I'm nineteen years of age. Whilst I know deep down this is young and I've (hopefully) got many years ahead of me; looking back on my life and everything I've already experienced sometimes makes me feel old. When I'm leading my children's running group for example; eight years old feels like such a long time ago. My eighth year of life seems to just return to me in flashes and I wonder if the children will remember the hour a week spent running with me when they're nineteen and looking back on their own lives' so far.
But then there are moments like now and I think; "Wow, I'm only nineteen... I've got my whole life ahead of me." The days not yet lived stretch before me. Open spaces, blank pages not yet written in the story of life. Looking forward feels me with excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation for the adventures ahead.
People say you should live life in the moment. Mindfulness seems to be a thing these days with people wanting to disconnect from the fast pace of everyday life in the 21st Century and to live simply; now, in the moment. Maybe this helps feed the feeling of inner peace and helps efficiency with everyday tasks.
But as we all know, living life "in the moment" can be hard; especially when you've got a bout of the "dreamers disease". I'm not afraid to admit my recent time away in the Italian mountains hasn't helped my case of this. In fact, it's probably led to my most severe outbreak ever. Fortunately though, unlike most diseases; this is a "nice illness", not being a so-called disease at all. I'd call it a passion. Everyone needs a passion, something that calls to them. Something that makes them feel lit up and alive; making them feel like there's something worth fighting for. I believe I've found my calling and my passion. Exploring this amazing planet on which we live, with my own two feet, with other like-minded people; with members of the mountain running family. Yes we are a family of like-minded (sometimes crazy) people with an overwhelming love for the sport of mountain running and everything it symbolises to us. I've got the dreamers disease for the mountains and adventure.
I sit at my desk, pen in hand scribbling down the random thoughts which are buzzing around my head for this blog post. The world map sits below my notebook and I can't help but think about all the foreign lands I haven't yet explored. All the mountains yet to be climbed and experienced. It's true; I am only nineteen. I have my whole life ahead of me. I can live life in any direction I choose. This freedom is something incredible to smile about and I feel humbled and slightly overwhelmed with gratefulness for everything I've already been so lucky to have experienced in my short life so far. To think of all the places I've already visited, all the paths already traveled, all the friendships already made. The connections and the journey.
My passion for the outdoors and exploring the planet has always been present, but discovering the sport of mountain running has truly allowed this passion to flourish and grow into something greater. When I first embarked on my mountain running journey in 2014; I saw evidence of the flame which my fiery passion has now ignited for the sport. For the mountains and for the people.
I first came into this sport as a wide eyed sixteen year old. Not knowing what to expect at my first World Championships held in Italy; the real home of mountain running. I still remember that feeling of being completely blown away by the Italians enthusiasm for the sport. It's a feeling I've come to know well and still experience now. Over the past four years I've seen the sport quite literally grow in front of my eyes with more and more people gaining this infectious Italian fire-like enthusiasm and love for the sport. As the legendary Italian mountain runner Francesco Puppi said in a recent Instagram post: "We are athletes; we can run fast and race hard pursuing our dreams with passion and courage. Mountain running is more alive than ever, and this is the road we need to follow to the Olympic Dream." I couldn't have put it better myself and repeat Puppi's sentiments exactly. I've always been a big believer in "trusting the process" and it is enthralling to watch and be a part of this process... the rise and growth of mountain running. Needless to say, I'm excited for what the future holds for this sport.
But then there are moments like now and I think; "Wow, I'm only nineteen... I've got my whole life ahead of me." The days not yet lived stretch before me. Open spaces, blank pages not yet written in the story of life. Looking forward feels me with excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation for the adventures ahead.
People say you should live life in the moment. Mindfulness seems to be a thing these days with people wanting to disconnect from the fast pace of everyday life in the 21st Century and to live simply; now, in the moment. Maybe this helps feed the feeling of inner peace and helps efficiency with everyday tasks.
But as we all know, living life "in the moment" can be hard; especially when you've got a bout of the "dreamers disease". I'm not afraid to admit my recent time away in the Italian mountains hasn't helped my case of this. In fact, it's probably led to my most severe outbreak ever. Fortunately though, unlike most diseases; this is a "nice illness", not being a so-called disease at all. I'd call it a passion. Everyone needs a passion, something that calls to them. Something that makes them feel lit up and alive; making them feel like there's something worth fighting for. I believe I've found my calling and my passion. Exploring this amazing planet on which we live, with my own two feet, with other like-minded people; with members of the mountain running family. Yes we are a family of like-minded (sometimes crazy) people with an overwhelming love for the sport of mountain running and everything it symbolises to us. I've got the dreamers disease for the mountains and adventure.
I sit at my desk, pen in hand scribbling down the random thoughts which are buzzing around my head for this blog post. The world map sits below my notebook and I can't help but think about all the foreign lands I haven't yet explored. All the mountains yet to be climbed and experienced. It's true; I am only nineteen. I have my whole life ahead of me. I can live life in any direction I choose. This freedom is something incredible to smile about and I feel humbled and slightly overwhelmed with gratefulness for everything I've already been so lucky to have experienced in my short life so far. To think of all the places I've already visited, all the paths already traveled, all the friendships already made. The connections and the journey.
My passion for the outdoors and exploring the planet has always been present, but discovering the sport of mountain running has truly allowed this passion to flourish and grow into something greater. When I first embarked on my mountain running journey in 2014; I saw evidence of the flame which my fiery passion has now ignited for the sport. For the mountains and for the people.
 |
| I've always been a lover of exploring the outdoors. |
I first came into this sport as a wide eyed sixteen year old. Not knowing what to expect at my first World Championships held in Italy; the real home of mountain running. I still remember that feeling of being completely blown away by the Italians enthusiasm for the sport. It's a feeling I've come to know well and still experience now. Over the past four years I've seen the sport quite literally grow in front of my eyes with more and more people gaining this infectious Italian fire-like enthusiasm and love for the sport. As the legendary Italian mountain runner Francesco Puppi said in a recent Instagram post: "We are athletes; we can run fast and race hard pursuing our dreams with passion and courage. Mountain running is more alive than ever, and this is the road we need to follow to the Olympic Dream." I couldn't have put it better myself and repeat Puppi's sentiments exactly. I've always been a big believer in "trusting the process" and it is enthralling to watch and be a part of this process... the rise and growth of mountain running. Needless to say, I'm excited for what the future holds for this sport.
If you follow me on social media; please accept my apologies for the abundance of pictures from my recent Italian adventures. From the moment I stepped onto the plane crowded with British tourists to fly back to the UK; I found myself already missing the mountains and the memories left behind. This only heightened when the outline of the high peaks below became visible from the plane window, seemingly within touching distance. My heart longs for these places unexplored, so I'd have been very happy if the pilot had suddenly decided he needed to make an emergency (but safe!) landing on one of these mountains below. Of course this didn't happen and so I returned home with a heart full of love for the memories I made over those two weeks spent with brilliant friends; both old and new.
Don't worry, I won't bore you too much with my adventures but I'll provide you with a sort of visual diary with a few highlights to maybe inspire you for your own mountain adventures.
 |
| "The Athlete's Home" - The welcoming sign on the door of our base for the week before the FlettaTRAIL races based in Malonno, Northern Italy. |
 |
| Looking down on the town of Malonno. |
 |
| Malonno nestled in the valley between the high mountain peaks. |
 |
| I took the train with GB team mate, Jack Wood to Sulzano by Lake Iseo. We then took the boat across to the island of Monte Isola where we made our way to the church on the summit. There was a huge storm brewing in the mountains in the distance. (Pic: Jack Wood) |
 |
| With Jack Wood on the boat back across to the mainland. |
 |
| Spectating at the PizTri Vertical KM at Malonno with Jack Wood and Elliot Hall. (It was a bit chilly!) (Pic: Fabrizio Lela) |
 |
| Kirsty Hall making her way to the finish of the vertical km |
 |
| It really was as steep as it looks! Ben Mounsey grinding it out to the finish of the brutal vertical km. |
 |
| With Kirsty Hall, Ville Mietunen (from Finland), Jack Wood and Ondra Fejfar (From Czech Republic) at the top of the VK course. (Pic: Ben Mounsey) |
 |
| I think Ben earnt his beer during that VK race! |
 |
| Race day! Everything all set up for FlettaTRAIL Malonno. 21km with 1100m of climb and descent. |
 |
| Smiles all around. The British competitors and the race organisers of the FlettaTRAIL. Probably the hardest but most enjoyable race I've ever done. Already can't wait to come back next year! |
 |
| Race Presentation - humbled to be stood with some top Italian mountain runners. |
 |
| With some of the Italian legends of the sport and race organiser Alex Scolari; the man that made it all happen... A day and night to remember. (Pic: Francesco Puppi) |
 |
| I left the mountains of Malonno behind and took the train to Lake Garda. |
 |
| Escaping from the large number of tourists on a hired city bike. A great way to explore. |
 |
| My next race. |
Epic run with @El_CapitanoCVFR around @3rifugi course and across the border into Austria this morning! 🇮🇹➡️🇦🇹 #nowordsneeded @inov_8 pic.twitter.com/SUNRtBCjgA— Heidi Davies (@thepianorunner) 17 August 2017
 |
| I just couldn't stop saying "wow" when checking out the race route for 3Rifugi. These mountain views left me speechless. |
 |
| Pre-race photo for the GB women's teams |
Thank you @TONY_3RIFUGI for an amazing weekend in Collina @3rifugi race. Amazing race and amazing company. See you next year! pic.twitter.com/8jcENB55kI— Tom Adams (@tomrogadams) August 21, 2017
 |
| I left the mountains and the mountain running family behind and spent my last night in the city of Brescia before heading to the airport the next day. |
 |
| Ciao Italia |
I've carried out a few question and answer sessions at local primary schools and one question which I'm often asked is; “What would you do if you didn't run?” This always makes me stop and think. What would I be doing? Every time I always struggle to answer. I honestly don't know what I would be doing. I feel like maybe I was destined to find the sport of mountain running and to spend my time exploring new places by foot. Being outdoors and experiencing high places and moments that take my breath away are where I feel the most at home and the most alive. I'm fine with being defined like that; my name is Heidi after all. I'm glad to be living up to my namesake. 😉
 |
| Being chased down by Ben "The Bullet" Mounsey... my bread thief partner in crime. |
If you've read and made it this far along this rambling blog post with me; then I salute you! Thanks for sharing this journey and thank you to the amazing members of the mountain running family for making everything so memorable over those two weeks in Italy. I feel so grateful for the experiences this sport gives me. Here's to more adventures soon...
Keep dreaming,
Heidi x
 |
| https://www.inov-8.com/ |
