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 ...