Races in March

Took a couple of weeks off after my marathon debut and began my racing season with an ekiden (road relay) and a 5000 time trial.

Tamako Ekiden
On Thursday March 20th, I decided to spend my holiday (which happened to be rainy and cold - perfect for sleeping in and dvds) by waking up early and heading towards lake Tama, west of Tokyo ... a place where ... there is nothing at all.
Two teams I run for were participating: Namban Rengo and Harriers.
This time I would be part of the Harriers B team 3rd leg.
It was a fun event. The weather was rainy, cold and windy and the course very hilly and difficult. It doesn't get any better.
Ran the 6km course in 20 minutes 01 second, passing 6 third leg runners making it ... considering the situation ... a successful run.
Next year if I run it again I would like to go under 19.40 ... we'll see.

Atomi 5000 time trial
Did the Atomi 5km time trial a week after the ekiden. Now usually when I do these time trials I go after work, sleepless and barely in time. This time however I had no work, slept 10 hours the previous night and arrived there 20 minutes before it began ... not to mention my recent good nutrition thanks to a special someone :)
And well things worked out great. An unexpected 12 second pb ... and considering I haven't began any interval training ... a big boost of confidence for races to come.
Here are my splits:
3.13.9 - 3.11.3 - 3.11.9 - 3.13.2 - 3.08
15.58.5

February running: A good marathon

Perfect month. Began with easy jogs to taper for my marathon, ran an excellent marathon and ended with the recovery. In other words I barely ran, however training wise it went as planned.
The new goal ... pbs in 1500 and 5000 before the spring ends.

February

1.- Jog 14 km
2.- Rest
3.- Jog 25 km
4.- Jog 8 km
5.- Morning: Ome trail run 17 km
Afternoon: Jog 12 km
6.- Jog 2 km (strange pain)
7.- Jog 15 km at 4.07 / km pace
8.- Jog 14 km
9.- Rest
10.- Jog 20 km
11.- Rest
12.- Jog 11 km
13.- Jog 10 km
14.- Rest
15.- Rest
16.- Rest
17.- Tokyo Marathon (Full Marathon)
18.- Rest
19.- Rest
20.- Rest
21.- Rest
22.- Rest
23.- Rest
24.- Cycle 15 km
25.- Rest
26.- Jog 9 km
27.- Jog 11 km
28.- Rest
29.- Jog 13 km

Total running: 223 km
Total bike: 15 km