JET runners!

[OsakaAmerican]

I'm glad I happened to see this thread!

I'm a second-year JET and a runner. I do a race about every 2 months on average, and I would say my favorite distance right now is the half-marathon, though I did run the Tokyo Marathon this past February (full marathon).

The big websites to look for and sign up for races are:
Sports Entry: http://www.sportsentry.ne.jp/
RunNet: http://runnet.jp/

I would say running is not quite as popular in Japan as it is in the U.S., but I haven't had any problem finding races to run. One thing I noticed is that women hardly ever wear shorts to run -- tights tend to be the popular attire. I've gotten some weird looks running outside in shorts (especially if it's raining or still a little chilly) and I don't even look foreign, but I'd rather be comfortable so I don't care too much.

Something to keep in mind when signing up for races is that the deadline is usually a month or more in advance, even for smaller races. In the U.S., a lot of times there was even day-of-event registration, but I haven't really seen that in Japan. So make sure to plan ahead! Also, if you are a slower runner, make sure to check time limits -- they tend to be a lot stricter here. There may be shorter-distance (3k, 5k) walk/jog oriented events, but I haven't really seen the whole "walking a half marathon" culture you see in the U.S. A 3 hour or 2.5 hour half-marathon limit is pretty normal. Also -- possibly related -- I don't see as many female runners as back in the U.S. Back home, it was usually about half/half, but in Japan, at a typical 10k or half-marathon race I'd see maybe 20 or 25% women.

Running is my biggest hobby -- so ask away if you have any questions!

[OsakaAmerican]

Oh, and to answer the gym question:

I hate running in gyms, but I'm forced to use them in the winter here, because we get so much snow over here in the Hokuriku Region. Rather than sign up for an expensive membership though, I use the city gym, which has a running course for 200 yen per usage. It's better to get a pass if you're using the gym a lot, but it's not worth it for me since I'm only there in the winter months.

One thing I've noticed about gyms here is that they tend to have more limited hours. My city gym is 9am-9pm weekdays and 9am-7pm weekends. I heard people talking about a small 24-hour gym nearby, and they just thought it was just absolutely hilarious -- they'd never heard such a thing!

[brainsteww]

Oh, and to answer the gym question:

I hate running in gyms, but I'm forced to use them in the winter here, because we get so much snow over here in the Hokuriku Region. Rather than sign up for an expensive membership though, I use the city gym, which has a running course for 200 yen per usage. It's better to get a pass if you're using the gym a lot, but it's not worth it for me since I'm only there in the winter months.

One thing I've noticed about gyms here is that they tend to have more limited hours. My city gym is 9am-9pm weekdays and 9am-7pm weekends. I heard people talking about a small 24-hour gym nearby, and they just thought it was just absolutely hilarious -- they'd never heard such a thing!

I'm glad you found this thread too!

The girls-in-shorts thing is interesting... thank you for saving me from stocking up on them ^^ any other differences in running gear? I heard Japanese people tend to take hobbies very seriously, and I imagine they would have high-quality, matching running gear. Is that true?

Also, are races mostly in big cities? Are there sidewalks to run outside, or would I have to go to a park? Are there any laws, like no running in certain areas? Or no running with earbuds in? I think I remember reading that you'll get fined for riding your bike on the wrong side of the road.

[Kirari]

Oh, and to answer the gym question:

I hate running in gyms, but I'm forced to use them in the winter here, because we get so much snow over here in the Hokuriku Region. Rather than sign up for an expensive membership though, I use the city gym, which has a running course for 200 yen per usage. It's better to get a pass if you're using the gym a lot, but it's not worth it for me since I'm only there in the winter months.

One thing I've noticed about gyms here is that they tend to have more limited hours. My city gym is 9am-9pm weekdays and 9am-7pm weekends. I heard people talking about a small 24-hour gym nearby, and they just thought it was just absolutely hilarious -- they'd never heard such a thing!

Thanks OsakaAmerican! I finally decided to give the ol' Google a try, and it comes up with quite a bit about 'gym memberships in Japan.' Including this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dgNLAILVO0. Among other activities, the guy takes us to a gym in Kobe and films himself signing up for a membership. He also films a lot of the facility, including the track area, which is pretty interesting. There's a lot of mundane detail, but I like that kind of thing, lol. I think I'll watch his whole series (this is episode 7).

[OsakaAmerican]

I'm glad you found this thread too!

The girls-in-shorts thing is interesting... thank you for saving me from stocking up on them ^^ any other differences in running gear? I heard Japanese people tend to take hobbies very seriously, and I imagine they would have high-quality, matching running gear. Is that true?

Also, are races mostly in big cities? Are there sidewalks to run outside, or would I have to go to a park? Are there any laws, like no running in certain areas? Or no running with earbuds in? I think I remember reading that you'll get fined for riding your bike on the wrong side of the road.

Let me reiterate that I DO wear shorts, regardless of whether that's normal around here. And if you do plan on wearing running shorts, I actually would recommend stocking up...You see, since they're not popular, I've also found them a bit hard to find, especially compared to the huge selection I was used to back in the U.S. You are totally correct about hobbies and running gear. You'll see all kinds of cute matching running gear here. I don't follow the trend so much...I actually WEAR those race shirts for training, lol.

Races are not only in big cities; a lot of races I do are in smaller cities. I generally prefer those, actually. I just find it more peaceful to be running along rivers or rice paddies than lots of tall buildings, and I'm not a fan of having to maneuver crowds. Tokyo Marathon was an experience but I'm not jumping to do that one again. 35,000 is just way too many people to run with! Sidewalks...that will depend on what kind of city you're placed. A lot of small neighborhoods don't have much in the way of sidewalks, but that'll often mean there also isn't much traffic. People walk/bike on those no-sidewalk streets too, so don't worry too much. You just need to be a bit more careful around intersections. There are no running laws that I know of!

[Japanland]

Currently I'm an alternate, but I grew up in the midwest (Chicagoland) and I am most worried about hills if I am upgraded. I can't say I've ran in many places with inclines. I did a half marathon in Arizona once, but it was in Phoenix and avoided all possible hills.

[hunterofpeace]

I really like the idea of a JET runners club. I was wondering about this topic too because I recently got into running and I've found that I need the challenge of a race to prepare for to keep me motivated. Glad to know that race culture is alive in Japan, even though it's not as popular. Sounds like a great way to connect with fellow JETs as well. Let's definitely keep each other in the loop about upcoming races.

Btw, any runners make it in from Alabama or Georgia? It'd be kinda cool to do a race before departure. There's an Orphan Run benefiting international adoption coming up in Birmingham May 26th. Just a 5k but a pretty cool cause. Could be some neat stuff in ATL too.

[brainsteww]

I really like the idea of a JET runners club. I was wondering about this topic too because I recently got into running and I've found that I need the challenge of a race to prepare for to keep me motivated. Glad to know that race culture is alive in Japan, even though it's not as popular. Sounds like a great way to connect with fellow JETs as well. Let's definitely keep each other in the loop about upcoming races.

Btw, any runners make it in from Alabama or Georgia? It'd be kinda cool to do a race before departure. There's an Orphan Run benefiting international adoption coming up in Birmingham May 26th. Just a 5k but a pretty cool cause. Could be some neat stuff in ATL too.

Close! I'm in North Florida, just did a fun midnight 5K a few days ago

[hunterofpeace]

Nice. I did the inaugural Hollywood Half (10K) at the start of April. I had a blast. Maybe ATL wouldn't be too far-fetched for some of us to consider roadtripping. If anybody in the area knows of a cool race happening soonish, be sure to share.

[jahuda]

I love running. I even talked about it in my interview as a method of coping with loneliness. One of the people on the panel was a runner as well. If someone created some sort of JET running club, then count me as a new member.

[suica]

All us JETS should do a race together for a charity or something it would be fun, just throwing it out there.

I love this idea!!

I'd join in that. Just a short 5 or maybe 10k.

[stefaluff]

I'm a runner too I would go for a 5 or 10k. I hope we can get together sometime and do a run!

[OsakaAmerican]

Currently I'm an alternate, but I grew up in the midwest (Chicagoland) and I am most worried about hills if I am upgraded. I can't say I've ran in many places with inclines. I did a half marathon in Arizona once, but it was in Phoenix and avoided all possible hills.

Like everything else, it always depends on your placement, but I wouldn't worry too much about hills. They don't really build on hills much in Japan. Most cities are pancake-flat. Hills are good for you, though! They make you a faster runner.

(One notable exception is Nagasaki...I visited there recently and I loved their hills!)

[Kirari]

So, the guy in the video I linked to earlier went to take a look at the Kobe marathon runners as they wound through the streets. Interesting video to watch, given the topics that have come up in this thread. We get to see the make up of runners, what they wear (running gear and costumes including, but not limited to: Princess Peach, Mario, crab head people... ), and the Kobe residents whom have come out to cheer them on. Pretty cool.

http://youtu.be/tunGxvx9Pp4

[OsakaAmerican]

Oh yeah, the costumes... The Sky Tree was a popular one at Tokyo this year.
I did a half last year where I got seriously beat by a girl in a full-on sexy maid costume...