There was a time when running wasn’t something I went out of my way to avoid; indeed 14 years ago it was something at which I had a certain level of prowess. Put me on a running track against seven other 12-year-olds and I’d fancy my chances of powering through a 1500 metre race to glory.
Like I said that was a long time ago, a whole other century in fact. The onset of those troublesome teenage years, lazy living at university life, the time constraints of life in employment, an aching knee here, a pulled hamstring there and an unmatched fear of extreme British weather conditions have seen those energetic days on the track ensconce themselves in a veritable Pandora’s box of memories that also includes once buying an Annie Lennox album.
Alas, as the threat of reaching 30 nears and the sight of myself in the mirror grows ever more frightening, the time to rectify the situation has arrived. That’s right, it’s time to get fit and this time I mean it...sort of.
The competition - ASICS ambassador Ryan Hall
Aside from general idleness, two of the major factors stopping people from pounding the pavements include fear of injury (predominantly in the knee area) and looking massively out of place as the local designer clad Adonis glides past without breaking sweat while you’re left panting against a fence sporting a pair of trainers once rejected by a tramp. So hypochondria and vanity...
Let me make it clear from the outset that my long-term aim is not to join the aforementioned Adonis for a daily session at his gym, nor to Eddie Izzard the marathon scene; I just want to be able to survive a couple of runs a week and thus maintain a level of cardiovascular activity which will help me make it past my fiftieth birthday.
Thankfully the good people at leading brand ASICS have offered to give me a hand in overcoming a fear of running which has developed during a decade of sloth. If anyone can do it, then a company whose name stands for ‘Anima Sana in Corpore Sano’ (a sound mind in a sound body) stand a good chance.
Invited to visit ASICS flagship London store on Argyle Street, I’m to have my gait measured by a state-of-the-art 3D Foot Mapping machine with a view to matching my feet with the perfect pair of running shoes. The aim is obviously to provide comfortable, well-fitting shoes which compliment my jogging style while simultaneously reducing the risk of injury.
Welcome to the future
As a word of warning, it’s probably best if you prepare your feet in advance for the prospect of having them analysed in public. Don’t, as I did, turn up in skinny jeans, shoes which are hard to put on and take off and sweaty socks. I feel slightly self-conscious and apologetic as the very understanding assistant applies tiny blue stickers to my feet while avoiding the peeling skin from my legs - the result of an ill advised six hour stretch of sunbathing the week before. At least she was wearing gloves and a knowing smile which suggests she has seen it all before.
The stickers are placed about the foot as markers for the scan which makes use of laser beams and micro cameras to map each foot once they have been placed on special pads. The whole process is like a super advanced and much cooler version of the one you used to go through when you went to Clark’s as a kid.
It doesn’t take long, around 30 seconds for each foot and the results are processed while you slip your socks back on. You’re then talked through the printout where results for foot length, ball girth, heel breadth, instep height, arch height, heel angle and toe angle are all recorded. Thankfully my feet aren’t falling apart. Smaller than average yes (sssh!), high arched, but pretty much normal.
Congratulations - you passed!
It’s then downstairs for the next step in the process; matching shoes to your feet. After signing a disclaimer confirming that I have no medical reason not to run on a treadmill it’s time to roll up my jeans, flash my ankles and test the first pair of shoes; a pair of ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 12s. My running action and the weight distribution of each stride is filmed as the treadmill pushes me up to jogging speed. The shoes feel great, more comfortable than anything I’ve tried before and I sense I could keep going for some time. Thankfully after 45 seconds and before I start sweating too much, it’s over and time to review the video.
My gait is deemed to be natural by my ASICS guide who suggests that I stick to a similarly neutral cushioned design. I’m offered the GEL-NIMBUS 12, tasteful in white and royal blue, and take the running test again. It feels stable under foot but with each stride’s impact cushioned to enhance the natural power generated by the foot. These are the shoes for me. I reckon I could have beaten Sebastian Coe in his pomp wearing these...
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 12
Retailing at £105 they don’t come cheap, but with the 3D scan done for free if you purchase a pair of shoes from the store, at least you go home heartened by the fact you’ve been guided by professionals. More important, is the fact you feel inspired to run just by owning a pair.
So one week down and how am I getting on? Well so far so good, I’ve made it out for a couple of twenty minute runs, the shoes are certainly comfortable, I’ve felt no pain and I’m feeling more confident. I’m still being overtaken by the more enthusiastic fitness fanatics of south-west London, but at least I leave the occasional straggler in my dust. I fear London 2012 may come a little too soon for me, but thanks to ASICS I reckon I’ll still be pounding the pavements in a couple of years time.