Helen, where did you grow up?

Helen: In Hangzhou, a very natural city where everyone lives around the West Lake. And my home was along the Fuchun River, famous because of an ancient ink painting called Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains. It’s all rivers and mountains, everywhere.

What was it like to grow up in that landscape?

When I was young, I thought it was normal. I didn’t think the mountains were so special. They were just, there.

But then I grew up and moved to Beijing for university and work. In big cities, mountains are far away. There are no big rivers around. Just buildings, cars, subways. I’d tell people I was from Hangzhou and they’d say, “What are you doing here?” They long for that living environment.

What were you doing there, then?

There is a saying that if we have big dreams, only the biggest city can hold them. At that time, I thought Beijing could do that. Better salary, better job, city life. Fine dining. Shows. Movies. That's what I thought at the time.

What brought you back to the mountains?

I was sick of the grey weather in Northern China. So one morning in March 2023, I decided I’d go on a hike looking for spring. I wanted to find green trees, flowers. I chose a 20-kilometre trail and set out to spend the whole day there.

But when I got there, I found ice and snow. The trees and flowers were still sleeping. I realised spring comes earlier in the city, because the city is warmer.

Still, when I got home, I immediately wanted to go back. That’s when I realised that maybe I was addicted to the mountains.

Addicted… How so?

They make me feel alive, instead of a busy, working machine. In the city, everything always stays the same. But nature changes. Plants grow. Animals move. In spring, flowers start to bloom and trees turn green. In summer, the forest grows very crowded with living things.

Also I experience the weather differently. When it's raining in the city, I stay in the house and won't get out. But when I'm in the mountains, I think rain is also good weather.

Even the people you go with to the mountains are different. They’re quite pure. Our conversations are more present.

Why do you think they go hiking?

I think most of them start hiking because they want to escape from the working days and the busy life in the city, the burdens from work, from their job, from their families.

For me, before hiking, maybe the only important thing in my life was work. But after I started hiking, my life is richer. So there’s not that much pressure on me when I work.

How did running enter the picture?

At the end of 2023, a friend asked me to join a trail running race. It was my first race. And I realized, oh, if I run faster, I can see more beautiful scenery in less time. I can see more beauty. And I loved that idea.

Now you’re a professional runner. How did you get there?

I race to explore. And racing helps me do that. It shows the trails, the people, and my safety is protected by the race committee. It allows me to travel and discover more landscapes.

You’re winning races too. Why do you think that happens?

I enjoy every moment in the mountain. So at every chance I get, I go out there. I keep training, I keep showing up. And day by day, I grow stronger. My durability gets longer. But I don’t do it to win.

I just try to spend more and more time in the mountains. Then I started winning.

What do you feel when you run?

I feel energetic and alive. When I am running, I am not focused on running. I am focused on the environment around me.

Running is my way to explore the environment.

When do you feel most connected to nature?

In high altitude races, it can get very muddy. My feet step into the mud, sometimes up to my knees. That’s when I feel most connected, because I feel like I become part of the landscape. We are nature.

You’ve said you yearn for symbiosis with nature. What do you mean?

Symbiosis, not domination. We are losing beautiful scenery. Maybe in 10, 20, 50 years, mountains are gone, animals are gone, and we only have buildings. I do not want to see that. If we start protecting the environment so animals are not so afraid, we could live in harmony.

What has nature taught you?

First, to accept uncertainty. Changing weather. Unexpected animals. Different conditions.

Then, to learn how to protect myself, to be prepared.

Before, wherever I went, I always had a last-minute backup. My mother could send me something if I forgot it. Someone would help. But in the mountains, I had to learn to tackle problems by myself. That made me more confident.

What would you tell someone who has never taken that first step outdoors?

They only need one time. One hike. One day in nature. They will feel the connection.

People are stronger than they think. Ten kilometres feels far. But in the mountains, you see changing scenery, lakes, trees, flowers, animals. Time passes. You finish the run. And then you realise you can.