11 Lessons Learned in the Wilds of Borneo – by Mary Eden

A seemingly simple trail race becomes a physical and mental challenge with far reaching lessons…

I recently ran a 30km trail race through the wild but beautiful Kiulu Valley, not far from Kota Kinabalu in Borneo. This misty valley is one of the most unspoiled parts of Sabah with undulating mountain ridges, paddy fields and ethnic riverside villages.

I’m not fast, or particularly tough, but I’ve ran longer races so thought this would be relatively easy. However the never-ending hills, overgrown jungle trails and precarious hanging bridges (more about them later!) almost had the better of me.

It may have taken over seven hours to complete but it proved that there is no end to my limitations.

‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’ Nelson Mandela

I’d like to share some of the lessons I learned along the way…