Could the secret to becoming a more consistent runner be to stop trying to run so fast? Slow jogging is gaining fresh attention during South Korea's extraordinary running boom. Instead of chasing personal bests and turning every session into a test of fitness, runners deliberately reduce the intensity until they can comfortably breathe and talk while moving. In July 2026, Korean reporting documented runners embracing this slower philosophy, while Seoul's My Pace Morning event encouraged participants to complete a 5 km course at their own comfortable pace. But this isn't simply another viral fitness craze. The concept has a longer history in Japan, particularly through the work of Professor Hiroaki Tanaka of Fukuoka University. His approach centred on niko niko, or "smiling", pace and challenged the idea that exercise needs to feel punishing to be worthwhile.Liezel van der Westhuizen, fitness presenter, endurance athlete and burnout & mental fitness coach, joins Africa Melane on CapeTalk and 702 to unpack the science and psychology behind slow jogging, why the trend is resonating with beginners and recreational runners, and whether slowing down could actually help people become more consistent with exercise.Because perhaps we've been asking the wrong question. Instead of "How fast did you run?", maybe we should be asking, "Did you enjoy it enough to come back tomorrow?"

<p>Could the secret to becoming a more consistent runner be to stop trying to run so fast? Slow jogging is gaining fresh attention during South Korea's extraordinary running boom. Instead of chasing personal bests and turning every session into a test of fitness, runners deliberately reduce the intensity until they can comfortably breathe and talk while moving. In July 2026, Korean reporting documented runners embracing this slower philosophy, while Seoul's My Pace Morning event encouraged participants to complete a 5 km course at their own comfortable pace. But this isn't simply another viral fitness craze. The concept has a longer history in Japan, particularly through the work of Professor Hiroaki Tanaka of Fukuoka University. His approach centred on niko niko, or "smiling", pace and challenged the idea that exercise needs to feel punishing to be worthwhile.Liezel van der Westhuizen, fitness presenter, endurance athlete and burnout &amp; mental fitness coach, joins Africa Melane on CapeTalk and 702 to unpack the science and psychology behind slow jogging, why the trend is resonating with beginners and recreational runners, and whether slowing down could actually help people become more consistent with exercise.Because perhaps we've been asking the wrong question. Instead of "How fast did you run?", maybe we should be asking, "Did you enjoy it enough to come back tomorrow?"</p>

Your early morning chat - traffic - news fix delivered in a relaxed manner. weekdays from 4 am to 6 am.

Early Breakfast with Africa Melane

Your early morning catch-up with chat, traffic and news delivered in a relaxed manner. weekdays from 4 am to 6 am.

<p>Your early morning catch-up with chat, traffic and news delivered in a relaxed manner. weekdays from 4 am to 6 am.</p>

Fitness: Slow jogging: Why running slower could help you go further

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5dcefa8e-00a9-4595-8ce1-a4ab0080f142/clips/b9302e4f-7cbc-40c9-8efa-b4c000331f31/transcript