Having taken on the legendary GR11 trail, the Brazilian World Champion runner chats to Living360 about what it takes to go the distance, plus why women are built for resilience.
From the Atlantic shores of Hondarribia to the Mediterranean cliffs of Cap de Creus, Fernanda ran for 12 days and 12 hours, fully self-supported, carrying only what she needed to survive.
She’s also got more than one world record to her name, including being the first woman to run up Aconcagua in 2016, as well as holding the world female record for running up Kilimanjaro in seven hours and eight minutes.
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It feels redundant — and extremely cheesy — to say, but it’s clear that Fernanda was born to run. Fernanda’s recent film with The North Face, titled TALA, follows her taking on the GR11 trail, showcasing what it means to be resilient and to endure even the most formidable of environments on your own.
But, for most women, ultramarathons feel completely out of reach, and even those of us who are avid runners wouldn’t begin to so much as contemplate such a feat. But, according to Ultra Running Magazine, every year, around 30 ultramarathons in North America will be won outright by women.
Similarly, DLA Piper reported that female ultra runners are faster than men for distances over 195 miles. According to the data, the longer the distance, the more likely women are to come out on top.
So, with these statistics in mind, Living360 sat down with Fernanda to uncover why women tend to outperform men in ultramarathons. Plus, she reveals how to begin your long-distance journey.
According to research, women tend to outperform men when it comes to ultramarathons. Why do you think this is?
Physiologically, women tend to burn fat more efficiently and rely less on glycogen, which helps sustain energy over long distances. Our pain tolerance and intuition in the mountains play a huge role, too. We know how to take care of our nutrition, skin, feet and to choose the best gear for an endurance run.
What’s your advice for women considering an ultramarathon?
Ultramarathons demand time, motivation and a strong mind. It’s important to be clear about your motivation: do you want to be in nature, grow as a human, heal or are you simply curious about exploring long distances? That reason will carry you through when things get tough.
Don’t think in terms of total race miles. Instead, break the race into segments, going from one aid station to the next. It makes it easier to finish the race if you run smarter, and it takes the pressure off by not thinking about the distance as a whole.
As a woman, it’s essential to strength train before an ultramarathon to support our joints and muscles and to help avoid injuries. You need to have strong quadriceps and ankles, which can be difficult to develop at first.
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What’s helped you to achieve these incredible goals? Has anyone motivated you on your journey?
Both my grandfather, Lourival, and my father, Delmar, deeply inspired me. Not only did they pass on their genetics, but also a life philosophy forged through jiu-jitsu. They taught me about discipline, respect, perseverance and the beauty of continuing even when the body and mind ask for rest.
What advice would you offer to women who are just getting started on their running journey?
Be patient and keep your motivation high. If running all the time is hard, try a few power hiking moments, but keep moving. Progress doesn’t come from feeling good or pushing harder every day, but from listening to your body and respecting it.
Running is about silence, breath, being conscious of your thoughts and connecting to your body and mind. Don’t let the ego come first, let your body’s energy help you to move in a flow-like state.
Is there anything you wish you’d known when you were still a novice runner?
You don’t need to run a marathon in one day during training to know that you can run this distance during the race!
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How important was it for you to have The North Face’s gear when attempting to take on the GR11 trail alone?
It was essential to have The North Face gear because it’s incredibly lightweight, yet highly technical, giving me the safety and confidence I needed in the mountains. I chose the Altamesa 500 (adding a Vibram sole), and the shoes were amazing — I used just one pair to run 500 miles.
I had one pair of waterproof pants and a jacket, plus a PrimaLoft jacket, which gave me peace of mind to face different weather conditions.
When it comes to kit for long-distance runs, what’s one item that all runners should have?
What really makes The North Face stand out is how its gear combines lightness, technical performance and durability — everything a trail runner needs when facing long distances and unpredictable mountain conditions. Every detail is designed with athletes in mind and tested in real environments, from desert heat to alpine storms.
If I had to choose one item, it would be the Summit Series waterproof jacket. It’s incredibly light, packs small and has saved me on more than one occasion in sudden mountain storms. It gives you that essential protection without slowing you down.
Feature image: Fernanda MacielÂ
