Daniel @Racingmedal is a person who loves running! He loves the races and competitive spirit, however more than anything enjoys the feeling of freedom it gives. We think a lot of people can relate to this! Well, Daniel’s story is really interesting, and he has some great tips for people that are new to running! Read the interview to hear what he has to say. Enjoy!

How did you start running? 
I have been running around all my life since my early childhood, however, did not start racing in competitions until my thirties. I have always had so much energy and I needed to find a way to channel it. When I was younger, I played rugby and basketball, and was also an avid snowboarder. Running became important for me after I had spent a few years working in an office environment and I started getting back pains from sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time. My wife’s cousin signed me up for a half-marathon in 2009 as a birthday present. At first, I was hesitant and doubted whether I would manage to run that distance. However, after some training, I managed to complete the race and felt happy with my achievement. It was not until a few years later, in 2014 in fact, that I started running on a regular basis. Since then, there has been no looking back and I run as much as I can, having now competed in 87 races! 

What motivates you every time you decide to lace up your running shoes and run?
I have always been very competitive and driven by improving my performances and personal records within running. However, I have also found the meditative and adventurous sides of running in later years, and I really want to help other runners with their performance as well going forward. Running is my therapy and is a way to take a break from everything else going on in our modern busy lifestyles. It is a great activity to get you outdoors and enjoying nature. 

Do you have a big goal connected to this sport?
I would love to run a marathon under 3 hours.  

Three things that you love in running the most
1. The simplicity. All you need is to put on a pair of shoes and just run. Anywhere. Whenever.
2. It feels like we were born to run. It is so natural and just makes sense when you are on the trails.
3. The adventure. You see so many beautiful places, enjoy great experiences, and create strong memories.

Are there any things that you dislike with running? 
Haha, oh yeah, they exist! 

1. Running can be very stressful on the body. If you don’t listen to your body’s signals, don’t do the required strength and mobility training and push too hard it is easy to get injured. You need to be especially careful if you are new to the sport. 

2. You have to spend a lot of time washing training clothes!

What do you do when there is no desire to run? Do you force yourself or take a rest? 
You need to listen to your body. Some days you bounce out the door to go running. Other days your motivation dips and it can be harder. Especially, if you have a busy lifestyle and you struggle to find the time or energy. I think all runners have moments when they struggle with motivation. I have 2 children and sometimes I do not get a chance to go running until late in the evenings. During the winter, when it is sometimes -5 or -10 °C and dark in the evenings it can be challenging to bounce out the door for a run. A way to make sure I go out for a run on those occasions is by putting on my running clothes early during the day so that I am already prepped. It really helps me get out for that run later, because I have mentally prepared myself in advance. 

How far do you run during those freezing cold evening runs? 
I usually run for 30-40 minutes, covering between 7 to 10 km depending on the session.

Can you describe your feelings when you run at full speed?
I feel so strong, free, and so grateful for the moment. I feel alive and am making the most of my time on this planet.

How do our products support you in your activities? 
I had a serious injury under my left heel- I had been pushing too hard during pre-season and over-exhausted my foot a couple of years ago. When I came home after a run, I felt a sharp pain under my heel when I took my running shoes off- it felt as though I had just stepped on a nail. For a while it was so painful for me to walk barefoot on hard surfaces. The recovery period for the injury is typically between 1-2 years.

The physiotherapist said that if I want to continue running in the future, I will need to keep running throughout the period of injury, however slower and for shorter distances. But when I was doing it in my normal running shoes, I felt a great deal of discomfort. Then I started using the Ortho Movement running insoles, which really helped. They provided me with the extra stability and increased support that I needed to assist with my recovery. Ortho Movement insoles really helped me to keep running through the injury recovery period. I then started to use Ortho Movement’s other insoles for hiking and in my sneakers. I soon realized I use OM products all the time!

What other insoles do you use in your daily life?
I use the trainer insoles in my office shoes and during my free time. They are so comfortable! I use the hiking insoles when I go for long treks. The only insoles I do not have are the alpine ones. Literally, I use your products all the time!

What would you recommend to people who are new to running?
When you start off with running you need to take it slowly. It is so easy to get carried away and increase speed and distance too fast. It is very common that people get injured when they are new to running, which then leads them to stop with the sport. Make sure to do some strengthening work, run on varied surfaces (not just pavement) and do not increase speed or distance by more than 10% every week. Take it slow and make sure to recover properly between runs! 

Also, you need to try running at least 7 times before you can really make up your mind. Many people find it very exhausting the first few times and are put off by it. However, if you hang in there for a few sessions you will start to notice improvements quite quickly and that is when it starts feeling fun and rewarding. If you have tried it 7 times and still do not like it, then fine, find another sport or physical activity that suites you better. 

Thank you, Daniel, for sharing your story. We bet that now at least a few people would love to try running one more time and give it 7 chances! It is really great that such a simple sport evokes such strong emotions and feelings. We are extremely happy that our insoles help you on your way and instill the feeling of confidence you describe! That is our mission!