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!

Skyrabbit, no not too slow for Niko Niko. Hiroaki Tanaka says that Niko Niko running for many beginners will be slower than walking pace.

Skyrabbit hello! Yes I agree, it sounds like you’ve got the idea. I did a similar run on Thursday - 1.8 miles (so almost 3k) in 36 minutes. I’m running regularly but I’m finding it harder to keep my HR down in this heat.

slowrun yes it was hard work but there was plenty of shade and a few wonderful people sprayed the runners with hosepipes! So refreshing!

Just finished my run to the local park and back and my new Fitbit has categorised the exercise as being on the Elliptical! Ha!Ha! Must be my smooth Niko Niko running style!

I'm glad I stumbled across this thread. I've been running a few years and have several marathons under my belt, but have been having calf pain which has got worse over the years (used to just take 1 mile to warm up and then I could run for miles, now takes about 5 miles, and the pain is horrible). I'm thinking I need to go back to basics and start again so this sounds perfect for me. Can anyone who's done it/ doing it shed any light on what it's like for your calves?

I have terrible trouble getting shoes that fit as I have very narrow feet and over pronate. I wear a Brooks Ravenna which is a stability shoe- any thoughts on whether you can still do this in a stability shoe?

Can, welcome . I can only speak as a beginner to running. When I started Niko Niko, I was running barefoot indoors my thighs ached most after a run. These muscles recovered after the first week. When I started running in shoes outside my calves did burn quite a bit during the run to begin with but this started getting noticeably better after a couple of weeks. There might be exercises such as heel raises that could strengthen them.

I'm not sure about the shoes. If you can run with a forefoot strike in them they should be fine, for Niko Niko, I would think.

Just read this article which links the calf pain and over pronation, Can. Niko, Niko running uses the same form as barefoot running so it might help you. It depends where the source of your problem is. The article gives a few examples of problems and the solutions.

www.runresearchjunkie.com/the-nonsensical-understanding-of-overpronation/

I just came back from my morning jog. I managed the full 25 minutes this time as there was more of a breeze today. Also, I think I realised that last time I was not paying as much attention to short strides. There is a difference between jogging slowly and jogging slowly with very short strides. Paying extra attention to that today really helped.

About calf pain and pronation....I have had endless physio over the years and really really tight calves. I had major problems with IT band over the years. This year I ended up putting inserts into all my shoes to help correct an over pronation and it has made all the difference. I wear regular trainers (not barefoot ones) and the inserts when I jog and so long as I stick to the Niko technique short strides, I am fine.

Just managed 45 minutes and 2.3 miles. It was a pleasant jaunt, I’d never normally run in the week after a 10k but managed to Niko Niko no problem. My only issue is I seem to be getting slower and slower! 19’44 minute/miles today!!

That's great, Faith. You might feel like you are getting slower but a run compared to not running, on that day, is actually faster! It will be good as part of active recovery to get the circulation going.

I did another run outside this morning. Fitbit still thought I was on the Elliptical. I think I will probably have an indoor run tomorrow. Run was ok, speed the same but calves felt a bit tired. Indoor does seem easier still although I like getting out in the early morning fresh air.

@faitheverpresent

Is that a combination of running and walking or just trotting along for the full 45mins?

Continuous trotting! I’ve been running for years but I’m enjoying a change of approach.

You’re right slowrun, I would have been slower on the couch!

Continuous Trotting is my new mantra 😂

Ha ha @PaulHollywoodsSexGut

I do continuous trotting to Niko Niko and continuous plodding when I run ‘fast’!

Well I was supposed to go for my jog this morning but it already 23 degrees in the shade and god knows what in the sun at 8:30 in London so I just cannot face it. The next few days are predicted to be insanely high temperatures so I think I am just going to have to wait until next week when it is just “hot” and not this crazy.

Yes, insanely hot wiifit. I went at 6.25 this morning. Had already got up to 18 degrees. Felt fresher than our house, though! The shade was glorious!

18 degrees sounds lovely! The problem is that I am not an early riser. It is usually close to 9am before I get out for a run and it is just waaaaaay too hot by then!

This has cleared up a mystery for me. I saw someone running this style at a parkrun last week. I wondered what it was, her own style or a technique? She kept catching up with me as I had to slow down to catch my breath. Mystery solved!

And to pp wondering how it looks. A bit odd to me, but then I saw myself in the photo from parkrun and I looked odd too. Least of my worries :)

Wiifit, I have my running kit out ready, usually. Practically fall out of bed into it. Feels nice getting out in the fresh air and almost dreamlike if I'm still a bit sleepy. I find I wake automatically if I'm expecting to do a run.

Lady I pretend people assume I'm just a long distance runner....(please don't quash my illusions.)

I'm going to have to try a very late jaunt tonight.

Tried lastnight and was drenched in sweat after about 1km and came home cos I felt weird. Dehydration probably.

Will try 8/9pm tonight instead...

Good idea, Miss. Dehydration can make you feel awful.

Anyone doing this with pelvic organ prolapse? I’m doing Pilates, physio and electrical stimulation for mine but am dying to get back to running and wondered if this might be a good way to undo slightly less of my hard work?!