Run Hansel, ruuuuuuuuun! Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters B-Roll

Tracksmith is an independent running brand founded in 2013 and based in Massachusetts, United States. The brand provides quality clothing for amateurs and positions itself as driven by a specific running culture, comprising dedication, performance, and the pursuit of personal exc

Satisfy Running returns this season with a capsule like a personality test for runners. Here's everything you need to know and how to cop.

And that's because Satisfy Running is the French athletic label that seems to be actually making running look cool.

Can you give us a short bio? My name is Ellis Newton, 24 years old, recent UC Berkeley grad. I am an athlete, music producer, aspiring model, and assistant teacher. I grew up just outside of Los Angeles and I have been living in the Bay Area for six years. I've been running since I was six. Why is California for runners? Being born and raised there, how has California shaped the runner you are today? If you are from California and you've competed in high school track and field/cross country, then you know how difficult it is to be considered good. Because it's such a populated state, Cali has a very competitive high school championship system under what is called CIF. From a young age we are trained pretty rigorously, trying to be the fastest athlete in your division, section, and eventually the state. Some of us continue running in college, as I competed at UC Berkeley for another four years. Where I'm going with this is that I was left with this persisting love to train once I finished as a competitive runner. I feel as though my journey isn't over yet. Living here in California gives me unlimited access to the region's vast park and trail systems, beaches, and ridiculously good weather. It's a runner's paradise. The cornerstone of the Satisfy ethos is The High, that feeling we chase during a long run wherein the repetitive movements of the body are operating so seamlessly that our physical awareness melts away and allows us to reach a higher state of consciousness—a kind of mechanical intoxication. What comes together for you during a run that allows you to achieve this state? Given your middle distance background at Berkeley, is this a state you think you've attained even during the 800m? Ah yes, it's the euphoria that keeps me coming back. Picture this: You're heavy, lungs heaving, legs clunky, but you are somehow weightless at the same time. The sound of your feet crunching on the dirt below, coupled with the rhythm of your breath creates a harmony... a hypnosis. Oftentimes without noticing, this happens and I reach a zen-like state. My mind becomes calm and goes on auto-pilot, and my body follows suit. Thoughts and worries become fleeting. It's a state of bliss. Reaching this state in the 800m is well.. hard... but it's possible. I love the 800 for its intensity and split-second-decision making. Nonetheless, I found that my best races occur when my mind stays quiet . Thinking burns too much energy in a race like that. I feel that staying calm in the heat of the race, and waiting for the right moment to strike is key in the 8. I feel like that calm I get in the 800 is a byproduct of the High I feel in my longer runs. I know you use an Akai MPC — the legendary old school music controller popularized by producers such as J Dilla and Madlib. Can you tell us about the very physical process of what making a beat on an MPC is like? Does The High play a role in your creative process for beatmaking? The MPC is such a great tool for hands-on beat making. Each of it's sixteen pads can be programmed with melodies, drums, whatever sound you want. Where the advantage lies for me is that I'm able to Feel what I am making. I collect vinyl records and find melodies to sample, chop, and rearrange. Once I have a nice melodic loop going, I'll go through the databank for the snappiest drums I can find. Feeling out the drum pattern is my personal favorite part of beatmaking. I like my loops hypnotic, undulating, but still hip-hop. Here is where I feel The High from running has influenced me - I very well may be recreating the rhythmic zen I find from running. In your room you have some of my favorite records of all time on your walls — *Donuts* by J Dilla and *Madvillainy* by Madvillain (MF DOOM & Madlib). What's your favorite Dilla beat? What's your favorite DOOM bar? Why? Favorite Dilla beat? ooooh that's a tough one. Off the top of my head: