first challenge for the fuji mountain race

I was always so slow when I went to Mt. Fuji for training with everybody who signed up for this.

So, I set my goals; losing my weights and finishing for the whole distance, I didn't expect from any good result.

I thought this a good opportunity as training during summer for the early fall marathon since Summer doesn't make me feel like running for long distance, I chose to take a hard way to run a mountain race which is one of toughest races in Japan, it shoud be good as a part of training for Berlin Marathon. I knew it's a very hard workout because I joined a training once with running mates as an experience last year, then I felt I was lucky not to register, but this time I took a hard decision.

In the first training in Mt. Fuji, I was hungover, I couldn't run as I wanted, just terrible feeling, tummy was really groopy and felt miserable. It took over 2h30m the whole race course to finish.

In the secound time, we started running from the shrine is located at 2.5km point on the race course. It took over 2hours and 10 minutes, I felt really hard and I couldn't keep up to Chika-chan. She ran very fast and lighter than me. I was so proud of her she finished in 10th place last year, fantastic. She looked like just popping, stepping and jumping. It was obvious I just was heavier than her. I made a decision to stop drinking by the race a while, soon after some people I look more fit for race, yeah! so glad to hear that.

As a strategy, I ate a yummy Unagi bowl (eel bowl) for a power lunch on the day before, it actually worked well for me, I could run as well more than I expected.

Why do people who run fast like register for 21km division??

So it's recommendable to race in 15km division.

It starts late at 8:30am, the course is not so busy, distance is enough!

All fast legs runners ran in 21km division, so in the 15km division, the course was not so busy and only 5 to 6 people went ahead of me, but I cought up one by one and little by little, however some people were cheering me as "You are No.2!" EEEEhhh? Am I No.2? it was unbelievable thing for me, but I got motivation even though I wanted to quite the race all the time, though.

The next thing I knew, 5 to 6 men were around me, front or behind around 7km before Nakano Chaya (Cafe). A guy tried to beat me many times, once passed me hardly but got be slow later and passed me but got be slow, he repeated this many time, finally he gave up to beat me before Umagaeshi at 11.4km point, yes it was a hard section and I also run seriously as a Namban!

I was running very carefully not so fast but not so slow, just running at my pace, I knew I couldn't keep on running after Umagaeshi, it's a steep hiking section to goes to 3,776m. That's why I allowed by myself to walk after Umagaeshi, so tried to run for there but I just walked for a minute before pass.

Before finish, some of race organizer screamed "secound woman is coming!!!"

I still couldn't believe that, then I realized I'm finishing in secound place! I felt so happy.

I really thank to Chika for organizing this and Geraldine, Shoji-san also Ishida-san for taking me the venue by their car. I had a great race and great training with you.

Finishing time: 1:56:34 2nd place in 15km women division.

summer greeting by asanas

Hello mates from Tokyo with yoga poses (asanas),

I hope you are having a fabby summer, I'm relaxing these poses in my studio in neighborhood. Now I'm running for Mt. Fuji climbing race for the 5th station (15km) on July 24 Friday and the Berlin Marathon on September 20th Sunday.
I will take a dayoff for Mt. Fuji race, I think I'm not ready for this because I haven't lost any weights though... still chabby to run up on hill. I would love to be a slim but my mission failured as I expect because of very heating weather in Tokyo, I miss beers daytime and drink it easy in the night... so finally I got stomach problem.

I have been having knee problem too, once a doctor said it's a cartilage problem so never fixed it. Ummm... but I didn't want to give it up and asked yoga instructor Nancy who were visiting from San Francisco to Kichijoji in Tokyo. Nancy gave me some unique poses what help well for knees and back especially a runner who was having a knee problem. She gave us unique poses which I have never done before. My another favorite instructor Dominica gives me very unique poses too, but Nancy is more unique!!!!, so I'm huge fan of Nancy and really am into it. Nancy is so charming, sweet, smart and tough woman.

Time has really flown by, after one month of teaching yoga, she went back to SFO. I'd love to visit her if I run in San Francisco or Seattle near future.

Due to her unique poses, my knee is getting better and better. But now I got a stomach problem... I'm dissapointed from disaster things.
Well, I hope to lose some weights until Berlin Marathon for a couple of kilograms.
Have a good summer!!!

tough trail in mt. mitake

6 people went to Mt. Mitake in the otherday, it was hot temperature about 27 to 29 degree in the city, but in the forest it was so cool and green, green, and green!

The course is very tough for me, but it was a nice training for Mt.Fuji clibming race on the end of July.

When I joined the training, I couldn't follow Chica-chan who came in 8th place last year, but this year, I want to follow her as well as I can do.

Anyway, I registered for this steep up hill race, so no choice to train hard and hard and hard!, sounds hard in summer...

trekking to above clouds

I joined trekking to above clouds on holiday, it was my first experience to do this thing, carring clothes, snacks, and staying over night in a lodge on the peak.

We walked up from Shibusawa in Hadano-city Kanagawa-Prefecture to Tono-dake first. Because of holidays, lots of people were climbing up, so we didn't have to worry about water, restroom, also foods because there were some lodge here and there, and we enjoyed yummy coffee, surprisingly fee is only 130yen, it was fantastic.
After climbing Tono-dake, it was clear that other climbers decreased on the way, however we kept heading into Mt.Tanzawa, scenery was very beautiful to see Tokyo, Pacific Ocean, Hakone area, and our destination Hiruga-take. We could see Sakura again on May, so lucky!

When we arrived at the lodge, space was almost full, so we were told to sleep in the dining space with stranger men and needed to turn off lights at 8pm, get up at 4:30 in the morning to make space for breakfast, I felt so bad...since service quality was worth even though we paid 7,000yen!!! They served Rice as all we can eat, Oden for dinner with Tsukemono japanese pickles, Rice and Miso soup as all we can eat with Tsukemono for breakfast... I was not happy with them so we decided to go for Onsen and BBQ Yakiniku afterwords, so it made us feeling happy...

In the midnight, the space was not silent as I expected, because of some stranger's snoring. They should had to sleep in a tent instead outside with the others!!! I could sleep for only 4 hours!!! on-again-off-again, so waking up before 4:30 was naturaly happened to me.

Weather forecast said, it was going to be rainny on the secound day, so Kiki offered me everything what I needed to protect from it, BIG thanks to Kiki. Finally we had shower when we were arrived at Onsen.. we had Yakiniku and beer with happy smiley faces afterwords, in total very enjoyable.

The 1st Hasetsune 30k

Hasetsune 30km was held for people love nature, mountains, and learn how to live with nature, something like that.

My face is on the official memorial site, please check it out!

I was totally exhausted by a first challenge of hard mountain race.
It sounds 30km distance race, but they say it's about 30.88km(???) WHY it's called "30K"? even though it's longer than 30km, maybe is it just easy to say?

Since I was not ready for this race as making my goal, I set it as just finish and do my best! As same as Tokyo Marathon, I ran with my mate Steve again! He never made me bored, he sang a couple of songs; Kangaroos, but not ABBA this time. It was great we didn't have any argue this time, enjoyed the race at the beginning. Unfortunately, we started from end of the line, 8 minutes behind of the first line!!! So, we killed over 10minutes at some busy narrow sections!

Steep up-hills made me tired, it was really hard to keep on moving as you could imagine. I couldn't run for all distance there are many many up-hills and stopped twice, it was easy to move ahead from side not from front as usual, I felt easier to move and I didn't need to make step higher.

My finishing time was 4hours 41minutes 26second, and my watch time was 4:34:33, finished in 28th for women division, I couldn't move after finish for a while, because I was completely exhausted, fatigue was same as marathon, perhaps more. I swore I never do this, but now I think I might do this again and finish faster, we will see!

OMG!

pre-race run for Hasetsune 30k

The left picture looks normal as a Spring has come! but I feel regret why did I sign up for a such hard and steep up and down trail run!

I might die next week but I will be fine because I got trekking insuarance, just in case!!!

Oh man!!!

tokyo 2009 part-2

The race just started, from Shinjuku, through Ichigaya, Iidabashi, the palace, Hibiya and Shinagawa... I enjoyed running with viewing dancing people, singing people and Nambanners too.

The most funniest thing was Steve wanted to stay in front of Tokyo Tower, because there was a big group of Berry Dance, they were wiggling... but it didn't look like for me...

Since I brought special drink with my hand, I didn't need to pick it up at crowded aid-station by 10km. I put Musashi REPLINISH into bottled water at home, taste was okay it's much better than their supplements. I had been taking Musashi especially for Tokyo, it was a tough trial week.

In Hibiya, Shinagawa, Ginza, my face tried not to smile but failing, familiar faces were here and there, and other running teams and Massage trainers from K's were on side-walk. I answered Haaai, Arigato, and Ganbarimasu!.

Everytime when I turned at the corner, the wind was blowing against me. So tried to not to use energy and legs. I was okay at Asakusa, and Hama-cho, but after turning at the corner in Nihonbashi around 33km point I realized my energy almost empty. Tried to stay with Steve, but he was getting away when I did not run strongly. I wanted to walk by myself, it would be easier for me but I shouldn't had to do it, helluva day, man.

Steve cheered me on to keep on running at ideal pace, but it was clear I was slow, but I kept on doing my best, suddenly Steve yelled at me; what happened? why don't you run hard???

YES, I'M DOING MY BEST, PLEASE GO AHEAD! I yelled at him...

But he stayed with me by finish, he is a such sweet friend and coach.
The wind was getting blowing harder and harder towards the finish, sun-glasses protected eyes from sands, rain and wind, they are recommendable for your next race.

I was going to finish under 3:15 in Tokyo, but I didn't care about it at Toyosu, since I had no choice to change my mind as finishing was my goal, but Steve said I had a chance to finish in PB, so hopefully tried to make it.

When I run with Steve in marathon, then the heavy wind blows me, Arakawa and Tokyo... but it might be a just traditional in the spring.

Around 40km, some Nambanners were there but I had no energy to answer... I barely ran to the finish. after 41km I changed my gear to be faster with all my power, so past people as much as I could. According to Steve, we past lots of people then, over 20? over 30??? perhaps more???

Anyway, I finished in 3:18:54 as official time. 1:04 faster than 2008 Nagano Marathon, very happy with my PB, and thanks to Steve very much for your big supports.

5km 00:23:49

10km 00:46:46 0:22:57

15km 01:09:37 0:22:51

20km 01:32:23 0:22:46

25km 01:55:18 0:22:55

30km 02:18:15 0:22:57

35km 02:41:55 0:23:40

40km 03:07:52 0:25:57

Finish 03:18:54 0:11:02

tokyo 2009 part-1

The day before the race;
I was feeling like doing “DNS” on the day before the marathon because I’ve strained my back since a couple of days before, so it’s been painful despite having acupuncture treatment, then I got a reply from Steve as; My advice is to rest as much as you can. Prepare your marathon stuff then stay in bed till morning. Then come prepared to run and even if you are feeling some discomfort, try to start the race and wait until 10 km and you are warmed up…abbr… See you in the morning. So, I have decided to run in the race.

Because of my back ache, I was going to skip it this time despite the odds-low race and first chance for me, but I changed my mind as positive. Since I have been training very hard, I had second thought as shouldn't miss it... so rest well in my bed all day and took a nap for a couple hours, so I couldn't sleep in the night.

On the race day;
I woke up at 4am in the morning, then realized that could sleep only for four hours but it was much better than staying awake all through the night. I finished eating breakfast before 5am, took some Ibuprofen to heal backache and dressed with the Namban singlet plus running shorts for the race as planned, gathered with friends, then I totally forgot about the pain, somehow I was confident of achieving my PB.

By the chance, bumped into some familiar faces; Chiba-san, Shiba-san, Taizo-san, Jay, Ed and Gerard at the starting point, so I had no time to be bored to wait for over 30minutes to start, just relaxed. Despite serious runner starting block(?), surprisingly some people costumed as a swan, dancers to have a fun.

By the time we were waiting, it looked like rain any time, and it blew but not so cold around 9am. After 5 minutes of the wheelchairs started, the starting gun for the marathon went off at 9:10am, and millions of pieces of confetti fall on us as usual, everybody started to go ahead.

I actually have been waiting for the start since I got in the entry list by lottery because I had never gotten the winning ticket two years in a low, that's why I must had to run it. I was very lucky because one of my best friends and training coach; Steve the Lacey offered me to run for whole distance, he helps and gives me advice how should I train and makes plan always, I really appreciate to him.

We trained together when we could have time especially for long distance pace run and tempo run. This time, we raised target time for speed workout from 10 to 20 sec for tempo run, so it was really hard to be accustomed the pace even though I wanted to. We set the strategy to finish under 3:15 this time, I have been tried it for a couple times but never succeed. I was confident of achieving it because my condition had been excellent in all races; Frostbite Half marathon, Ome 30km, and also regular workouts too... so we set to run at 4:38/km to 4:35/km pace by half point, and see condition what's going on then make running pace. I set my goals as...

1. Don't push too hard.
2. If I feel too much pain, then see condition.
3. Go easy at the beginning and don't use legs.
4. Have a fun and relish pleasures of race.
5. Making PB is not so important this time.

After started, we started to run easier, it took over 5min/km for the first 1km because the place was crowded and it was 30second to cross the line, Steve introduced me skyscrapers in Nishi-Shinjuku. Sounded like his favorite is Tokyo Mode-Gakuen building.

It was great scenery to see lots of spectators were cheering on side-walk and lots of volunteer people, everybody said "Ganbatte" and "Fight". Some people called me my name and some people called us "Namban Rengo" to cheer on, so glad to run in Tokyo for only 5km. I kept on running easier and like free-wheeling, tried not to use legs as strategy. Steve looked so happy to run in his 3rd Tokyo Marathon, screaming something, singing songs and waved his hands so he made me feel a fun, but I preferred to save energy for the end, so I said I'm listening but I can't answer you, sorry!

taper week

It's only 5days to go for the Tokyo Marathon, I think I'm ready for the race because I have been training well and my body condition is not bad.

It's no use being too ambitious, but I would love to lose some weights... yeah I know the reason because I couldn't be patient for beer, sweets and meals... that's why I'm running!

As a strategy for the race, I bought supplements "NI" and I have been taking it twice a day since last Saturday but nothing changes for me. It has great reviews from heavy users but tastes disgusting and price is very expensive (fortunately, could buy with discount price!), I feel like return it if I couldn't achieve my PR in Tokyo ;-) I will see the power of Musashi in a few of days!

I really look forward to run in Tokyo, this is my first challenge at this race, so see you there! By the way, my bib number is 15085 start from the block A at 9:10am on Mar 22nd Sunday.

Ome 30km

It was first challenge to race in Ome, this is one of popular and hystrical race in Tokyo. Fortunately, it was a beautiful day like Spring has come!, but Winter is back on next day, so I could dress with a Namban yellow singlet and short pants for it even though it's February. I can't believe it's been cancelled because of snow last year, unbelievable!
I'm trying to do a thing this year as a slogan; Register races never run before!, Ome 30km was a preparation for Tokyo Marathon after Frostbite Half Marathon, three of them are first challenge for me.

Official Time, Place and pace
15km 01:10:44(79th) 4:44/km from start to 15km
20km 01:33:32(69th) 4:22/km after 15km to the finish
25km 01:55:21(64th)
Finish 02:17:19 60th Place

Unofficial Time by my watch
5 km 22:57 4:35/km
10km 46:14 4:39/km
15km 1:09:36 4:35/km
20km 1:31:32 4:23/km
25km 1:54:11 4:32/km
30km 2:16:09 4:24/km

I found some pace makers for the others, sometime followed them but sometime I made my pace and ran naturally. But tried not to run too fast, I could see the course how much is tough on going, so saved my energy until 20km mark. After the returning point, two women of Harriers changed gear to be faster, so followed them for a while. But I gradually ran ahead, and I took rhythm naturally, and felt very comfortable and it was very fun to run on the hilly course because could run as well as I wanted also cought running pace even though HR said over 180, but I know hill makes me tough so no choice to have lots of fun.

Some Namban supporters pushed my back to ahead, after saw Rie around Ome station, my running pace could be faster surprisingly! but also tired at last 2km...
The best thing is I succeed to make negative splits, oh men I have done.