The focus on road running and Ekidens from an early age diminishes speed for the track.
Tuesday December 18
Murume district of Fukuoka:
I was invited to observe a workout for the local running club. All youth in the 12-15 age group.
One boy (Fukuda) is only 12 years old, and has run 9:40 for track 3000, which is at the top level for his age group in Japan.
Training: One week, will be 6 days training, and the next week will be 4 days of training.
Mixture of training, from 5km to 8km in distance. Slow recovery runs, and timed intervals over 1km on the road, circling the stadium.
Also 200m sprints (on the road!) outside the stadium.
Then stepping up and down onto a low wall for about 10 minutes - intense work, simulating running upstairs.
Although there are soft paths and green places, the Japanese focus on timing everything, leads to coaches feeling more comfortable having their athltes doing loops around road or park courses.
Also saw the female elite high school team running their basic run around Ohori, with their coach following by bike, shouting out splits for every circuit.
They end the session by doing fast strides (200m) on the dirt path in the park. Short fast, rapid strides. They all seem to have the same style. Short strides, low knee lift, and rapid turnover.
You may shout `gambate` to them as they run, but they will not acknowledge you, such is the focus and intesity,
The future of the young runner, Fukuda (12 years), is a question mark, because he may burn out by the time he reaches 18. Too much hard surface running cannot be good for the lower limbs. Also everyone here seems to prefer wearing light flats,which resemble racing flats, or similar. You do not see many heavy training shoes being used here.
Tonight, some of the athletes will go to the Onsen, to recover for the muscles. Cost - 700 yen. Good deal.
Ghost in Fukuoka