The manufacturing process of running shoes releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and is responsible for 1.4% of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Each pair of runners generates 30 pounds of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to keeping a 100-watt light bulb on for a week. Moreover, running shoes are made of synthetic materials that take years to biodegrade. As trail runners who love nature, we are inadvertently having a significant impact on the environment we so cherish.
That's when I discovered a company that was revolutionizing the way we think about running shoes. A truck that replaced shoe soles on running shoes, and not just any soles, but Vibram soles, which are widely regarded as the best in the industry. Vibram soles are lighter, more functional and can reduce carbon emissions by 30 pounds per pair of shoes.
I was immediately intrigued and decided to test out the product. However, I quickly realized that fitting the soles onto my running shoes was a challenge. If even a little of the sole came loose, the sand and water would eat away at the glue and remove the sole rather cleanly from the shoe. But I didn't give up. Instead, I teamed up with an experienced shoemaker and began a rigorous testing process.
As I continued to test the product on the rugged terrain of Western Cape mountains, I heard about the plight of runners who were spending upwards of R2000 every three months on new shoes. Some complained of poor grip and others of soles weathering away fast. But with the help of the Vibram team in Italy and our own team in South Africa, we continued to build and break shoes at a rapid rate.
After two years of intense testing and research, we finally figured out the method to stick Vibram soles to running shoes. We also made technical choices about suitable options for the South African terrain and identified a process that would help people save money and reduce their impact on the environment.
It's amazing how often we find the biggest problems or the easiest solutions right under our feet. I'm grateful to have discovered this product and am excited to share it with other trail runners who want to reduce their environmental impact while enjoying their passion for running.
]]>It was only by chance that another friend and professional athlete introduced me to Spring Energy gel. At this point, I had accepted that not everyone, especially professional athletes, was like me, and the use of energy-boosting foods was a necessity. I was also just introduced to a no-sugar diet and its obvious benefits. I eventually succumbed to using chocolate as my weapon of choice in challenging situations.
Spring Energy gels are different. Its ingredients have no fancy words; it literally reads like a recipe. It's genuinely an all-natural product compressed into a tiny, weightless, litterless, and recyclable plastic sleeve. When the plastic is torn open, a simple design ensures that the entire packaging stays together. It's smart.
So, off I went into the vastness with only a few tiny plastic sachets, a world away from a bag of boiled potatoes and four slices of bread. Each gel told me exactly how many calories I was getting, and the flavor description was extremely accurate. I am a five-a-day coffee addict, and the Koffee flavor was spot on.
Without ever experiencing a cramp or a bloated tummy from unnatural or unfamiliar nourishment, Spring Energy ended up on my shelf. It has the highest return buyer rate, not only because it's a perishable product but also because those who choose it learn the same lesson I did. There really is no comparison.
]]>At the time, Flat Mountain Living was only a seed. Two years later, while forming the brand, my then partner suggested that we reach out to Ciele Athletics. It sounded crazy, but after submitting an application and negotiating, we were successful. A few months later, we had our first batch of Ciele Athletic caps in our hands, and the moment was magical! These caps were a few cuts above the rest, and there simply wasn't any competition.
Our journey with Ciele has been filled with ebbs and flows, but our passion and desire to make these caps available to a deserving running community have driven every inch of our decision making. To this day, we uphold that passion and are now taking it a step further with our TRADE store. In this way, we're able to take Ciele to even more runners!