Jan Margarit Solé looks like the carrots in his grandfather's garden. Like them, he grew up in the open air, gorged by the Catalan sun, rooted in this fertile land of passion and respect for the mountains. Quickly compared to the illustrious Kilian Jornet for his rare precociousness, his extraordinary physiological capacities and the Pyrenees they share, our Spanish runner very quickly carved out a path of his own, until he became one of the best traileurs on the planisphere at just 24 years of age. With an unrivalled talent for technical and explosive formats, where the prodigy flies through the steep descents. But he also has a signature smile that never leaves him, and a lifestyle based on nature that makes him radiate infectious joy. Report from the vegetable garden with the second athlete selected in our Dream Casting. The one who is taking the Baouwers family to an international level. The one who brings a breath of fresh air and human warmth to the Trail.

PIT STOP, FOREST & AUTHENTICITY ​

Jan, can you tell us about the first time you tasted a Baouw bar or compote? From a very critical and objective point of view, what did you feel at that moment?

Je connaissais la marque grâce un ami qui travaille pour l’entreprise. Or cette année, en se baladant avec ma copine sur le salon du Marathon du Mont-Blanc, à Chamonix, nous le croisons au stand Baouw et décidons de nous y arrêter ! Il était midi, nous avions faim et mon ami a dû le sentir. Il nous a donc proposé de goûter une barre. Une barre Myrtille sauvage – Noisette – Bourgeon de Sapin ! Je m’en souviens très bien puisqu’instantanément, à la première bouchée, j’ai eu l’impression de me retrouver dans la forêt. Cela m’a beaucoup plu !  

"I remember it very well, because when I first ate it, I felt like I was in the forest. I really enjoyed it!​

After that first meeting, how did becoming a Baouwer make sense for you?

I know several of the original Baouwers riders well, as well as several members of the staff. They're all great people. It made me want to run for and with them! I also recognise myself in the values conveyed by the company, which doesn't hesitate to take a stand in defence of a healthy, responsible lifestyle that respects both the athlete and the playing field. (A pause for reflection) Authenticity is also a fundamental value that I found at Baouw. ​

What do you mean by that? How do you construct and live the authenticity that you cite as a core value?

For me, authenticity refers to raw things that have been crafted by nature in this way, and that are unprocessed. This applies to food products, but also to people. In the end, people, like fruit and vegetables, emerge from nature. I'm really delighted to become a Baouwer, because this team conveys values that I consider to be noble. And feeling good in a team is a real driver of performance.

"For me, authenticity refers to raw things that have been crafted by nature in this way, and that are unprocessed. This applies to food products, but also to people.​

How does your diet reflect this healthy, responsible lifestyle? How have you turned it into a performance driver?

Healthy nutrition is not just about performance. It's already about being in good health. Then, once you're healthy, you can think about performing! I see my diet as an extension of my lifestyle and my beliefs. Even if I didn't do trail running at a high level, I'd do it the same way. The fact that I'm outside a lot certainly awakens my awareness on this subject. Nature is a bit like home. When you work in an office, you're inevitably further removed from this reality.

"I see my diet as an extension of my lifestyle and my convictions.

SERENITY, ZEGAMA & GRANDAD'S VEGETABLE GARDEN ​

So, like any self-respecting Baouwer, you enjoy playing outside...

In fact, it's fundamental to my balance and personal development. I love playing outside! I spend as much time as I can. That's about 3 hours training a day and another 2 or 3 hours having fun with friends, walking in the forest, reading a book on a rock... ​

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In concrete terms, what are the broad outlines of your diet?

In conjunction with this high level of daily physical activity, I make sure I get the nutritional intake I need, both in terms of energy and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. So that I can perform well during exercise, but also recover optimally in between. To achieve this, my diet is as natural as possible. I avoid all processed products and eat what's available nearby: what's local and in season! I'm not obsessive, but I'm consistent... I manage to really enjoy myself and stay greedy while maintaining a responsible diet!​

Does eating healthily give you more confidence at competition time?

Yes, it certainly does! A healthy, natural diet gives you comfort not only for your body but also for your mind. In the sense that it gives me the feeling that I'm doing things right. It reassures me and gives me confidence that I'll be in top form on D-Day. When you do things right, you leave behind your doubts and the associated mental burden: you go forward looking ahead, not questioning behind...

"When you do things right, you leave behind your doubts and the associated mental burden! ​

Do you have a very precise and defined nutrition protocol for the race days?

For example, how did you fuel your best performance of the season: your victory and record (1:52) at the Skyrhune, in the Basque Country, on one of the rounds of the Golden Trail Series?

What I applied to the Skyrhune is very representative of my usual modus operandi. I had a small brunch at 10.30am, 3.5 hours before the start, based on rice and white meat, so that it would be easy to digest. Also, it was already very hot and I quickly realised that staying well hydrated would be one of the keys to success. So I set off without a flask, but stopped at every feed station for a glass of water. In terms of energy, I ate my first compote after 45 minutes and then a second one on the descent after 1? hours. For recovery, the Skyrhune offers a warm and memorable third half, which doesn't necessarily do your body any good, but does your heart and head a world of good... ​

Do you already have a favourite product among all those offered by Baouw?

No, on the contrary, what I like is the diversity of tastes and the originality of the recipes. I like to vary and be surprised! On the other hand, while I don't have a favourite product, I do have a favourite time to eat them. I love eating a bar when I reach the top of a mountain. Along with the view, it's part of the whole reward package! (Smiles)

"I love eating a bar when I get to the top of a mountain. With the view, it's part of the whole reward package!"​

Are there any foods that you particularly like and that you'd like to see included in certain recipes in the future?

Ever since I was a little boy, I've had a particular fondness for carrots, which my grandfather used to grow lovingly in his garden, and which we'd take along in our hiking bag and spend the day munching on. But there's already a barre énergétique Carotte – Graine de Courge – Poivre Blanc so I'm happy! Otherwise, my grandfather's vegetable garden could certainly serve as a source of inspiration for chef Yoann Conte! Depending on the season, there are tomatoes, courgettes, potatoes, salads, peppers...​

To conclude, I'd like to ask you a couple of questions that go beyond your grandfather's vegetable garden and your diet.

The first is that trail running seems to be a national sport on the other side of the Pyrenees. What notable differences have you seen between Spain and France in this discipline?

In reality, there are very few differences. In the Catalan region, on the other hand, there is necessarily a special craze linked to the ‘Kilian effect’. Everyone knows Kilian Jornet. He has literally made our sport explode in this region. Perhaps the only difference is that in Catalonia, we appreciate the so-called ‘skyrunning’ formats. Technically demanding mountain races that are fairly short but explosive. Otherwise, wherever I've been able to travel, I've noticed one constant: trail running is a really healthy sport, based on an incredible atmosphere between runners, and that's what I like best...

"In the Catalan region, there's bound to be a special craze linked to the “Kilian effect”!​

Finally, what are your goals and key dates for the season?

My aim is to have as consistent a season as possible! Consistency will really be my main focus. To achieve this, I'm going to organise my calendar around the Golden Trail Series. The first highlight will be at the end of May, in Zegama, a legendary event with incredible fervour, which makes me dream all the more because it makes me feel at home. After that, I'll be doing my best to prepare for Sierre-Zinal, another iconic race that I'd love to discover. Finally, I'd like to round off 2022 by trying my hand at a slightly longer distance, in a race format that takes more than 5 hours. In this respect, the Festival des Templiers has a great attraction for me! (Wink)

"My aim is to have as consistent a season as possible!

©Justin Galant