We all marvel at the results, but I’m guessing most of us who come from individualistic cultures wouldn’t want to put up with the strict regimen. This story comes from an Australian woman running on the Shiseido team for two years.
http://japanrunningnews.blogspot.com/2021/03/letting-go-of-preconceived-ideas.html
Wow! I was glued-in on this very interesting article. Thank you for sharing.
Wow what a story.
Thanks for posting this here.
Wow a few things stood out. 3 sessions per day, long run only 16k, women aren't allowed to smile or talk during training so they can focus on their training.
Eye opening to what an insane system can be like. Yes they are fast but at what cost?
Just an interesting titbit from Japanese friends. It seems that within Japan many criticise the focus of the Japanese running system (from high school onwards), because training revolves around winning the Ekiden -- and not marathons.
That's another reason why the long runs are "short" at 16km. In the male event, the longest event is "only" 23km; whilst, the women's race has shorter distances.
With shorter distances why the need for 3 runs per day?
Anyone who succeeds under that kind of antiquated regimen, with its attendant fascist micromanaging, does so in spite of it, not because of it.
Good read. Similar to what I read in Michael Sandrock's book, "Running With The Legends" re Toshihiko Seko.
stan the corgi wrote:
Good read. Similar to what I read in Michael Sandrock's book, "Running With The Legends" re Toshihiko Seko.
Was lucky enough to meet Michael in the early 90's. I am not sure I gathered it was like that from that book. The big three in the early 80's were Salazar, Seko and Deek. Funny all that.
coahc wrote:
With shorter distances why the need for 3 runs per day?
Because running 6 miles 3x is easier than doing 2X9. Honestly I don't understand how they can be doing 120 mpw with a 16k long run. Seems like you want more of a spread being you daily run (has to be like 12-14k) and that.
And ignore if it is a good system or not. That is the type of thing you need to a year adapting too just not switching to it overnight.
ddidididid wrote:
coahc wrote:
With shorter distances why the need for 3 runs per day?
Because running 6 miles 3x is easier than doing 2X9. Honestly I don't understand how they can be doing 120 mpw with a 16k long run. Seems like you want more of a spread being you daily run (has to be like 12-14k) and that.
And ignore if it is a good system or not. That is the type of thing you need to a year adapting too just not switching to it overnight.
in the mid Seventies and English guy called Chris Stewart came third in successive years with a couple 2:13s. In one of those years Chris did NO runs longer than eight miles but was doing 120-130 miles a week in preparation.
"The point is I am in Japan now - sorry Filburt, I should have listened to you, and I am still waiting to be paid my fee which was clearly an annual up-front fee. The company Mazda Motor Corporation has yet to pay me a single dime of my running fees for seven years. Telling one lie after another about how and when they'd pay. Today 14 years later I'm still waiting for more than $700 thousand in fees. And what does Mazda tell me? "The chairman was part of the scam so we can't really ask him..." Mazda HR.
And I am not the only foreign runner in this predicament. American runners to be fair to you, you should be taking this topic as an insult. You are not very welcome in Japan because they (Japanese corporations) are afraid of you so they won't try to recruit you. They believe that they can't cheat you as easily as they can cheat us Africans and as many top coaches have said to me, Americans call their embassy..”
https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=1227287&page=1
Now I'll eat 151g of rice
That article was wild. I just read it for the first time today. I'm putting it up tonight as the QOD. Having your food measured, being forced to do long runs while not talking, run on a stress fracture. Can I say, "NO thanks." But she says she loved it. Here are my favorite excerpts.
Duncan wrote:
The girls seemed surprised when I asked what their weekly mileage was. It’s not something they had even considered before. They simply turned up to training and did as the coach said, no question about the purpose or intended outcome of the workout. ....
One of the major challenges I faced was the differences in training approach. High mileage at a slower pace was now expected of me, and if I dared smile or talk during training I would get a growling at by one of the coaches. Having hobbies or socialising is also not encouraged as it means your focus isn’t 100% on your training. ...
Long runs were a part of the team training, but would only be once every few weeks and only 16 km at a carefully monitored pace. We would be required to run single-file, strictly no talking or smiling of course, with coaches following on bikes and in cars ensuring that every kilometre was recorded and precisely four minutes per kilometre......
I think my brain is still recovering from how much I learnt over those two years in Japan, not to even mention a whole new language! While I have written largely about the challenges I faced, it was also the most amazing and worthwhile experience of my life. Being immersed in Japanese culture helped me become a more patient and compassionate version of myself. I’ve learnt to listen carefully to others, letting them say all that they have to without habitually butting in and offering my opinion. Be self-critiquing. Don’t take shortcuts. Thank the chef for the meal. Live simply and be kind.
PS. I changed the title of the thread. It was initially titled, "This is what it’s like being a pro runner in the Japanese corporate system"
SlowFox wrote:
Just an interesting titbit from Japanese friends.
Now now now...no need to objectify the young lady.
And Salazar got crap for Mary Cain? She needs to read this article, as does every runner and human involved in sports.
Yanqui lack discipline!
coahc wrote:
The big three in the early 80's were Salazar, Seko and Deek. Funny all that.
What's the connection here?
coahc wrote:
Yes they are fast but at what cost?
This kind of thing, imo, is not limited to running.
Very interesting article and remarkable woman. I love Japan and their culture but this heavy handed coaching is very unfortunate. And yet she found a way to get a very positive experience from embracing this opportunity.
She didn't mention anything about running the Queens Ekiden. Does anyone know if she made the final team? Or did her injuries keep her out of selection?