I Entered a Japanese Race That HANDICAPS Foreigners!

[@gnafen]

What a nice guy the teammate who interviewed you! Until this video I didn’t know such a thing as Ekiden existed - so cool! Thank you for great content, hope you’ll recover from this fatigue you’re experiencing!

[@RanToJapan]

Yeah he’s an absolute legend! Ah that’s cool you could discover it thru this channel, I plan on covering the big ekidens in the new year so hopefully people can understand just how mad the Japanese are about running! Appreciate it mate, had a way better training week just now so think I’m on the up 💪

[@GOD-lb2bz]

Another fantastic video Jake. You're making the family super proud - we love the videos and know all the work you're putting into them and the running. Your teammates seem a fantastic crew too! 😊

[@RanToJapan]

Ka-boom, thanks dad! Yhhh far too much time going into these and nothing left for the old Japanese… can expect my ability to rapidly deteriorate from here 😂

[@TheFODRunner]

Brilliant buddy! I’m currently going through your backlog of videos along with trying to keep up with the new ones! Massive effort considering the training in your legs right now!

[@RanToJapan]

Mate that’s class to hear, I’ve been following your channel for a while so appreciate the support! 🎌

[@josephgonzalez_]

Great to see you here Andy. Give Jake a shout out on one of your vids- great entertainment on here (and mad editing skills!)

[@TheFODRunner]

@ I’m honestly loving his channel right now, very quality content and a great story to follow 👊

[@28mouse85]

Imagine a link up with you 2 legends what a video that would be

[@helendale7668]

Love Ekidens. I live in France and they are held pretty regularly, and there is a french championship, the format is 6 runners doing 5, 10, 5, 10, 5, 7.195 km = marathon I think I've run one every year for the last 25 years. It's a great thing for getting a team spirit up within a club. In one Ekiden we had 5 teams from our club and spent a long time on the calculations to try and get 5 teams that would finish in the same total time, then we had great fun cheering everybody on !

[@RanToJapan]

That sounds unreal! We need more of those kind of races outside of Japan 🔥

[@vayde]

As a runner and japan fan I'm so happy I found this channel. And your personality and story telling is great, I can't help but smile every time i watch your videos! Sounds like you just need a week of maximum carbs and cross training! Eat pasta run fasta!

[@RanToJapan]

Ayyy that’s great to hear, thanks for following along! Demolishing carbs has always been my strong suit, so that shouldn’t be a problem! 🫡

[@orangetwelve3462]

"Eat pasta run fasta!" 😂😂😂 Hadn't heard that one yet!!

[@stevenlay2379]

Can I just say as a non-elite runner, your videos are next level inspiring. Not only are your videos so fun to watch, but they share some real insight as to what it means to be a runner. Top notch stuff boss, you've got another subscriber and fan ✌️. P.S Best of luck with the recovery

[@RanToJapan]

Thanks a lot mate, it’s awesome reading comments like this! 🔥

[@TumoRuns]

My understanding is that your HR will have been low because your body isn’t repaired enough to push itself harder; it’s sort of like a self defence mechanism. Your body knows it’s cooked, so basically withdraws your ability to push really hard (I think that’s drastically oversimplifying it but the point still stands 😂 it’s the reason that when people “hit the wall” in the marathon at like mile 20 their HR drops alongside the pace, the body just can’t withstand it anymore Still a really strong run with your recent mileage being said, but guide yourself a chance to recover where you can bud!

[@RomainTw]

I read "with your decent mileage" and almost had a stroke

[@RanToJapan]

Thanks for the info man! Yeah that makes sense, it didn’t matter how hard I pushed my body was having none of it! Big improvement this week tho so think I’m on the up👌

[@Achirrusan]

Yep same like cycling, when I didnt have enough sleep / rest my heart rate stuck around 140-150 even though my leg feel fresh but my core is shutting down so cruising 30k/h is feeling like effort for 40k/h After 2 day full rest, my heart able to push max again around 180 and able to chasing the breakaway.

[@MonkeyShoulders1337]

Man your videos are so awesome. I wish you all the best for running and the channel

[@Bendwow]

I like the concept of the relay races, definitely a different environment than a regular old marathon or half. And it looked like a fun experience getting to run the same leg against the East Africans and other foreigners.

[@Nicola-s8v]

Loved this video and your enthusiasm, Jake. It's great being able to see what you're up to. X

[@RanToJapan]

Thanks mumzy! Did you make a KZbin account just to comment on these vids??! 😂 x

[@Nicola-s8v]

@@RanToJapan 🤣

[@georgios.a]

I just love the Ekiden concept (found out about it in “The Way of the Runner”) and it’s absolutely brilliant to see it from the inside with your videos! Really hope it catches on in Britain too- looking forward to the second one and hope you can join in too. Great videos as always, hope the fatigue fades soon

[@ssppo4703]

so cool! would love to see these relay races spread globally

[@NovaraRL]

There's an anime called "Run with the wind" that's based on this race.

[@memeking8734]

Non injury induced rest day! That's a first! 😂

[@Martin_Edmondson]

Looks like a great experience entering an Ekiden. You are fortunate for the opportunity (even if their rules are terrible!) For the documents, you should have faxed a hand-written hanko-ed copy with a special stamp which you can only buy a specific place (in cash!) to the required place, taking care not to write the number 7 'incorrectly'. With a copy of your grandparent's birth certificates, translated by a registered translator. A copy of your tax returns or for the last 3 years, a police background check report, and photocopy of both sides of your MyNumber card. Gotta love Japanese bureaucracy.

[@RanToJapan]

You’ve pretty much nailed the documents to a tee 😂 But yeah for sure it was worth it for the experience!

[@patrickclarke1462]

Be careful of over training i had similar symptoms and tried to push through and ended up in bad shape took me months to get back runningproperly.. look up relative energy deficiency syndrome.. and also had blood tests done and gave me some results of low testosterone low iron and low white blood cell count... a really talented ultra runner i came across recently tim olson became overtrained years ago and has never been the same since love the videos

[@RanToJapan]

Thanks for the concern mate, I’ve heard of similar stories so it’s definitely a fine line between pushing the limits and overtraining. I actually think this was just an underlying bug or virus, because I was back to smashing hard training again this week no problem! Hopefully, was just a little dip and I’m good to go again now 📈

[@patrickclarke1462]

@RanToJapan glad to hear it 💪💪

[@Leeroy49]

Yeah running for a team is really great. Ekiden races are legendary and thanks to you some more information comes out of Japan :). Just reading the book that started your journey.

[@RanToJapan]

The book is the first step… you’ll be booking flight over here in no time!

[@rasher331]

Loving your energy

[@ryanbeck1223]

Very cool experience! A common issue with people who have started running hard during the super shoe era is they are not ready for the mental burnout after marathons/half marathons. Physical fatigue used to force breaks but now it’s more of a mental call. Best of luck and hopefully you truly recover mentally for your next big race!

[@RanToJapan]

Think it’s the opposite problem for me… there’s definitely no danger of mental burnout here haha it’s just whether my body can keep up! Thanks bud 💪

[@English.runner.en.Espana]

I love this content. A breath of fresh air in the running space! Cheers man.

[@RanToJapan]

Thanks a lot bro!

[@IAmWillMcLovin]

Love these vids man, the japanese running culture looks class

[@boaz9798]

As always, Epic! Remember, rest is crucial for recovery and super-compensation

[@darkervx]

Congratz on the Ekiden race, hope you recover well, you did look really exhausted in your last videos.

[@Ryspadda]

You are doing great work with the channel! I’m fully invested on your journey running in japan 🥳

[@RanToJapan]

Love to hear it 🙌🙌🙌

[@GlitchPredator]

I had special forces selection last thursday, and had to run 2.9km in 12 minutes which is very tough for me as a sprinter, but watching your videos last week gave me a lot of motivation and I've made it🎉. With 5 seconds to spare hahaha. Love the videos mate, keep it going!

[@RanToJapan]

Ay let’s goooo 🦾 Well in mate, that’s awesome to hear! Thanks for the comment and watching the vids!

[@28mouse85]

Solid vid as always man 👏🏻

[@SotaMaehara]

Classic Japan sending you in circles for a simple request 🙄 glad you ended up making ends meet though, great vlog as always

[@RanToJapan]

I expect nothing less by now 😂 Cheers buddy!

[@BrownieNB]

Ekidens are starting to pop up here in France. They're not big yet, but I feel like it's been growing a lot recently. We might see some Olympic Ekiden in the near future.

[@RanToJapan]

Oh really that’s pretty cool, yeah it would unreal as an Olympic sport 🔥

[@carlosflanders518]

Insane not to take a break. Recovering is when the body repairs and gets stronger. Exercising every day builds up a lot of damage. In cycling, almost every riders takes Monday off. Runners need even more time off because of the extra stress. Heading for long term injury.

[@RanToJapan]

Seeing as I’ve managed to do this for the past 2 years without any problems, I’d say I’m pretty safe 😂 Maybe cyclists need to a toughen up a bit eh!

[@dresden_slowjog]

​@@RanToJapanyou too will get older. Not that I lost stamina or speed (10k PB at 46) but RECOVERY TIME is so much longer now. I used to shrug off hard efforts over night, or one rest day max and all was fine. There will come a day when you realise you'll see improvements with LESS training days. Rest days are a hidden the superpower.

[@RanToJapan]

Well luckily I’ve got another couple decades to go before that day comes…

[@jeanyves4220]

Japanese can be funny about their rules in sports and other activities: only one foreigner per sumo stable, one foreigner in an ekiden race, can't have lived outside of Japan for x weeks if entering an English speaking contest and so one. Great effort, bro!

[@Summer-pn1wm]

well otherwise itd just be teams of foreigners and the local competitiveness would be hindered. its why pro sports leagues have foreigner limits

[@LandedAFewHeelflips]

Japanese race kits look so fucking cool.

[@orangetwelve3462]

Congrats on the Ekiden!! LOL what a "prank" the pulled on you! 😉 No offense, I find it too comical how you always stick out! ☺

[@RanToJapan]

Hahaa it’s great fun, I get all the attention out here! 🔥

[@orangetwelve3462]

@@RanToJapan High brand recognition! 👍🔥

[@josephgonzalez_]

That was a great run in the circumstances, and given the lack of specific preparation. You might need to buck your current habits and take - shock horror - another rest day 😮 By the way, your Japanese is super impressive for someone who has only recently begun to learn it. I’m pretty sure I’d only be able to say “hello” and “sod off” by now 🤣

[@RanToJapan]

Cheers buddy, I was concerned I might be going down that path… but then I knocked out a 250km week just now and feel good as new! No idea what it was but luckily think I’m back to normal now. Unfortunately, think my Japanese will slowly deteriorate as I spend more and more time on these vids, while my textbooks remain untouched 😂

[@crazypyro777]

HR being low while feeling you are pushing hard is a very, very strong sign of overtraining. I see it when I cycle too many days in a row. I would recommend more rest days, it'll likely actually improve your fitness.

[@jeru1976]

Are you doing the Minato half next week or giving the body some well needed rest? Good effort btw! Both on the run and the Japanese.

[@RanToJapan]

Feeling much better this week so I’m actually doing Ageo City HM. Won’t kill myself there, probably more like marathon pace!

[@robertstenhouse3880]

Man's allergic to rest days 😂 Have you tried maybe having one every couple weeks, so if that helps with the fatigue? Your body will still be recovering from the marathon

[@RanToJapan]

Ahah I take Sunday like a ‘relative rest day’ - just a couple short easy runs and that usually does the trick to feel fresh again on Monday!

[@vetrandr]

Nice vid bro

[@noelthatcher1996]

Kudos for taking that on when you’re feeling like a•••! Great content as always. Maybe assume you’re anemic and push the B12 etc? Hope it comes good asap.

[@RanToJapan]

Cheers, I just couldn’t bottle it… death before dishonour 🎌 No idea what was wrong but felt completely back to normal the week after this vid! Hopefully on the up now

[@alanpeacock8958]

Marvellous story Jake

[@realgrilledsushi]

Found out about Ekiden through the shoe made Adidas for that race. I think its the Adizero Adios 8.

[@DeDe-ly4bd]

Full S&C routine soon?

[@marcinstaszak3237]

6:06 used same clip like from second video on channel lol

[@RanToJapan]

Ahah good spot!

[@LinkletterRory]

Living the dream!

[@RanToJapan]

It’s not bad eh! 🎌

[@johndixon557]

Running every day is what i wish to do eventually as it makes me happy. How long was it till your body/legs got use to it ?

[@RanToJapan]

I’ve been running for over 15 years now so I think it’s just a gradual thing. The more time you put into it the more your body will adapt to the load. Take it slow tho, good luck! 💪

[@wgrtghwq]

”駅伝世界大会”は、いつになったら、開催されるだろうか。スタートとゴール地点は、 陸上競技場じゃないほうが、雰囲気が出ると思う。コースは、箱根駅伝に勝るコースはなかなか見つからないと思う。山の登り下りがあるのがね。

[@noelthatcher1996]

BTW I’m having dinner with the UK Ekiden founder Anna Dingley tomorrow:-)

[@RanToJapan]

Say hi from me! The UK Ekiden is the next big thing for sure 💪

[@JohnSmith-fe6xk]

Well done

[@abdq4712]

Start training smarter, not harder. Anyways, good work bruh!

[@RanToJapan]

Weak mentally 🙄

[@pelmers]

naturally you run way more than me so probably have some idea on what it could be, but have you checked iron deficiency? Maybe take an iron supplement? This helped me when I felt the way you did -- nothing's really sore but the legs just feel really heavy and can't get the heart rate up

[@RanToJapan]

Nah thanks, it’s a great suggestion! I’d actually been wondering about an iron deficiency too as the symptoms sounded similar. But then this week I’ve had a massive improvement so hopefully I’m all back to normal now🤞

[@pelmers]

awesome!

[@maxxrenn]

When they say the university doesnt allow foreigners on the team, what do they mean by that. Would any of these be allowed on the team?: - Ethnically Korean born in Japan with a Korean passport. Speaks japanese fluently and has only ever lived in japan. - British born person who has naturalised as a japanese citzen. Genetically "British" but is Japanese national? What does it take to not be a foreigner?

[@RanToJapan]

It’s a complicated one! This wasn’t an official rule, just a stance that my uni took so I’m not sure how they would view those scenarios. But in terms of official ekiden races, only Japanese born citizens can compete on the non-foreigner leg of the race

[@maxxrenn]

​@@RanToJapan Well as I understand it (based on some random youtube video i saw about this a while back, so whatever that is worth) in Japan it is illegal to discriminate between a Japanese born citizen and a naturalised citizen. So in theory they have to allow you to enter if you naturalise as Japanese. (A friend of mine from Ukraine naturalized recently and his only passport is a Japanese one now!)

[@RanToJapan]

@ ah ok, that could be right. I was pretty sure some Kenyan runners have become naturalised citizens though and yet they still can’t compete for Japan. I need to do some more research into this, it’s an interesting topic for sure

[@maxxrenn]

@@RanToJapan Well not allowing a Japanese citizen to compete because of their genetics would be controversial to say the least. I mean you can imagine a Japanese born Japanese citizen with 100% ethnically Kenyan parents.... if they barred him from competing based on genetics.... 😬

[@MsCyou0157]

日本国籍を持つ人は、日本人として扱われます。遺伝子は関係ありません。 肌の色や髪の色に限らず、日本で生まれた者は、日本国籍を有する権利があります。 日本国内でアフリカ人両親から生まれて日本国籍を有する場合は外国人規制の枠に入りません。箱根駅伝ではあまり見かけませんが、野球・フットボール・バレーボールなどの競技では、外国に遺伝ルーツを持つ多くの子供達が活躍しています。 箱根駅伝に代表される学生のアマチュアスポーツでは外国籍の選手に対して登録人数の制限があることが多いです。 これは、宣伝や名誉の為など、主に商業主義的な思想を持ってチームを強化する大学を規制する為です。 世界中から優秀な学生ランナーを留学生として集めて、それで組織されたチームで優勝するという大学の営利的野望を規制する為です。 箱根駅伝に限らず、日本では学生スポーツが非常に盛んです。ファンもたくさんいます。大学にとって大きな大会で優勝する事は大きなアピールになり、学生をたくさん集める事が出来ます。 そういう営利主義によって不健全な競争にならない為の規制です。 とはいえ、日本人選手であっても優秀な選手は取り合いになります。 その為に買収や汚職が起きないように監視されてはいます。 しかし、全く問題が起きないとは言いません。

[@maxsmith4234]

How many universities have the foreigner rule?

[@Gentlysix]

Nice video

[@brianmessemer2973]

Jake, another brilliant, 10/10 video sir. I'm absolutely loving everything you're doing on YT, and seeing your Strava everyday is insane 😅 For anyone interested in learning more about Ekiden, the channel Sweat Elite has an outstanding in-depth series about this uniquely Japanese phenomenon. Link to the first video if interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH2oqKZjhsenY5Ysi=VANzRS2U8-ZkjQnL Jake hope you don't mind me posting another channel's stuff here. Bet you know about Matt Fox already but if not, check him out! He's an awesome dude.

[@RanToJapan]

Thanks a lot mate! Yeah I met Matt when I was over here filming that series, he actually did it in collaboration with Tempo Japan so that’s how I came across them. Needs to be more ekiden content on KZbin for sure! 🎌

[@matejsebechlebsky12]

Where are all your past videos

[@RanToJapan]

I got rid of the old music vids on this channel when I rebranded into running content

[@Gentlysix]

Have you ever tried 3x10k @mp?

[@RanToJapan]

Yeah think I’ve only completed it once - probably the best/hardest sesh I’ve ever done

[@adeleet1015]

0:41 Lofi song name? Thanks!

[@RanToJapan]

I just downloaded a 1 hour copyright free soundtrack so have no idea about the individual songs - sorry!

[@bogart2352]

Do a workout routine video

[@RanToJapan]

You mean like running workout or gym work?

[@bogart2352]

@@RanToJapan running. For injury prevention and such, maybe similar to what you did in this video? It would be nice to know what fast people do

[@trema12345]

Did you ever figure out the fatigue you had?

[@RanToJapan]

Iron deficiency - I talk about it in some of my recent vids

[@trema12345]

@@RanToJapan thanks. I'll have to check them out as I've had similar fatigue

[@lawn5869]

Is your singlet available to buy anywhere ?

[@GOD-lb2bz]

@@lawn5869 he charges alotttttt for unwashed clothes

[@RanToJapan]

Afraid not - only a limited number were made for our team but the brand is called Eldoreso and they’ve got some other pretty sick designs

[@kurianmanavalan9713]

What song was that at 7.42 ??

[@RanToJapan]

I just downloaded a 1 hour copyright free soundtrack so have no idea about the individual songs - sorry!

[@EnvyTraxus]

which runners ran in paris olympics?

[@RanToJapan]

A few of the Kenyans/Japanese guys were in the 10k and marathon like Naoki Koyama (can’t remember the others off the top of my head)

[@mattmitchel1877]

Just curious, what placement to qualify?

[@RanToJapan]

Top 10 teams from each region (think there’s 4) qualify for the new year’s race

[@EnvyTraxus]

was vincent yegon there?

[@RanToJapan]

Yeah he was on my leg!

[@daniboyo]

Do you have to play your Xbox in Japanese?

[@RanToJapan]

Yes ahah it’s a nightmare! But tbf I’ve not played in forever, I’m bit too busy now

[@dresden_slowjog]

8:36 they never seem to be practising the handovers? Looks like firstgraders. Seriously falling down threatens your health and the runners behind stumbling over you... Not cool

[@RanToJapan]

What are you on about?? 😂😂

[@atk4078]

Hey Jake, short time viewer here who's binged your videos just chiming in to let you know you're absolutely killing it and really happy that you got rid of the certified paedophile title (it was kind of offputting). Just a thought for you, get yourself treated to a massage/dry cupping it might be what your legs need right now for recovery.

[@RanToJapan]

Speedophile… aka. lover of speed! Can’t people take a little joke nowadays 😂 Thanks for the massage suggestion, legs actually feel great now so think I’m back on track

[@xHelloSushix]

Does this applies to all races in Japan or just this? And thanks for another example of Japan discriminating foreigners with all their rules.

[@danielteba9820]

This is not cool. Its somthing that wouldnot be allowed elsewhere. It woukd not be poermited in countries that are not xenophobic! its just wrong and should be pointed out!

[@RedSeaChallenger]

Fun fact: London Marathon‘s „Good for Age“ qualification is only open to UK citizens.

[@28mouse85]

Oh stop it 😂 of countries want to make an event for only native people let them, they should be free to do so without none natives bitching about it.

[@RanToJapan]

I’ve got no problem with the rules here… it’s a Japanese event so of course it should be mostly Japanese runners competing! That’s what the general public wanna see so having the 1 ‘foreigner leg’ is fair enough imo

[@danielteba9820]

Then how come so many foreigners have won it?

[@danielteba9820]

@@RedSeaChallenger Hoiw many foreigners have won this mysterious london marathon of yous that is only open to Uk citizens?