This is a four-part series highlighting local runners from all different backgrounds while exploring New Balance’s recent Run Your Way campaign. Click here to explore the rest of the stories.
When was the last time you ran? It doesn’t have to be in a race or marathon, it could be running to dinner, running to the train, or running while playing games in the park with your friends.
The word run can sometimes feel daunting. You picture professional athletes zooming down tracks or everyday runners pacing down the paths of your local field, but actually, running is one of the most inclusive sports and forms of movement out there — and movement is for everyone.
New Balance knows this better than anyone. Earlier this year, the sports giant launched its global Run Your Way campaign with a philosophy that champions all kinds of running amongst all kinds of individuals. There is no wrong way to run, only your way — and your way makes you part of something much bigger than you think.
To bring this notion to life, we have been highlighting some Berlin locals who are all runners in their own unique way. We ran along the River Spree to find out what made experienced runner Anna-Luisa get into the sport in the first place, and now it’s time to explore Kreuzberg with Chiderah to find out how she got back into running after a little hiatus.
Nigerian-born Chiderah spent her childhood in Canada, where she discovered her love for running at a very young age. After years of exploring her passion for fitness in general and ending up in Berlin as a part-time powerlifter and co-founder of SUNNYPR, a communications agency, the ex-professional runner has shone a new light on what the sport means to her.
So Chiderah, what role does sport play in your life?
Sports hold a vital place in my life. I engaged in competitive track and field during my formative years, a passion that persists now even though I no longer compete. This early experience solidified my affinity for sports in general and paved the way for my enduring commitment to fitness. Over time, I've explored various training methods, ultimately embracing powerlifting.
What was one of your fondest sporting moments as a child?
Reflecting on my youth, my fondest recollections revolve around my involvement in track and field, which I began at the age of six.
What got you interested in running?
With a foundation in competitive track and field, running just became an innate part of who I am.
Did you find it hard to get into running at first?
Given my prior exposure to track training, I was fortunate enough to have an advantage that made the transition into running relatively seamless.
Does running help enhance your other creative practice?
Running serves as a catalyst for my creativity, liberating pent-up energy and decluttering my mind. This clarity allows me to make decisions confidently and establish the mental space necessary for uninhibited ideation, unburdened by distractions.
Give me three words that best describe how you feel after a run.
Rejuvenated, energized, and empowered.
What would you say to encourage people to get into running?
To those contemplating running, I encourage you to forge a deeper connection with your body. Running isn't just about physical movement; it harmonizes breath, movement, and mind. It's an intimate union of self-awareness and trust, fostering a unique presence in each moment of your journey.
There's no such thing as a 'traditional runner.' New Balance has flipped the script, throwing out sporting stereotypes and opening the doors of the running world to everyone. However you run, you are part of the culture and community that it embraces.
Kickstart your run and shop New Balance’s running sneakers here.
