summer camp in a cool resort karuizawa

36 years old!

Happy birthday to me...

Thanks to my friend for flowers, but looks like a candle or a cake.
But it's not...

the fabby trail running with muscle ache

Because of Shoji-san's kindness, I could go for trail run with Shoji-san, Taeko-san and Ma-san. I knew Shoji-san was supposed to run in Mt. fuji climb race on Friday, and checked his blog to know how was the race. And he posted to announce to us it was DNF.







According to Taeko-san, time restriction is severe, on the road race, runners don't need to make a long line to ahead for the finish, but in that race, the course is pretty narrow, so it can make a long line to climb and pass the gate of time.





Anyway, I asked Shoji-san to go for trail run together, and he said OK! We made a plan to gather at 6AM at Shinjuku, and headed for Minami-Alpus in Yamanashi-prefecture. It took about 3 hours to get to starting point by a car. Today, we started from 1,500m sea level to 2,700m, it was a tough trail climbing for 11km, and time was about 3hours 10minutes.














Because of overcast, there was no nice scenery as we expected, but not humidity, not high temperature, not rain, so it was almost perfect condition. It took about 4hours 27minutes for all course. We mostly climbed outward journey since up-hills are so steep for run, so just walked as well as fast and quickly, it was a discipline. Gradually, it became to hard to take a breath because of high elevation, I didn't have any high-altitude headache, however this time was the most highest experience in my life, maybe. We had some onigiris, mangoes, plums and candy with natural cold water, lunch was so yummy in the mountain. After lunch, we headed to the destination, the top of Mt. Yakushi-dake, the elevation is 2,780m.



After taking some picture and viewing the beautiful scenery, we went to back to the starting point, mostly ran for 11km it took about 2hours 17minutes. Tonight, I had an easy recovery run for 8k for 46minutes. During running, legs were getting better than begin, but still heavy to walk.

nippon team samurai beat australia in a penalty shootout

Tonight, I went back to home early to watch the football game which held in Hanoi, Vietnam.(Sometimes I'd like to travel there...).


We lost the game Aussie team in World Cup 2006 in German, so needed to beat them this time.


There are many differences between Australia and Nippon. Face, tall, legs and hands length. (Look at the left picture, looks like not difference!)





According to the commentator, Nippon passed the ball low, if kick it high, then aussie guys can get it easily... it was our team's strategy.


They look like eating Aussie beef, meanwhile, a team of Samurais looks like a group of slightly-built boys. I was hoping to get win the game, on the other hand, I thought it would be difficult because normally couldn't kick the ball as shoot.






Only once Takahara did make the kick and goal, he was so cool!
Samurai team was holding the ball almost, but nobody didn't shoot determinant goal.






Today I was going to run for trail, but I had a fever, so canceled it. As an alternative, I went to Gosho again for hill run for 8km as lower aerobic. This week I need to run everyday, If I keep running until tomorrow, my mileage would be around 70Km! Go Go Me!

a tofu lover

I love tofu very much, recently eat it with yuzu-kosho. Last night I found a new one it called "Yakko yarou", I couldn't stop buying it plus beer. By the way, Yakko means a cold tofu, yarou means a guy, tofu guy makes sense, yes it's a funny and unique name. The label says "I'm happy if you(tofu) and beer are here".

What is yuzu-kosho? It's a kind of condiment, tastes salty and hot a bit. Put some on the foods, and eat it. It's yummy with grilled fish, chicken steaks etc. It made by peel of fruits, salt and green chilli.
I was so happy with you and beer.


today's efforts:
I was going to take a break from running today since storming.
But a cheeky guy says, "We could run in yoyogi.", but I didn't go today either run, so just went out for running for 20K. I felt sore back, sore knee because of a long run, just went slow at 145 to 150%.

summer discipline and race watching

I started training for a fall marathon from July 1st. However I'm not full of motivation for it. Happily, I found the official web site of Tokyo Inter'l Women's Marathon has updated for 2007, I'm so happy to be able to run in this marathon.
They say this year lots of stars will sign up for it included Namban Ladies. Perhaps, we might be 8 people or more.

I went to Ome for a trail run with Taeko-san, we ran very slow and slow for 17Km, we were sweating after a couple of kilometers. I expected more from tiredness because I just started, but I didn't so much tired because of steep Hakone trail running on June 24th, I can't compare then how much different.

After run, we had a lunch at a coffee shop and we were back quickly to watch Sapporo half marathon. Actually, I was hoping to run too, but I'm not qualified for it, so just postponed it for next time. Race was so exciting, Noguchi won, Mara came in 2nd, and lots of stars ran in Sapporo. I hope to run there next year.

By the way, ran for only 4.4km tonight. I feel my sholders are so hard because of yesterday's trail run.

asics running clinick

I joined the running clinick which asics Ginza store presented for customers.
I really was hoping to learn the basic good running form to be more fast runner without injury and run more easier.

Today's running coach is a very tough ironman, he participated for Hawaiian ironman for four or five times. I couldn't give the lesson up since coach is very kind, he cheered us on and pushed our back up a lot. Today's class was occupied, 15 people joined it. In fact, they said yesterday only a couple of people came and most people canceled due to a toasted weather.

Now asics Ginza store is popular, they have some unique service; running clinic, running form check, and scan foot to make original fit able shoes. They also have lockers and showers for only members.

According to today's running coach, I should imagine and just go straight on the two lines.
Someone said me that that I should had to run on a line before, but this time I changed my mind. If imagine two lines and step on the ground, I can move more easier and my trunk posture doesn't break up and can keep balance. I felt I could get the swing of new style, my performance was really good as below.

Afterwards, I had yummy lunch with draft beer as a prise of today's hard running in Aux Bacchanales in Ginza. I'm wondering why pastry shop stuffs in the restaurant wear a white lab coat? even it's not a pharmacy.

today's efforts:
time: 1h46m14s
avg HR: 146-72%
avg pace: 7:15/km
mileage: 14.63km
cal: 755kcal
beginning time: 10:18am
location: from asics store via the Palace and return to the store.

gosho hard running

I had a great running with Rie-san on Saturday, so glad to have a pretty good company for nice running. We went to Gosho together even it was toasted weather, and had three loops hill-dash running for fourth times. She looked like saved her pace, but burned energy on up-hills then I just followed her not to get so pull away from her, still she was strong!

Now we have the same goal for TWIM, I will start to train for it since July, can't wait!!!

saturday's efforts:
mile: 12km
time: 1h03m14s
1st: time: 17:46 avg HR: 143-70% max HR: 640-81% avg Pace: 6:34/km mil: 3.3km
2nd: time: 16:23 avg HR: 159-78% max HR: 183-90% avg Pace: 5:47/km mil: 3.3km
3rd: time: 15:59 avg HR: 170-84% max HR: 189-93% avg Pace: 6:34/km mil: 3.3km
avg HR: 154-76% max HR: 180-93%
avg Pace: 6:34/km max: 3:50/km
cal: 489kcal
starting time: 11:14am
location: gosho

seeking runners for a free ekiden

I'm looking for runners who run in a Ekinden which will be held on Sep 17th Monday(NATIONAL HOLIDAY) in National stadium.Surprigingly the entry fee is just free.

64 teams are limited numbers, each leg must run for only 1km around National Stadium, the course is sort of flat.

If you are not satisfied with short distance, you can run more afterwards around Stadium, it's kind of Mecca for run in Tokyo.

Currently we have six legs!

Date: Saptember 17th Monday (National Holiday)

Starting time: around 3pm

Distance: 1km each

Team: It's compounded by four legs, that's ok to arrange teams as fun, mixed and fast serious.

Fee: Free

Location: around National Stadium in Sendagaya

Dead line: August 20th.

Prise: Nothing

They also organize for 10km race and fun race for 3km.

The fare is 2,000yen includes a T-shirt.(not for ekiden)

http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/event/sp/greenribbon/run/2007/index.html

chubby's speed workouts

I feel getting chubby now, the purpose is pretty simple since I can't stop eating a lot of foods as same in the hard marathon season without any hard session.

On Wednesday night, I felt so hard to finish for only 4 times of 1,200 meters hardish intervals.
I am not in the mood for serious running, so it's kind of impossible to measure my maximum HR as my coach wants to know. He looks like a devil sometimes and then one of TTOG is so sweet. That's a wondering thing, they might achieve a balance, maybe.

wednesday's efforts:
time: 1h24m23s
800m warm up:
time: 3:21 avg HR: 77-157% avg pace: 4:22/km mil: 800m
1,200m intervals:
1st session time: 4:45 avg HR: 86%-174 avg pace: 4:07/km
2nd session time: 4:52 avg HR: 89%-181 avg pace: 4:11/km
3rd session time: 4:56 avg HR: 90%-183 avg pace: 4:21/km
4th session time: 5:10 avg HR: 88%-179 avg pace: 4:25/km
cool dowm
time: 1:38 avg HR: 78%-158 avg pace: 4:24/km mil: 400m

avg HR: 73%-149 avg pace: 6:01/km
mile: 14km cal: 618kcal
location: yoyogi park and the track
beginning time: 18:52pm

gps run by adidas running for keitai

Tonight tried to run with adidas GPS for keitai that Steve mentioned to the Namban list before. I figured if use it, fee could be expensive to connect the LAN to Server, but looks it doesn't connect during running, only once it sends the data how far run and how long time does it take. I should had to be pround of currently technology, but I didn't surprise anything because now GPS is usual tool for walking and driving, just it's thankful the mileage is almost correct like my Polar watch. I'm satisfied I could get some mileage to put my running calender, no run no life!
http://www.adidas.com/jp/iin/content/

today's efforts:
mil: 4.35km
time: 22:24
avg HR: 137-67%
avg Pace: 5:06/km
cal: 141kcal
location: zenpukuji-park
beginning time: 9:16pm

sendai 1/2 with rie-don

happy friday's night training

Because of effective sports massage, my legs are feeling better than yesterday. Instead of last night's training, just put a few of km more. Since could run very lightly like with wings! Just ran for 10km, feeling pretty good.

today's efforts:
time: 57:22:04
mil: 10.5km
warm up: time: 27:11 avg HR: 144-71% avg Pace: 5:05/km mil: 5.3km
pace up1: time: 1:01 avg HR: 166-82% avg Pace: 3:56/km mil: 0.26km
pace up2: time: 1:01 avg HR: 158-78% avg Pace: 3:49/km mil: 0.27km
pace up3: time: 1:01 avg HR: 159-78% avg Pace: 3:52/km mil: 0.26km
pace up4: time: 1:01 avg HR: 166-82% avg Pace: 3:42/km mil: 0.27km
cool down: time: 19:46 avg HR: 140-69% avg Pace: 6:01/km mil: 3.28km
avg HR: 145-71% avg Pace: 5:20
beginning time: 9:29pm
location: inokashira park and track

speed session on tuesday night

I took a rest yesterday and went for having sports massage. I was grabbed by a female trainer, I felt like my body was broken completely, it was hurts, but feeling pretty good also could sleep all night last night. However I am not okay today...feel tired.

After work, went for run for 13km, warmed up for 5km and 8km speed session at 4:30 to 4:20 pace and cool down for 3km. Because of tiredness, cut back to 5km, my heart rate was so high, couldn't take breath, I skipped for 3km!, sorry... I started taking this supplement which got in the state to be recovered soon, hopefully be genki by my last spring marathon tour Sendai.


today's efforts:
mil: 13km
time: 1:10:50
lap1: time: 4:29 avg HR: 162-80% avg Pace: 4:29/km mil: 1km
lap2: time: 4:29 avg HR: 168-83% avg Pace: 4:29/km mil: 1km
lap3: time: 4:29 avg HR: 173-85% avg Pace: 4:29/km mil: 1km
lap4: time: 4:24 avg HR: 174-86% avg Pace: 4:29/km mil: 1km
lap5: time: 4:18 avg HR: 178-88% avg Pace: 4:29/km mil: 1km
beginning time: 7:43pm
location: the track in the inokashira park

cool 20k run in the heritage point

I completed today's 20k cool running in my neighborhood "tamagawa josui" in the rain, it was cool running. I usualy run in my neighborhood, Inokashora Park, beside of Ghibli Museum, and mostly run in the Tamagawa Josui, it's a sort of heritage, historical channel.
It's completed in 1,654 Era Edo, there is a famous story that a famous writer Osamu Dazai commited suicide with his buddy by themselves around Murasaki bridge 5 minutes walk from the south exit of Mitaka station.

The 43km channel, stretching from the Hamura water intake to Yotsuya-Okido (present Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku), was planned and completed by the Tamagawa brothers, for the purpose of sending the clear Tamagawa stream to Edo. Thickets line the channel, creating an atmospheric walking trail. Now it's a good timing to run around there, so come to run before summer!

today's efforts:
time: 1:54:33
mil: 20km
avg pace: 5:38/km
beginning time: 9:20am
location: in the tamagawa josui

weekend's running logs

sunday:
I went to Yoyogi park as usual, then I could meet Rie's friend John-san from Australia and Tamami-san, it was first time to meet him. He is very kind and runs fast even he has injury. He invited Rie and me for drink before lunch to kill time. We had big pasta lunch at La Verde, it is one of Gareth's favorite place, foods are yummy also price is cheep, no excuse.
It's been a long time no run since Boston marathon, it was hard to keep following Steve, so I clashed after 5 loops, I ran into the rest room... shame. But my running and legs were fine, probably.
sunday's efforts:
time: 1:06:29
mil: 12.5km
beginning time: 9:06am
location: yoyogi park

monday:
I went for run in my neighborhood in the late afternoon, I knew it only I'm supposed to run today. I just started running as warm up for a couple of kilometers, and speed up for 5min/km pace, then speed up more for 4min/km pace for last 1km. I was feeling very good, no hot, no humid, legs are fine. I felt a little bit of confidence for Sendai half marathon, hope it's not my imagination. I ate double small 31 ice-cream as today's prise, it's like a summer!
monday's efforts:
time: 1:02:18
mil: 12.0km
lap1: time: 45:36 avg HR: 155-76% avg Pace: 5:04/km mil: 8.99km
lap2: time: 3:51 avg HR: 178-88% avg Pace: 4:05/km mil: 0.93km
lap3: time: 12:51:6 avg HR: 154-76% avg Pace: 6:02/km mil: 2.1km
avg HR: 156-77%
avg pace: 5:10/km
cal: 490kcal
beginning time: 9:06am
location: yoyogi park

just two weeks to go

Even I'm still suffering jet lag, just two weeks to go for my next race "Sendai International Half Marathon".

Fortunately I will run with Rie-don and the other real athletes Athene Olympic winner and third world record holder Mizuki Noguchi, 2006 Nagoya women winner Harumi Hiroyama, and Tokyo marathon's winner Daniel Njenga etc.
Noguchi was supposed to run in a Marathon on April 22nd, but because of her injury changed her plan and choose this half marathon, I'm happy to run with her even revel is totally different.

I planned Spring three races, Arakawa on March 18th, Boston on April 16th and next is last chance by fall November probably, that's why I want to try to run very hard as much as do my best. But I'm not sure how can I do.

I got notice of my bib before leaving for Boston, it's 989.
Women entry number is only 143, even though it's a huge half marathon, it would be very nice.

prizes

I ran for lobster, clam chowder, steak and beer actually. I had all things as my prizes after marathon.

The day after the marathon, I couldn't walk naturally. My legs were chubby more than usual, left ankle felt painful inside and outside.

We went out for mall and Wal mart for shopping, and went to see doctor in the afternoon. Official private hospital gave a free ticket for all runners to check injuries. Then Doctor said just stay cool and no run until feels good, it's not serious.



Next day, Aya and Keith left to NYC, soon after leaving them, my friend landed from D.C. to Boston for sightseeing with me. We visited Samuel Adamus brewely, Newbury street area, a whole course of Freedom trail and Library.






We met up with lots of marathonners here and there, we enjoyed having good conversation with a guy finished in 2:45 is from CA, it was secound time for him. He said trained well for Boston, and ran for over 40 miles as a weekly mileage at least. But I couldn't realize how much far is it??? I think he doesn't run too much even an elite.
He showed his pic us on the paper published by cell phone, he was on the Boston times(?) with guts pose.



On Friday, four days after the marathon day, we flied to Buffalo to visit Niagara Falls. We rented a car and drove from airport to Canada, we crossed the border by a car, it was fantastic experience. It's right thing that the falls look more beautiful from Canada side.





According to my canadian friend Renald, we should visit to small town "Niagara on the lake". There are good souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants, also there are many wineries. We tried to some icewine, not so sweet very tasty. Killed time there until twilight, saw fabulous scenery.

boston 2007 part3

Result; 3:26:27 (Thanks to Steve for caluculating this)

Distance	Time	Race Pace	Split Pace
5	0:24:27	0:04:53	0:04:53
10	0:48:36	0:04:52	0:04:50
15	1:12:29	0:04:50	0:04:47
20	1:36:35	0:04:50	0:04:49
21.1	1:41:44	0:04:49	0:04:41
25	2:00:24	0:04:49	0:04:47
30	2:25:08	0:04:50	0:04:57
35	2:50:09	0:04:52	0:05:00
40	3:16:07	0:04:54	0:05:12
42.195	3:26:27	0:04:54	0:04:42

I was in the corral 10, people who had bibs from 10000 to 11000 were there. Most of people wore a poncho or a light jacket to protect own body from rain. I took off my old jacket and pants to donate, I've heard that's a tradition of Boston marathon.

I was warmed well by stretching with Namban singlet but I should had to wear the national flag "Hinomaru" to run bravely as a Japanese. It was so lovely some people were running with their own flag, I will try to do it next time.

I needed to pass an up-hill before start, people were standing around me, encouraged each other, "Good luck", "Good luck you too" etc. Gun had shoot at 10am, then everyone screaming "WOOHOO" "OHHHH", I was also exciting! I started slowly to maintain my running pace between miles and kilometers. Rain had stopped around 4 miles point, but I got against wind beside of lakes.

Some time I could hear theme song of Rocky, people on side walk were encouraging like "Go!", "Keep going!", "You are great", etc. I got energy from them. I thought I made split too slowly, so just speed up a little at 4:45 after 6 miles. I saw lots of encouraging board said "Go Steve". Is the name "Steve" the most popular name for boy?, just curious.
Rain had stopped at all, but still couldn't through it to trash because of possibility of raining again.

Before passing 12miles, I could hear Girl's screaming. I'm very happy to see good scenery which most of Men is expecting to kiss with girl's. Actually an Italian guy was kissing on the lips! even he was running for marathon! Aya's mom in law told us Former American first lady Hillary Clinton graduated from there.

Just kept going, my legs felt tiredness until half point, but they didn't feel anything after that. So I tried to run a bit of faster with my patient. I just entered four uphills area around 16miles, first one was not so steep but not so easy. And received free energy gel, taste was Cafe latte, fruits flavor is better I think. Before 18miles and after 19miles, I had the others.
I was thirsty around 20miles, so wanted to drink water, even extended my warm, couldn't get it. One girl offered me a cup of drink after that, I got it and drunk, but spited it out since it was BEER.

I got water and washed my mouth soon, it was cold water, then started finding restroom...
I took a break inside for a couple of minutes, that's why I could speed up apparently. Just ran and ran, dash and hurry, I passed many many people, it was good feeling.

"Heart break hill" is too steep for marathon course after running for 20.5miles and there are 5miles more. Fortunately there were lot of people on sidewalk, some people called me "Chinese character" because of wearing Namban singlet, "Konichiha---" "Ganbatte--", "がんばってくださーい" in japanese etc. I just kept running and focused on my running. Then my legs had some energy to get speed up a bit faster more, I thought.

Around 24miles, I just speed up for 4:35 to 4:40 pace, nobody passed me. Just ran and focused on. After the sign "1mile more", I could be faster more. Ran, ran and ran, it was hard but I was feeling so great!

It was the best moment when I saw the finish gate, then my tears came down. My finishing time was 3:26:27, not so fast but not so bad result. I really had good experience as tougher, colder and best marathon. I'd like to try this again sometime if I have time and money, absolutely this was valuable for me.

boston 2007 part2

How many up-hill and down-hill did I need to I pass in this marathon?

I knew this is the hardest marathon course I've never run before upon checked it out on the day before the race day. It's very famous it has "Heart break Hill" around 33Km point, actually there are three steeply up-hills and down-hills before the BIG ONE. Then I knew I should go slow, not too fast in the race, other wise, I could be crap after half point, decided to go slow anyway, hopefully at 4:40 to 4:45 pace at least perhaps more slowly.

On the race day morning, got up at 5:30, it was pretty good that I slept for about nine hours, I felt great at all. I ate a bagle, some fruits, coffee and orange juice as a breakfast.
Outside was not so cold as I thought, but it was still raining sometime hard and once it stopped but rainning again. Aya's mom in law took us to the starting point.

There were some trouble before start, #19 bus that I was supposed to leave my stuff was missing.
My shoes were already soaking.
It was still raining but not cold, etc.