Aquathlon series: 2008 Champion

The Aquathlon series is a yearly event organized by Art Sports (a chain store) that consists of 4 aquathlon races that take place mostly in the Setagaya-ward in Tokyo. The four events are: Nihon Gakuen Aquathlon, Meguro Aquathlon, Shibuya Aquathlon and Setagaya Aquathlon.
Participants of each event get points in the following way (from first to tenth):
12 - 11 - 10 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
This year, although I only took part in 3 of the events I was able to come out victorious.

Nihon Gakuen

Race Name: Nihon Gakuen Aquathlon
Distance: 300 meter swim - 1500 meter run
Course: In a 25 meter pool and inside a school (3 laps)
Price: 1000 yen
Prize this year (by place): Nike shoes / nike bag / nike towel
Nearest station: Meidaimae on the Keio line
Categories: Kids, general, masters

Last year I took part in this event and came in 2nd and got an XL nike shirt (still have it if anyone wants it). This year I wasn't going to let first place slip out of my hands.
The swim was divided into 4 waves starting from the youngest - usually whoever wins the first wave wins it.
So it began ... at the start I spotted a guy wearing a long speedo swim suit. I thought about to things: Will he run with that? and he will win the swim because no young boy buys a $150 dollar suit to just keep in shape. Indeed he won the swim ... but in what a way. A real swimmer ... Asia university freestyler memeber of the Japanese Junior Olympic team for several years. I had 50 meters to go (2nd) and he was out which is amazingly fast considering it's only a 300 meter swim. Like lapping someone in the 1500 run.
Fortunately his run was quite slow. I managed to catch him and pass him with 100 meters to go ... winning a new pair of Nike Free shoes and 12 points in the tournament.
But it all wasn't happy news ... I don't know what's up with my balance but for the 2nd time this month I fell and bled all over the place. Really nasty fall while trying to catch the 1st place. At least now I have a nice balance in my scars ... one on the left arm from cycling and now this one on the right leg from running in the mud.

Meguro

Race Name: Meguro (Komazawa) Aquathlon
Distance: 300 meter swim - 4200 meter run
Course: The swim in the 50 meter pool / the run at the park running course.
Price: 500 yen
Prize this year: Trophy, towel, 2000 yen and 5 litters of an energy drink.
Nearest station: Komazawa Daigaku Station
Categories: Kids, general, masters

Last year I had taken part in this event as an unregistered runner due to my late arrival. I won the event with an unofficial 20.29. So this year I was the unofficial defending champion (of course only I knew that).
Anyways I expected to win, and that, I did. I finished with a surprising time of 19.57 beating last years official winning time by 2 minutes. 2nd finished in an also surprising time of 20.54 beating last years time by a whole minute. Places 2-7 were actually really close together.
Pretty happy to have won this event as it was a lot bigger and more competitive than last year. Got my plastic trophy (that looks more like a toy), some gift certificates, a towel (with the price tag still on) and some energy drink box thing.
2 more events left and in the lead with 24 points. 2nd place has 15 points and 3rd 13 points. Unfortunately due to work I will have to skip one of the events, but hoping the guy now in 2nd doesn't win it.

Setagaya

Race Name: Setagaya Aquathlon
Distance: 200 meter swim - 3100 meter run
Course: The swim in the 50 meter pool / the run at the park running course and track
Price: 300 yen
Prize this year: Diploma, 2000 yen and a medal.
Nearest station: No stations near. It's at the park near the intersection of Setagaya dori with Kampachi dori.
Categories: Kids, general, masters

I got really sick/injured during the week and was unable to put in any sort of training. With 24 point already I thought racing this would not be necessary but took a look at the point ranking last night and discovered I was 2nd place. I woke up feeling okay and decided to cycle to the park (an 8 km ride), if that felt fine then I would race.
I raced Setagaya 2 years ago and came in 5th. For some reason university tri-athletes join this event making it very competitive.
Anyways, to the race. My swim was decent. Got out of the pool 4th and began the run 6th. After 1km I was already 3rd and exactly 100 meters from the 2nd and 1st place. I felt a bit uneasy during the run. Not sure if it was because of the week off from sports I took or beacuse of my illness/injury (not sure what it is). Finally managed to catch 2nd with 200 meters to go but never really saw the first place.
I have to admit I felt bad, even ashamed of not winning as many competitors asked if I had won again, but after meeting the winner I felt better. Who knows, maybe I could have won with a healthier body although a 31 second difference is pretty big for such a short race.
(The winner was a Keio University tri-athlete with a personal best of 2.01 in the Olympic distance triathlon - pretty damn fast).

With a win - win - 2nd I was able to become the champion of this small event. Thinking about making it a yearly thing.

August running: New member in the triathlon club

My first triathlon ended up been surprisingly good. The time itself isn't amazing, however I finished fresh and had so many mistakes ... next year I will try to blow myself away.
Also the Aquathlon Tokyo series began and I won the first round !! Next round will be September 14th.
Lots of accidents during the month but nothing too grave. No pain no gain.

August

1.- Morning: Jog 17 km
Afternoon: 5 km tempo (17.04): total 16 km
2.- Rest
3.- Jog 30 km
4.- Jog 27 km
5.- 20 km bike ride + 16 km jog
6.- 31 km on a stationary bike (85rpm) + 7 km jog
7.- 36 km on a stationary bike (103 rpm) + 10 km jog
8.- Morning: 47 km bike ride
Afternoon: Jog 15 km
9.- Rest
10.- Jog 27 km
11.- 40 km on a stationary bike (95 rpm) + 9 km jog
12.- 45 km on a stationary bike (105 rpm) + 11 km jog
13.- Jog 15 km @ 4.07 pace
14.- Circuit training hills: 19 km
15.- 1700 meter swim
16.- 21 km @ 4.01 pace + 1 km jog
17.- Morning: 1800 meter swim
Afternoon: Jog 10 km
18.- 55 km bike ride
19.- Morning: Circuit training hills: 19 km
Afternoon: 2300 meter swim
20.- 35 km on a stationary bike (102 rpm) + 8 km jog
21.- 2800 meter swim
22.- Rest
23.- Rest
24.- Teganuma Triathlon - Olympic distance (read report)
25.- Rest
26.- Rest
27.- Jog 16 km (with a 5 km tempo included)
28.- Jog 17 km
29.- Morning: Jog 15 km
Afternoon: Jog 10 km
30.- Rest
31.- Nihon Gakuen Aquathlon - 11.47 (1st place)

Total running: 349 km
Total swim: 10.4 km
Total bike: 349 km

I am in pain!!! (graphic)

This blog is called running like the Gingerbread man but after this summer should be changed to having great falls like Humpty Dumpty.

First time was early August. The weather forecast said it would rain a lot, but the sky looked clear so I decided to go for a bike ride to prepare for my triathlon. A few minutes later it began to shower ... 30 minutes later it was pouring ... 1 hour later it had become one of the rainiest days Tokyo has ever had. I lost control at a curve and since I was clipped to the pedals sled together with the bike. It was really painful.

Several floods were reported that day in the city as well as some deaths. Bad day to cycle.

Pretty gross huh?

And the most recent, my leg ... this time however I fell to win.

This weekend took part in the Nihon Gakuen Aquathlon (report to come soon) and fell while trying to catch the leader. At first it looked like a regular wound but my leg is now all red and swollen. Just slipped, flew and smacked my right leg between some rocks. It is actually my shin the part with most damage although you can't see it here clearly.