10.2 K Run + Two 400-M Hill Sprints

March 8, 2019

5.1 K: 30:27.77

400 M Hill Sprint: 1:49.33

400 M Jog: 2:45.09

400 M Hill Spring: 1:39.38

400 M Jog: 2:47.77

5.1 K: 26:49.19

Total 12.6 K: 1:06:18

Ever since I read this book by former ultra marathon world best record holder Mr. Takahiro Sunada, constant practice has become my key word. Before reading his book, I would rest more often, believing that rest was an important part of athletic growth. While there is truth in it, there is also truth in the idea that if you push beyond your comfort zone, your body will respond to it, thus growing stronger as a result.

So the day following interval training I was out on the road cruising along my familiar 10.2 K winding shuttle course. 

I felt heavy at first, but twenty-five minutes into the session, I was warmed up, and prepared to do something more than a steady-paced slow run. I mixed in two 400 M hill sprints. Greater resistance on my legs was anticipated discomfort. There is growth when you get over it. I pressed hard. 

I was happy about this additional challenge. Satisfied, I started off for the second half. The heaviness in the initial phase of the session had long been forgotten. I felt as light as a feather. I increased the pace, feeling my heart beat faster and faster. I imagined the last couple of meters of my next marathon, and surged. To my surprise my body responded with ease. I maintained the fast pace all the way home. When I stocked my timer, it said 26:49, almost three minutes and a half faster than the first half. I was satisfied.  

What a fun Sunday! （充実の日曜日）

March 10, 2019

What a fulfilling Sunday it was today! I renewed my perception that a day feels very long when you start the day early as well as when you have specific activities planned in advance instead of just impulsively reacting to this and that sensations that arise in your mind as you go with the flow.

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Anyhow, I mainly did three activities today. All of them were exciting. I would like to write about them one by one.

1) Shotaro Akiyama Photo Exhibition

I went to Sakura City Museum of Art to see the Shotaro Akiyama Photo Exhibition. It was tremendously enlightening. I'm no photographer. But I enjoy all forms of art.  Photography is art. It tries to express something through the medium of photos. Each photographer tries to convey her or his individuality by the unique way in which they take photos. I was interested in discovering Mr. Akiyama's way.

Mr. Akiyama's photos at the exhibition mainly fall into four categories. They are as follows:

1) General

2) Actresses

3) Writers and Artists

4) Flowers

Among the four categories above 1) and 3 are my most favorite though 3 and 4 were impressive.

As far as 1) was concerned, I was most impressed with the way Mr. Akiyama selected objects and their compositions in photos. Objects were carefully selected, and so were compositions. Later, my intuition proved to be not totally off the mark when I read the artist's own explanation of his photography style that was hung on the wall of the museum. 

The next most impressive group of photos was those of writers and artists. I wonder how they got my attention more than those of actresses. After all the latter are the highlight of this exhibition. I suspect that the main reason is that actresses are used to photo shooting. The writers and artists are less so. Most wore little pretentiousness. One photo, which portraits an artist who is carefully probing his own work, shows a faint smile. His love of his job and the work he created are permeating through his expression. I thought that's one of the most beautiful smiles that I've ever seen. It's a truly satisfied expression of someone who loves what he does. 

The exhibition lasts until next week. I strongly recommend you to check it out. The museum is within a walking distance from Sakura Station on the Keisei Line. 

2) 20 K Run

The second big event is 20 K run. I ran from home to the museum. I was accompanied by a friend on mine from my elementary school days, Ui san. He biked from behind. It was cloudy, but warm. When we left home, we went past a nearby park. There was a festival going on. Kawazu cherry blossoms were in full bloom. People were carrying a mikoshi, or a portable shrine, on their shoulders. The place was packed with families with kids. It was filled with a festive atmosphere. 

The way to the museum was rich in undulation. The climax is a 450 M uphill. I sprinted to the best of my ability. My friend followed on his bike. When I reached the top, I was out of breath. But it felt awesome. 

When we finished seeing the exhibition, the sky was covered with dark clouds and the temperature had dropped significantly. We headed back home quickly, hoping to get home before getting caught in a shower. And get home before it rained we did!

3) Collecting Edible Wild Plants

After dinner I went to the bunk of the Inbanuma Pond. I went there to collect 'fukinoto'. Fukinoto is the flower of a plant. You can collect it in late February and early March. With a flashlight in my hand, I collected more than thirty. I collected them because they are Madam Fumiko's favorite. She likes to make 'tempura' with them. As she gets older, she can eat fewer kinds of food, and much less of each. But she shows an exceptionally voracious appetite for this particular kind of food. Hence, a night scooter ride to the pond!

To sum up, it was such a fulfilling Sunday. I spent some quality time with one of my best friends. I did what I love. And I did something for someone I love who loves me. 

Weighted Jog

March 7, 2019

The day after doing intervals, I did a weighted job, aiming to run 10 K, but failed to complete it after running 17 minutes. My breathing was hard, and my legs still heavy from the hard training on the previous night. Disappointed at my inability to keep the promise I had made with myself, I feebly jogged back home, took a quick shower, and hit the bed. I pat myself on the shoulder for at least trying...

Barefoot Intervals: 3 Sets by 2.2 K

March 6, 2019

4.1 K: 24:55.05

Rest: 1:00.23

<Intervals>

2.2 K: 9:26.13

Rest: 1:00.40]

2.2 K: 9:22.41

Rest: 1:00:43

2.2 K: 9:29.22

4.1 K: 26:25.10

Total 14.8 K: 1:22:38

I did intervals: 3 sets by 2.2 K @ 4:30/K pace with a one-minute rest between sets. 

First, I slowly jogged to the water treatment plant. I ran in bare feet. It was raining. But it wasn't too cold.

I did 3 sets of 2.2 K intervals around the water plant. My target was coming back under 9:54 (4:30/K pace). I met the target in all three with ease. 

When doing the fast runs, I felt slight pain in my soles, especially in the right one, mainly because friction increases between the sole and the road surface. But it wasn't too painful to continue.

When I finished training, I had got two bloody blisters in the right sole. It still feels a bit sore as I am writing this. But soon the pain will go away. And when it does, the sole will have toughened.

Tomorrow I will jog for an hour, this time with shoes on. I need minimum protection to keep the right sole from becoming too sore to train.

10 K Barefoot Jog

March 5, 2019
5.1 K: 29:49.04
5.1 K: 28:11.41
Total 10.2 K: 58:00.45

I had my first barefoot run after Ohme. I hadn't run barefoot for almost one month, so I was afraid that my soles had softened, but I could feel when I hit the road that they had actually toughened, and they were almost numb to slight roughness on the road.

Tokyo Marathon 2019--From a Cheerer's Perspective

On March 3 Tokyo Marathon 2019 took place in Central Tokyo. Birhanu Legese of Ethiopia won with a staggering time of 2:04:48. It was only his second marathon! Both thumbs up for the young Ethiopian! In the women's elite field Ruti Aga equally of Ethiopia won with a blistering time of 2:20:40 in defiance of the cold weather. Her victorious smile smashed the hazy sky of the finish area.

Because I didn't get a runner's lottery place, I enjoyed watching the race as a cheerer. I haven't got a lottery place since 2013, and since then I've been enjoying the race as a cheerer, so I'm quite experienced in the field. 

My first cheering point is always Kanda. Metro Kanda Station is covered by my commuter's pass, and it's easy access from home. Shortly before the 9 K mark, there is a Starbucks cafe that directly faces Chuo Dori Street that runners go through. I got there around 9:15 a.m., waiting for leaders' arrival. The estimated arrival time this year was somewhere around 9:35 a.m.

With a cup of coffee in my left hand, and a sandwich on the left, I watched the race on my cellphone. Five minutes before the estimated arrival time, I got out and joined my runner friends who were already out there to watch the leaders. 

In no time I could hear a distant cheer around the intersection a block away. The cheer gradually came nearer and the volume got louder. The leaders has arrived!

It was a pack of 9 to 10 runners, most of whom were Africans, but three Japanese stuck closely behind them. They are Japanese record holder Suguru Osako, Yuki Sato of Nisshin, and Shogo Nakamura who finished 4th in Berlin Marathon 2018.

I kept on watching coming runners for about 20 minutes, but then got back inside the cafe after saying bye to the friends who were going to the finish area to see the finish of the elite runners. I was planning to cheer on two runners who are both my students at the English school I teach at. 

I carefully monitored their progress on an app called the 'Ohen' Navi, but I unfortunately couldn't spot the student who was faster than the other. But I successfully found the other one from a crowd of passing runners. She looked surprised to hear her name shouted through the speaker, but she also looked happy. I was glad.

After that I got back inside the cafe and killed time until all runners had passed, and traffic regulation was lifted. 

It was almost after the faster student passed the 25 K mark that I finally left the cafe and moved to my second cheering spot. Originally I was going to Ginza shortly before the 30 K mark, but I changed my plans and went to Kayabacho. I was afraid Ginza would be too crowded for me to find a place to cheer. Also, when I ran it in 2011 and 2012, my family and relatives cheered me on in Kayabacho. Later they told me it was not as crowded and they could easily find a place to butt in. So as soon as I got off the train in Nihonbashi, I walked quickly along the underground tunnel leading to Metro Kayabacho Station. Halfway there, there was an exit. I went upstairs to find myself right next to the 28 K mark! I was right. There were far fewer people there than in Ginza or Nihonbashi. I monitored the progress of my friend on my smartphone, and shouted his name when I was sure that he was within a radius of 20 meters while I looked around for him. When I shouted his name twice, a runner in a huge passing crowd turned to me and waved at me. It was him! I threw words of encouragement at him, and he smiled back. But in less than a few seconds, he disappeared into the distancing crowd...

Excited to successfully meet both of my students, I hopped on to the subway to cheer on the faster student again somewhere ahead because there was still plenty of time before the other student was expected to reach Kayabacho. 

I thought of welcoming him in Ginza, but he was going at quite a brisk pace and he could be gone by the time I reached there, so just to be on the safe side, I went to Shinbashi, walked from there to Hibiya Dori to see him in Uchisaiwaicho.

Fortunately I reached the course in time for his arrival, but I wasn't able to spot him among a large crowd. Disappointed, I headed back near Shinbashi Station and had lunch at McDonald's. 

While having lunch, I monitored the progress of both runners from time to time. I then decided to go back to Uchisaiwaicho again, this time on the other side, to see the faster student right past the 40 K mark. Luckily, I was able to find him, congratulating him on almost completing the race!

Meanwhile, the other students was approaching the 30 K mark in Ginza. I went to the other side of the road using the under ground tunnel. There was an open space past the 31 K mark right on the street. It was right on a manhole, but was surrounded with azaleas, so no one would get in there. I jumped over the trees and settled there to wait for the student. Four hours had already passed. Runners passing there four hours into the race are not as experienced. Many were struggling. And she was thought to be one of those struggling. But I was hoping she would not give up. I carefully monitored her progress on the app, and when I believed she was within a radius of 20 meters, I shouted her name again and again and looked around for a runner who reacted to my voice. When I called her name for the third time, a short woman in a white raincoat looked right and left for the owner of the voice. I called her name twice this time more quickly, and waved at her. She found me, looking more surprised than before. She probably didn't expect me to look for her twice. I admired her for already completing 30 kilometers, and encouraged her to complete the race no matter what. 

Feeling high after successfully cheering on my both students twice respectively, I headed to the finish area. I soaked up the festive atmosphere of the area for several minutes, and walked to Nihonbashi, and hopped on the subway to get off at Ueno, had sushi there because I was so hungry from hours of cheering in the freaking cold.

I had surf clam, alfonsino, and some other stuff to fill my stomach, and took out some as a gift for Madam Fumiko at home. 

All in all, the Tokyo Marathon is one of the greatest races to run, but it is also enjoyable for a cheerer whether he or she is a runner or not. 

10 K Run Including Three 1 K Fast Runs

March 1st, 2019

3 K: 19:20.07

1 K: 4:24.32

1 K: 6:26.72

1 K: 4:21.19

1 K: 6:39.98

1 K: 4:19.67

2 K: 12:08.32

Total 10 K: 57:40.27

My motivation is slowly coming back. I went off for a run without deciding of how far I was going, nor how fast I was going to run. I went with the flow as I listened to my body. 

When I reached the end of the 6 K shuttle course, I felt ready for a fast run. I turned around and kicked for a 1 K fast run down the hilliest part of the course. My legs were still a bit heavy, but as I went on, I felt they were gradually accustomed to the fast pace. I jogged back the same route after running 1 K, and repeated it two more times. 

I checked my running form both when running fast and when jogging. I didn't feel too out of balance. Both legs felt well-aligned. The landing point is straight under my body's center of gravity. Cadence was good also. I have gained a couple of kilograms since Tateyama. I will eat more veggies to shed a few pounds off my waist before running Sakura.