Chasing Milliseconds: Janelle Lum on Finding Her Flow as an ASICS A-Racer
- John Yeong
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Beyond the Personal Best: How ASICS A-Racer Janelle Lum is Redefining Resilience in Her Journey
In the high-stakes world of competitive running, the transition from being "someone who runs" to an athlete chasing personal records is often marked by a fundamental shift in mindset.
For Janelle Lum, an Information Security student at NUS and a standout member of the ASICS A-Racers program, that shift was about learning to silence the ego and embrace the grind.
The Catalyst: Finding Joy in the Process
Janelle’s journey began on the primary school track at age nine. However, her true athletic awakening didn't arrive until her first year of junior college. Before then, running was a source of frustration.
"I was more caught up in competing with the people around me rather than focusing on the actual timing. Looking back, it was probably more of an ego thing. I cared more about where I placed than whether I was actually pushing myself to my own limits.
“This competitive pressure led to a four-year plateau between Secondary 2 and JC1. It was a period of "voluntary suffering" where the joy of the sport was overshadowed by the fear of poor results.”
The transition came when she learned to quiet the noise of comparison. "I started seeing racing as a way to challenge myself and find out how far I could push. That was when I started feeling less like just someone who runs, and more like an athlete chasing my own standards."
Staying the Course: The ASICS A-Racers Impact
As an ASICS A-Racer, Janelle is part of a collective effort to elevate the local running community. Her goal is to be a relatable figure for the next generation—someone who embodies the reality of the sport.
"I hope to show the next generation of Singapore runners that progress is not always immediate or linear," says Janelle. "There will be seasons where you improve, seasons where you stagnate, and seasons where you question why you are even doing the sport. I hope to be someone younger runners can relate to... someone who just keeps showing up through the highs and lows."
Joining the ASICS family has been a game-changer for her confidence. "Being backed by a brand like ASICS is both encouraging and motivating," she says. "It makes me feel supported not just on race day, but through the day-to-day training as well."
The Balancing Act: Engineering Success
Balancing elite training with a rigorous Information Security degree at NUS and a full-time summer internship as a SOC analyst, Janelle’s life is a masterclass in time management. Her days often start at 6:00 AM and wrap up late in the evening.
"There are days where I feel so drained that I really don’t feel like running, but I think that is where priorities and discipline come in," she explains.
When life gets overwhelming, she leans into the ASICS "Sound Mind, Sound Body" philosophy. "Peak performance is not just about pushing harder all the time, but knowing when to push, when to adjust, and how to manage both the mental and physical side of training."
Overcoming the Wall
Janelle’s resilience was forged during a brutal four-year plateau between Secondary 2 and JC1. Despite training hard, she couldn't hit her personal bests. "At that point, every race started to feel mentally draining," she admits.
Her comeback wasn't marked by a sudden stroke of luck, but by "quiet determination." By changing her environment, embracing a new coach, and learning to decouple her self-worth from her race times, she eventually shattered her 800m personal best by 7 seconds.
Janelle’s Gear Essentials
When asked about the gear that sustains her journey, Janelle doesn't hesitate.
The Daily Workhorse: Her go-to shoe is the ASICS SUPERBLAST™ 2. Having logged over 1,000km in her current pair, she praises its unique blend of firmness, stability, and responsiveness.
The Next Test: She is eagerly anticipating the NOVABLAST™ 6. Given her appreciation for the comfort of the NOVABLAST™ 4, she is excited to test the updated, more breathable upper—a must for training in Singapore’s humid climate.
The "Locked-In" Factor: Aside from her performance footwear, she has one unconventional race-day essential: her white running cap. "It’s a little extra, but somehow it makes me feel a bit more locked in," she laughs.
Advice for the Next Generation
For those currently navigating the highs and lows of the sport, Janelle’s message is simple: "Stay patient, enjoy the grind, and find joy in the process." By focusing on consistency rather than perfection, Janelle Lum is proving that the most successful athletes are the ones who learn how to show up—day in and day out—regardless of the results.
Follow Janelle’s journey and stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the ASICS A-Racers during our Global Running Month coverage.
Join the conversation online by following @asicssg and @sportplus.sg, or use the hashtags #ASICSSG #SoundMindSoundBody #GlobalRunningDay and #TheATeam to share your own running journey.
About ASICS x SportPlus.sg "The A-Team Performance Diaries" Series
This editorial feature is part of a month-long collaborative campaign between ASICS and Sport Plus Media celebrating Global Running Day and Global Running Month.
Throughout the month, this exclusive series shines a spotlight on the journey of elite Singaporean athletes and the next generation of rising stars, the ASICS A-Racers. Through this series, we hope to inspire the local community to find their own joy in movement, elevate the standards of local distance running, and foster a sustainable culture of sportsmanship and athletic longevity. #ASICSSG #SoundMindSoundBody #TheATeam