Takashimadaira 20 km

On October 21st I took part in an elite road race in Takashimadaira.
The race was very well organized with volunteers blocking every corner to avoid the athletes from making wrong turns, kilometer marks, water stations, and some other necessary details to make it flawless.
They even pulled out a piece of garden (those gardens that run in the middle of a road) to make a passage for the runners, which was placed back once the race was over. It reminded me of the 1994 World Cup (for some reason) when a goal broke and they brought in a new one instantly.
The course, totally flat, consisted on 4 laps around a residential area running from Takashimadaira station to Nishi-Takashimadaira station. With Kilometer marks signaling the 2nd, 3rd and 4th kilometers.
Unfortunately the weather was not in our favor that day. It was a bit too sunny and very windy between the 4th kilometer mark and the finish line.
Like always, my physical condition was not optimal either. I still had my knee and back injuries, some lack of sleep and the worries of life we all carry on our shoulders. Not to mention the pain in my eyebrows, which had a direct effect on my bad result.
Now to the race performance, by that I mean the bad part.
Goal time was 70 minutes, running at an even pace of 17.30 per lap.
First lap was comfortable, cruising at 17.25 or so. Second lap, was not as wonderful, but still managed, going through the 10km mark at 35.15 (those hairs in my eyebrow were starting to hurt). From this point on, things began to crumble down. I slowed down to 3.50 per km and kept slowing finishing with a 3.55 pace.
Total time: 1.13.54. Four minutes off my target time.
Why did this happen? Who knows … I guess, let’s hope at least, it was just a bad race day. I felt pretty comfortable throughout and most importantly the 20km felt short and not long and tedious like my previous over 10km races.

Now I have 5 weeks with no races to prepare for Ageo, an even more elite race that takes place in Saitama.
(Hopefully my knee and nipple – had a major nipple injury – will feel better soon. Knee injury though seems bad. Had to take Monday off, maybe an easy jog today)

Last track race of the year

On October 14th I took part in a track race in Tokyo National Stadium. This was my last official track race this year and my last chance to break 4.10 in 1500.
There were 103 runners divided into 4 groups (26) registered for the 1500. Usually the fastest group is last, rarely first. This time however it was the 3rd group, mine, the one with the fast times.
Excellent start, locating myself among the top 5 runners. Kept going at pace for the first 600 meters. Messed it up in the middle 600 meters and recovered lost terrain in the last 300 meters.
Finished 4th with a time of 4.14.
No PB and no goal accomplished, but a good run considering I had an injured knee.
I guess I will have to wait until April for another shot to break 4.10.

Two track races within 30 minutes

On October 7th I took part in Chiba's 43rd Sport's tournament Track meet (no idea if this is translated correctly). It took part in Aoba no mori park, a beautiful green area similar to Tokyo's Komazawa park.
To get to the venue was harder than expected. It took me about an hour to reach Chiba station from Shinjuku and some 20 minutes to find the bus to take me there.
For anyone who decides to visit the park, take bus number 2.

I took part in 1500 and 800. The 1500 was scheduled for 11:20am and the 800 for 12:05. Lucky me (irony here) I was placed in the last heat in the 1500 so began near 11:30 and in the first heat of 800 which began at exactly 12:05.

The 1500
For some reason, here, like in my previous 1500 I had a bad start (I usually have a good start and a bad finish).
I wonder if it's because I began inside (both times in lane 2) or because of the false start (both had them).
The judge called us in ... on your marks ... GET SET ... poof air - the gun had no bullets ... oops sorry everyone take a step back.
On your marks - get set - bam ... I find myself in the back of the pack.
First 200's were slow, probably around 35 ... catched some runners and placed myself 2nd before entering the curve again. Lap split 1.08 ... slow for a first lap.
Everyone kept their place for the next 50 meters. Nobody making any moves.
Decided to spice things up and took the lead ... 2nd lap split 1.08 again ... slow but at least at an even pace.
Still first with nobody to pull me along ... third lap split again 1.08.
Finished first with a 4.15.6 or so. My first official win in Japan, but far from a PB.

The 800
It took me about 10 minutes to pick my stuff from the 1500 start line, catch a breathe and change into jogging shirt. It took me another 15 minutes to cool down and stretch for a bit.
10 minutes to go before the 800 start and I was dead tired.
I was running this pretty much as an interval as there was no way I was getting a PB ... but I did not want to finish last.
BAM! The race began and I took a comfortable 3rd position keeping the 1st place on sight. First lap a not so comfortable 1.05. The first place 4 seconds ahead seemed to by dying by the second. Began my move with 250 meters to go. Got in 2nd and went took the lead with 50 meters to go winning with a 2.09 (I only won my heat though ... placed 5th in general).
Negative splits ... good run.

For anyone looking into taking part in this event next year, the race is very local. I was probably one of the few runners that came from Tokyo - represent!
Also it was quite small ... about two heats per race ... and with no elite athletes ... thus I won.
In addition they have a masters division as well as a Junior HS class.
I'd say good for a time trial and a reason to go out for a lunch in Chiba (The outlet is very near).

What else is up ...
I got in Tokyo Marathon!! OH YEA BABY (once again irony)
I am not excited at all, and not really sure if I should consider this good news or bad.
People do ask when I tell them that I run ... have you ever done a marathon? And my answer is always no ... I guess from March 2008 I will say yes.
In preparation for this, yesterday Monday I did a 30km with Jason in Yoyogi. My first 30km, in fact my first time running over 21km non stop.
Of course it was raining
We began at an "easy" pace of 4.25 ending with a 43 min first 10km. Moved up to under 4.10 pace for the next 10km ... I was about to enter unknown terrain.
After the first 20km it was all under 4 min pace and the last 5 km under 3.50 pace.
Easier than I thought ... but I got really tired. 30 km (2 hr 03 min) is no joke even if it is just a "tempo run" ... many months for my first marathon and I am already not looking forward to it.

fun fun fun running around and around yoyogi park at 8am on a holiday under the rain
... It actually was not that bad ... had a nice talk with Jason for the first 20 k ...

September running: Injury, lazyness ... no good

September was a month of low mileage due to lazyness, races and on the last week, injury.
I did manage to finally get a 5km PB, although not under 16 minutes, a PB is still a PB.
Planning on doing 450 km in October as preparation for Ageo Half Marathon.
Below are this month's numbers.

September

1.- Rest
2.- Track race at Kounosu (1500): 4.13.9
3.- Jog 17 km
4.- Jog 17 km
5.- Jog 18 km
6.- Rest
7.- Morning: Swim 2000 mts
Afternoon: 6 x 400 - 90 sec 200 mt recovery jog
1.10 - 1.08 - 1.10 - 1.08 - 1.09 - 1.08
3 x 200 - 60 sec 200 mt recovery jog: Total 15km
32 - 33 - 30
8.- Rest
9.- Komazawa Aquathlon (300 swim - 4.3 km run)
Afternoon jog: Total 18km
10.- Rest
11.- Rest
12.- (1600+1000) x 3 - abt. 2.10 min 400 mt recovery jog
5.10 - 3.08 - 5.09 - 3.15 - 5.17 - 3.05
13.- Jog 18 km
14.- Jog 15 km
15.- Rest
16.- 5 km Tempo Run: 17.40 - Total 14 km
17.- Hill workout- bounds / Jog - Total 17 km
18.- Rest
19.- 3 x 1000 - 2 min 400 mt recovery jog
3.06 - 3.07 - 3.06
5 minute break
4 x 400 - 2 min 400 mt recovery jog: Total 17km
1.12 - 1.09 - 1.11 - 1.07
20.- 1500 mt swim
21.- Jog 17 km @ 4.08 pace - Total 18 km
22.- Shibuya Aquathlon (300mt swim - 1500mt run)
23.- Rest due to injury
24.- 7 x 1000 - 90 sec 200 mt recovery jog: Total 17km
3.14 - 3.14 - 3.13 - 3.14 - 3.14 - 3.14 - 3.08
25.- Easy jog 15 km
26.- Rest due to injury
27.- Atomi 5 km time trial: 16.10 PB
28.- Bike 9 km + jog 15 km + bike 11 km
29.- Rest due to injury
30.- Rest due to injury

Total running: 281 km
Total swim: 4,100 meters
Total bike: 29 km

With the aquathlon season over I should be able to put in more running days (18 this month ... very very lame).

I guess that is all for this not so interesting post.
;-)