Virtual Insanity? Why you should have a go at a Virtual Race

Ever thought of trying a virtual marathon or race? Zero crowds, trying to find a 26.2mile route, open roads and no medal to acknowledge your efforts, yeah once sounded like my idea of hell, however the Virtual London Marathon has completely changed my outlook. Here's why I love it and why you might too...

Five reasons to try parkrun tourism

Parkrun is a Saturday morning staple in my life. Nothing quite beats the feeling of getting your body moving, spending some time outdoors and catching up with friends - all before 10am. Sometimes there is even cake! Over the last few years I’ve found travelling to different parkruns aka parkrun tourism, to be an added bonus. If you’ve not yet jumped on the tourist train, here are a few reasons to try tempt you:

ASICS London Run Club – who, what, where, when and why you should join us

ASICS London Run Club is back for 2023, offering free community runs from the ASICS Oxford Street store, close to Marble Arch, every Wednesday and Friday. Come and join us for a social run in the heart of central London.

You Miss 100% of the shots you don't take. My ASICS FrontRunner Adventure 6 years on

The 2023 ASICS FrontRunner application phase opens 20 February. As one of the original UK and Ireland FrontRunners from way back in 2017, I wanted to take this opportunity to share my experience, the adventures and hopefully inspire you to join our wonderful FrontRunner Family.

NOVABLAST 3 TR Review: a great all rounder

I have been running in the NOVABLAST 3 TR for the past couple of months after receiving a pair during last October’s training camp in Portugal. Alongside the GEL-NIMBUS 25 these have become a firm favourite of mine, here are just a few of my thoughts.

GEL-NIMBUS 25 Review

The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS have been my go to shoe for distance running since 2017. I’ve worked my way from the 19s all the way through to the imminently released 25, relying on the GEL-NIMBUS to provide the comfort and support I need during marathon and half marathon training. Long story short, the GEL-NIMBUS and I are well acquainted.

Tips for running in a busy city like London

I'm an outdoorsy kinda girl, I grew up in a small village a few miles from Preston in Lancashire and I love nothing more than being outside and enjoying some fresh air and green spaces. However in 2017 I moved to London and fell in love with the city. My quiet, peaceful country lanes were replaced with busy, tourist packed areas, loads of traffic lights and buses galore.

5 ways to kickstart your running journey this January

New year, new hobby? The physical and mental benefits of running are aplenty. Whether you're returning to running or thinking about taking those first tentative steps to start running here are some quick pointers to help get you started:

NOOSA TRI 14: Perfect for Swim-Run

I've recently been lucky enough to test the NOOSA TRI 14, a shoe ideal for triathlon and swim-run thanks to its lightweight construction, sock like fit and toggle laces. My prior experience of the NOOSA TRI was the 12s, which I enjoyed for shorter distances, but soon found that I prefer a more cushioned shoe. I'm really enjoying the 14s and now I've put them through their paces, here are some of my thoughts:

Getting back on track

I was recently lucky enough to spend a week out in Portugal with some of my ASICS FrontRunner team mates from across the world. We enjoyed a week of swimming, running, cycling, surfing, dancing, mobility and so much more. As part of the week there were two track sessions on the agenda, and I’m not going to lie but this did fill me with a slightly uneasy feeling.

A year of consistent weightlifting: what I’ve learned

Just over a year ago I headed back to the gym and the only way I can describe myself was- an unmotivated bag of nerves. However feeling the fear, doing it anyway and finding consistency has resulted in a real love for weightlifting. Here's what I've learned over the last year and why you should give it a go!

Our Sicilian Adventure

Last week 10 members of the ASICS FrontRunner UK Team joined teammates from around the world for a once in a lifetime trip in Catania, Sicily. Think endless sunshine, street raves, pizza oh and some running thrown in there too! Catch up with just some of our highlights…(its definitely a hard task to pick the stand out moments)

Earth Day 2022: Sustainable Swaps for Runners

Every action, no matter how small, you take in order to protect the planet counts - every single one. From small sustainable swaps that reduce your consumption and decrease your environmental impact to larger lifestyle changes, lobbying, activism, research and more. Sometimes things may feel meaningless, especially when facing large environmental challenges, but actions matter- YOUR actions matter.

Race Recap: My First 70.3 Triathlon

On Saturday 14 August 2021 I completed my first 70.3 middle distance triathlon (half iron distance). It has taken me a LONG time to get round to writing this recap- mainly because once my event was over (and gone were the long training sessions) I needed time to enjoy riding the post race high, and I had lots of rest to catch up on! But here we are six months later and it FINALLY feels time to get all this down.

ASICS FUJITRAIL: THE BEST VEST ON TEST?

I’ve recently been testing the ASICS FUJITRAIL 7L running backpack. Here's how I got on....

what to expect in the 48 hours before a marathon

What to expect in the 48 hours before a marathon? I guess this differs person to person based on your experience, expectations and goals, however I’ve found a pattern in terms of what I encounter in the lead up to a marathon.

Earth Day: Greenspace for Headspace

The benefits of exercising or spending time outdoors are apparent in a wide range of literature and pages on the internet, but why is being outside associated with wellbeing? A 2018 Study by the University of East Anglia highlighted that exposure to greenspace can promote reduced risks of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, but greenspaces are becoming increasingly associated with mental health benefits and advantages to our greater wellbeing.

One run can change your day, many runs can change your life.

When I look back and reflect on my teenage years, it is like looking at another person, living another life. A life that was changed for the better by running and exercise.

Running in Winter: Staying Motivated

As the days get shorter, nights longer and the weather a bit more unpredictable, its natural for your motivation to plummet alongside the winter temperatures. With many gyms on restricted opening hours/ limited access, more and more of us will remain training outside despite the weather taking a wintery turn.

Winter Running Safety

Winter running throws up many challenges, gone are the long summer days and for many this means training after dark. Sometimes I feel frustrated that I have to think about (or in this case write) about staying safe when running in the dark, we should be able to run and be safe, but the sad reality is that safety is paramount as the days get shorter.

World Ekiden 2020

When a group of people come together to share a dream or goal amazing things can happen. Now more than ever team work, staying connected and supporting each other are extremely important, and whilst many of us can't physically run together we can virtually interact through shared experiences like virtual racing, challenging each other and mutual accountability and motivation.

Being a More Eco-Friendly Runner

World Environment Day is celebrated each year on the 5th June. It is a day to inspire positive change, highlight key environmental challenges and promote widespread action. The theme for 2020 is Biodiversity. Biodiversity is the collective term for life on Earth. All living things exist within communities, otherwise known as ecosystems, these encompass the oceans, deserts, forests even cities. The combination of these varying ecosystems is biodiversity and humans rely on this to survive.

Tips to Help You Start Running in Lockdown?

With gyms, pools and communal workout areas closed more and more people are turning to running as a method to get fit or stay fit during the COVID-19 lockdown period. For those new to exercise this can be exceptionally daunting- with footpaths seemingly busier than ever, and for those who already engage in regular exercise but have never run before it can be a tough serving of just how demanding running can be. But that isn’t to put you off!

NOOSA TRI: All You Need to Know

WELCOME BACK ASICS GEL-NOOSA TRI, the return of a rather in your face icon. Tune in for my random running ramblings- a non technical review of the GEL-NOOSA Tri covering all you need to know in a jargon free way :)

My Top Tips for Getting into Running

So you’re ready to start your running journey? Or perhaps you’re not quite ‘ready’ but you’re keen to give it a go? WELCOME to the running community and congratulations on having the bravery to try something new and push yourself out of your comfort zone.

GEL-NIMBUS 22: All You Need to Know

Want to know more about the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 22? How does this compare to the GEL-NIMBUS 19, 20 (my old favourite!) or the 21? Tune in for my random running shoe ramblings and hear everything you need to know about the Gel-Nimbus 22 and more. This is a non technical, no jargon, review to covering all things ASICS GEL-NIMBUS.

EVORIDE vs GLIDERIDE Video Review

Want the lowdown on the ASICS EVORIDE? Curious as to how this compares to the ASICS GLIDERIDE? What on earth is a toe spring?Tune in for my very non-technical running related ramblings contrasting the two shoes and how I use them in my training.

Barbados Marathon Weekend Race Recap

The Run Barbados International Marathon Weekend offers an ideal collection of destination races for anyone looking to enjoy some winter sunshine whilst pursing their running agenda. The Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, 5k and mile fun run take place as part of the Run Barbados International Marathon weekend with the selection of races over the course of three days in early December. On the 4 December 2019 I headed out on an invited press trip with Visit Barbados to participate in the marathon

FUJITRABUCO PRO Review

I’m not the most experienced of trail runners or trail running shoe testers by any means. I’ve only tried two other pairs of trail running shoes prior to this, but the ASICS FujiTrabuco Pro have fast become a firm favourite for enjoying the trails and feeling confident as I incorporate more and more trail running into my schedule.

A Beginner's Guide to Trail Running

2019 has been the year I fell in love with trail running. It’s the perfect way to combine my love of running and fitness with the great outdoors. I’m still very new to this world and use the trails as a way to escape my city life, immerse myself in nature and take a break from hardcore training, instead using it as a way to switch off and relax.

FrontRunner Trail & OCR Meet in Munich

I write this from about 30,000 ft on the flight home from an incredible weekend in Munich for the ASICS FrontRunner International OCR and Trail meet up. This is the second time today I’ve been above the clouds. It’s been a weekend filled with plenty of mud, plenty of mountains and some incredible memories made. We’ve also had the chance to really put the incredible new Fujitrabuco pro shoes through their paces.

If You Run, You're a Runner!

Back in February 2019 when I was collating some frequently asked questions about the ASICS FrontRunner team ahead of the application phase I noticed the same questions coming up again and again- people questioning if they were a ‘real runner’ because they only ran X distance or X pace, or hadn’t done a marathon, or were new to running.

ASICS FrontRunner Application Questions Explained

So you're interested in being an ASICS FrontRunner?! That is great news! Before you begin your application, here are some of the most frequently asked questions to help address any queries you may have about the team. Good luck and we can't wait to read your application.

Gel Nimbus 20 Lite show

Add some colour to those dark winter training runs with the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 20 lite show. Run bright and run bold, winter is coming and so are the miles!

Cheering Us on at Races: Thank You

An open letter to anyone who has ever cheered, supported or volunteered at a race. You guys are the true heroes. Thank you.

ASICS Majorca Training Camp

During mid October, ASICS Frontrunner team members from 9 countries united in Majorca for the second ASICS training camp of 2018. It was a week of fun, friendships, running, cycling, hiking, stretching, swimming, ice cream and losing Pete on a mountain (twice).

FrontRunner Teams Meat Up in Dam

On the 24 – 27 August 10 Frontrunners from the UK team: Aaron, Veronica, Lotta, Marcus, Kelly, Jenna, Kerry, Carl, Geoff and Becca (me!) joined 150 Fronties from 25 teams across the globe for the super duper ASICS FrontRunner meet up.

I am a Marathoner

I am a record breaking world major marathoner. What’s your super power? On the 22 April 2018 I battled the heat to complete the hottest ever London Marathon and cross the finish line after 26.2 miles for the very first time. It wasn’t easy, but one lesson I have learned in life if that you should always chase your dreams, even if that means you chase them for 26.2miles.

Who run the world? Girls

Queen Beyonce said so herself. Girls run the world! The mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins, nieces, friends, in laws, wives, girlfriends, here is to strong, independent and incredible women everywhere. Women have been pivotal in the course of history: from Rosa Parks to Emmeline Pankhurst, Malala Yousafzai to Marie Curie. Thursday 8 March 2018 is International Womens' Day, a chance to celebrate the achievements of women the world over.

FrontRunner UK: A Year On

As we round off our first year of the ASICS FrontRunner UK team and look ahead to welcoming our new team mates at the upcoming launch weekend in Birmingham it is time to reflect on the crazy family and all the adventures being an ASICS FrontRunner brings.

What Being a FrontRunner Means to Me

If I could sum up in one word what the ASICS FrontRunner team means to me, without a doubt it is ‘Family’ because that is exactly what we are, a FrontRunner family united by our love of running.

Cancer Research Tough 10 Race Series

When Cancer Research UK Christened the 'Tough 10' race series they certainly didn't mince their words. Catch up on how my calves survived their first trail race!

A Northerner Running The British 10K in London

Having recently relocated to London I am embracing every opportunity, and when I was offered the chance to run the Virgin Sport British 10K with my fellow ASICS FrontRunner UK team mates Marcus and Corey, I was filled with so much excitement.

20 Chicken Nuggets and a Shock Half Marathon PB

Half marathoner is a title I’ve recently added to my running CV. Having only completed my first half marathon in Swansea on the 25 June this year, I’m still enjoying the challenges this distance has to offer whilst learning a lot about myself as a runner, my stamina, nutrition tactics, race strategy and that mental battle that comes with distance running. My previous two halves have been steep learning curves and I’ve been lucky to learn from the best. Aaron is a half marathon machine, he’s the Yoda of race strategy and knows how to attack those 13.1miles and throw absolutely everything into it and I’ve been lucky to have him by my side for my previous two halves, but my third outing I was ready to go it alone and push my boundaries, resulting in a shock PB that I never saw coming!

A Race Review of Swansea Half Marathon

Running newbie to half marathoner, sharing the experience of my first half marathon and why I'll be back for more