WHY I RUN - BY BEN MOUNSEY

It’s dark.
I’m alone and I’m tired.
I’m cold, wet and hungry.
I’m miles from home.
My body hurts.
I’m dreaming about food and the warmth of my bed.
I’m so tempted to quit right now.
It would be so easy to give up.
This is my choice.
Nobody is forcing me to do it.
I could stop right now and no-one would ever know.

Why am I doing this?

Why do I run?

I’m not afraid to admit that I’m obsessed with running. It’s an addiction that needs feeding but one that is easily satiated. I’m at my happiest when I’m
running, completely immersed in the sights, sounds and the smells of the outdoors.

‘OBSESSED IS JUST A WORD THE LAZY USE TO DESCRIBE THE DEDICATED’ inov-8

I feel blessed that I can run. It makes me appreciate what I’m capable of and it gives me an enormous sense of freedom and well-being. Not all my runs are
fast or difficult. Most of the time I just like going slow so I can enjoy the views. No run is ever the same. No view is ever the same. My eyes have witnessed
some amazing sights. I’m constantly aware of what’s around me and I never take it for granted. More than anything, I love to run in the mountains. To climb high above the rest of the world and far away from the pressures of everyday life. I don’t need to listen to music for motivation, I prefer to lend an ear to nature, whose sounds are just as intriguing as her sights. It’s here, in this perfect wilderness, that I find my comfort and solace.

Pictured above: Val di Mello, Val Masino, Northern Italy

I run because it’s a release from the stresses and strains of everyday life. I can forget all my worries and just focus on the simplicity of putting one foot in
front of the other. When I’m out running I do most of my thinking with a clear head. I like to spend time planning and making decisions. Although admittedly, most of my time is spent thinking of an interesting name for my run on Strava, one that befits the effort I’ve made, or describes the experience I’ve just had.

Running gives me a purpose and a sense of belonging. If I’m running well and often, then I’m happy and content. It makes me feel good, both physically and mentally. It gives me the confidence and structure in my life that I need in order to be successful in everything that I do. 

Pictured above: Climbing high on Sentiero Spinotti, above Collina,
Northern Italy

I’m always looking for a new adventure. I like to explore my surroundings. There is nothing in the world that gives me greater pleasure than climbing a
mountain or finding a new trail. I’m usually without a plan. I like to make my own way, tread my own path. There are times when I don’t know where I’m going and I don't know where I am. I run where I want and where my feet take me. I’ve found that sometimes in life, the only way to really find yourself is by first getting lost.

Pictured above: Training on Sharphaw, North Yorkshire

Part of my addiction includes competing – I just love to race. I enjoy it because I like to test myself. Not just against others, but against the course, the terrain and the natural elements. I like to push my body to see how far I can go, how fast I can run and what I can achieve.
 
Racing has taken me to some amazing places, allowed me to enjoy new experiences and meet other like-minded people. I’m yet to meet a trail runner who doesn’t share my love and passion for the sport. Being a part of the off-road running community feels like being part of an extended family that stretches right across the globe.

Pictured above: Flying the flag for the GB team at the European
Mountain Running Championship 2016, in Arco, Italy.

I’ve been incredibly lucky to have competed for the three C’s – my club, county and country. The memories I have will last a lifetime and I’m always hungry to create more. I have hundreds of special moments to look back on and I dream about what I’ll achieve next if I keep working hard in training and during races. Whenever I need some extra motivation to get out of bed in a morning, or do an extra mile, or another hill rep in the rain, then I think back to these moments and I’m instantly reminded of why I’m doing it. I don’t want to have any regrets in life and I don’t want to look back and think about what I ‘could’ have achieved.

THAT’s why I run. 

You can read more of Ben Mounsey's adventures on his own blog. 

INOV-8 ROCLITE REVIEW

Hop over to the INOV-8 website or any of their social media channels and you'll soon find that everyone is raving about the all new decade in the making, ROCLITE shoe. But what are ROCLITE and why is everyone so excited?

Carry on reading if you really really want to try a new pair of INOV-8 latest ROCLITE (come on, I know you want to) but you're not sure you'll be able to convince your family you really need to add another pair to your beloved 'mountain' of trail shoes already bursting out of the cupboard or off the shelves of your 'shoe cave'.

I mean looking at my shelves, they seem pretty full but I still managed to just about squeeze a pair of ROCLITE in. There's no reason why you can't too. After all, a pair from the INOV-8 range of all new ROCLITE are just what you need to hit the new year with a BANG!!!

It states on the INOV-8 website:

A good running shoe is one that stands the test of time in a hugely competitive market place. That shoe is the ROCLITE.

I couldn't agree more, with the original ROCLITE launched back in 2006. (Back when I didn't even know running existed, let alone what trail shoes were) Over the last decade the shoe has taken on numerous guises for runners who seek a shoe that can work well on many types of off road terrain.

"From the original ROCLITE 315 to the super-lightweight ROCLITE 243 and the more recent ROCLITE 295, runners wearing these shoes have broken global records and won world championships. It was even the shoe of choice for Kevin Carr, who between 2013 and 2015 undertook the ultimate all terrain running challenge, becoming the fastest man to run around the world."

Times are a'changing and to mark a decade at the top, the ROCLITE has had the most significant revamp to date. While the DNA at the heart of its success has been retained, five new shoes make up a fresh, exciting ROCLITE range that boasts next generation running shoe technologies.

And so we have the all new ROCLITE 290, 305, 325, 305 GTX and 325 GTX.

Personally, I have the INOV-8 ROCLITE 290 and their unique mix of lightness and flexibility means they are fast and agile over a number of different terrains and surfaces.

My first ROCLITE 290 experience was early on a frosty Wednesday morning when I raced to the hills above my hometown of Llandrindod Wells to catch the sunrise. On this particular morning, they dealt with a number of underfoot conditions from frosty grass, frozen icy puddles, rocks, roads and well-trodden hard-packed frozen trails. I ended my morning, hilly adventure feeling impressed by the ROCLITE's durability for the different types of Mid-Wales' terrain thrown at them.

Racing mother nature with ROCLITE 290 & INOV-8 Full-Length Running Tights

The quick response from the POWERFLOW midsole provides a perfect mechanism for shock absorption and assists with giving you that extra kick of energy that you might require. In my case, to race mother nature and get to the top of the hill before sunrise! (I made it!)

The hills I call home

The ROCLITE 290 weighs in at 290g which is perfect for anyone like me who prefers a light, smooth ride with minimum weight over any terrain. The stud depth of 6mm is perfect for gripping onto whatever path you're running, giving your shoe a larger surface area for greater stability. (Means less/no falling over-hooray!) The studs are also multi directional, preventing any debris from clogging up in between them and thus further improving grip.

Built around the natural anatomy of the foot, the new ADAPTERWEB met-cradle adapts to the natural movement and swelling of the foot in motion thus creating a more stable ride and reducing foot movement within the shoe. This creates the perfect fit for any athlete.

Features of the ROCLITE

Another thing that really shouts out to me and probably will do to every other running shoe lover out there is the look of the ROCLITES. The colour and style of all the ROCLITES really makes them stand out as a shoe that has been revamped with a wham. What's more, they're a shoe that not only looks good but performs well too. What's not to love!?

ROCLITE 325, 305, 290

I can honestly say, I will be using the ROCLITE 290 frequently over the coming months; both for my training preparation for the up and coming mountain season and also for racing on the mountains and trails over the summer.

So if you hadn't worked it out by now; I am a BIG fan of the all new INOV-8 ROCLITE range and give INOV-8 a big thumbs up!

But... don't just take my word for it. Go and get yourself a pair and you'll soon discover what all the fuss is about!

Feeling nervous on the start line? Calm yourself by playing a little game and tally up the different shoe brands. You'll soon discover INOV-8 is often the most widely worn... so breathe deeply and take heart, for you know you are wearing a brand with a proven trail record for success! If you're not wearing INOV-8; well more fool you... it's time to go shopping... well shoe shopping anyway!

Ta Ta for now,
Heidi x

PS: A massive THANK YOU!!!! to INOV-8 for the continued support. I'm so lucky to be an ambassador for such an amazing brand.

running into 2017