I Tried 'Niko Niko' Running, And It Took Me Out Of My Fitness Slump

It's associated with better performance and fewer injuries, too.

When I’m on the sixth kilometre of a long run, the last thing I want to do is smile.

But the author of Slow Jogging: Get Fit, Lose Weight, Stay Healthy, and Have Fun With Easy Running, Dr Hiroaki Tanaka, said that’s what I should aim for to achieve a healthier, happier run.

He recommended trying a “smiling” or “niko niko” pace for better blood pressure and increased fitness.

Science says runners can seriously benefit from the practice, which has helped to get me back into running after a long break.

What is “niko niko” pace?

It means a “smiling” pace (“niko” means smiling in Japanese).

In other words, it’s a slow, easy pace.

So much so, Dr Tanaka told the........

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