I was honored when XTERRA asked if I wanted to write a series highlighting some of the athletes who have qualified for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.

Being given full creative control isn’t typical for a freelance writer, so it was exciting to be able to craft the series, select the athletes, and mold it into something inspirational, poignant, and reflective of why we run.

First is Lidia Ramos Palacios – The Philosopher

Lidia is a lawyer who lives in the seaside town of Vilanova i la Geltrú. There aren’t any mountain ranges in this area of Catalonia, Spain, and yet, it’s the home of an accomplished, young trail runner who thrives at altitude and excels on technical terrain like the peaks of the Pyrenees and the mountains of Montserrat.

I nicknamed her The Philosopher because the way she speaks about trail running is poetic.

“Magic mountains and wild paths discovered at a much higher pulse than when I’m lying on the sofa have hooked me on trails. You connect with the earth, leaves, trees, bushes, and stones at every step, feeling that each season has its own colors,”- Lidia

Next is Adam Hawkins – A Return to My Senses, Through Running .

Adam is a 47-year-old father of three from Leicestershire, England. He lost his sense of smell and taste due to Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease. But when he stumbled upon running, by accident, in 2018, he found some relief. It took him on a journey that has changed his life.

“Smell is a big part of my running. Why I love trail running is being able to connect to nature. It’s the aroma during bluebell season or even the smell of the farm that gives me joy.” – Adam

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