“Do it for fun, do it for your well-being, for your own health. Enjoy it all the way”
Each runner is a representation of the ASICS Sound Mind, Sound Body philosophy. As brand ambassadors, the new FrontRunners are set to inspire and motivate the community to lead an active lifestyle, reaping the benefits of running for the body and mind.
Coming from diverse backgrounds, age, and professions, the new ASICS members share a genuine love for running, and their inspirational journeys of how running has changed their lives.
Maryam Khajah, ASICS FrontRunner Kuwait
Maryam, 25, is an engineer from Kuwait who is passionate about sports. She enjoys running, and an occasional competition or race. With a belief that sports is a great health investment, Maryam loves to encourage those around her to start moving, whether walking or running.
CPM: Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Maryam Khajah: My name is Maryam Khajah, and I am a Kuwaiti Engineer. I work in a private sector with Schlumberger Oilfield ltd. I’m also a board member of the Kuwaiti Sports Federation For All (KSFA), in addition to a committee member of Kuwait Triathlon Federation for Activities (KTF). I also act as a leader in Thunders GYM & a Front-runner for ASICS. I’m also sponsored and part of a circle by AURA athleisure.
Other than that, I’m a person that is into sports. I love sports, it’s my way of stress relief. Always into trying new things in sports and exploring, I tend to spread positive vibes and encourage people to get into sports as it is something that is beneficial for our own health in the long term.
CPM: How long have you been running and how many events did you participate in?
MK: I’ve always wanted to get into sports earlier, but I was afraid it could affect my studies. So I started after my graduation, which is at the end of 2017 as a hobby. It started in Kuwait, with where I’ve done many different activities throughout the GCC and internationally. Every event has its own memories and vibes, with almost 100 races encompassing running to obstacle course racing.
CPM: What motivates you to go running? And are there moments that even you struggle to overcome?
MK: Running is my stress relief. The day I joined a gym and running clubs, I felt like I have another family. A big positive and healthy family. This made me feel that these are the vibes, environment and people I want to be around.
There are moments that I struggle to overcome balancing all the different aspects of my life. Being a full-time engineer means working at least until 5pm, I also am a gym trainer so I have commitments to specific classes. Being a board member and a committee member for specific Federations also takes a significant amount of my time. Then there’s also family time and my own trainings. The only solution to overcome this is time management; you can be what you want to be, as long as you work hard, and are passionate of what you’re doing.
I wanted to share with you my love for OCR (Obstacle course race). I love OCR because it represents life. OCR consists of running, overcoming obstacles, taking penalties, thinking and decision making.
Running is a representation of our life and time – it keeps going and we can’t stop it. The in running obstacles are the obstacles we face in our daily life; you see them from far away and start thinking and planning how to overcome them, but at times come as a surprise. You can either overcome them or accept the penalty.
CPM: What tips do you have for newcomers to successfully master even small distances?
MK: I would advise newcomers to start slow. If you’re starting from scratch, I’d recommend starting with a coach. Never start alone, as there a lot of things you would regret and it’s important to remember that anyone can do it, you just need dedication and guidance.
Here are some advice from my experience: always warm up before any exercise, always stretch after any workout, never wear new shoes on race day, don’t compare yourself to others, celebrate your new records and achievements, don’t take sports as a punishment, always put in mind that you are doing this for your own health and peace of mind. Last but not least, enjoy every minute of it, it’s a win-win situation between doing it for your health and enjoying it.
CPM: What do you have to consider when running?
MK: You have to consider many things when running. The most important things in general are: warm-ups, stretches, drinking enough water, eating properly (having a nutrition plan), wearing comfortable running apparel, wearing the correct running shoe, having a training plan and most importantly recovery. These are the main things that any person needs to consider in their daily life before running.
CPM: Do you track your runs? And if so, why?
MK: I track my runs to help me check and improve my weak points. There’s always space for improvement. That’s why I need to have an appropriate plan that will help me track my runs from long, short, speed runs, etc. This will help me set a plan and predict my next records if I stick to the plan.
CPM: What is your take on meals before, during and after a race?
MK: You can take anything that gives you energy before the race. Some people relay on dates, energy chews, coffee, bananas, muffins, normal breakfast and some people go on empty stomach; it all depends on you and how your body digests, and if you need that energy. Myself, I take coffee before my race with either dates or muffins. And it depends on race type and time; if it’s a long-distance race I will make sure I get enough energy and keep some with me for during the race. If it’s a short race I can just relay on coffee or some energy chews.
After a race it can be anything, I would eat anything to satisfy my body after the achievement it gave me, I always reward my body as it always helps me get through my races.
Let’s not forget that hydration is an important element before, after and during any race.
CPM: You are an ASICS Frontrunner in Kuwait, what does it mean to you?
MK: Being an ASICS Frontrunner for Kuwait means a lot to me. I feel proud to represent my country as I love it so much, and ASICS is a dream brand to represent. Being part of the Frontrunners gives me the opportunity to be part of a great team and interact with many great minds. When I joined, I didn’t just represent the brand, I learned more about ASICS and it transformed my mind-set about running. I always like to support and help people to run and move; this community helped me to reach more people in my community with this mission. I have a passion for running and any physical movements or adventures; ASICS supported me all way. ASICS helped me improve myself, my well-being and connect with frontrunners around the world sharing our journey of movement for well-being.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/Khajah.m/
Mohammad AlBahar, ASICS FrontRunner Kuwait
Mohammad, 37, from Kuwait, had his first experience with sports at the age of seven. It started with swimming classes, extended to cycling and running, strength conditioning and CrossFit. Sports is a vital element in his life, as it helps him manage Type 1 Diabetes. Being diagnosed with the condition made him want to overcome the restrictions that it imposed, whether it was a marathon, an extensive workout or going on a hike in the wilderness. His personal achievements include completing the Hindrance (Obstacles) race in 00:20:37 record time, and cycling from Slovenia to Italy crossing 30km. He is most passionate about inspiring others with Diabetes, to live a healthy and active life.
City Pages Magazine: Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Mohammad AlBahar: My name is Mohammad, I am from Kuwait. Currently I’m 38 years old, living with Type 1 Diabetes for the past 35 years. I have a bachelor degree in Management Information Systems and Information Technology, as well as a professional Diploma in Insurance (Chartered Insurance Institute).
CPM: What motivated you to become a sportsperson?
MA: Living with a chronic condition (Type 1 Diabetes), can be stressful and burdening, financially, emotionally, and socially. Sports helped me reduce my stress levels, have better control of my sugar levels and food intake, as well as being surrounded with people with a similar mindset. Sports is a lifestyle, for better well-being, mindset and critical thinking.
CPM: What emotions do you feel when you play well?
MA: I feel a blast of euphoria, achievement and self-satisfaction, as well as serenity and peace.
CPM: Tell us any anecdote that happened while playing sports.
MA: During my last participation in Gulf Bank 642 Marathon 2021, I was running the 10K distance. Once i had passed AlMubarakiyah Market route I saw a big sign on the right with 5K written on it, on the left side was written 10K, 21K, 42K. My mind started playing games on me to go right, no one will notice, and i will get the 5K medal. I hushed my thoughts by saying: i’m not doing this run for glory, nor for winning, i’m doing it for my health, and well-being, i’m a warrior and i will overcome this with a best self record. I turned left and finished my 10K run in 1 hour, 2 minutes and 25 seconds, i was proud of the decision i have made, for not giving up on myself.
CPM: Does an athlete, in your opinion, have to lead a healthy lifestyle?
MA: An athlete does have to lead a healthy lifestyle mentally and physically. The mind can be either your motivation or your tool to distruction, if you want to be a great athlete you have to leave your ego out of the gym, and be keen to learn every minute and respect the ones that are willing to provide you with their knowledge and experience. You have to be in good terms with yourself, to accept yourself, and if you have things you need to fix, do so. Only the brave ones know their flaws and are willing to fix them, to be a better versión of themselves. Remember that growth is a continuous process that will never stop till the day you die.
A good advice for people that are willing to be athletes is: never stop learning, never stop training, and never ever give up on yourself. If you failed, that is part of life’s journey and a big part of our growth process. If you win, it means we have learned, and implemented new techniques, it is also a reason to be grateful for the ones that stood by our side, while we were stumbling and falling down many times to rise again.
CPM: How difficult is it to manage type 1 diabetes whilst training and competing in one of the toughest endurance sports?
MA: First of all you have to accept diabetes, to be in good terms with it, consider it as a friend that needs certain type of attention. Once you have passed this phase you are set to sail. Secondly, always plan ahead. If you’re going for a run it is completely different than going for a conditioning and strength workout, as both have a different impact on your blood glucose levels. Also, always take into consideration your carbs intake, active insulin before, during and after workout. Does your exercise involve cardio or resistance? Your sleeping pattern before a marathon, competition or a challenge, as well as taking into consideration the process of muscle recovery. All these elements have an impact on your blood glucose levels, causing them to rise up as you’re body is healing. And also always consult your healthcare providers, to check if you are healthy enough to perform certain types of sports with your current health status.
CPM: Do you have any advice to young people who want to start a career in sports?
MA: Yes, always be humble to learn, ask the coaches for a sports plan that suits your goals and objectives, as well as asking nutritionists for better meal plans that help you reaching your goals. Never have the approach that you know it all, as this is the start of your mind shutting down and unwillingly causing injuries to yourself and others that train with you. Take it step by step, and with patience and consistency you will achieve wonders.
CPM: You are an ASICS Frontrunner in Kuwait, what does it mean to you?
MA: It means the world to me, to represent my country and the diabetes community. To show that I can compete as everyone else, and participate in running, obstacles and conditioning challenges, on the same level with athletes, coaches, gym enthusiasts, and people living with Non-Communicable Diseases. It’s liberating to see that my condition doesn’t define me but actually encourages me to be better on a personal and social level.
