For this new interview, we meet with Valérie, a loyal Nolijette who shares the secrets of her passion for racing!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RUNNING?
Ooh… Since I was 12 years old I think… and I’m 40 now, I’ll let you do the math!
DO YOU RUN REGULARLY?
Every day, yes!!
I leave early in the morning around 6am-6:30am and I run for about an hour.
I've moved around a lot, but where we've lived for the past year, in Alsace, is superb. The mountains, the vineyards… Nature is particularly beautiful right now, in autumn when everything is a vibrant red and orange. Nature and the towns are always beautiful early in the morning. It's definitely my favorite time of day.
DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST RUN?
Not this time :p! I started running gently with my parents in the Saint Pons valley in Gémenos, near Aubagne.
I remember this valley very well but I have no particular memory of the first run.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE RACE?
What has captivated me, and what captivates me more and more each day in its disorder, is:
- The simplicity of this sport is striking : you put on your running shoes (in my case, I only run in 5Fingers without cushioning) and you run. No bike to worry about, no car to take; I just go outside and run!
- The sensations : lightness, especially when running without cushioning, fluidity, the feeling of muscles working. The harmony of my body, my thoughts, and nature.
- Contact with nature or even with the cities But without anyone (no cars, few pedestrians, etc.). It's always so beautiful in the morning.
WHERE ARE YOU RUNNING TO?
Everywhere. My preferences, however, are for nature and hilly terrain. I love climbing the "small" hills around my house.
Sometimes my partner and I leave home to hike up Mont Saint Odile. It takes us barely an hour and a half to complete the circuit, which has a 700m elevation gain. It's easy, it's beautiful!
AN UNFORGETTABLE RUN?
Perhaps Tuesday's... My partner was with me (which is rarely the case during the week) and we climbed above the sea of clouds as the sun rose over the autumn forests. It was magical!!!
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT WHEN YOU RUN?
I realized I was meditating 
I let my mind wander. I can't stand putting on headphones and listening to music. I let my thoughts go wherever they want, and I often have lots of ideas for work, for myself, my partner, our children...
YOUR LAST RUNNING SESSION?
This morning
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RUNNING OUTFIT?
Noliju 😉! I just bought a seamless outfit. It will go perfectly with my FiveFingers shoes and my quest for fluidity! ( Tom T-shirt and Bob leggings )
Thank you so much for your answers!
Norah
