With the opportunity for events to start happening again, this weekend see’s ASICS curate a 10km race through the streets of London and we’re excited, nervous to say that Footpatrol will be heading down to take part in the day’s events. Working its way through some of the most iconic streets central London has to offer, the day plans to bring a feel good vibe for everyone taking part with live music at every KM coupled and the overall excitement that comes with a race day, whether it’s just a bit of fun or you’re out to challenge yourself.

With an opportunity to connect with the running community, we invited along some familiar faces from Your Friendly Runners Club who will be taking on the challenge with Footpatrol. We sit down with Kristine, Jamie and Henry who take us through their preparations for race days and we also discuss ASICS’ Mind Uplifter tool that aims to promote activity and a healthy mind.

Take a read below and make sure to stay tuned to Footpatrol’s stories on Sunday where we’ll be bringing you along for the ride!

Footpatrol: Hey guys, thanks so much for joining us at Footpatrol and taking part in the ASICS 10km run that makes its way through the streets of London this weekend! 

How have you all been this last year? Kristine and Jamie, I believe we saw you both before on our run with YFRC last year, it’s great to have you both back again! 

Kristine: It’s been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, going in and out of lockdown and with changing restrictions determining what one can and cannot do. While I’ve been lucky enough to be employed by a company that appreciates these difficulties and invest in the health and well-being of their employees, it’s been tough not to be able to go back to Denmark to see my family, taking a proper break for the hustle and bustle of the city, and probably more holistically feel free. I’ve loved and enjoyed running for well over a decade and only found a new appreciation for the sport during the pandemic. I’ve realised how much running sets me free, allows me to think about the things I don’t have time to think about during the working day and manage my emotions. It’s unreal how much a run can lift my mood, even if I don’t enjoy the run. YFRC and everyone I’ve linked up with separately for a run have also been a massive gamechanger, and I’m forever thankful for our little crew. YES – I was there for the activation last year and am happy to be back. 

Jamie: It’s been a challenging year, but one that has presented itself with opportunity too. I started a business two months before lockdown 1.0 and for some time last year, there was a huge amount of uncertainty. Running throughout that time has given me focus, and a space to escape into. Running allows me to change my mood, get time to think, or enables a social interaction that at points last year was unobtainable. Also I really enjoyed the FP meet up last year, everyone was in such good spirits.

Henry: It’s been a difficult year for sure (as it has for so many people) I’m a freelance photographer so was massively affected by the pandemic, but I was able to utilise the extra time that I had off to get fit. I’ve run on and off (mostly off) for years but never really enjoyed it until this last year, I was just going through the motions. I think it’s safe to say I’ve definitely got the bug now though. I started running with YFRC back in May and I LOVE it. I’m also making good progress reducing my 5k, 10K & Half marathon times and regularly setting new PB’s.

FP: Jumping straight into it and with Raceday just around the corner, how do you normally prepare for such events?

Kristine: As I’m an organised individual, I typically spend a couple of weeks prepping for events. I’m 100% a marathon runner; the marathon is my distance, where I thrive. So, a little more prep is usually required – to ensure I’m relaxed on race day and not worried about the little things. I think about what to eat, wear, do in the days leading up to the race, and pack everything I need no later than the night before. I take time to tune in with myself and set my mind up for the uncomfortable that is about to happen. I set gold, silver, and bronze goals for the race – so that no matter how I feel on the day, one of these goals is achievable. For this particular race, I’m training for a fall marathon and will utilise the opportunity to get a good tempo/threshold session in the books and check in with the emotions and energy of wearing a race number on my chest again – thank you so much for letting me!

Hill sprints alone won’t help me; it’s the culmination of running hard, easy, uphill, downhill, long, and short plus strength and conditioning, yoga, and pilates that will. Unfortunately, running well isn’t a one-stop-shop in your running shoes.. You got to see the bigger picture and put in the work.

Jamie: I’m still relatively new to race-days, but I enjoy them all the same. I’m currently training for the London Marathon in October, so my focus is getting mileage under my belt and lengthening my efforts. I’ll use this race as a good way to put out an extended effort and acclimatise to the process of racing. Other than that, I try to get good sleep, and good nutrition in the days leading up to the race.

Henry: It depends on the distance I’m running, this week (for example) I started with some hill sprints (10 x 200m) with one minute rest in between which was super tough in this heat but really fun. I don’t like to do too much before race day to avoid injury and make sure I’m running on fresh legs but will likely do a 10k and a 5k run at an easy pace and maybe just 2 miles at an easy pace the day before race day as a bit of leg stretcher. I’ll also make sure I’m eating the right things, and I’ll avoid alcohol a few days before the race to ensure I’m fully hydrated. 

FP: Hill sprints… just those words together are tiring… 

And what footwear will you be opting for for this weekend’s run? (Can answer after our shop visit)

Kristine: Since we have the opportunity to wear the Novablast 2, I will most certainly opt for this. I normally wouldn’t recommend racing in brand new shoes, but for a 10K it should be alright. I’m looking forward to experiencing how the new Novablast 2 will impact my stride and force, and if there’s some magic in there that I can leverage for some extra speed. 

Jamie: Really looking forward to running in something different this weekend. I’m a big believer in having a few different pairs of trainers in rotation as each pair will perform differently and affect you differently.

Henry: I chose the metaracer, the reviews have been great and I’m really loving the all blue colourway. They’re super light and have a carbon plate for speed. I can’t wait to test them out.

FP: An exciting part of the race is ASICS’ introduction of their ‘Mind Uplifter’ which as you show the physical benefits of running/movement, ASICS is aiming to help show this virtually with this new tool to display the mental benefits of movement and sport and how it has an effect on your emotional state. How beneficial is running or being active been to your mental well being? 

Kristine: Extremely beneficial. I’m very energetic and would absolutely crawl the walls if I wasn’t executing some of that energy running, at the gym, in the pool, or on my bike. Not being active makes me miserable, seriously. I do everything in my power to avoid injury and setbacks to keep being able to move. Basically, any movement will help me feel better, and if being active means going for a walk, jumping on the bike or in the pool because I cannot run, I’ll take it. And I’ll probably do it so much it makes me feel sick and tired of it – to stay well in my body, but most importantly to stay well in my mind. 

Jamie: Hugely beneficial! If I’m feeling stressed, anxious, or angry about something I can guarantee a run will help to lift or shift my mood. It also gives me focus and escapism in equal measure that allow my brain the rest it needs.

Henry: Running has had such a positive impact on my mental health, I regularly come back from runs absolutely buzzing from the endorphins (especially the group runs) and now that I’ve found it I feel like I’d be lost without it

FP: Finally… What’s harder… Getting your feet across the starting line or the moment you can see the finish line in the distance? 

Kristine: Getting to the start line is, for me, the hardest part. Once I’m there, I don’t even think about the finish line but focus on the time in between the two. This is where the magic can happen, where I have the opportunity to bring the best version of myself forward that day. To run the best I can on that particular day – be that a smile and wave to make it through happy and healthy or channel all those tough workouts to race hard, you have to have a positive mindset about it. You made it to the start line, and many don’t manage that; because of injury, fear, heartbreak, or whatever could prevent one from not getting there. What happens once you’ve crossed the start line is entirely up to you; how you react to the way your body feels on race day, how you manage your emotions if that isn’t the feeling you were hoping for, and how you make it a positive experience regardless. You might not get the result you’d hoped for, but you still pulled through, and that’s an achievement in itself. Not every race, or even every run, is or should be a PB; sometimes it’s practice, sometimes it’s experience. 

Jamie: It’s definitely getting to the start line. You have to put in some sort of effort to get something out, and that’s especially true of running. Although my answer may switch after I’ve done the marathon…

Henry: Definitely still working on my pacing (I generally set off way too fast) so it’s seeing the finish line in the distance for me.

FP: Well guys, good luck on Sunday and we look forward to seeing you on the starting line!