Retiree Lisa started running at age 50. Now she has set a world record in ultrarunning, running for 48 hours straight.
It was in 2010 that Lisa Amundsson began running training after reading a newspaper notice stating that anyone can run a marathon. She then ran the Stockholm Anniversary Marathon in 2012 and the New York Marathon in 2014. Since then, Lisa has continued running more, and even longer distances. Now Lisa, who retired this year, has broken the world record for women aged 65 to 69 in ultrarunning. She ran what’s called an ultramarathon, covering 282 kilometers in 48 hours.
— Now I’ve managed the nights better, but a few years ago it was really tough, she tells Swedish public broadcaster SVT.
It was at Viadal Ultra, held in Skåne (southern Sweden), that Lisa broke the world record. This is an ultrarace where participants run as far as they can within a specified time – in Lisa’s case, 48 hours.
Couldn’t run a kilometer
Today, she runs between 70 and 100 kilometers a week. But training hasn’t always been fun or easy for Lisa. She used to think running was “pure torture”.
— Fifteen years ago, I couldn’t even run a kilometer, she says.
Lisa’s best advice for starting to run is to begin slowly and join a running club. Once you get going, you can sign up for a smaller race to train for, but it’s important to have realistic goals, listen to your body, and not worry too much about times.
— Let it take the time it takes.