I began running again on January 1st. Getting fit enough to do my regular jogs was actually pretty easy, but I am still not ready for hard workout sessions at the track.
This month I took part in 3 events, all as condition checks and not done at 100%.
Shibuya Ekiden
Last year I ran this road relay with Namban Rengo. We easily took the first place. This year however I decided to do it for fun and convinced my co-workers to run with me. Of the three, only one was a sports man, the other two were a smoker and your regular city man.
We managed to place 49th out of 90 teams, all running a lot faster than expected. I passed 34 runners on my leg which was pretty exciting and ended with the 2nd fastest time in the leg with a 9.29. Slow, but faster than I expected.
Shinjuku half marathon
I was looking for a half marathon last year to tune up for Tokyo (before I got sick and decided to make Tokyo a for fun / serious race). Shinjuku, my favorite half marathon course, was the perfect option.
I had already planned to run this race with a friend as he was going for a 1.20 ish (also using it as a tune up for Tokyo) which would be perfect considering I am not in PB shape and had the goal of running this as preparation for Tokyo / endurance check. We spent the entire first 10km talking about the course and pace, etc. (like I said we weren’t really running totally out). It went by really by and felt easy.
Ended up with a 1.17.46 (unofficial) 5km splits: 18.31 – 18.45 – 18.24 – 18.14 – 3.29 – 22. I guess that makes it negative splits. A lot faster than I expected, too bad I could not go for a PB due to injuries and diseases, but happy with the result.
This was for sure a successful race.
5 km time trial
The Wednesday after Shinjuku half I decided to make the monthly time trial organized by Namban Rengo.
Wednesdays are usually bad days to run fast as the track is packed and most of the run is made on the 2nd lane (bad specially if you spend the morning playing soccer). However this would be my last endurance check before my first marathon. The goal time: An easy 3.30 pace.
Ended up with a 17.04 with the following splits:
3.23.9 - 3.28.3 - 3.25.5 - 3.27.5 - 3.18.8
Once more negative splits.
All left is wait for the big one ... Tokyo Marathon
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
110%
Football (soccer) is the major sport in Peru. Not nearly as organized as it is in Europe, but still each club team has its more than fair amount of fans and the media gives the sport great importance.
I remember growing up and listening to these athletes saying how they will soak wet with sweat their shirts and give 110% in the field. I don't remember though ever seen what this 110% is.
I actually don't remember ever seen what giving 110% is until I came to Japan and watched the runners here.
I imagine that giving 100% is giving all you have. That you run (play) until you can run no more, so when the race is over you just collapse or barely stand using the energy you have left. So running, making a personal best and winning, but finishing with energy is fore sure not giving 100%.
So then when is 110%?
Some weeks ago I watched the famous Hakone ekiden. This is one of the major races in Japan where the best 20 university teams of Kanto area (area around Tokyo) present their 10 best runners in a 2 day road relay. Each of their runners, all young students must run for about 20 km giving in many cases 110%.
This year (first time I watch it) 3 university teams were unable to finish the race as their runners simply collapsed few kilometers and in some cases few meters from the finish line. They collapsed after giving 100% of their energy, stoop up, kept running, only to collapse again, and again and again, until they were stopped by the organizers.
Now they are not just your regular jogger, as they train as hard as professionals running over 20 km per training day.
Then this last Sunday I watched the awaited debut of Kayoko Fukushi in the marathon.
Fukushi is an all star runner in Japan, having the national records for 3000, 5000 and half marathon in the country. Her debut on the marathon (qualifiers for Beijing) was awaited by the running world...and what a debut. Just like the hakone runners she fell flat on her face several times before finishing.
And, she is an olympic first class runner.
Scary ...
Discouraging or encouraging, I guess this is what giving 110% means.
I remember growing up and listening to these athletes saying how they will soak wet with sweat their shirts and give 110% in the field. I don't remember though ever seen what this 110% is.
I actually don't remember ever seen what giving 110% is until I came to Japan and watched the runners here.
I imagine that giving 100% is giving all you have. That you run (play) until you can run no more, so when the race is over you just collapse or barely stand using the energy you have left. So running, making a personal best and winning, but finishing with energy is fore sure not giving 100%.
So then when is 110%?
Some weeks ago I watched the famous Hakone ekiden. This is one of the major races in Japan where the best 20 university teams of Kanto area (area around Tokyo) present their 10 best runners in a 2 day road relay. Each of their runners, all young students must run for about 20 km giving in many cases 110%.
This year (first time I watch it) 3 university teams were unable to finish the race as their runners simply collapsed few kilometers and in some cases few meters from the finish line. They collapsed after giving 100% of their energy, stoop up, kept running, only to collapse again, and again and again, until they were stopped by the organizers.
Now they are not just your regular jogger, as they train as hard as professionals running over 20 km per training day.
Then this last Sunday I watched the awaited debut of Kayoko Fukushi in the marathon.
Fukushi is an all star runner in Japan, having the national records for 3000, 5000 and half marathon in the country. Her debut on the marathon (qualifiers for Beijing) was awaited by the running world...and what a debut. Just like the hakone runners she fell flat on her face several times before finishing.
And, she is an olympic first class runner.
Scary ...
Discouraging or encouraging, I guess this is what giving 110% means.
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