Running against all odds

One of her most memorable races was in 2013, when she traveled to Chamonix, France, to compete in The North Face Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), which requires participants to complete a nearly 168-kilometer trail with approximately 10,000 meters of elevation gain.

"My stomach couldn't handle the food at the aid stations. I had severe stomach pain and vomited several times, so I had to continue on an empty stomach. Not speaking the language made it harder to ask for help. It was a rough journey," Xing recalls.

Still, she pushed on, crossing the finishing line to discover she had come third in the women's over-50 category.

"The stomach pain, muscle soreness, the fear brought on by the darkness — all of it was forgotten the moment I finished," she says.

Since that experience, she feels there is no difficulty in life she cannot overcome.

"My experiences have broadened my perspective. I rarely cry over unpleasant situations at work anymore," she adds.

Xing has since developed strategies to adapt to international competitions.

For instance, she brings a portable steamer and her own seasonings to Europe to avoid stomach issues. She is also learning video editing to share her international racing experiences on social media platforms.