For Fiona Dowling, lining up at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast never really feels routine. Each year brings something different, and this weekend’s Longest Day Elite race is no exception.

Ranked third heading into the event, Dowling returns with plenty of experience behind her — but also a refreshed mindset and a willingness to simply see how the day unfolds.

After a demanding 2024 season that included health challenges, Dowling deliberately eased back and did not compete in 2025, allowing herself a longer reset than usual.

“I just needed to pull back a bit and not worry about the training quite as much,” she said. “It was good to step back and have a more relaxed summer.”

This year, she has taken a new approach to preparation, opting to largely self-coach.

“Having more ownership over my program has been better,” Dowling said. “It’s easier to adapt and change if I need to, and mentally I felt ready for that.”

Rather than focusing on placings, Dowling is approaching this weekend with a process-driven mindset.

“I’m not really thinking about it as a race,” she said. “I’m just trying to focus on my prep and line up to have another crack at the course.”

Balancing elite racing with self-employment has meant Dowling competes selectively, motivated by the challenge of the course itself.

“I don’t do a lot of racing outside of Cost anymore, so for me it’s about being motivated by the course itself rather than the race.”

Dowling says part of what keeps drawing her back to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is the constant opportunity to learn and improve.

Each race leaves her reflecting on small details she’d like to adjust or areas she’s keen to develop — a mindset she says is hard to switch off as an athlete.

“I usually finish each race wanting to work on something else or refine something,” she said. “There’s always something that intrigues me or gets me excited about trying a different approach next time.”

After a hard-fought third place in 2024, she knows exactly what the race can demand.

“I remember it being extra hard work to crawl my way into third,” she said.

“It took a lot out of me — so whether that exhausts what I’ve got left in the tank this year or not, who knows?”