To train the mind and improve your mental strength, ASICS has unveiled the world’s first BlackOut Track – a 150 metre running track which is cloaked in darkness with no tech, no music, no scenery, no comforts, and no finish line.

Photo: Asics

How the Track Works

Developed in collaboration by sports scientists and top coaches, the aim of the track is to remove all distractions and encourage runners to focus on purely synchronising their minds and bodies – and nothing else.

The ASICS BlackOut Track is a concept that was inspired by a technique practised by long distance runners, who train their mental strength by running multiple loops consisting of a mile or two, without any technology and the concept has proven to be used successfully by endurance runners from all over the world.

Photo: Asics

I think that the concept of the ASICS BlackOut Track is definitely a rather interesting one, but for me, it’s hard to imagine running on it, because I usually listen to music when I am running. Though I am sure that it would be a rather novel experience to run on something like this though, all the same.

Feedback on the Track

Three world class athletes have already tried out the ASICS BlackOut Track, and these are Olympic medallist Deena Kastor from the USA, adventurer Danny Bent from the UK, an actor and a physics graduate, and Aarif Lee, who comes from Hong Kong. Each ran 66 laps or 10 kilometres, in near darkness without any of the usual comforts.

Out of the three, Deena Kastor ran the fastest time on the ASICS BlackOut Track, completing her run in just 37 minutes and 16 seconds.

Photo: Asics

How did she find the experience? Explained Deena, “For me, the track was a reminder of the simple joy that running offers; a rush of endorphins, or a quiet place to find ourselves in. Whether you’re a professional athlete or an everyday runner, mental restraints can limit us, but we all have the power to think our way to success.”

Aarif also had a positive experience with running 10km on the ASICS BlackOut Track. Said Aarif, who ran in 53 minutes 30 seconds, “I found this daunting but incredibly rewarding. When you take away all the things in your comfort zone, you may actually surprise yourself and do better than expected.”

Track Played Host to Scientific Experiment

Earlier this week, on 6 June, which was Global Running Day, the track played host to a scientific experiment to prove that mental strength is equally important as physical fitness, in terms of athletic success.

Photo: Asics

In the recent experiment, ten runners raced 5km on the track in normal conditions – lights on, music playing, crowds cheering – and then raced another 5km again in the darkness, with white noise to muffle sound, as well as no motivation, feedback or technology.

Singaporeans Chase Tan – a basketball player who represents the Singapore Slingers, ASEAN Para-Games runner Zac Leow and local actor Zong ZiJie were part of the experiment, which was devised by Professor Samuele Marcora (the Director of Research at the University of Kent’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences), together with Dr Jo Corbett (Human Performance and Health Research Group at The University of Portsmouth).

Said Paul Miles, the Chief Marketing Officer at ASICS Corporation, “This is a mental challenge with a great message: the importance of a fit mind to re- evaluate what’s possible and reach your own goals in fitness as well as life. It’s not only the strongest legs that go the distance, but also the strongest mind.”

Photo: Asics

The results of the recent experiment was found, by assessing tracking data such as the performance times and heart rates.

As well, participants in the experiment will also complete the NASA Task Load Index. This is a widely used assessment tool to help assess the perceived physical and mental workload of a task, and it shows how the mind can affect performance even when the physical capacity of the runners is the same.

Photo: Asics

Track used as a Test Pad for the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 25

ASICS has also used the ASICS Blackout Track as a test pad for the 25th iteration of the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 25 – the first ever shoe to feature both the FlyteFoam Lyte and FlyteFoam Propel technologies.

This is because in the dark, runners will feel the difference as the technologies work together to help absorb impact and at the same time, be able to propel them forward, whilst providing the ultimate comfort and stability for runners to go the distance.