With some 40 days left for the start of summer olympics, countries are now in the process of selecting the athletes who will represent them in each discipline.
Although Euro 2008 is taking the spot light in all newspaper headlines, the past weeks and few weeks to come have had and will have exciting meets in various sports.
Yesterday Japan concluded their 4 day track and field national championships/ olympic trials. I'd consider track the unofficial national sport of Japan, and although fierce competition, it was pretty obvious who would win which races, but like any event, there were many surprises. You can find detailed news at www.japanrunningnews.blogspot.com.
I guess of the runners going those who have a realistic chance of winning a medal are Murofushi, Noguchi Mizuki, perhaps one of the male marathoners depending on both their and the competition's performance, and with a PB race Shibui Yoko.
Another country having their track and field olympic trials is the USA. Having as main headline Gay's 9.68 victory on the 100 meters. Due to wind aid the time was not considered as a new world record, but his 9.77 in the semi's made him the fastest man the USA has ever had. Pretty impressive, and with Bolt having ran a 9.72 this year (not confirmed as runner in Beijing) and Powell with a PB of 9.74, the XXIX olympic promise to be be the fastest ever.
In other pre-olympic races Liu Xiang's 110 meter hurdles 4 year world record was broken by Cuban Robles making this an interesting event as well for the Olympics.
40 days left and as the day comes closer Beijing might be witness of new world records, shoulder to shoulder races and many surprises. Hopefully all the bad news surrounding China's recent scandals will not ruin what promises to be a great summer event.
* Personally looking forward to watch many swimming world records broken and perhaps see Michael Phelps win 8 golden medals in a single olympic.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Soccer - Football - Futbol !!!
On June 14th and 15th I took part in the ALL ALT JAPAN SOCCER TOURNAMENT. Although its name, this tournament is not only for ALTs. Many Japanese and local teams registered in the Metropolis and other local leagues take part in it as well.
About 18 teams took part in the male tournament (female tourney available too). Probably some 10 competitive teams, 4 okay teams and 4 "not so okay" teams.
First day teams were divided in groups of 4 and 5 and played a league style competition. Everyone against everyone. The following day the winning teams went to a competitive tournament of lose and done and the losing teams to a less competitive tournament of same style.
It was great fun to get in the field after years of not playing the beautiful game. And even though we lost every single game and ended with a goal difference average of -4 goals I enjoyed the weekend all in all. Yes, there is no excuse for such a shameful result. The truth though is we were honestly playing for the fun of playing.
Well the scores might make one think this tournament is hardcore, but it really isn't. We were just kinda bad. I'd say the best 3 teams were as good as an average university team and the remaining 7 good teams as good as a highschool team. The rest as good as you and your buddies playing football. For sure not semi-pro although there were some really good players here and there.
But like I said, fun! fun! fun! A great escape from all my running training and went through the weekend with just a minor hip injury which is gone now.
Will I participate again next year?
Well most of my team mates are leaving Japan, but some 6 players will be staying and I guess we could recruit a couple of more. So yea, I might go for some more punishment next summer.
Till then I'll just keep running ...
About 18 teams took part in the male tournament (female tourney available too). Probably some 10 competitive teams, 4 okay teams and 4 "not so okay" teams.
First day teams were divided in groups of 4 and 5 and played a league style competition. Everyone against everyone. The following day the winning teams went to a competitive tournament of lose and done and the losing teams to a less competitive tournament of same style.
It was great fun to get in the field after years of not playing the beautiful game. And even though we lost every single game and ended with a goal difference average of -4 goals I enjoyed the weekend all in all. Yes, there is no excuse for such a shameful result. The truth though is we were honestly playing for the fun of playing.
Well the scores might make one think this tournament is hardcore, but it really isn't. We were just kinda bad. I'd say the best 3 teams were as good as an average university team and the remaining 7 good teams as good as a highschool team. The rest as good as you and your buddies playing football. For sure not semi-pro although there were some really good players here and there.
But like I said, fun! fun! fun! A great escape from all my running training and went through the weekend with just a minor hip injury which is gone now.
Will I participate again next year?
Well most of my team mates are leaving Japan, but some 6 players will be staying and I guess we could recruit a couple of more. So yea, I might go for some more punishment next summer.
Till then I'll just keep running ...
Monday, June 23, 2008
May Running: A bit of frustration
I wanted to break both my 1500 and 5000 personal records before spring ended, but was not able to do so even though I was prepared to. I did run close to my PB times and in some cases with a better pace or in worst condition than when I did my PBs ... still it was a bit frustrating not to run faster.
May
1.- Rest
2.- Rest
3.- Niigata mid prefecture championships
1500 meters: 4.12.7
4.- Niigata mid prefecture championships
5000 meters: 16.21.8 (*32 degrees)
5.- Rest
6.- Inagi ekiden – 9.48
7.- Jog 13 km
8.- Jog 17 km
9.- Jog 15km
10.- Rest
11.- Arakawa Ekiden (~5000): 15.15
12.- Jog 17 km @ 3.59/km
13.- 15 x 200 - 1 min 200 meter recovery jog: Total 16 km
30.2 - 31.7 - 32.3 - 30.3 - 31.7 - 31.7 - 31 - 31.3 - 30.8 - 30.5 - 30.9 - 30.4 -
31.1 - 31.3 - 30.9
14.- Jog 15 km
15.- Jog 15 km
16.- 1200 @ 1500 pace: 3.23.10 – Total 12 km
17.- 6000 Tempo (3.40/km). Total 14 km
18.- Jog 15 km
19.- Jog 14 km
20.- 2 x 800 - 7 min 400 meter recovery jog: Total 10 km
2.12.29 - 2.12.37
21.- Strides - total 10 km
22.- Rest
23.- 5 x 300 - 1 min 100 meter recovery jog: Total 10 km
44.8 - 47.9 - 46.7 - 46.7 - 45.5
24.- Rest
25.- Konosu track
1500 metros: 4.10.31
26.- Jog 13 km
27.- Jog 9 km
28.- Jog 12 km
29.- 5000 time trial (*alone): 15.58.96
30.- Rest
31.- Rest
Total running: 287 km
May
1.- Rest
2.- Rest
3.- Niigata mid prefecture championships
1500 meters: 4.12.7
4.- Niigata mid prefecture championships
5000 meters: 16.21.8 (*32 degrees)
5.- Rest
6.- Inagi ekiden – 9.48
7.- Jog 13 km
8.- Jog 17 km
9.- Jog 15km
10.- Rest
11.- Arakawa Ekiden (~5000): 15.15
12.- Jog 17 km @ 3.59/km
13.- 15 x 200 - 1 min 200 meter recovery jog: Total 16 km
30.2 - 31.7 - 32.3 - 30.3 - 31.7 - 31.7 - 31 - 31.3 - 30.8 - 30.5 - 30.9 - 30.4 -
31.1 - 31.3 - 30.9
14.- Jog 15 km
15.- Jog 15 km
16.- 1200 @ 1500 pace: 3.23.10 – Total 12 km
17.- 6000 Tempo (3.40/km). Total 14 km
18.- Jog 15 km
19.- Jog 14 km
20.- 2 x 800 - 7 min 400 meter recovery jog: Total 10 km
2.12.29 - 2.12.37
21.- Strides - total 10 km
22.- Rest
23.- 5 x 300 - 1 min 100 meter recovery jog: Total 10 km
44.8 - 47.9 - 46.7 - 46.7 - 45.5
24.- Rest
25.- Konosu track
1500 metros: 4.10.31
26.- Jog 13 km
27.- Jog 9 km
28.- Jog 12 km
29.- 5000 time trial (*alone): 15.58.96
30.- Rest
31.- Rest
Total running: 287 km
Monday, June 2, 2008
Two other runs in May
Running alone
Last Thursday I head out to Oda field to take part in the monthly Atomi 5km time trial. It was a rainy, but the weather was too good (really cool) to skip this monthly event. To my surprise though, when I got there the track was pretty much empty. And by that I mean 4 guys doing 50 meter sprints occupying nothing of the field.
"To run or not to run" That is the question.
I am terrible at pacing myself when doing race pace time trials on anything longer than 800 meters and running a bad 5000 would be a waste of energy.
"What to do"
An interval session of 1000 reps at 3.10 pace seemed like a wise choice.
Went out at a perfect pace passing each 200 in 38 seconds. It felt so easy compared to my recent speed workouts where I have to pass each 200 in 32/33 seconds. With 100 meters to go before the first 1000 I decided to change the repetition to 2000 meters.
The pace stayed even and the light rain was pretty refreshing. "Man, should I do a 5000? I'd be disrespecting this cool weather if I don't"
After the first 2000, the interval session had become a 5000 time trial, and what a good decision that was.
Splits were: 3.10.21 - 3.10.69 - 3.12.88 - 3.14.34 - 3.10.84
Time: 15.58.96
The time was good, but better than that was the fact that I cruised all the way. I had no pressure from the competition or spectators. I could have stopped at any time and nobody would have ever known about it. This run was all about keeping the pace and my running form.
Yes, I slowed down at km 3 and and 4. For km 3 I have the excuse the after 2000 meters I was about to stop but then picked it up to change my interval session to a time trial. Still, I was running alone. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come in the fall.
5 days before that
On May 25th I ran my last 1500 of the Spring.
I always have this "problem" called a hangover when I run 1500's. Every time I run a 1500 race I drink the day before. I rarely drink nowadays, but for some strange reason, every time there is a 1500 race I drink on the Saturday before. This time wasn't any different in that sense.
I did though however get a good 9 hours of sleep and due to time confusion arrived 2 hours before the race start.
Had an excellent warm up. Was today a pb day?
The start was messed up ... instead of the usual gun they used this baby gun toy thingy attached to a megaphone so the gun would go and 0.03 seconds later the sound would come out of the megaphone. I started out so low waiting for the sound to reach my ears and ended up going through the first 200 in 34 seconds compared to my usual 32. I was able to gain some places though and bring the pace up passing the 400 mark in 1.05 / 06.
With 1,100 to go I was in a solid 2nd place.
The pace was great, perfect (the split seconds are made up)
1.05.8 - 2.11.9 - 3.19
When I looked at that 3.19 I thought "Oh man I am going to run a 4.06 today, keep it cool, keep it cool" ... but my legs just didn't it that afternoon. I finished with a 4.10.31. A good time, but with a 3.19 at the 1200 mark I should have been a lot faster.
Last Thursday I head out to Oda field to take part in the monthly Atomi 5km time trial. It was a rainy, but the weather was too good (really cool) to skip this monthly event. To my surprise though, when I got there the track was pretty much empty. And by that I mean 4 guys doing 50 meter sprints occupying nothing of the field.
"To run or not to run" That is the question.
I am terrible at pacing myself when doing race pace time trials on anything longer than 800 meters and running a bad 5000 would be a waste of energy.
"What to do"
An interval session of 1000 reps at 3.10 pace seemed like a wise choice.
Went out at a perfect pace passing each 200 in 38 seconds. It felt so easy compared to my recent speed workouts where I have to pass each 200 in 32/33 seconds. With 100 meters to go before the first 1000 I decided to change the repetition to 2000 meters.
The pace stayed even and the light rain was pretty refreshing. "Man, should I do a 5000? I'd be disrespecting this cool weather if I don't"
After the first 2000, the interval session had become a 5000 time trial, and what a good decision that was.
Splits were: 3.10.21 - 3.10.69 - 3.12.88 - 3.14.34 - 3.10.84
Time: 15.58.96
The time was good, but better than that was the fact that I cruised all the way. I had no pressure from the competition or spectators. I could have stopped at any time and nobody would have ever known about it. This run was all about keeping the pace and my running form.
Yes, I slowed down at km 3 and and 4. For km 3 I have the excuse the after 2000 meters I was about to stop but then picked it up to change my interval session to a time trial. Still, I was running alone. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come in the fall.
5 days before that
On May 25th I ran my last 1500 of the Spring.
I always have this "problem" called a hangover when I run 1500's. Every time I run a 1500 race I drink the day before. I rarely drink nowadays, but for some strange reason, every time there is a 1500 race I drink on the Saturday before. This time wasn't any different in that sense.
I did though however get a good 9 hours of sleep and due to time confusion arrived 2 hours before the race start.
Had an excellent warm up. Was today a pb day?
The start was messed up ... instead of the usual gun they used this baby gun toy thingy attached to a megaphone so the gun would go and 0.03 seconds later the sound would come out of the megaphone. I started out so low waiting for the sound to reach my ears and ended up going through the first 200 in 34 seconds compared to my usual 32. I was able to gain some places though and bring the pace up passing the 400 mark in 1.05 / 06.
With 1,100 to go I was in a solid 2nd place.
The pace was great, perfect (the split seconds are made up)
1.05.8 - 2.11.9 - 3.19
When I looked at that 3.19 I thought "Oh man I am going to run a 4.06 today, keep it cool, keep it cool" ... but my legs just didn't it that afternoon. I finished with a 4.10.31. A good time, but with a 3.19 at the 1200 mark I should have been a lot faster.
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