Races in October

Three races this month: An aquathlon, a road race and a track race.
Two failures and one success.
Very bad weather in all three.
(the aquathlon report should be in the shonan series report)

Takashimadaira 20 km (10/18)

I took part in Takashimadaira once again (3rd time). It was my first long race of the year and preparation to Saitama half which I will run on the 23rd of November. The goal was to run sub 72 minutes. I thought it would be easy, as last year I ran 70 minutes flat running at 95% ... but I guess am not back in shape yet.
Every single lap was slower than the previous one. I ended running km 17-19 at marathon pace to reserve for a pointless kick in the last kilometer. Final official time was 72.44 - net time was probably a lot faster as I began. In my watch I recorded a time of 72.36. Either way not a good race.
Weather did not help a lot with temperatures rising over 20 C before the start.
Splits
7.03 - 3.28 - 3.33 - 3.27 > 17.33
7.21 - 3.35 - 3.35 - 3.30 > 35.36
7.23 - 3.37 - 3.41 - 3.41 > 54.00
7.28 - 3.52 - 3.47 - 3.29 > 1.12.37


Shinjuku 10,000 (10/24)

Tired from the 20km less than a week ago and a hard training 4 days previous to the race I really did not expect much here. It was my first official 10,000. Other times have just been pace runs. My best time so far been of 33.58 .
The weather once again was my enemy.
It began raining 10 minutes before the start, temperatures went down and the wind began to blow. I decided to take it easy and that did work in my favor.
34.20.20 Negative splits: 17.14 - 17.06 Pretty even pace except for the final lap kick.
High hopes for races to come.
Splits
3.23 - 3.27 - 3.26 - 3.27 - 3.28
3.27 - 3.29 - 3.26 - 3.24 - 3.16
Average: 3.25.94

October running: finally good numbers

Finally got some decent miles in and considering the many days off I took, ended up having a good mileage average per training day.
Also had my first two important races of the season. Takashimadaira 20km road race and a my first official 10,000 meter track race. In the first I failed in my goal of running sub 71 minutes. In the 2nd I surprised myself with a decent time in bad weather.

October

1. 2100 meter swim
2. Jog 12 km
3. Rest
4. Jog 10 km
5. Rest
6. 1900 meter swim
10 km tempo - 35.46 : Total 18km
Splits: 3.36 - 3.40 - 3.38 - 3.37 - 3.38 - 3.38 - 3.40 - 3.37 - 3.38 - 3.11
Average: 3.34
7. Rest
8. Jog 18 km
9. Rest
10. 5 x 1000 - 1 min 200 meter recovery jog (concrete) : Total 16 km
3.25 - 3.20 - 3.18 - 3.18 - 3.09
11. Jog 13 km
12. Ota Ward Aquathlon
5km total training
40 km cycling
13. Jog 17 km
14. Bike Commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
Jog 8 km
15. Bike Commute 22 km
Jog 10 km
16. Jog 17 km
17. Rest
18. Takashimadaira 20 km - 1.12.44
Total: 28 km
19. Rest
20. Bike Commute 22 km
Jog 9 km
3 x 1000 - 200 meter 1 min recovery jog (concrete)
3.09 - 3.07 - 3.08
21. Bike Commute 22 km
Jog 18 km
22. Bike Commute 22 km
Jog 17 km
23. Rest
24. Shinjuku 10,000 track - 34.20.20 - 4th
12 km total
25. Rest
26. Rest
27. Bike Commute 22 km
Jog 17 km
28. Bike Commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
29. Bike Commute 22 km
5 km time trial - 16.22
13 km total
30. Rest
31. Jog 9 km

Total Run: 309 km
Total Swim: 4400 meters
Total Bike: 216 km

Shonan Aquathlon Series: Disaster

This summer once again I took part in the Shonan Aquathlon Series.
Previous years it was composed of 4 races, however this year it increased to 5 with the addition of Ota ward aquathlon. Ending in the following race order:
Nihon Gakuen, Meguro, Shibuya, Setagaya and Ota.

2 years ago I managed to finish 2nd in the general results, last year I ended champion winning two races and coming 2nd in another. This year the goal was to of course defend my title ... which did not happen. Ended 4th in the general results.

It seems the tournament is gaining popularity. It is cheap, prices are good and until last year the level of competition was very low. Plus the race itself is short so an athlete can always do his regular training after racing without any risk of injury or overworking.

Nihon Gakuen
Came in 2nd. The prize for this race is jogging shoes, which I wanted, which I thought were to be mine...but lost. Lost against a university triathlete (which ended up winning the entire tournament).
It was very dumb though. Went with a hangover, took the lead and instead of opening a gap took it easy until I got passed and well it was too late to react...over confidence defeated me.

Meguro
Did not show up haha.

Shibuya
Went drunk. Literally, directly from the club to the race.
It just happened to be that way. Had an event the day before the race and well aquathlons aren't really THAT important. Ended 5th

Setagaya
Good race. Good performance. Setagaya is the most competitive event with many university athletes showing up every year. Came in 4th, with 3rd right in front.
Now, I don't want to say I let the 3rd place beat me, but I tripped him during the race and he had a really bad fall ... so I kind of waited until he recovered and caught with me again ... oh well.

Ota
I thought I would win this one. Was really sure about it and even now still do not understand what happened. In my heat - aka the fast heat - I finished 4th with only seconds of difference with the 1st. Some how everyone in the 2nd heat - the old men - had a fantastic race. Perfect swim, great run. Flawless. Even the 4th place of that heat beat my time leaving me 9th in the general result. Still only seconds away from the 1st place. I think there were only 10 seconds between the 1st and 10th place. Insane.

Disaster. Performance wise I had a lot of course personal bests, but mentally I had many flaws.
Will very likely give it a try next year again. Hopefully I can recover my title as champion.

Upcoming races: Come cheer if you are around lol

These are my upcoming races:

October 12th: Ota Ward Aquathlon
Nearest Station: 大鳥居

October: 18th: Takashimadaira 20km
Nearest Station: Takashimadaira

October 24th: 10km at Nationa Stadium
Nearest Station: Sendagaya or the stadium one

November 8th: Hikarigaoka Half Marathon:
Nearest place: Hikarigaoka Park in Nerima

November 14th: 5km (and maybe 1500) at Komazawa track
Nearest place: Komazawa park
(tentative)

November 23rd: Saitama half marathon
Nearest Station: Urawa

December 6th: Okutama Ekiden
Nearest Station: Okutama (?)

December 13th: Narita 10 km
Nearest Station: somewhere near the airport

January 17th: Yokota half
(tentative)

January 24th: Shibuya Ekiden

February 7th: 10km somewhere in Chiba maybe
(tentative)

February 28th: Tokyo marathon if I get in

March - April: Track

May - September: Triathlons and Aquathlons (and some road and track in between)

And the cycle begins again

September Running: Getting there

Little by litte I am getting to my desired training amount. This month the goal was to put in over 300 km. Unfortunately got sick two weekends which forced to take off 5 days. Those 5 days truncated my plan, but at least I know I am on the right track. With few days of training the mileage this months was at least decent. Looking forward to October.

September

1. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 13 km
2. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
3. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 11 km
4. Jog 10 km
5. 2100 meter swim
6. 10 km tempo - 36.11
Splits: 3.40 - 3.38 - 3.39 - 3.40 - 3.41 - 3.39 - 3.37 - 3.35 - 3.33 - 3.24
7. Jog 10 km
8. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 12 km
9. Bike commute 26 km
10. Bike commute 22 km
5 x 1000 - 1 min 200 meter recovery jog (dirt track): Total 14 km
3.23 - 3.23 - 3.20 - 3.17 - 3.13
11. Jog 10 km
12. Sick
13. Sick
14. Jog 10 km
15. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 12 km
16. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
17. Bike commute 22 km
1600 meter swim
18. Rest
19. Shibuya Aquathlon 300 meter swim / 1500 meter run
20. Jog 17 km
21. Jog 13 km
22. Jog 6 km
23. Setagaya Aquathlon 300 meter swim / 3100 meter run
24. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 18 km
25. Sick
26. Sick
27. Sick
28. Jog 15 km
29. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 10 km
30. 5 km TT - 16.19

Total Run 254 km
Total Swim 4300 mts
Total Bike 224 km

August Running: things look a bit better

Vacations are here. HOT HOT HOT. Very busy.
But at least managed to go over 200km. Hopefully next month get near 300 km and can start working my way up to 400 km per month again. Oh and applied for Tokyo Marathon !!!

August

1. Jog 13 km
2. Rest
3. Jog 10 km
4. 1000 x 3 - 1 min 200 meter recovery jog : Total 14 km
3.11 - 3.11 - 3.13 (10 min break)
3000 x 1 : 10.36
5. Jog 16 km
6. Rest
7. 2300 meter swim
8. Rest
9. Jog 17 km (hilly)
10. 2300 meter swim
11. Rest
12. Rest
13. Rest
14. Jog 13 km
15. Rest
16. Jog 18 km
17. Jog 13 km
18. 6 km pace run - Total : 16 km
Splits: 3.31 - 3.32 - 3.32 - 3.34 - 3.35 - 3.38
19. Rest
20. Jog 18 km
21. Jog 18 km @ 4.10 pace
22. Jog 17 km @ 4.10 pace
23. Rest
24. Rest
25. Jog 10 km
26. 5 km time trial - 16.35 - Total : 13 km
27. Rest
28. Rest
29. Rest
30. Nihon Gakuen Aquathlon 300 meter swim/1500 meter run
2nd place: 11.31

Total Run: 212 km
Total Swim: 4900 km

July Running: No, I was not injured

My vacations started. Entire 5 weeks off, yet I managed to barely go over 150 km. Well I was busy with many other things. Still though I did not think I would do so little mileage during the start of my holidays

July

1. 2300 meter swim
2. Rest
3. 5 x 200 @ 1500 meter pace. Total : 10 km
4. Edogawa Open Track Meet
1500 meters: 4.17.06
Total: 6 km
5. Rest
6. Rest
7. Bike commute 22 km
2000 meter swim
8. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
9. Bike commute 22 km
2000 meter swim
10. Rest
11. Open Water 3.2 km swim (+300 mt cool down)
Jog 13 km Trail
12. Jog 25 km
13. Rest
14. Jog 12 km
15. Rest
16. Jog 18 km
2000 meter swim
17. Jog 15 km
18. Rest
19. Jog 17 km
20. Rest
21. Rest
22. Rest
23. Rest
24. Rest
25. Rest
26. Rest
27. Rest
28. Jog 13 km
29. Rest
30. Rest
31. Jog 23 km

Total Run: 167 km
Total Swim: 11800 meters
Total Bike: 66 km

Kamakura Rough Water Swim Race Report

Saturday July 11 marked my debut in open water swimming.

With a 10 year background in swimming I thought that perhaps it would be a relatively easy task to cover the 3.2 km in decent time. Obviously I was wrong. Open water swimming in the ocean (I have done it before in a lake during a triathlon) turned out to be a whole different sport with a whole set of techincal skills I need to learn.

Among them:
1. Do not wear a wetsuit just because you have one and feel its a waste not to wear it. If the water is cool go with just the swim suit.
2. I need to learn how to swim hard. If I take it easy I can see where I am going but the second I begin pushing it I go off course.
3. Pace, pace, pace. Need to learn how to keep pace when there are no distance marks.

The distance, although double than anything I had ever done was not challenging. Yes it was tiring, but considering I couldn't really push myself (as I would go off course), I ended with a lot of energy.

But well, to the report.
The course consisted of 300 meters out and back to the start line in the sand. Then out again for the remaining 2600 meters. Taking the running advantage at the beginning I managed to go into the sand 6th after the first 600 meters. Things felt good, but everything would go downhill from there. The second I got into the water the wetsuit began cutting through my neck. I had forgotten to put on some lubricant on my skin!! Every breathe I took was more and more painful. After 5 minutes I could feel my neck burning, even felt as if it was bleeding. I kept on going trying to breathe by looking forward without moving my neck, but this was just slowing me down. 1700 meters left. I had to take my wetsuit off.

Now one small explanation:
I dont know if it is the same for everyone but I find it very difficult to put on my wetsuit. Taking it off I think is even harder. Taking it off in the middle of the ocean, tired and with no floor to stand on ... for me an impossible task.

I spotted the water stating and swam towards it.
The conversation (screaming) was something like this:

Me: Can I leave my wetsuit here?
Him: Here you are.
Me: I do not need water.
Him: Here you are (to the swimmer next to me).
Me: Yo! I want to leave my wetsuit here (looking at the time in my watch).
Him: Sure
Me: Begin the process and get too tired midway to finish. Both my hands are stretched pointing to the sky trapped with the upper part of the suit. My face completely covered and I am sinking. Me: Excuse me, can someone out there help me take the suit off?
Him: Here you are.
Me: (if I were not next to a boat this would be it) ... Yoooooo!!!!! Take off this suit !!!!! Take it offfffff!
Him: Excuse me what?
Another guy: Starts laughing
Me: Help! me! Help! me! pull this off! pull it!
Him: Pulls off my suit
Me: Thanks

Now that took SO LONG! Dozens of swimmers had gone by me.
They even took a picture!
The remaining of the swim went smoothly. If felt great to swim without the suit.
Ended 6th in my age group I think but around 30th in the general category.
The Rough Water Series ended up been a rough challenge. Will be back next year for a second round.

June running: very little running

I barely managed to get over 200 km this month for running, but did sign up for my first open water swim race. This forced me to increase the swimming mileage. Not sure about a triathlon this year, but trying to get weekly swimming sessions to have an easy sub 24 min swim in the next triathlon I do.
First real bike session this month but will very likely be the only one.
- Love how I write this post as if it is June still when actually it's already August.

June

1. Rest
2. Swim 1500 meters
3. bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
4. bike commute 22 km
5 x 800 - 2 min 400 meter recovery jog (dirt track) : Total 14 km
2.32 - 2.28 - 2.29 - 2.29 - 2.26
5. Rest
6. Rest
7. Jog 16 km
8. Rest
9. bike commute 22 km
10 km tempo - 34.38 : Total 18 km
Splits: 3.29 - 3.28 - 3.27 - 3.27 - 3.27 - 3.27 - 3.28 - 3.29 - 3.28 - 3.22
10. bike commute 22 km
Jog 13 km
11. 1800 meters swim
12. Jog 17 km
13. Rest
14. Jog 13 km
15. Jog 17 km
16. Rest
17. 10 x 400 - 2 min 400 meter recovery jog (dirt track) : Total 15 km
1.10 - 1.12 - 1.12 - 1.10 - 1.11 - 1.10 - 1.10 - 1.06 - 1.09 - 1.05
18. Rest
19. Jog 17 km
20. Rest
21. Rest
22. bike 60 km - 25km @ 2min pace
1600 meter swim
23. Jog 11 km
24. 2000 meters swim
25. bike commute 22 km
Jog 10 km
26. Jog 18 km
27. Rest
28. 2100 meters swim
29. Rest
30. 8 x 400 - 2.30 min 400 meter recovery jog : Total 15 km
1.05 - 1.09 - 1.06 - 1.08 - 1.07 - 1.08 - 1.08 - 1.04

Total running: 209 km
Total swim: 9000 meters
Total bike : 192 km