Loan Barbie: the nurse inspiring others to run

Having only started running two years ago, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Loan has made an impression with her admirable achievements and striking appearance.

"I don't find running difficult. I run for my own enjoyment, without a competitive spirit. I don't set PR goals or rival anyone. I just run. If I get tired, I walk until my heart rate slows down, then I run again. The goal is simply to complete the day's run," the 34-year-old runner shared.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Loan, born in 1991 in Hai Phong, has captivated attention with her eye-catching outfits, beauty, and impressive running achievements since she began running two years ago. She's earned the nickname "running goddess" for her healthy, curvy, and attractive physique.

Besides running, she also plays tennis and pickleball. "Since I work full-time during the day, I try to run in the morning and dedicate most of my free time in the evening to other sports. I find pickleball very complementary to running, and I play it twice a week," Loan explained.

As a nurse in Hai Phong, Loan applies her professional knowledge to maintain a strict and scientific diet. Her goal is to improve her health and pursue her passion for sports, especially running.

She consults with experts and experienced fellow runners to create a detailed training plan. Each week, she runs 4 times: three runs of 6-10 km and one long run of 21-30 km. She also dedicates 2-3 sessions to other sports to improve her endurance.

Loan's future plans include participating in major races in northern Vietnam, such as the VnExpress Marathon Hanoi Midnight and the VnExpress Marathon Hai Phong later this year.

Loan's interest in running was sparked during a trip with her husband to a race in the former Hoa Binh province. She was inspired by the enthusiastic atmosphere of the runners, of all ages. "I suddenly thought, why not try running? Why should I just watch when everyone else is doing it?", she told VnExpress.

After that trip, she began training diligently, starting with a 5 km run and increasing the distance to 8 km two days later. After only two months of training, she registered for the 21 km VnExpress Marathon Ha Long 2025.

"Many friends, and even I, were surprised when I finished that race in 3 hours, 7 minutes, and 13 seconds. This time is average, perhaps even slow, for experienced runners, but as a newbie with only two months of training, I was very satisfied," she said.

According to Loan, her successful start in Ha Long stemmed from the physical foundation she had built through a long period of healthy living, playing various sports, and maintaining a balanced diet and lifestyle.

"I play sports simply for health and to improve my physique. With running, I want to promote a healthy image and spread positive energy," Loan stated.

Due to her work, she focuses on races in northern Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and Cat Ba. The endurance she built over four months of consistent training helped her improve her 21 km PR to 2 hours and 40 minutes.

"I consider overcoming myself the most meaningful victory. Just a few months ago, I admired those who completed a 21 km race, wondering when I would be able to do the same. Now, I'm happy that I've achieved it," Loan said.

The Hai Phong runner believes running is the simplest and easiest sport to start, requiring only perseverance and positive energy.

"Whether it's running or any other sport, I think everyone should love their body, live actively, and find joy after stressful working hours," she added.