It's About Structure, Setbacks, and Showing Up

There are countless ways to be a runner. Some run to get faster. Some run to feel lighter. Some run to escape, others to arrive. Because no two journeys ever look the same, we wanted to understand not the outcome, but what kind of runners they’ve become along the way.

Yen Chia, Kak Fit, and Rachelle might sound familiar to you. You may have seen them within the New Balance running community, but their beginnings aren’t what you’d expect. Just when we assume they were born with talent or some natural runner’s instinct, their stories prove otherwise. None of them began with confidence or a perfect stride; if anything, their first attempts look a lot like ours. They start the way most of us do, half-asleep, half-motivated, wishing they could stay in bed. Their early runs are chaotic and unglamorous: no plan, no structure, the wrong shoes slapping against the pavement, and injuries arriving long before progress ever does.

They don’t know what they are doing; they simply try, stumble, and try again. And that’s what makes their journeys so familiar, because every runner starts like this: unsure, unprepared, and taking that first shaky step into a world they never expect to belong to.

They Didn't Start as Runners. They Just Started.

Before training plans, finish lines, and routines woven into their daily lives, they were simply three individuals trying to figure themselves out. We spoke to them to understand not just how they became runners, but why they started. What pushed them to take that first uncertain step, and what made them keep going even when it felt uncomfortable.

YEN CHIA

Yen is the first to openly admit that she’s “lazy.” Early mornings aren’t her thing, sweating isn’t appealing, and running definitely isn’t a passion. She laces up her shoes for one simple reason: she wants to lose weight. Nothing more. What starts as a reluctant attempt to change her body slowly turns into a habit she doesn’t want to let go of.

And in case you didn’t know, she’s actually a full-time makeup artist — juggling long hours, demanding schedules, and constant movement. Running, unexpectedly, becomes the one thing that stays consistent. Not because she loves it at first, but because it gives her a sense of control over her own time and energy.

KAK FIT

As for Kak Fit, she never saw herself in the running world at all. She grew up believing running was only for athletes — people who look a certain way, move a certain way. Before she even started, she already felt like she didn’t belong.

The sport felt distant, almost off-limits, until a single marathon event shifted her perspective. Seeing people of all backgrounds, paces, and stories showed her something simple but powerful: there was space for her too.

RACHELLE

Rachelle comes from a completely different world. One filled with dance studios, tight schedules, and years of performing. As a retired Latin dancer, she knows discipline and movement, but running is unfamiliar territory. She isn’t chasing speed or records. She just wants quiet. Time away from expectations. A moment to be alone with her thoughts. A way to breathe again after stepping away from the stage.

Every Beginner’s First Mistake

Though their reasons for starting and continuing were different, all three eventually hit the same wall, the one every new runner meets. They ran fast every day, believing that the harder they pushed, the better they would become. Instead, reality caught up, and the only thing they gained was pain. Injuries crept in quietly at first, then all at once: sore knees, tight ankles, unfamiliar aches they didn’t even have names for. That was when they realised something wasn’t right.

“I didn’t know running fast every day would injure me. I just wanted to push myself to the max and I pushed until I got hurt,” Yen shares.

It’s frustrating, confusing, and honestly, a little discouraging. But it also becomes the turning point. They start learning that running isn’t just about going all out, it’s about structure. As Rachelle puts it simply, “Prevention is better than cure.”

That’s when they realised not every sneaker is meant for running, and that progress isn’t just about going faster. It’s about finding a pace and form their bodies can keep up with. Instead of pushing through everything, they learned to listen to slow down, so they can go further.

When Running Became Part of Who They Are

Somewhere along the way, running stops feeling like a task and slowly becomes part of who they are. This is where things shift, their personalities begin to shape the way they run and how they see themselves. In a world of countless runners, it’s personality that creates distinction, and that’s what people remember.

Yen becomes the quiet self-starter. Morning runs turn into her way of grounding herself before the day begins. What once felt like a chore becomes non-negotiable. She loves the clarity, the discipline, the feeling of doing something just for herself before anyone else needs her. No music, no crowd, just space to breathe and reset.

Kak Fit leans into consistency over motivation. Evening runs fit into her life naturally, allowing her to balance family, work, and movement. She still jokes about feeling “lazy,” but she shows up anyway. As a hijab-wearing athlete entering the running scene in 2022, she’s not just running for herself, she’s quietly proving that there’s no single way a runner should look. Over time, running has become part of her work, eventually evolving into a full-time career as a fitness content creator.

Rachelle approaches running with intention. For her, it’s therapy. A way to disconnect from her phone, clear her mind, and reconnect with herself. Injuries taught her to listen instead of chase. Some days, she runs alone for peace. Other days, she runs with friends, becoming a source of encouragement and energy. Running doesn’t replace dance; it fills the space dance left behind.

Three runners, three very different personalities, yet their paths meet in the same place, where running has become a lifestyle they grow into, each in their own way. And this is where communities matter.

Spaces like the New Balance Run Hub in KLCC don’t create their passion, but they give them and countless others a place to grow. A place where beginners aren’t intimidated, where seasoned runners can elevate their performance, and where personalities like theirs can thrive, share, and pass on what they’ve learned. It’s not only a space to run but a space to call your own.

Your First Step Starts Here

At the New Balance Run Hub in KLCC, the community comes alive. More than just a place to run, it’s designed to remove barriers and make every runner feel welcome. Beginners can try shoes before buying, while seasoned runners can boost their performance and explore different models suited to their needs. As Kak Fit puts it, “Forget excuses about not having the right shoes because here at the Run Hub, you can rent a pair and run every day, as much as you want.”

For those who want to take them for a spin, the FuelCell Rebel, FuelCell SC Elite, and Fresh Foam x 1080 are available daily for trial, with loans of up to two hours. As Rachelle says, “Not every shoe fits every runner, and different shoes are designed for different types of runs, so trying them out can make all the difference.” Take this opportunity to test the shoes and find your perfect fit. Whether you’re just starting out or taking your first step, the Run Hub is the ideal place to begin your running journey.

The New Balance Run Hub is more than just a place to put on your shoes and hit the pavement. For Yen, Kak Fit, and Rachelle, it represents something deeper. One word each comes to mind: Balance, Inclusivity, and Community. They weren't born runners, but without that first small step, they wouldn't be where they are today.

So even if you think running isn’t for you, or you haven’t taken that first step yet, just remember that even a small, imperfect beginning can lead to a journey you never imagined, and the first step is always yours to take.

Because we all start somewhere.

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WRITTEN BY NATASHA H. & JOCELYN N.