Daiko Jie, a Japanese marathon celebrity, is the light of Asian speed.
After graduating from high school, he entered Waseda University's Faculty of Sports Science as an elite athlete and continued to play for Waseda University's Hakone Ekiden for the next four years.
In 2010, in his first year of enrollment, Hakone Ekiden showed his extraordinary strength, surpassing seven people in his individual range, turning around the unfavorable situation for Waseda University and finally winning the championship.
In the 2020 Tokyo Marathon, he won the domestic championship with a time of 2:05:29.
On August 8, 2021, in the men's marathon final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, he ranked 6th with a time of 2:10:41.
Not long ago, at the Boston Marathon that ended on April 15, Da Qiangjie ran 2:11:14 and finished 13th.
The familiar novel, movie, and animation work "Strong Wind Blowing" is based on Da Qijie.
Da Qiangjie once said: "Life is like an endless river, and I am standing in the water." No matter how the water changes, all I have to do is to stand still in it and not be moved. People congratulate me when I do well, and when I get into a slump, I get a lot of criticism. So I do the opposite, I reflect on the problems when I get results, and I compare my progress after I fail. Balance is achieved in this way. ”
In his book, Run, Pain, and Search, he shares his running philosophy and teaches runners how to face challenges and keep improving.
Running Philosophy 1: Train with your heart
Throughout his running career, he has always adhered to a simple but powerful running philosophy: train with heart.
For him, training is not only an accumulation of physical strength, but also a mental and spiritual exercise. Every time he stepped onto the runway, his steps were filled with unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of his goals, regardless of the circumstances.
This perseverance has made him stand out in many competitions, and even in the face of setbacks, Da Qiang Jie has never given up on training to a high standard.
He achieved a time of 2:11:14 in the 2024 Boston Marathon, and although this time did not meet his expectations, the reflections he shared through social media reflect that every training and competition is an opportunity for him to constantly surpass himself.
In Da Qijie's view, "attentive training" does not only refer to the physical training of athletes, but also includes psychological preparation and strategy formulation.
He believes that real progress comes from attention to detail and a relentless pursuit of training quality. This mindset isn't just for professional athletes, everyone can learn how to set goals and train hard day in and day out to meet and even exceed them.
Running Philosophy 2: Know the Self
Recognizing your limits and potential is the key to running progress. Through constant self-challenge, he gained a deeper understanding of his physical and mental state, and in the process, he learned how to adjust more effectively to meet various challenges.
Throughout his career, every training and competition has been an exploration and test of his limits. For example, when he competes, he carefully analyses his physical performance and compares his fitness status in different competitions or training phases to find out the specific factors that improve or decline his fitness.
This self-awareness not only helps him achieve better results on the field, but also allows him to set training goals and competition strategies more clearly.
Through an accurate assessment of his own ability, he is able to arrange the training intensity reasonably to avoid injuries caused by overtraining, and at the same time, he can also be mentally prepared to accept challenges and overcome the difficulties that may be encountered in the competition. Every runner should learn this ability to know themselves, as it is the cornerstone of continuous improvement and achieving personal best.
Running philosophy 3: Have a clear goal
In Da Qiangjie's running philosophy, a core principle is the clarity of purpose. The athlete has always had a clear vision of his goals, whether in the face of fierce competition in the Malaysian Championship or the Olympic Games.
It's also crucial for every runner, whether amateur or professional, to set clear, achievable goals. Clear goals not only provide direction for training, but are also key to staying focused and motivated during the game.
For example, when preparing for a specific competition, he sets specific training goals such as speed, endurance and technique in detail to ensure that each training session is efficient and purposeful.
This approach has helped him stay calm and unwavering in pushing his limits in the face of the unknown and pressure. For runners, whether the goal is to complete their first marathon or set a new personal best, clear goal setting can significantly increase the likelihood of achieving those goals.
Therefore, every runner should take the time to clearly define their goals before starting training. These goals should be specific, measurable, and challenging to inspire continuous improvement. Ultimately, these goals will serve as a beacon for you on your running journey, guiding you to go above and beyond.
Running Philosophy 4: Don't rely on luck
In his running philosophy, he strongly discourages actions that rely on luck. For him, every success is not accidental, but the inevitable result of countless hard training and strategic layout.
He believes that true athletes should rely on strength and preparation when facing challenges and competitions, rather than hoping to succeed through luck.
He gives his all in every training and competition, never leaving himself any room for chance. Relying on fluke is irresponsible, and this mindset can hinder an athlete's long-term development and progress.
In his opinion, every runner should improve their physical fitness and skills through continuous and purposeful training, rather than relying on unstable factors.
This emphasis on training and preparation is not only an investment in one's career, but also a trust and respect for one's own abilities.
This philosophy also shows all runners that the only way to achieve a high level of performance is to keep working hard instead of waiting for a miracle to happen.
Running Philosophy 5: Perseverance
His success lies not only in his talent and perseverance, but also in the perseverance he always adheres to. He believes that sustained effort and focus are the only way to reach the top.
For any runner, setbacks and failures are inevitable during training, but the key is how to look at them and learn from them.
Da Qijie said that through the accumulation of each training, he was able to continuously improve his physical fitness and skills, and steadily move towards his goal. This kind of sustained effort requires a strong psychological quality and the ability to constantly adjust tactics. Even in the most difficult moments, he never considered giving up, but chose to find opportunities for growth from failure and further strengthen his preparation and strategy.
Da Qiangjie always firmly believes that every insistence is one step closer to victory. This spirit is not only for the victory of a competition, but also for the long-term development of an athlete's career.
It is this unremitting spirit that has made Da Qiang Jie an undisputed leader on the world marathon stage.
Da Qiangjie's running philosophy inspires all runners: the battle against self and adversity on the track never stops. Therefore, staying the course is not just a choice, it is a must to succeed.
Running Philosophy 6: Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is the shining point of every athlete's success, and it is also the most elusive and nurturing part. For Da Qiangjie, this is not only the driving force to move forward bravely on the track, but also the spiritual pillar of his perseverance in the face of setbacks.
This powerful inner strength does not come overnight, but comes from self-challenge and self-talk day after day, year after year.
He focuses on the adjustment and management of his mental state in training, and often has in-depth discussions with coaches and psychological consultants on how to better control the mentality in the game, and how to stay calm and focused in a stressful environment.
Da Qiu Jie also often shares that in the face of failure and setbacks, his mental toughness has allowed him to quickly get up from the trough and regain his self-confidence.
He believes that this ability to learn and grow from setbacks is an indispensable quality for any successful athlete. Through continuous mental training and reflection, Da Qiangjie showed not only physical strength in the competition, but also spiritual strength.
Therefore, it is as important for every runner to develop and strengthen mental toughness as it is to exercise their bodies. No matter what difficulties and challenges we face, perseverance and perseverance are always the only way to victory.
Through these running philosophies, Da Qiangjie has not only shaped his own running life, but also provided a valuable spiritual wealth for runners all over the world.
I hope that every reader can find their own way of running and meet every challenge under the guidance of these running philosophies.