I’m a 3-ball joggler. This is primarily because it allows me to run (while juggling) as fast as I possibly can. The crossing pattern works great with the running stride & tempo. It is perfectly timed such that a bean bag hits your hand every time your foot hits the ground.
Barry Goldmeier (who recently joggled in back-to-back days both the Baltimore and Chicago marathons!) is a 5-ball joggler. His focus is not on speed but rather on giving a great show & inspiring the people who see him. Still, 5-balls is a crossing pattern so you can get a good rhythm with the balls and your feet.
I always thought even numbers were just too tricky to do. I’ve joggled 2 and 4 before but it just felt too awkward. That’s why I was surprised to see how well Joggler Pete was joggling the Munich Marathon. Check out this video.
You can also see Pete’s joggling website here.
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very nice.
i did four for a little bit when i retrieved my stuck ball on the light post before stuffing it down my pants. it’s not too bad, as far as rhythm to do four. with some practice, one could do it while looking forward and seeing the juggling in your periphery just like one does with 3 ball joggling.
@Joe – Sometime I’m going to have to experiment with 4 balls.
I have found that being able to joggle 2 is pretty handy for making saves. If a ball looks like it is going to drop, you do a quick 2 hand juggle while you focus on saving the wayward ball.
How goes your training for Philly? Mine’s not too bad. Not sure I’ll set a PR but I’m feeling pretty good. Should be a fun trip.
Man, how have I never heard of this wonderful sport until now? I suppose could have something to do with the fact that I can’t juggle and my running skills are one notch above mediocre. Awesome site nonetheless.
@Scott – Mediocre running skills are perfect & juggling can be easily learned. Check out these 25 free resources. http://justyouraveragejoggler.com/top-25-resources-for-learning-how-to-juggle/
Welcome, Scott. Glad you found this website and joggling interesting, give it a shot.
Perry- My training is going pretty good. I did a 3hr 15min joggle last sat. and I was going to do my longest run tomorrow 18-20 mi and then start the taper for the last 3 weeks. When do you do your longest long run before a marathon? I read that you shouldn’t do it less than 4 weeks before the marathon.
I don’t know if I’ll focus on doing too many tricks during the marathon (the cold weather probably won’t be too suitable for doing my 26 joggling patterns, cold hands…). I am sure I’ll end up trying to joggle and beat my last time, 3:47. It would be fun to compete against each other a little bit. I might go for 3:30, don’t know if I’ll swing it, but I’ll give it a try.