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🔊 Listen ⏹ Stop

Before the rush, there is quiet. The city is still, the air is crisp, and even the birds have not started their melodious singing. Instead, all you hear is your own rhythmic breathing and the sound of your feet hitting the ground, one after the other, as you settle into a steady pace. Your brain is free from all your worries, because for a brief moment, all you can think about is pushing your body harder and finding calm in the raw beauty of the outdoors.

Running is one of those activities with endless points of appeal. For some, it’s a form of discipline, for others, it's about taking good care of your health, and for us here at Merrell, it’s about embracing the great outdoors - because nature truly has so much to offer!

This month, we took a moment to chat with Lerato Mokhaneli, someone who began her journey towards a healthier lifestyle, and in the process, fell in love with running.

Read on to learn all about her inspirational journey!

Getting To Know Lerato Mokhaneli & Her Running Journey

1. Your story is incredibly inspiring - can you give us a brief outline of how it all began, and what drove you to choose running for your wellness journey?

It all began in December 2003, when I entered my first race. The date of the race was February 2004, and it was a 5km, so I decided to use the whole of December to train.

Running is something that I always wanted to do, but I never felt secure enough to participate, because I was afraid of being judged. Using December to train was ideal for me, because in Joburg, this time of the year is quiet on the streets. It gave me a ‘safe’ space to train, without feeling as if people were watching and judging me.

My dad was a runner, so this activity always resonated with me growing up. However, as I got older, it became an internal battle between my insecurities with my weight and how people would react to me. Entering races kept me accountable, and gave me a goal to work towards.

When I eventually began this journey, training for my first race, I was humbled and touched at how the running community embraced me. So many people hooted for me when they saw me training, and cheered for me at the race, encouraging me to keep going.

Since the first race, I never looked back, and I am still going strong on this journey.

2. Can you tell us about some of the ways you’ve remained motivated on this journey?

From the get-go, I decided that I owed myself this motivation, especially if I wanted to see a change.

But, my biggest motivator is probably my daughter, who is currently 11 years old. I wanted to be a role model to her, to show her that if you really want change, then you can achieve it so long as you remain committed. She is also into sports, so I wanted to be able to be there with her, play sports with her and support her in this hobby. Being overweight is not pleasant at all, so this isn’t the path I wanted for her.

By taking care of myself, I was showing her that it is important to honour your body in this way. The Bible says your body is your temple, and I decided to live by this philosophy.

Apart from my daughter, the running community in general keeps me going and holds me accountable. Brands like Merrell as well, who want to collaborate with me and share my story, really helps remind me why this journey is so important. To be able to inspire others to take charge of their lives, even when they are scared, is a blessing and a motivator all in one.

3. What has been your favourite run/route/race thus far?

There are genuinely so many races that I have loved thus far; however, the Spar Women's Race and the Total Sports Race are two events that are close to my heart.

These events recognised me and supported me early in this journey, and I will be forever grateful for receiving these opportunities.

4. Do you have any advice to offer others on a similar journey to yours?

It’s cheesy, but keep going.

It’s easy to feel demotivated. Falling down the spiral of comparing yourself to others, obsessing over your time, and worrying that you are not seeing results fast enough - all these factors contribute to feeling completely demotivated.

That’s why I always say, just keep going. You don’t have to be perfect, or the fastest runner - in fact, forget about time!

Do what works for you. Results take time, so don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

5. Have you tried your new Promorphs, how are you enjoying them?

I took them for a test run on my 10km and I am in love!

There’s something different about them, and I’ll tell you what I found: the impact on the knees is amazing! As a plus-size athlete, I am always mindful of supporting my knees, and these Merrells are certainly getting the job done!

Hit The Roads & Trails In Our Promorphs

The best part about running, some might say, is that you get to enjoy it in whatever way works best for you.

Whether you’re a mom who is always on the go, squeezing in a quick neighbourhood jog in between school drop-off, or you are a student looking to de-stress with a run along the promenade, or even an outdoor adventurer who loves exploring new forest trails - you deserve to enjoy your run in complete comfort, with footwear that can transition seamlessly with you.

Shoes that move with you. Adapt with you. Or better yet, shoes that morph with you.

Presenting Our Promorphs: One Shoe, Endless Terrain!

Designed to give you maximum comfort while running, here’s why our Promorphs work well for trail AND road:

• The upgraded Vibram® Megagrip outsole provides unwavering traction, which is crucial for rugged trails.
• It’s lightweight construction means that you won’t feel weighed down when enjoying those road runs.
• The gusseted tongue, padded collar, and protective toe cap act as a shield against debris while also protecting your feet from injury on the trails.
• The 6 mm drop and 24.5mm / 18.5mm stack height mean that this shoe offers the ideal combination of cushioning and ground connection.

Finally, the feature that lends this design its road-to-trail versatility is our new MorphFlex™ midsole - a proprietary foam developed to deliver high energy return, plush cushioning, and lasting responsiveness.

So, whether you’re climbing up mountains, descending valleys, or simply soaring through the city, the MorphFlex™ midsole works in sync with your stride, helping you to keep momentum without your feet feeling fatigued.

Share Your Running Adventures With Us

If this blog inspired you to embark on your very own running adventures, then we invite you to share your story with us on social media or in the comments below. Who knows, your story might just spark someone else’s adventure, just like Lerato’s did.

Let’s all embrace the outdoors together, one road or trail at a time!