I have just had my first go at slow jogging - as devised by the late Hiroake Tanaka of Japan. The technique is so slow and gentle - but I knocked a whole 15 seconds/km off my normal running time! Has anyone else tried this?
Ive recently been doing it on longer training runs where the aim is to start and finish a long run feeling as good at the end as when you started.
I think it helps mentally too as it takes any panic out of it. I must do this, I must do that, kinda scenario. it's very calming, which has to be good for our running
I like it too because it reduces the risk of injury
I was very impressed with it. It does take all the stress out of running/jogging because it is such a gentle process. And yes, having not gone out since the start of the month, I did two 3-minute runs and two 5-minute runs yesterday, with no problem! Definitely going to keep going with this.
I went on an Alexander technique running course a couple of years ago. It involved running with the central part of your vision blocked out, posture very similar to that shown, and trying to imagine you were smiling with the back of your head. The net effect was to shorten your stride, and get you running on your forefoot without actually being told to do so. The only difference I can see to this was the idea was to do it at a fast cadence - this looks slow.
It transformed my other half’s running, turning him into a gazelle. It thoroughly confused me!
I’m a big fan of this and post it a lot on the c25k forum for anyone struggling. And as I say it is more than just slow - it’s the combination of landing & stride length as well as how to hold your body, arms and head. I get the feeling I can just go & go! It’s a really lovely pace & makes the running pleasurable in the moment!
I absolutely love this technique and have been running this way since W6 when I first saw it. I post it a lot on the c25k forum to anyone who’s struggling. It’s really helped me with building duration and I’ve found I love long slow runs. I was out this morning running in a forest in the Wye Valley and this pace allows you to run on uneven ground and in new places because you have time to look and be take care. It’s also fantastic for building strength and stamina.
It definitely takes the anxiety out of the exercise - so you don't spend a week psyching yourself up to get your running shoes on!
I was surprised how fast I went, too - even though I was just tapping my feet gently on the ground, like the man says, I was taking very quick steps, and I managed to shave a whole 15 seconds/km off my usual time!
The technique helped me a lot when the knee-niggles hit during C25k W7-9 and, yes - as others have found - it takes the stress out of anticipating a hard workout. Puts miles on the legs but lessens jarring, which is great for arthritics like me.
I'm another follower of the Professor, graduated end of June and have just managed 60 minutes using the 10% rule to extend my time. Both replacement knees holding up well so far 🤞
I've just been out on a 7km run to commemorate the late PC Andrew Harper (see Equi-Geek's post). It was sweltering and it took me a whole hour to get round - but the first 30-odd minutes were fine as I tiptoed around Canary Wharf.
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