The shoes that have created a wave in the States have arrived on Singapore shores. Pure minimalist runners will love the Bare-X™ 180 for its Zero Shoc-Zone™, where there is no height difference between its toe and heel, allowing the feet to act as if they were barefoot.

The Big Red Run is Australia’s first and only 250km, multi-stage desert running race, being held in the Simpson Desert from 6-14 July 2013. Based out of Birdsville, the event will give runners the option of participating in the Big Red Run, a 250km six-day stage race, the Born to Run 100km or the Big Red Dash 42km.

As the date for U Run approaches, a group of lucky runners have been picked to become U Run Champions. They would undergo a 8-week training programme developed by fitness trainers from Absolute Living Group to gear up to them for the big challenge – U Run 2013.

We’ve entered 2013, yet most of us still train like it’s 1991. Very little thought is given to our goals, our training structure and to the way we structure our lives for success. I’m a big believer in planning as I see it as the roadmap to the achievement of my goals.

Running is an activity that can bring a lifetime of benefits and enjoyment, but unrealistic expectations can quickly destroy a runner’s motivation. The key to avoiding this pitfall is to create realistic goals and expectations that can be monitored and celebrated. Your goal does not have to be to win a race or to run a 13 minute 5 kilometer race to gain the feeling of being a successful runner.

When I run, I think and self-talk all the time. It’s true when they say endurance sport is all about mind over body. Call it what you will, but for me, running symbolises the race in life that is set out for us. There will always be the excuses, obstacles and falls that we encounter in the race, but what matters is you never, ever give up. Just finish the race – it will be worthwhile.