Hello,

In a previous post someone asked a more experienced joggler to put together a tutorial. I can do it but I just want to make sure it is something that would be useful to beginning and intermediate jogglers.

So, what kind of information would you like to see in a joggling tutorial? Specifically, what topics should be covered?
What format would you like? (videos, audio, e-book)?

It sounds like a fun project and I'm going to have some time pretty soon.

thanks
Perry, 44
[justyouraveragejoggler.com]

Hi Perry.

A vid you can post on youtube will be very nice.

There are very good tutorials for 3 ball cascade, so you can skip that part.

The stuff I was looking for when starting about 3 months ago, was where to throw, how high to throw, and how to get the rhythm right.

When I started joggling, I ended up doing juggling and running seperately, without any rhythm.

I think on your page somewhere you say one must juggle, and then start running.

I found it much easier to run a few minutes without juggling, get into the rhythm, and then start by throwing right hand as I step with left foot, and do it for three paces, catch / stop, and repeat.

A shot from front, back and side while joggling is also important, and maybe an uphill and downhill run. If you can edit, slowmotion will be nice to show the movement.

Another tip for starting out: I made some 900 gram lead balls (tennis balls with lead filling, covered with balloons for grip), and find it much more controllable than my light bean bags. (I still battle to go past 3 mins with light balls, even after finishing a 21k, but on my first run with heavies, I did 3 streaks of 5mins) So for beginners, I would recommend a heavier ball. It also force one to let your arms dictate the pace, with leggs following, rather than other way around.

I find that running and juggling go together perfectly without any need to make modifications or concentrate on the juggling in any special way.

My tutorial would be as follows:

1) Make sure your 3 ball cascade is near perfect. You must be able to make very consistent throws while standing still. Practice your 3 ball endurance. You should have the feeling that you could juggle the 3 ball cascade indefinitely. By the way, I actually think that my 3 ball cascade endurance is better while joggling than while standing still.

2) Go for a run and observe your natural arm swing on your run. Notice that the arm swing for running is a pretty good fit with the arm motion for a 3 ball cascade. Visualize yourself using that arm motion to "release" a ball on the upswing, and catch a ball on the downswing.

3) As you start to joggle simply make use of the natural arm motion you must use in order to run. Think of joggling as simply running and giving your arms some purpose for their swinging back and forth. I think of joggling as an extension of running. I never feel I'm doing two separate activities together. That was the key insight when I learned how to joggle. It's one activity that uses all four limbs. It's not two separate activities.

4) After you get started, don't focus on the juggling. I find that I joggle BETTER when I totally forget about the balls. It's kind of like breathing. When you focus on your breathing and take control of it, you breathe erratically because you can't control your breathing better than your autonomic nervous system. Similarly, you don't focus on your feet either when you run. Imagine if you tried to focus on how each foot strikes on every stride. You would probably fall over. It's the same way with joggling. You use the natural arm swing motion of your running to "release" and catch the balls, and you don't think about it.

Its that last point that makes joggling a really incredible and satisfying activity, that as far as I'm concerned, is a very well kept secret. When I'm out joggling I've got all four limbs doing something, and yet my mind can be completely divorced from the activity. It's an amazingly peaceful and relaxing and awesome feeling.

Let me know if this helps.

Are you planning to go to IJA?

Lenny

I'll be there. Already registered. Can't wait to compete in the joggling races.

Perry, 44

Perry,

It will be great to meet you. We'll have to get together after the joggling races.

I haven't decided which events to focus on yet. I'm just coming back from a running injury that kept me sidelined for most of this year. But I was able to joggle a no drop 5k in 20 minutes last week.

I really wish I could get more people interested in Joggling, but I've been striking out down here in JAX, FL. I even offered to do a free juggling/joggliing clinic for our local track club, and I was turned down!

Lenny

Lenny,

Maybe joggling will never go mainstream but I get a lot of great feedback on the joggler blog and am certain that it's inspired at least a few dozen new jogglers.

Yeah, we'll have to hang out after the races. A 20 minute 5K is great! I'll have to practice up for the races.

Perry, 44