Susie is aiming to complete this year – only 120 women have ever completed all six World Marathon Majors so this is huge! She is also looking forward to running the spectactular OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO in March.

Approaching too is the legendary Marathon des Sables which Susie will be running for the third time in April – the last time as an elite runner, and having finished within the top 10 women in one stage. If anyone deserves chocolate cake, cheese and pizza, this girl does.