Projeto Portugal : An Interview with Lydia Oldham

There’s something magnetic about people who push the limits, not just of sport, but of their spirit. 

Lydia Oldham is undoubtedly one of those people. A designer by trade and a runner by nature, Lydia has carved a path for herself that merges creativity, movement, and exploration in a way that feels entirely her own, you only have to take a quick scroll down her Instagram to see her character shine through.

We first crossed paths with Lydia when we realised she lived just down the road from the PMO HQ, often spotted clocking up miles along the Walthamstow Marshes. Casual conversations turned into a want to work together, and not long after, she mentioned she’d be relocating to Portugal, a move that inspired her next big project: Projeto Portugal.

The idea? To run the length of Portugal, following the ancient pilgrimage route of the Caminho, a staggering 650km stretch from the southern border to Santiago. The moment she shared it with us, we knew we had to help support. We helped kit her and the team out with the right gear, and created a custom tee to mark the project, a small token for such an ambitious mission.

Having already completed The Speed Project Solo in 2024, one of the more gruelling ultrarunning challenges out there, Lydia was no stranger to extreme distance. But this felt different. Less about speed, more about place.

We caught up with Lydia once she was back in the comfort of her own home to reflect on the journey, the gear that carried her through storms, and what it really means to run this far.

To start things off, can you sum yourself up in a sentence or two — who you are, and what you do?

Hello! My name’s Lydia, and I’m a designer, who also happens to love to run really, really far. I feel most at home when I’m on the move: exploring, trying new food, meeting people. Home, for me, isn’t necessarily a place, it’s a feeling of presence, of being exactly where I’m meant to be in that moment.

When I’m not running or traveling, I work full-time as a designer. I love bringing ideas to life visually, and I deeply value downtime too. Good food and proper sleep go a long way when you’re balancing creativity and endurance.

So let’s talk about Projeto Portugal. Where did the idea come from, and what was the moment you truly committed to running 650km?

I really wanted to do The Speed Project again, but with visas and our big move overseas, it wasn’t possible. So I thought, ‘What’s an adventure I can have here in Portugal?’, Oli found the Caminho, and we quickly realised there was no better way to get to know our new home than by running the length of it.

At first, it wasn’t about setting the fastest known time. It was more about recreating the spirit of TSP: a group of friends coming together for a wild, shared mission. We wanted to show that you don’t need a huge budget or big event to do something extraordinary. You just need a bit of courage, a few good people, and a willingness to get out there.

Did it feel like a natural continuation of your journey so far, or the start of something completely new?

Honestly, a bit of both. I’ve always loved pushing myself, so taking on a longer distance felt like a natural next step. But it also felt very new, more raw, more exposed.

With The Speed Project, even though you plan your own route, there’s a community around you. You’re never really alone. This was different. It was just me and my small team. No crowds, no other runners. If something went wrong, it was on us. That made it feel both exhilarating and daunting.

What surprised you most about yourself during the run?

The energy of the route. There was something magical about the Caminho. We passed people of all ages, some walking for hours, others doing much bigger sections, but everyone shared the same goal. There was this quiet, shared momentum that carried us forward. It surprised me how much strength I could draw from that collective spirit.

Did your relationship with running shift at all across that kind of distance? 

Absolutely. On a run like this, you ride a wave of highs and lows. Sometimes a burger or a nap helps. Sometimes you just have to sit with the discomfort. What stood out most, though, was how much space running gives you, both mentally and emotionally.

I love having pacers and friends nearby, but we often ran in silence. Just being alongside someone, each of us going through our own journey, that’s powerful. Funny enough, I don’t think about the act of running much during something like this. It becomes background to everything else happening inside and around you.

Were there points where you felt totally present, or completely lost?

Not lost, but not quite present in the romantic sense either. There’s so much emotion, fatigue, hunger, even tears sometimes, but your focus is razor-sharp. It becomes a rhythm: get through the next 10km, take in the scenery, manage your body. There’s not much room for anything else.

You had a close group of friends supporting you throughout. What did their presence mean to you? 

Everything. Running like this is a team sport, 100%. I handed over not just logistics, but my thoughts, my mental load, to them. Oli knows when to push me for one more 10km, and when to call it for the day. The crew ran ahead, checked the route, made sure I was safe, reminded me to eat and breathe.

They notice things I don’t even realise I need. You can’t do something like this without that kind of trust.

What gear or clothing ended up being essential, and did anything perform better or worse than expected?

Honestly, PMO gear ended up being a lifesaver. We got hit with a storm midway through, nonstop tropical rain for hours. I’d packed for sunshine, so I was soaked and freezing. Their trousers and long sleeves became vital base layers for staying warm while running through rivers and mud.

Also, Satisfy x Sums socks, we had made our own custom ones for the run, and I wear their socks religiously. I finished with zero blisters, which still blows my mind.

How did you handle recovery on the move? And was there anything you wish you’d packed, but didn’t?

Sleep is my number one form of recovery. It wasn’t perfect, my muscles ached and I woke often, but it worked out just enough. I could usually get through 20–30km in the morning before needing a proper rest.

As for packing? I wish I’d brought more warm gear. The rain caught me completely off-guard.

Did you meet anyone along the way who shaped the experience in an unexpected way?

Getting to know my own team on a deeper level was the biggest thing. You form bonds that don’t fade. When someone shows up for you like that, you know you’ll always show up for them.

We also met a lot of other pilgrims, people just walking their own Camino. Everyone was so kind, offering encouragement, sharing stories. That quiet community energy was incredibly powerful.

And when you finally reached the last kilometre, what was the first thing you did?

It was around 9pm when I touched the gates of the church, our finish point. It was a strange feeling, relief, pride, but also a bit of sadness that it was over. No one else knew what we’d done. People were just going about their evening.

There’s something really peaceful about that. Knowing, just you and your team, what you’ve achieved. You carry it with you quietly.

Lastly, what’s next? Are you already itching to get back out there, or are you letting yourself pause and breathe for a while? 

I always pencil in recovery time, not just for my body, but for my mind. I need that space to reset, to be off a training plan, to not think about miles or splits. So I guess now I catch up with friends, drink wine, and enjoy a much slower pace to life.

I still run, of course, I don’t think I can’t, but for a month or two, I just run when I feel like it. That being said… yeah, there are always things brewing. Keep your eyes peeled.

In running the length of a country, Lydia has mapped something far more personal, than just a race.

What began as a relocation became a pilgrimage. In every kilometre, there’s a reminder that adventure doesn’t need a finish line, just the courage to begin.

We’re proud to have played a small part in this journey. And we’ll be watching closely for what comes next.

Congrats !!

Team PMO x