Helloooo runner! 👋 How are you doing today? I’ve got another edition of RunLetters for you, full of fun, inspiration, and… things to spend money on. Ha.
RunLetters is at almost 5000 (!!!) subscribers. MADNESS! How do you think we should celebrate when I do hit this milestone?
How should we celebrate 5000 subscribers?
Alriiiiighty let’s get started ⤵️
Table of Contents
📹 Watchlist: Your Attitude Is In Your Control
Ever caught yourself complaining halfway through a long run?
Guilty as charged 🫠
Rachel Entrekin has got some advice for us to get through those moments. And she’s got the experience to back it up.
This year, she won the Cocodona 250 outright, not the women's race, the whole race, beating every man and woman in the field in 56 hours and 9 minutes. In this hour with Floris Gierman on The Extramilest Show, she breaks down how she battles her way through (mental) pain. She explains the “system” she uses every single time.
She says: "It's fine to feel bad, but you can't stop there. You have to make a plan for how you're going to feel better." Simple, right? Try applying it at hour 40 of a 250 mile race though 😂 But no, I promise. It’s a great interview. And full of nuggets that will come in handy during your next race.
"I think it's one of the most underutilized tools. People will spend months and months training for a race, doing the running... and the nutrition is where it falls out of the window."
She also gets into the fuelling mistakes holding most of us back, why she nearly quit running altogether, and what she picked up from pacing Courtney Dauwalter.
Grab some 🍿 and give this one a watch (especially if you’ve got a long run or race coming up!)
Jon Cervi landed on my feed with this video right here.
That got me curious. Who is this guy, who is the first to actually explain (to me at least, haha, I’m sure there have been others) what the function of this shirt is?
Turns out Jon is a (ultra) runner based in Philadelphia. He’s also a leader of a local run club called Endorphins.
His feed is full of gear reviews, running mantras, day in the life videos… a bit of everything. Not just one specific theme, and I like that.
You can give him a follow here.
🗓 Events & Races: Prague Half Marathon Ballot
Whether you are trying to run all 6 SuperHalfs or not, this half marathon is so worth entering the ballot for.
I speak from experience because I got to run it in 2025, and it was 1. an amazing half, and 2. such a wonderful travel & run combination.
Even though it was my second time in Prague, I was completely stunned by its beauty and all it has to offer. This is such a fun city with so many things to do and visit. There are also incredible options for food, and overall the city is not that expensive.
So yes, I highly recommend you enter the ballot, which is open now until August 11. If you want to run together with a friend, you can nominate one running partner. If either of you is selected, both of you will receive the opportunity to purchase an entry.
The race takes place on April 03, 2027.
🎽 Gear & Gadgets: ASICS Novablast 6
A lot of new shoes have landed recently. One of them is an updated version of one of my personal favs: the ASICS Novablast. Say hi to number 6.
ASICS' own pitch is simple: more energy return at toe off, better traction underfoot.
In practice, that means a new "trampoline pod" of FF Turbo Squared foam tucked into the forefoot, the same peppy stuff used in the pricier Megablast.
It also has a new woven upper, and… a proper outsole upgrade. So many runners complained the old Novablast turned into a skating rink the second the roads got wet. I can confirm 😅
Early reviews are largely glowing. The word that keeps coming up is livelier. Faster feeling, more agile, more fun than the 5, especially if you land on your midfoot or forefoot. Looks like it’s not the best choice for heel strikers though, so if you’re in that camp, skip this one.
The “Blast” family from ASICS can get confusing. Nova, Super, Mega… what is what?
1️⃣ Think of the Novablast as the entry point. Bouncy and versatile, good for easy days all the way up to marathon pace.
2️⃣ The Superblast is the plusher, pricier sibling built for long runs and tempo work.
3️⃣ The Megablast is the lightest and the speed demon of the three.
Verdict? Can’t give you one. But if you’ve been looking for a new shoe for your easy and long runs, maybe some progressive work… give these a try in the store.
You may fall in love.
It’s retailing for $155 / €159 / £139, though you can find discounts if you look for them!
Picture from RunRepeat, where the shoe got a super high rating!
This week’s gear discount
My other favourite shoes right now? The 361 Miro Nude ST. I talk about them in this video on Instagram.
Get 15% off 361 (One Degree Beyond) with the code caroline15
✨ Wild Card: More Beef in Trail Running
This one’s especially for the trail runners among us. Thought it was pretty accurate.
🏁 The Finish Line
I guess next week we will be at 5000 subscribers. Which is… wild. See this graph of the last 4 weeks 🤯
If you know any small brands who’d like to be featured in RunLetters, please reply to this email and let me know. Or forward this edition of RunLetters to them!
That’s it for now. Go lace up those shoes. Go for that run in the sun ☀️
Caroline
P.S. Help me fill up this poster. Get your damn name on there!
📲 Social Spotlight: Jon Breathes Running