Sometimes, it’s better that Mum doesn’t know. Ultra-distance runner extraordinaire Lisa Tamati has taken on many of the world’s most intimidating deserts, suffering through hell-like temperatures that have inflicted a toll on body and mind over the years. She’s competed in the 217km Badwater Ultramarathon across Death Valley twice, run 222km across the Sahara Desert in Niger and twice completed the 242km Marathon Des Sables in Morocco.
Her courage has made the New Plymouth native a role model to women throughout New Zealand, something her mother, Isobel, is immensely proud of. But some of her exploits have been so terrifying that Lisa hasn’t always told Isobel the whole story until much later. “Mum is my absolute rock,” says Lisa. “If I didn’t have her support in everything I do, I couldn’t do it. Some of the things I’ve done have scared the hell out of her, but she would never tell me not to do something.”
Isobel Tamati (70) reflects on Lisa’s exploits, “They’re all scary in their own way. Death Valley and its heat were pretty dangerous, but at least she had a crew looking after her. In the Sahara, she was on her own with a backpack.”
Lisa first fell in love with the sand when she crossed the Libyan Desert in 1997, on an expedition that had to fly under the radar in a hostile political environment. “I certainly didn’t know about that until it was done,” says Isobel. “She’s always been very, very determined and it’s a mental game as much as a physical one. You’ve got to really want something to put yourself through what they do and get to each goal.”
From an early age, Lisa (43) has been troubled by asthma, but found the desert heat helped her breathing affliction. So last year’s La Ultra 222km race through the cold and thin air of the Himalayas posed perhaps the sternest test of her career. Only one athlete had ever completed the course and local guides were adamant it shouldn’t go ahead. “We had to run over 5400m passes twice with only 33% oxygen at the top,” says Lisa. “For me, it was a big challenge to see if an asthmatic could achieve that, and no woman had done it, which was another big draw card.
“As it turned out, I finished fourth overall and second woman from six starters – and the first woman was also asthmatic. That shows anything can be done, it’s a matter of how much you want it.” Isobel admits that was probably the most concerned she’s been for Lisa’s safety. “That was really scary. Lisa was in a Third World country, where they have a huge problem with pollution, as well as the altitude and the asthma. She really was struggling with that one, but we talked every day and, again, she had a good crew looking after her.”
Lisa’s life adventures really began during 13 years living in Austria, but since returning home to Taranaki, her parents – Isobel and dad Cyril – have provided the support that allows that lifestyle to continue. These days, Lisa’s numerous business interests include jewellery, corporate speaking, fitness training, TV presenting, charity work, a documentary production company and her own ultra running event – the Northburn Station 100 miler. “I have four companies, and then I’m trying to secure sponsorship to get to my races, so life is absolute chaos. But I have a wonderful mother, who stands in the shop for me most days and keeps the home fires burning. She provides the backbone that enables me to chase my dreams.
“I was a severe asthmatic. I was in and out of hospital, but my parents never let that stop me doing anything. Becoming a runner wasn’t really logical and I still get frustrated with it, but I was never treated with kid gloves and always had the attitude I could do what everyone else could do.” When Lisa began her ultra-distance exploits, she was trying to prove herself to a boyfriend who had repeatedly questioned her abilities. These days, it’s more about proving herself to herself.
“For me, it’s about having adventure in my life. I love living a life less ordinary. I get bored in our normal world – I like to push to the limits and find out what I can and can’t do.” Lisa found her limits in Niger where, facing divorce and suffering from food poisoning, she was forced to give up for the first time, emotionally and physically spent. At the time, it felt like a disaster, but she realises it was part of her growing process.
Running has now become a vehicle to inspire others. Lisa’s latest project is a documentary series entitled Run the Planet, where she explores the part running has played in history through the feats of indigenous peoples. “We want to show that long-distance running is a part of our ancestry.”
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