Niko Niko running technique experiences

[slowrun]

Has anyone tried it? Does anyone want to try it and report back? I would love to hear of your experiences. Here is the technique:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2khySLE

Personally, I ran for 27 minutes outside today using this technique after only watching the above clip on Wednesday and the following days practising it, doing 30 minutes continuous laps on carpet inside, each day, our house!

I didn't feel fit to drop, either.

I'm amazed!

That’s great thenightsky. It’s definitely gentler on the body than standard running!

Another one who tried this today. I’m week 6 of c25k and I normally have to stop to breathe during the longer runs. This way I made it all the way through, even up some tough hills which normally have me wondering whether I should call an ambulance

Brilliant, Project.

I’m really interested in this. I have fibromyalgia and sometimes exercise helps (if I can catch a good moment to start). I’ve started taking cbd oil which is helping and that runs on the same scientific theory of the cannibidoils that this method produces. I shall try it.
(Also very fed up of being slightly overweight & very very miserable at the moment - so could really do with some zen buzz).

Oh, I hope it really helps you Misty, that sounds tough. I'm rooting for you and would love to know how you get on.

My friend (who can run 10k in 33 minutes...) has been coaching me a bit lately. I'm not a terrible runner (about a 50 minute 10k) but I am no longer making progress. I've got a Garmin and he looked at my stats and told me I was training too hard and too fast.

He told me to slow right down, and keep my heart rate below 140 for a few weeks to build an aerobic base. I've been doing it and not only am I enjoying my runs more, I got my first parkrun Pb for two years! I also run home from work once a week and have noticed that although my heart rate is still below 140, I'm getting faster. It does work, but you need to keep at it and wait to see results.

As I say, my friend does 80% of his training at this low heart rate but he is still super fast. It's a really good technique and similar idea to the niko niko one.

mister, thanks for the info, that is really good to hear.

I ran on Wednesday and really enjoyed it. Definitely get a zen / peace and love feeling afterwards with niko niko that I wasn't getting when I was trying to go faster.
Due to run today and I'm looking forward to it. I don't run far yet as am on C25K and I definitely still need the walking bits even with niko niko!

Am so look forward to being able to run for say 30 mins at a slow pace and really enjoy it.

That's great Beach. Walking/running fits in with Niko Niko too. It's what Dr Hiroaki Tanaka recommends beginners can do on the YouTube clip.

I went on another outdoor run before breakfast today. Same distance same time. Calves still burning, especially at the start. I can't wait until they are strong enough not to burn! Feel ok now though. Chris Evans still annoying me with chatting too much and in some instances over the music! I can't wait until I get the MP3! Music really allows me to zone out. I loved the bits of my run where the music was playing.

It’s an interesting thing to find a good running playlist. Some stuff you think will work isn’t good! I found my favourite is ‘Don’t stop me now’ by Queen, once I realised this gave me an idea pace I looked up the BPM and then I found other songs I liked with similar BPM and compiled a playlist from there

I did a bit more tonight, round my living room! I’m doing SW, they do ‘body magic’ awards for activity. I got my gold last year, I’m now going for platinum which is 30 minutes exercise (can be 2 x 15), 5 days of the week for 8 weeks. I’d done 15 minutes walking at work (across the hospital site) so I did 15 minutes Yoki-ing round the living room to hit my step target and get my active minutes in! I managed to keep my HR to my target of 120 as well.

Great, Faith. Got to say I have loved some of my barefoot running circuits around my living room and hallway the best! I think it is because I can have uninterrupted music and I love running barefoot. Running is definitely easier with a softer landing (on carpet) and it is so easy to get the technique right barefoot. My calves don't even ache indoors. I don't think there is anywhere outside, near here, where barefoot running would be possible though..

Oh and I loved running to Haircut 100, 'Love Plus One' last time I ran indoors

I have been slow jogging stroller n the school run, to friends houses as had crazy busy couple of days and not been out. Its....easy. and enjoyable! I love it. Also feel a bit zen.

Playlist wise, I've made my own on Spotify. Everything from Green Day, to George Ezra and Sia, via cheesy 90's club stuff. All of it I love and hopefully with this I can sing as I go, and look even more of a crazy lady.

I may try to Niko Niko round the park tonight....

You can get barefoot running shoes?

I've not tried inside as I'd end up followed a slow jogging conga of kids....

MissMarple, so pleased you enjoy it! I'll be with you being a crazy lady! Love singing along! Yes, I'm lusting after the minimalist barefoot running shoes a little bit. Not sure about the ones with separated toes though! All quite pricey from what I've seen, though, I'm afraid.

Anyone in Trafford/S. Manchester slow running or want to try out out as a group?

There’s barefoot running shoes on Amazon for £25 at the moment. Not sure I can justify them since I’ve only down two runs like this so far!!

They look interesting Faith but I only recently bought brand new trainers. Just looked at the trainers I have. They do have the flat sole without a built up heel so they might be very similar actually. I know I do run with a mid/forefoot strike, I asked DH to watch me. So they don't hinder that. I think actual barefoot just feels nice on carpet. I suppose hard surface is just harder on all your muscles that act to neutralise the shock.

a slow jogging conga of kids....

Sounds fun!!!

I pronate really badly and get all-sorts of problems as a resilt....and am nervous of giving up my super supportive trainers for people with messed up feet in case the shin and other issues come back

I've given myself a plantar fasciitis type thing in my foot since doing this, I suspect because I ran a lot further than I usually do and didn't stretch properly afterwards. I'm not sure barefoot running shoes would be good for that.

Oh no! Harry! I'm not sure barefoot running shoes would be good for that, either Harry. The theory is the structure of the foot can cope with running. However I suspect the foot in question would have to be strong already. I remember straining my arches once. I did foot exercises as soon as I could to get over that. My feet then were noticeably strong and I could even wear high heels without my foot aching. I hope you feet recover soon.

But then again, we didn't evolve running on hard pavements!

thank you! I've been doing lots of stretching of the calves and foot and it's loads better so I'm not too worried. I got carried away with how easily I could keep going and went straight into running nearly 4K which is more than I've done in ages! I need to build my strength up. So loving this though, I feel like I've been persevering with running for so long waiting for the shoe to drop and it finally has. I get it!

Oh, that's good Harry. I'm pleased that this has made you enthusiastic about running too. I get how you feel though regarding overdoing it. I feel in danger of 'over training' myself and had to really force myself to take rest days. I felt noticeably twitchy during them too. Even though I did some low impact aerobics (active recovery). I think I just get such a buzz from knowing I can actually run (a bit). I just keep wanting to test it!