"If you've watched China's Miao Yao race at some point in her now almost decade-long career in trail running and ultrarunning, then you've seen her racing trademarks: a serious gaze and what feels like the deepest of wells from which she draws. While those things may be features of her personality, we learn through the new film "No Life Defined" by the brand Salomon that the outward-facing Yao is just a small part of a complex person and an even more complex life story."
"Growing up in rural China, where she demonstrated athletic potential as a youth, Yao left home to attend a state-sponsored sports boarding school. It's in these schools that many of the country's elite athletes cut their teeth in sports. During that time, Yao tried numerous sports, including running, but ultimately wasn't good enough at any of them to continue a state-sponsored sports career."
"Alone to choose her first adult steps, Yao forged into trail running and ultrarunning, as what she calls a "bounty hunter." She says she ran a trail race or ultra almost every weekend, hunting podium positions and their prize money. Her podium finishes eventually garnered some attention, and she secured additional sponsorships to supplement her personal finances. Between 2017 and 2019, she was making a modest income as a professional trail runner."
Miao Yao displays a serious competitive focus and deep emotional reserve while racing. She grew up in rural China and left home to attend a state-sponsored sports boarding school. She tested multiple sports there but did not achieve the level required to continue a state-sponsored athletic career. She then pursued trail running and ultrarunning, racing frequently for prize money as a self-described bounty hunter. Podium finishes led to sponsorships and a modest income from 2017 to 2019. Excessive racing produced vision and other health problems, culminating in a DNF at UTMB 2019, followed by years off, multiple jobs during the pandemic, and a later return to regular training as her passion reignited.
Read at iRunFar
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