How I Ran a 2:18 Marathon… DON’T Try This at Home!

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Jake Barraclough, aka "Ran To Japan"
⚠️ Train Harder, Not Smarter.
🇬🇧 Documenting my life ‘on the run’ in Japan!

1 year after moving to Tokyo to pursue my running dream, I just ran a 2:18 marathon while mastering the 'art' of kamikaze pacing. You know what they say, "when in Japan…" I managed to survive this near-death experience... just! But I can’t say I’d recommend the strategy. Let’s break down the race that nearly broke me! 💀

[mikemolloy]

I'd love to see you run it negative splits next time. You pain threshold is nuts.

[firearcanine]

Great video Jake!

I live in Southeast Asia and did most of my training in hot & humid conditions and where running is typically seen as leisure and not performance-based. I had signed up for the Kobe Marathon and boy when i showed up to the start line last month, I was taken aback by how fast even the citizen runners there dash out of the start line! Even at 10k & 21k, they were still holding on! Where I’m from, I found most people slowdown from 10k onwards for a half-marathon!

I told myself NOT to follow their style because i thought they’ll burn out towards the 3/4 mark (surprisingly, I found ample space to run at the 32km mark onwards because there was really a lot of burnout and that day was actually hot and humid for the Japanese runners - but not for me!). I did had cramps towards the 38-39km mark but that’s because the route went up a steep highway bypass….but I pushed through all the way to the end and ended up with a 12 minute PB! I’m not fast, but happy to achieve sub-3:30!

But I agree with you - it seem they really value time on feet and they have such amazing support systems for running - from the equipment, to the pre & post race management and of course - the intense carbo load! And yes, their principle that More Mileage = King resonates with me!

I am flying back to Japan in Feb to run another marathon - their running culture is so good! Wish I could train there for even longer!

PS - Canal City is Awesome! One of my favourite malls in Fukuoka!

[brianmessemer]

You have a wonderful mindset. The mindset that told you to go to Japan - many people would say "that would never work" - is the same mindset that tells you to train such high mileage. And in both cases, you're succeeding brilliantly. I also "just went" to Japan 20 years ago and lived there for 3 years and I visit 1-2 months every summer since. Part of me regrets not staying forever. Love that you're going to interesting locations like canal city to do your race report stuff. You're always showing off how great Japan is and I really appreciate that.

[RunningOtaku]

Science-based training- “It goes against everything I believe in”. Brilliant!!

[MrSmokedTurkey]

You've got a real knack for vlogging as well, loved this one

[samuelbuzek]

Hey Jake, I also struggled with really serious iron deficiency this year, for 2 months I couldn't run a slow 5km without stopping because I was out of breath. I ran many halfmarathons before, but this year I was so weak that I ran my slowest halfmarathon ever - 1:58. My PB from 3 years ago was 1:40. I found out that I have an iron deficiency and started taking iron supplements and it's gotten so much better. On November 1st I managed to run a massive HM PB of 1:23. I hope it will get better for you too, cheers from Slovakia 👋

[SotaMaehara]

Another banger video, love that the Q&A started off with tons of people asking about mileage and the answer basically ended up being the equivalent of 'f*** no, gotta run more, train harder, not smarter, and once I sort out my iron deficiency, I gotta start looking into 300k weeks'

Also epic looking shopping mall! Great job at Fukuoka again, the potential is now even higher

[dylanellis]

Just found your channel, Jake. Giving me serious nostalgia. I lived in Japan for 4 years and moved back to the UK this year. I did the Fuji marathon last year - would recommend! I lived right on the Tama river so all my long runs were done there! Also a fellow Gooner. Thoroughly enjoying those retro shirts 😍

[SidSubramaniam-th]

hahaha love the video man! that shopping mall looked amazing, I'm definitely gonna visit one day

[darkervx]

good to hear that you found the problem, definitly get a doc recommend you a suplemment and check your levels regularly, iron can be a pain in the ass to supplement well.

[conradburdekin]

I just love this channel. Absolutely brilliant 😊

[jacktudor]

You’re a legend, keep crushing it mate 🏃🏻💯

[pdavies]

another great video! keep it up :D and great running too!

[KvandeO]

Love your channel! So cool following your journey and also motivating for my own running 💪 Good luck in your upcoming races!

[changez]

Ben and you would collab would be amazing lol

[lasseolsen]

Train harder - not smarter !! Yeah!! Come on..❤❤❤❤

[randyevermore]

FWIW, I felt sluggish for a long while last year and, sure enough, my annual ningen dock (I live in Japan too) showed I was iron-deficient. So I started taking a supplement and felt much better after just a couple of weeks. Not sure, but I suspect running for weeks in Japan's brutal summer heat and humidity contributed to the deficiency.

[rossw]

Love your videos! Why don't you listen to music or podcasts when running?

[CamMci]

Running with an iron deficiency is just a new approach to altitude training 😆

[ShinSuperSaiyajin]

When that Iron deficiency gets sorted out, the possibilities…