On December 16th I ran the Ota-ku 10km road race. I didn't really know if I would run it until the race day morning as I didn't want to interrupt my comeback into running with a hard 10km.
Due to injury and sickness (read previous logs) I haven't really been able to set foot on the road. Between Nov. 9th and Dec. 9th I managed to run only 5 days of very easy and low mileage. Last Monday I actually jogged my first 10km and finished exhausted (45min jog).
Woke up and decided ... why not? I'll just keep it easy on the legs.
Plus I had ran this event last year and really enjoyed it (below find my 2006 race report with details on the venue and race).
Got there and to my surprise ran into Gerard (a new running mate) during my warm-up. Right there I knew what my strategy should be. Run behind Gerard all the way as he has been training and doing 10km races recently (no km marks at this race so it's difficult to keep an even pace if you haven't been running).
Just like planned stayed right behind him for the first two laps of the three lap course ...
At the start of the third lap (each lap consisted of first a lap in the track and then a lap around the park) Gerard picked up the pace and in a few seconds had a 100 meter lead. For a second I thought about going after him, but decided to stick to my plan and make no crazy moves. Kept the same pace ending with a 35.58. Almost 90 seconds slower than last year, but I was happy and surprised I could break 36 considering the conditions this year.
Apparently I finished 6th in my age group. The medals here are pretty fancy so might try to get one next year.
Back in time: 2006 Ota-ku race report
Today I ran the Ootaku road race. The race took place inside a park at a track and consisted on laps around it (3 for the 10km). I thought it was quite difficult to find the race place. One of the closest stations, tachiaigawa, is 15 - 20 min away by foot.
There were 3 events: 3km, 10km and 10mile run. Apparently the 10 mile was the main event. The top 6 athletes went under 49 minutes and I think the top 15 were under 50. All first 20 athletes or so were athletes form Keio University and Touyou, probably their hakone ekiden team.
I took part in the 10km event. This was my second 10km and I was going for a great result, as my first 10km was terrible, slower than both the first and 2nd 10km in the half marathon I ran last month. Unfortunately I arrived really late, 10 minutes before the race, with enough time to sign up and change. Also not a single mark except for the last 1km and well you could sort of calculate the first 1km as well. Many university students as well, but their team B and C. After the first 10km I was 4th at a 3.12 pace, after that it all went bad. I got surrounded by the Keio team and thought I was probably going to fast so slowed down. At around the third km there was a pack ahead and me with two Keio athletes way behind. At around this mark came a 90 degree turn (I make my turns really tight) and I accidentally closed the guy behind me, which isn't really my problem as he is behind me. I guess he didn't like that because he grabged my shoulder and pulled me back and accelerated leaving me angry and wanting reveange totally forgetting about the race. The 2nd lap I was just tired and upset, when I did track in Peru this kind of thing happens often, but I was caught by surprise in Tokyo. The third lap came and realized I was full of energy so accelerated. Last 1km was a bit slower than the first, around a 3.15. Ended 8th £¨7th actually since the first place was a coach that was pacing), with 6 Keio athletes ahead. Time was 34.33, a 50 second PB but far from my 33.50 goal.
Overall I was satisfied with the result. Ended and began strong, and felt genki at the end of the race. I am sure I will break 34 next time...hope so at least.
I would recommend this race for anyone who wants a fast race.
In the 10mile you get to run shoulder to shoulder with hakone ekiden athletes and in the 10km you can measure yourself against the B teams (2nd place did 33.02, the coach of like 50 years old, ex olympic did a 31.43).
I will definetely run it next year.
Everyone gets a shirt and the winners get a nice medal/trophy.
...still thinking about that guy that pulled me ... made the race ... interesting.
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