ASICS support their athletes like Richard Ringer in a whole variety of ways. One of the biggest offers is Chojo Camp Europe. Set in the rarified air of Font Romeau, the training camp offers state of the art facilities, teams of experts to focus on the athletes physical and mental health along with all the usual trappings of food and friendship. With the World Championships in Tokyo coming up, the training camp is of extra importance this year for those looking to make their mark on the biggest stage.
Chojo itself is an important term to both ASICS and their athletes. Kihachiro Onitsuka, the founder of ASICS, used it himself for discussing new projects. Translating from Japanese as ‘striving for the peak’, it is apt as both a literal and metaphorical goal for those who visit the camp this year.
During the camp, Meta Endurance were lucky enough to catch up with 2022 European Marathon Champion, Richard Ringer. We discussed his career, what his aims are and how ASICS helps him at Chojo Camp Europe.
Personal Bests and Richard Ringer’s Goals for Tokyo
Meta: How was beating your PB in Berlin and was this the main aim of your training?
Richard Ringer: This spring, we realised that we needed more than just endurance for the marathon in Tokyo. In December, I hit a new marathon PB. We wanted to run a faster marathon in September. The main objective of the training was more quality instead of quantity. It was nice to get a PB on the half marathon but I did feel like I’d lost a little endurance. In Hamburg a few weeks later, I felt it a little after 35km. But it is good to know that at the age of 36 I can focus on speed which is a little bit of a weakness of mine and get a PB in the shorter distances.
A PB is always special it doesn’t matter by how many milliseconds. The training works. However, for the World Championships, no one cares about times because there are no pacers and there are different conditions. It could be really hot so it is just man against man. The big objective of mine is to achieve a top 8 place. In the Olympics, I was top 12. The top 8 is a big thing for athletes because you receive a diploma for that placing.
Races Before Tokyo
Meta: What upcoming races do you have planned?
Richard Ringer: My main goal is the World Championships. However, it’s difficult because I also want a 10k PB, a half marathon PB and also, let’s do a 5k. But when the main goal is Tokyo, it doesn’t really matter what has happened in the lead up. Road racing in summer is a little difficult because we also want to fit in a training camp to get in better shape but we don’t want to train 5 months for just one competition.
The 15th of September, the Monday, is the Tokyo World Championships Marathon however, we decided that even though I am not in my best shape to take on a half marathon in Hamburg at the end of June. This is to get back into the feeling of racing to the limit and break from the training. We also chose this race because, in June, the weather is hotter and the course is both up and downhill like Tokyo.
After this and before Tokyo, there will be no racing because we focus on training.
Richard Ringer’s Goal For Tokyo
Meta: Are you focussing on a time for Tokyo?
Richard Ringer: No, just the place. I looked at the weather for last year and it was 30 degrees and in Sapporo for the Olympic marathon, it was also 30 degrees. I know I struggle with the heat so we have been working on heat adaption. Lots of training will be in Italy to get used to the heat. This is something I also did last year before the Olympics in Paris. Doing this has made me improve a lot in hot conditions which has been a main goal of mine.
That said, we could also be running in the rain. Strategically, there is a lot to consider. But heat has been one of my main weaknesses since I was younger. Now I can manage it but it is tough training in the 30 degree weather. You also have to be careful about not always training in the heat and destroying your body. It will mean you are always tired so you have to manage it carefully. There always has to be a balance. The 12th place shows me that I am right there with just a little bit missing.
The Highs and Lows of a Running Career
Meta: Looking at your wider career, is there one moment you would say was the toughest moment? How did you overcome this?
Richard Ringer: There are several. One negative was in 2018 when I was running track at the indoor worlds in Birmingham. I was in shape after several races from qualification. I had a wonderful moment qualifying in fourth. After the race, I discovered I was disqualified. I wondered why the referees had disqualified me. It was because I made a pass on the inside.
I felt destroyed because I had worked my whole career for a top 8 place which I felt was really possible. One of my friends from Germany made the top 8 in that final. It was tough for me because I wasn’t responsible for my goal. Others decided for me in what was right and wrong. It was tough but I got support from my federation and athletes because it was a very special event. 100 athletes were disqualified overall. 4 athletes in my event alone. Luckily, this caused them to change the rules for disqualification.
Following this change, you can now step inside once but not more. After this, I achieved my biggest success. I had learned from the deeper side and ran a 10,000m PB and won the Europa Cup in London’s Night of 10,000m PBs. Sometimes, you have to think very deeply and come back with new motivation.
Luckily, I am not affected by injuries much. However, it is of course part of being an athlete.
What the Public Doesn’t See
Meta: Behind the glory and medals, is there something you wish the public would know more about in the world of running?
Richard Ringer: Yeah, at the Olympics it is hard for the athletes. The news covers only medals. It doesn’t matter how difficult the discipline is only medals count. Running is the easiest sport on the world to enter. In the marathon there are so many runners from all over the world. You don’t need money to compete. It’s not like golf, tennis or sports like that!
This means that 12 place in the Olympics is really like a medal for me. Only the people deep in the sport know that this is a really good performance. That’s what people should look at. Not just the news where it feels like no one cares because there’s no mention of it.
Of course, there are 350 medals so you can’t have the stories from everyone. So the Olympics is the toughest time for athletes who are performing well but no-one knows.
ASICS Chojo Training Camp Brings Joy and Results
Meta: Can you tell me about your experiences at training Chojo Camp Europe? What is a typical day like?
Richard Ringer: ASICS give the opportunity to support everyone reaching their goals even without support from their federations. I was surprised by how close the athletes are. It’s like a family. Everyone says hi and you get to know a whole range of athletes like track and trail runners.
It’s really nice to have this community and not only be alone. Often as a runner, you can do it alone because it is an individual sport. Technical things make it possible to train alone even without a coach.
However, this is great to run with other athletes, share memories and get motivation for your next races. We can eat together and share experiences. It’s really nice to have this available. Like our event today which was great to be able to have this together.
At Chojo Camp Europe, I will wake up at 7:30 for a small breakfast. 9:30 is my first, longer training. However in Font Romeau it isn’t only running kilometres, it is also cycling. Because it is such a nice spot, I do a lot of cycling here.
After each training session, we take care of our nutrition and recovery. Here, we have the possibility to have physio. Sometimes, it is good to just chat in the group, play table tennis, darts or something like that. Leisure time is nice. We also have the opportunity to go to the sauna and jacuzzi which is most of the evening time.
Then second training which is easier, like a small 10km run or gym work. We also play cards which takes up time and makes the days fly by. Also, at altitude, it is tiring so we take naps too. Just 30 minutes or so! This helps me feel fresh again.
Keep up with the latest news from ASICS and follow Richard Ringer’s journey to Tokyo on Meta Endurance across the internet!
