Shiso (Training Runs)
Daily practice that becomes the prelude to your story
Daily practice becomes the prelude to your story
Overview
Races and TabiRUN aren’t the only “stories.” Each day of training leading up to them is a “pre-episode.” We call this Shiso.
Shiso is both a physical rehearsal and a mental rehearsal.
The Meaning of Shiso
Building Physical Endurance
The stamina to keep moving for hours is built through daily accumulation.
No special training regimen needed — consistency itself builds strength. Running a little on weekdays beats running long only on weekends. Your body adapts steadily.
Physical benefits:
- Cardiovascular fitness — Heart and lungs that handle hours of aerobic activity
- Muscular endurance — Leg muscles that handle repetitive motion
- Joint adaptation — Knees and ankles that handle prolonged impact
- Energy efficiency — Metabolic systems that burn fat for fuel
- Recovery capacity — A body that can run again the next day
These don’t develop overnight. Daily Shiso lets your body adapt gradually.
Building Mental Endurance
Shiso builds more than physical endurance.
- The ability to savor — Can you enjoy scenery and atmosphere during hours of movement?
- The ability to notice — Can you find small changes in monotonous time?
- Sensitivity — Can you receive everyday connections as story?
These prepare you to “not break down mentally” during the main event. When fatigue peaks in the second half of a long TabiRUN or race, mental endurance becomes your support.
Practicing Shiso
Basic Cycle
Even in Shiso, the foundation is 15:5 (15 minutes running, 5 minutes walking).
Practicing with the same cycle as race day ingrains the rhythm. You no longer need to think “what next?” Use that freed-up attention to find connections.
On Familiar Routes
No need to go somewhere special. Just run your usual routes with slightly shifted awareness.
- Take “an unknown road” for just 5 minutes
- Record one connection found on that road via voice memo
- On the same course as always, look for “today’s difference”
Recording Examples
Small discoveries enrich Shiso.
- “Nameless wildflowers were blooming”
- “The text on an old sign was interesting”
- “An elderly couple walking their dog looked loving”
- “Three crows were conferencing on a power line”
- “The asphalt glistened after rain”
No big events needed. Accumulating small observations builds mental endurance.
Connection Between Shiso and Main Events
These small accumulated records come alive during main events.
What Happens During Main Events
- During hours of movement, you notice “ah, this is also a connection”
- When tired, you think “let me find something interesting”
- You receive difficult moments as “one page of the story”
The Difference Between Those Who Practice Shiso and Those Who Don’t
Everyone prepares physically. But few prepare mentally.
In the second half of TabiRUN, at kilometer 35 of a marathon, during nighttime 100km running — when your body approaches its limit, those with mental endurance can think “this hardship is also story.” Those without it just feel the hardship.
That difference is made through daily Shiso.
Shiso Frequency and Distance
Frequency Guidelines
| Pattern | Frequency | Distance Each | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainable | 2-3x/week | 5-10km | Easy to fit into life |
| Solid training | 4-5x/week | 10-15km | Preparation for races/TabiRUN |
| Recovery | 1-2x/week | Under 5km | Post-event recovery |
Consistency Over Distance
In Shiso, consistency matters more than distance.
Running 5km on weekdays beats running 30km only on weekends — body and mind stay more stable. Keep going with the mindset “even if it’s short today, I’ll run.”
Difference Between Shiso and Reset Daily
Shiso and Reset Daily are related but different.
| Item | Shiso | Reset Daily |
|---|---|---|
| Activity | Running | Walking, commuting, etc. |
| Purpose | Preparation for main events | Daily reset |
| Cycle | 15:5 | Flexible |
| For | Runners | Everyone |
On non-running days, practice Reset Daily. On running days, practice Shiso with 15:5. Both cultivate “mental endurance.”
Safety Notes
Don’t Be Careless in Training
Don’t let your guard down just because it’s daily practice.
- Rest when you’re unwell
- Keep it short on hot days, or go early morning/evening
- Use extreme caution on busy roads
For Sustainability
Injuries interrupt Shiso. For sustainability, don’t overdo it. Being able to judge “let me keep it short today” is also mental endurance.
Related
- Reset Running — The 15:5 cycle as foundational technique
- TabiRUN — Where to deploy the strength built through Shiso
- Reset Daily — Practice on non-running days