Runner Interview: Belen Andreus Ramos

• Location: Madrid, Spain

When and why did you start running?

I started running 15 years ago, when mountain running was for crazy people and it was very unsual for someone to be running around, training, in my small village. When on race start lines, there would rarely be more than 15 girls and it was not straightforward to register for races like we can today with one click of your computer mouse.
While for many years there didn’t seem to be much progress, the advance has been very notable lately, with a greater number of female runners.

I started to run because I loved being with nature and I thought that running would enable me to enjoy more of the little free time I had. Nowadays, I am fortunate to have more free time to spend running and experience magic and unique moments out there!

Describe your ideal race or adventure challenge

My ideal race is in the Ons islands, in Galicia, a place very few outside of Galicia and Spain have heard of. It is called ‘Carrera Isla de Ons’: 19km of pure beauty around the island. You enjoy the spectacular sights, roaring cliffs, crystalline waters, luscious vegetation and all in the company of birds. It is a Spanish National Park, protected for its beauty and ecological importance – and to run there it is a gift for all your senses.

Tell us about your favourite trail

I have the great fortune of having my favorite trail two minutes from my house. It’s a technical area, with rapid descents between rocks and stunning views at the various viewpoints along the way.

This is not trail but, also I am falling in love with tourism running or running tourism when I come to a new city.  In a couple of hours you have an overview of the city and later you can revisit, calmly, the places that most attracted your attention.

My  ideal race is in Ons’s islands, Galicia, Spain, a race called ‘Carrera Isla de Ons’: 19km of pure beauty around the island. You enjoy the spectacular sights, roaring cliffs, crystalline waters, luscious vegetation and all in the company of birds.

What has been your biggest running / adventure challenge to date?

My best and biggest adventure to date has been to share with my friend Lorena a 56km journey in the high mountains, a route known with the name of “Foc’s Cars”. It was three days of emotions, incredible places, unforgettable refuges, laughter, great meals and also weariness. It was an unforgettable experience with great company.

Tell us about your greatest running fail, we’ve all had – or will have – them at some point!

My greatest mistake it is that I forget to eat. I feel so good myself that the time passes… until suddenly I am exhausted, KO, dead on my feet.

Please, eat every hour and drink every 30 minutes!

What advice would you give to a new trail runner?

Run to have fun, run to feel good, run without being dependent on a stopwatch, run without suffering, run the distance that you desire in every moment, to the pace that your body wants to go at – run without requirements. Less is more.

What is your favourite bit of running kit, and why?

Undoubtedly, shorts in summer and in winter, when I wear them with long socks. I run my best when my knees are able to move freely. It’s also important to me to have running shoes with good soles – Nike Zooms are ideal.

Run to have fun, run to feel good, run without being dependent on a stopwatch, run without suffering, run the distance that you desire in every moment…

What challenges / races / adventures are you planning for the coming year?

Good question, I don’t know. For the last few years I haven’t set any goals or objectives – I find them stressful and the reason I run is to have fun and be free of stress and tension.
If, tomorrow, something piques my interest, then I will go for it.

Whats your favourite running/adventure book, and which songs keep you going when things get tough?

I have an adventurous son who asked me for a book me to read together, one of the ‘Famous Five’ books: “The five and the treasure of the island”. And… the moments that we spend together reading are so good, I love them. Nevertheless, I will read the favourite book of our friends Angelika and Alastair, Born to Run.
I never listen to music when I run. I like to be more of an animal of nature, connected with all five senses. Admiring the environment, listening to my steps, the river, the animals… smelling the rockrose, the thyme, the lavender, Tasting the water of rain and my salty drops of sweat also and feeling the land and the rock. All of these things, to me, are better than any songs can be.

Finally, What do you get up to when you’re not running or adventuring?

Luckily I work out of house one or two days a week, taking charge of the maintenance of a school.
On the other days I work at home designing and making dolls. This allows me to have time to enjoy the mountain how a child enjoys his candy and to share big moments with my friends, my family and my dogs.

Thank you for taking the time to be interviewed Belen, happy trails!

Social media links:

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/pocoybien

Mentioned in this Interview and recommended by Trail & Kale:

• Born to Run (BOOK)