It’s already halfway through 2018, and the time to make those lofty #fitspo goals a reality is now. There’s still six whole months for you to start training, and with the proper dedication, it’s entirely possible to see yourself through a marathon or race before the year ends.
But the first step to long distance running is having the right kicks. No, I’m not talking about hypebeast sneakers or flyknits – I’m talking about the new ASICS GEL-KAYANO 25 series.
No more forking out cash every six months for a new pair of shoes, because the GEL KAYANO 25’s can keep up with all of your running with minimal wear and tear. Their outsole is made with high impact rubber, about as tough as your average vehicle tyre.
But the midsole is where the real magic happens. It’s rigid enough to prevent unnatural foot movements and injury, yet contains a gel that cushions each impact and disperses them evenly across the foot to avoid strains. There’s also extra padding for the heel to reduce landing impacts, and extra bounciness at the front for more propulsion while you run.
In order to try out the KAYANO 25’s, we sent our resident videographer Jonathan Paul all the way up to the UK to participate in ASICS’ Blackout Track. At this event, runners had to move move in almost complete darkness and with minimal distractions, encouraging them to focus more on their own mind and body.
The experiment was intended as a showcase of the importance of mental strength to athletes. But would having more intense, personal focus allow one to perform better? Here’s what Jon had to say about the experience.
Armed with nothing more than a pair of GEL-KAYANO 25 and a look of determination
Jon: I haven’t been running in a while, so I felt a little nervous as I put on my running shoes. Luckily, they weren’t as stiff as new shoes usually are, and after a few simple warm-up exercises, I felt ready to go.
Jon: With a single spotlight shining on me in the warehouse, I could just about make out the track in front of me, but not much else. A slow monotone played in the air, and there was nothing else there for me – no scenery, no music, not even a watch.
At first, I tried to distract myself, counting the seconds that passed by or imagining what dinner would be like. I always thought that focusing on something else while running would take your mind off the ache in your lungs and legs. But eventually, without any real distractions, I began to focus on the run itself.
Jon: It was a strange experience, running in a world of your own. I felt like I had a heightened sense of awareness of my body, like I had more control. It was a steady rhythm, the feel of my heels striking the ground. My shoes seemed to bounce forwards with each step, almost pushing me forward, making me feel like I could go even faster. So I did.
In the end, I covered 4.2KM in 25 minutes. Not exactly Olympic material, but pretty good for a guy who sits in the office all day. I had learned something about running. Training and dieting are important. But during the run itself, all you really need is a strong and focused mindset and a pair of good running shoes to keep you going.
If you’re gonna be going all that distance, you might as well be doing it comfortably. A good pair of running shoes will need to have a well-cushioned sole that’ll reduce the strain on your muscles as well as the risk of injury.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO series has been providing runners with well-cushioned running shoes for over two decades. And now, the latest GEL-KAYANO 25s are the first in the series to contain two separate foams working together for additional support and protection, as well as a little extra kick during your runs.
Plus, the shoes are pretty easy to fit, with a protective yet flexible mesh on the outside as well as a memory foam lining that makes it snug and cosy no matter what your feet shape. And with its durability, the GEL-KAYANO 25’s will accompany you on your runs for a long time to come.
You can get your ASICS GEL-KAYANO 25 at the following ASICS branches:
Plaza Singapura | Suntec City | VivoCity
Alternatively, keep an eye on ASICS’ Facebook and Instagram (@asicssg) pages to find details on how to win your own GEL-KAYANO 25 from 24 July-6 August.
This post was brought to you by ASICS.
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