Japanese slow jogging in honour of Prof Tanaka (& my longest+furthest run to date)

[DiscoRunner]

I’m still marking my 6 months of starting this amazing journey with some nice long runs. A few months ago Julia187 posted that last year 18th May was International Japanese Slow Jogging day, so I did mark that day with a lovely 45 min run in prep for today’s longer one. Yesterday though, via Realfoodieclub (who slow ran a HM on Sunday) discovered that Professor Hiroaki Tankara has passed from cancer last April. So today’s run was for him, and as he called his running style nico nico (smile) I did it with a broad smile, and marvelled at how this man has changed my life along with c25k, and all the many other’s lives too.

This was my longest run 6.1km (info gleaned from a map my run image) starting from Chiswick, running towards Hammersmith Bridge, over and round, along the other side of the Thames to Barnes Bridge, and looping back. Actually did it in an 1:07 (was expecting 1:20 ish), and total distance with walking through Chiswick House grounds 8.6km. Absolutely lovely riverside run, saw three herons, & lots of other birds & water fowl.

And it all felt good! I can see that 10k is not a far off dream, but nearer, and I learned last night while checking my route, that if I add a figure of 8 around Chiswick Bridge to this run that’s 10k. So I have a route, I just now need to work on adding duration as I think this will be about an 1:30.

Posting it here, rather than Bridge to 10k just so those just starting out, of struggling just know - that if I can do this, we all can. I think this is all about finding a pace that suits you, that makes you feel good while doing the actual running. And that running is for all of us.

And because I always do - why not again - here’s to you Professor Tanaka

m.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2...(Not working as expected?)

[Nannyto2 Graduate]

Slow running

[Nannyto2 Graduate]

Well done and thanks for posting about slow running.

I've no desire to be a fast runner. Just a runner who enjoys getting ouutside so i'm going to give this a go on hill training runs!

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Nannyto2]

Its really good for hills! Only just started on hills myself and this way with even smaller stride than usual got me up some pretty serious Cornish hills!

[Nannyto2 Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

I'll let you know how i get on, I'm completely happy with my pace on the flat so this the way to go for dreaded hills!

[notquiteretired Graduate]

thanks DiscoRunner , I read one of your posts early on in my joining the programme regarding this and have used it since. I am 🐢but steady thanks to it and nearly finished week6- not bad considering I havent ran for 40 years 😊

thanks for the advice👍

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

So glad to have helped! Keep spreading the word!

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

Here’s to the 🐢🐢s of the running world! 👏🏼

[Debston Graduate]

Aw, lovely post. And how brilliant to be running along the Thames, I used to love walking down there when I lived in London, watching the rowers and the water.

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Debston]

It was magical - the birds at the moment are stunning!

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

Sounds like a great run! I often struggle between my natural pace n my slow running pace but yesterday’s run was all slow running n felt fantastic. Sorry to hear Professor Tanaka is no longer with us but his legacy lives on in all of us slow runners 🏃‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♂️ 🐢

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Exactly!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I passed the video on to my physio as well as he says he has a few patients it will help in the recovery phase. He watched me on the treadmill and did a full gait analysis of my running and I got a gold star for form 😀. It really is a lovely way to slow run. Glad you had a nice run. I often go for walks along the Thames path, there are some great sections.

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I think even if you don’t need it all the time it’s very useful to have I your running belt - just to help you finish, or get back out there. Many congratulations on you HM x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Keep running, keep nico nicoing!

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I’ve so fallen for this running malarky - makes me nico nico so much !

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

Thank you for introducing me to the Prof. I’m so sad he’s gone. He really inspired me. RIP Prof. Slow jogging in heaven. ❤️

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

Yes! Plodding along those clouds x

[Sophia1712 Graduate]

I wish I saw some other slow runners near me! EVERYBODY is faster than me 😂

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Sophia1712]

Everyone over takes me - but I’m the one smiling (and spotting herons!) x

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Sophia1712]

Anywhere near the New Forest? We could have an “I’m the slowest runner!” Competition! Keep smiling as we run. 😄🐢

[Zippy17726 in reply to Sophia1712]

Me too, a lady pelted past me today and was off in the distance. I know it shouldn’t knock my confidence but I suddenly felt like I wasn’t a runner but I AM! lol!

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Zippy17726]

You are! And her knees!!!

[Granspeed Graduate]

This was lovely to read - I am a confirmed slow runner!! And we used to live at Kingston on Thames, so Barnes & the Thames were just across Richmond Park. Used to love walking along there and I would love to (slow) run it some day.

I’m sure Prof Tanaka will live on with many, many smiling runners. 🏃🏼‍♀️🤒

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

He’s opened up a world to us x

[Stevieplink Graduate]

You have been such an inspiration to me since I started my journey 7 weeks ago and although I don't think I slow run Japanese style watching the video certainly taught me to go slower shop I could achieve more.

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Stevieplink]

That’s so sweet. I think it’s great for everyone to know it - you do t need to run this way all the time (although I do) but such a useful thing to help all of us finish that last few yards!

[Stevieplink Graduate]

My first girlfriend came from Barnes and I lived in Staines. I now live on the coast

[Headmaster5]

Completely wonderful post, thank you. You gave me encouragement some time ago. I had to go easy as I hurt my knee, but that’s fixed and I managed 5k for the first time yesterday.

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Headmaster5]

That’s fantastic! I’m not sure I’d be doing the distances I’m working on without this lovely slow technique. So glad to have been of some help!

[2Tired2Run Graduate]

Very inspiring thread, thanks

[2Tired2Run Graduate]

P.s. you linked the video onto my first- very lacking confidence - posting, I watched it and it sank in .... and having completed 4 runs now, I can so relate to the joy of going slow, taking in the surroundings and enjoying all things fresh air .... 😀

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to 2Tired2Run]

That’s exactly it - the running is pleasurable as it’s nice and slow and we get to appreciate where we’re running and the changes to the seasons. And it works! We don’t need to be out of breath and panting to get fit and strong!

[Arrived Graduate]

Hi,

Just started C25K (I'm on my week 2 at the moment) and wanted to say thank you for sharing this video.

Will apply tomorrow and see how it goes!

Hope you're still enjoying the running.

Take care

[Sparki123]

I saw this post a few days ago at the start of week 4 of cto5k and have started to use the slow jogging technique. It's massively increased my enjoyment of running which is now pleasurable rather than something to be endured. Such a great discovery - thank you!