November training: is there any point in posting this month

to be updated

November

Total run : 63 km
Total swim 2500

October training: No time to train

to be updated

October

1. Rest
2. 10 km
3. Rest
4. 10 km
5. 18 km
6. rest
7. rest
8. 15 km
9. rest
10. rest
11. rest
12. rest
13. rest
14. rest
15. rest
16. rest
17. rest
18. rest
19. rest
20. rest
21. rest
22. rest
23. rest
24. 10km
25. rest
26. rest
27. rest
28. rest
29. rest
30. rest
31. rest

Total 30 km run

September training: got into a triathlon team

to be updated

September

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

Total run: 237
Total swim: 2300
Total bike 35 km

August training: when will summer end?

This summer has been way too hot. Have again not managed to go over 250 km and ended the month with a lame result in the Nihon Gakuen Aquathlon.

August

1. Jog 15 km
2. Jog 15 km
3. Jog 13 km
4. Swim 2300 meters
5. Jog 15 km
6. Jog 10 km
7. Rest
8. Rest
9. Rest
10. Jog 13 km
11. Rest
12. Jog 17 km
13. Jog 13 km
14. Rest
15. Jog 13 km
16. Rest
17. 10x400 - 1 min rest : Total 13 km
71 - 69 - 68 - 70 - 69 - 71 - 73 - 74 - 72 - 68
18. Jog 11 km
19. Jog 17 km
20. Rest
21. Rest
22. Rest
23. Rest
24. Swim 1500 meters
800 x 3 - 6 minute cycle no jog for recovery
2.24 - 2.20 - 2.19
25. Swim 1000 meters
26. Jog 10 km
27. Swim 2000 meters
28. 35 km bike
Jog 8 km
29. Nihon Gakuen 300s/1500r (5km total run)
30. Jog 18 km
31. 5 x 1000 - 2 min 200 meter recovery jog
3.18 - 3.14 - 3.14 - 3.15 - 3.09

Total run: 232 km
Total swim: 7100 meters
Total bike: 35 km

July training: ....

Well it seems I won't be doing much racing this year. It's already August and I haven't applied for anything yet other than the pointless aquathlons. So no real pressure or goals to aim for.
I have applied/plan to apply for a couple of 1500 meter track races to attempt for at least one pb this year. Well with this training I don't see how that can happen but you never know.

July

1. Jog 13 km
2. Jog 10 km
Cycle 40 km
3. Rest
4. Jog 12 km
5. Jog 15 km
Cycle 40 km
6. Swim 2500 meters
1000 x 3 - Total 12 km
3.14 - 3.07 - 3.04
7. Swim 2500 meters
8. Swim 2000 meters
9. Jog 10 km
10. Kamakura Rough water swim 2.5 km (49.30)
11. Rest
12. Swim 1500 meters
13. Jog 17 km
14. Jog 15 km
15. Jog 15 km
16. Rest
17. Jog 15 km
18. Swim 1500 meters
19. Jog 10 km
20. Rest
21. 5x400 - 400 meter 2 min recovery jog
68 - 70 - 71 - 70 - 69
8 min break
5x200 - 200 meter 1 min recovery jog - Total 14 km
32 - 31 - 32 - 33 - 32
22. Trail 18 km
23. Jog 15 km
24. Rest
25. Jog 17 km
26. Rest
27. 10x400 - 1 min no jog rest - Total 12 km
68 - 68 - 67 - 68 - 68 - 69 - 69 - 69 - 70 - 67
28. Jog 10 km
29. Rest
30. Rest
31. Rest

Total Run: 230 km
Total Swim: 12500 meters
Total Bike: 80 km

Kamakura rough water swim report

Last year I did my first open water swim ever in Kamakura. Swam 3 (3.2) kilometers in the ocean without much training in me. Wore a wetsuit but forgot to lubricate my body: the result: terrible. You can read about it in my report from July 2009.

This year a once again ventured to the rough waters in Kamakura to take part in the 3 km event. My goal was simple, to swim much faster than last year.
To avoid any gear problems, a simple solution: no wetsuit, just my swimsuit and googles.

I did swim faster and placed higher.
Finished 20th out of 230 with a time of 49.30 (last year 58 minutes)
Was it really faster though??
This year due to the strong currents and waves the races was shortened to 2.5 km.
My original plan of breaking 50 minutes changed into breaking 40 ... but once in the water I realized it would be impossible to do.

We swam parallel to the shore, with waves breaking next to us.
Every stroke was difficult and changing my style did not help. Every time I got into a good pace a wave would roll me over and force me to come to a total stop.
Looking at my watch was totally useless ... I could not keep a constant pace and I had no idea what distance I was covering. A bit of a nightmare

The ending though was pretty exciting and made the race a good one after all.
Stepped into the shore in 22nd place with a 50 meter run to the goal. Place 21st was 5 meters ahead and 20th some 15 meters ahead. The 3 of us tired and cramped. But the runners in me said "you have to win this little race ... you have 50 meters to go ... he has 35 ... but you are probably 10 times faster RRRUUUUNNN!!!"
And I flew, caught the 21st place and with 10 meters to go managed to sneak through and beep my wrist chip before the other guy ending in 20th. Collapsed on the finish line with cramped muscles knocking out some of the crowd .... epic finish.

.... and to my surprise 22nd place was my good friend Tahara-san. I had been looking for him the entire swim. Impossible to find though ... but we ended up racing each other at the end. What a coincidence.
20th, 21st and 22nd place were all given the same time of 49.30

June training: still not where I want to be

Swimming keeps improving but my running is as low as ever. Ended the month with a shocking 17.04 for a 5km time trial. Will have to put in a lot of work in the next 3 months if I want to be sub 16 again this fall.

June

1. Swim 2500 meters
2. Rest
3. Rest
4. Jog 10 km
5. Rest
6. Swim 2000 meters
7. Rest
8. 6 km tempo - Total 15 km
3.32 - 3.25 - 3.22 - 3.26 - 3.32 - 3.23
9. Jog 13 km
10. Swim 2500 meters
11. Jog 15 km
12. Rest
13. Rest
14. Swim 2500 meters
15. Jog 13 km
16. Jog 15 km @ 4.10 pace
17. Rest
18. Swim 3000 meters (1500 meter time trial)
19. Jog 6 km
20. Saiko road race 10.5 km - 39.09
Total: 19 km
21. Jog 13 km
22. Jog 15 km
23. Jog 15 km
24. Rest
25. Rest
26. Rest
27. Swim 1700 meters
28. Rest
29. Jog 15 km
30. 5 km time trial - 17.04
3.24 - 3.25 - 3.27 - 3.27 - 3.20
Total 13 km

Total Run: 177 km
Total Swim: 14,200 meters

Like a fish in the water

I have been swimming once a week without fail since mid April and have increased to twice a week now and then since late May. As a result I now feel I am in PB shape.
Last Friday I time trialed myself. Swam 1500 meters in a 25 meter pool.
My lane had 4 other slow swimmers in it which made it a bit problematic. Also due to pool rules I had to leave my stop watch at the border of the pool, meaning stopping every hundred meters to press my watch to get my splits.
The result though was surprising. Finished in about 23.10
Two years ago I did the same workout in an empty pool and barely ducked under 26 minutes.
I am sure that at 100% in an empty pool I would have kept a 1.30 pace for every hundred meters.
Does that mean I will swim under 23 minutes in my next triathlon?
Not really, but it would be great if I did.
With a good current and use of wetsuit, who knows! might even break 22.

1500 time trial splits:
1.26 - 1.31 - 1.33 - 1.33 - 1.33 - 1.34 - 1.36 - 1.35 - 1.34 - 1.34 - 1.33 - 1.33 - 1.34 - 1.33 - 1.33
Avg: 1.33

May running: twist twist twist

I twisted my ankle again. Kind of sucks but at least it was just a minor sprain. I should be running soon again. Been swimming instead. Hopefully I can get in good result in the Rough Water Swim 3k in July.

May

1. TELL 10k - 35.02 (2nd place)
total: 19 km
2. Rest
3. Rest
4. Rest
5. Rest
6. Jog 15 km
7. swim 2400 meters
8. Jog 15 km
9. Jog 10 km
10. Rest
11. swim 2000 meters
12. Jog 17 km
13. swim 2600 meters
14. Jog 20 km
15. Rest
16. Jog 18 km
17. Jog 17 km @ 4.06 pace
18. Jog 15 km
19. Rest
20. swim 2100 meters
21. Jog 17 km
22. Rest
23. Rest
24. swim 2300 meters
25. 3x200 - 400 meter 2 min recovery jog - Total 15 km
7.07 - 7.07 - 6.35
26. Jog 10 km
27. (injured) swim 2000 meters
28. (injured) swim 2200 meters
29. injured
30. injured
31. injured

Total Run: 188 km
Total swim: 15,600 meters

Injured

Damn.
I always get injured.
I have lived 5.5 years in Japan and this is the 6th time I twist my ankle. Fortunately it was not that bad. Should be ready to run by Monday ...
This time it happened while playing soccer.
This 14 year old kid fouled me, sending me flying towards a fence and in the process making my ankle twist.
Kids these days are strong.


Good thing is at least I am swimming. So I can do swims instead of runs this week.
Still though, have a 10.5 k race in Yamanashi in June and this injury won't help at all.

Why oh why are my ankles so twistable!

My first Ironman!!

...will probably take place 5 years from now.

Well at least I have come to the conclusion that if I don't do one I won't be able to die satisfied.

I must die an IRONMAN.

That is the first goal in mind, do one, finish one.

After that I will go for the Peruvian national record of 9 hours 19 minutes muahaha.

I have recently been reading about Vladimir Figari, Peru's top triathlete and holder of various records (including that 9.19).
Legend says that he began running at the age of 29. Running for fun that is. Just to be fit. He then went into duathlons at the age of 31 or so and triathlons after that. In few years but with lots of hard training he was able to rise to the top of the podium in this multisport. That is where I want to be some day ... some day when I have time to train the way I wish to.

9 hours and 19 minutes. That is pretty damn fast. How the hell am I going to do 9 hours and 19 minutes when I do not even own a bike. That is the question. Good thing I have an entire decade to accomplish this task.

Lets divide this into parts:

2.4 mile swim: I need to do this in about 65 minutes. This is do-able with training.

112 mile bike : A bit over 5 hours should do the trick. I do not even own a bike.

26.2 mile run : Finishing a bit over 3 hours should be in the save zone. Again do-able.

So I have 10 years to be able to do this in a row. As up there when I write do-able it means I can do it ... as in I can do just IT not do it after having done another sport before. Also 10 years to buy a bike and be able to ride it fast. TEN years.

Let's see .... IF I were to train hard on JUST swimming how fast can I do 2.4 mile swim???

If someone said Omar I will give you $10 K next year if you swim 2.4 miles under 60 minutes I think I can do it for sure. A 58 minutes time would be very realistic IF I were just to train my swimming.
Running ... I already have a 2.47 in the snow and rain ... in a few years I will for sure be in the 2.35 zone or so. That makes a 3.10 realistic.

Cycling ... won't get into it haha .... no point lol.

Oh well it is important to have high goals isn't it?

April running: down with the running but swimming again

Having a hard time starting to run again .... what else is new?
Oh started swimming! That's what's new.

April

1.- Rest
2.- Jog 12 km
3.- Setagaya track trials - 5000: 16.17
Total 16km
4.- Rest
5.- Rest
6.- Rest
7.- Rest
8.- Jog 15 km
9.- Jog 13 km
10.- Rest
11.- Bike 65 km
12.- Rest
13.- Jog 15 km
14.- Jog 15 km
15.- Jog 15 km
16.- Swim 2000 mts
17.- Jog 13 km
18.- Rest
19.- Jog 15 km
20.- Rest
21.- Jog 17 km
22.- Swim 1500 mts
23.- Rest
24.- Rest
25.- Jog 17 km
26.- Jog 15 km
27.- Swim 2000 mts
28.- Rest
29.- Jog 10 km
30.- Jog 10 km

Total run: 208 km
Total bike: 65 km
Total swim: 5500 meters

March running: relaxing

Finished with Tokyo Marathon and now taking a rest for the month.
Have a couple of ekidens coming up but nothing too hard planned for a while.

March

1.- Rest
2.- Rest
3.- Rest
4.- Rest
5.- Rest
6.- Rest
7.- Rest
8.- Rest
9.- Rest
10.- Jog 12 km
Bike commute 22 km
11.- Jog 9 km
Bike commute 22 km
12.- Rest
13.- Rest
14.- Tomin Ekiden – 5km first leg: 16.00
Total 10 km
15.- Rest
16.- Jog 9 km
17.- 5 x 1000 – 1 min 200 meter recovery jog
3.23 - 3.18 - 3.13 - 3.11 - 3.07
18.- Jog 15 km
19.- Rest
20.- Rest
21.- Rest
22.- Tamako Ekiden 7.2 km first leg 25.10
Total 9 km
23.- Rest
24.- Jog 15 km
25.- Rest
26.- Rest
27.- Rest
28.- Rest
29.- Rest
30.- 3 x 1000 – 1 min 200 meter recovery jog
3.07 - 3.08 - 3.09
10 min rest
1 x 2000: 6.29
31.- Jog 13 km

Total Run 118 km
Total Bike 44 km

February running: tapering

Marathon month. Time to run long and take it easy.
Unfortunately had some blister problems at the beginning and middle of the month which intervened a bit with my training. Wished I would have ran more the first 2 weeks.

February

1. Rest
2. Rest
3. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 21 km @ 4.05 pace
4. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 24 km @ 4.10 pace
5. Jog 17 km
6. Rest
7. Jog 32 km @ 4 min pace down to 3.40
8. Rest
9. Jog 18 km
10. Rest
11. Jog 20 km
12. Jog 17 km
13. Rest
14. Jog 21 km @ 3.55
15. Rest
16. Rest
17. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 18 km @ 4.05 pace
18. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 9 km
19. Jog 17 km @ 4.10 pace
20. Rest
21. Jog 17 km @ 4.10 pace
22. Rest
23. Bike commute 22 km
5 km tempo 17.23 : Total - 13 km
24. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 9 km
25. Rest
26. Rest
27. Rest
28. Tokyo Marathon - 2.47

Total run: 297 km
Total bike: 132 km

The Sequel: Tokyo Marathon 2010

It took two years to have a sequel of 2008's heroic marathon debut run of yours truly. In that run I managed to pull a 4 minute negative split and a sub 8 minute run for the final 2.195 km. Making a sequel for this would be a challenge.
On script the climax would be achieving an over 10 minute personal best and although all preparations were made to have the perfect shoot, the weather - GOD, decided not to cooperate and Tokyo Reloaded went from been a heroic flick to becoming a survival movie...

The Weather
When I woke up I took a peek out the window. RAIN ... heavy rain. I opened the window slightly ... cold and windy.

The morning
Woke up and decided to go on facebook for a minute to relax a little. We all know though that a minute in facebook translates to 10 minutes in the real world. So once again I found myself leaving in a rush.
Arrived at about 8 am with only 30 minutes left to hand in my bag - meaning only 30 minutes left to get changed, listen to any final tunes, make any calls, etc. When it hit me ... I had forgotten my bandaids. My very important nipple protectors.
The search for bandaids had begun ... rushed to the nearest convinience store only to discover they were sold out ... same story in the next two. MAN!
*My nipples bleed if I do not cover them with bandaids

Time: 8:20 - time to get back
Rushed to the truck to get my stuff taken and in the middle of all the crazyness I forgot to take out my 3 powergels, my fuel support for the race!
Time: 8:35
Changed, drenched, cold, but at least ready ... wait mental phone ringing. Who is it? It's nature calling.

The Race
I was able to get right infront of the A block as I got into the race from the expectator side rather than the runners entrance. Just jumped in, cut right infront of some 34,500 people.
Went out hard, going through the first kilometer in 4 minutes and considering the crowd, that first split was probably a sub 3.50 effort. It was very cold so I kept smashing on sub 3.50 splits trying to get warm for the first few kilometers. I don't know if this was one of the factors that slowed be at the end, but I felt comfortable at that pace.
When I reached the 20km mark I knew I was in trouble. A strange pain hit my ankles. I think they were frozen or something which caused the remaining 22 km to be very uncomfortable. I slowed down a bit to my original goal pace of 3.50. By kilometer 25 I could not keep that pace anymore as I had trouble bending my ankles and was hit by a strong and freezing head wind which forced me to slow down to an average 3.58 pace. 30km on it became all about survivial.
Tried to keep my brain busy. Brett told while pacing me in 2008 that a key point to have a successful race is to keep good thoughts in mind. As long as your brain is busy with positive thoughts your legs will keep moving and you will finish before you know it. I thought about the advise. Then looked at the weather and thought "I am fucked".
By the time I reached the hilly area after 35km the weather had fortunately improved a bit. But I was frozen and could not lift my legs to run fast anymore. It was all about surviving and trying to finish in the fastest time possible. I knew that as long as I finished I would have a personal best. That is all I kept in my mind. I have to get to the finish line.
2 hours and 47 minutes later I arrived. Cold, disappointed, shaking and with no positive thoughts in my mind.
There were only two good things about this race. The place I finished in: Top 170 out of over 30,000 runners pro included (as it became a survival event many fast runners ended dying at some point). And the experience of finishing this race. I know that future race won't be as challenging and will always have this race to think about as I am presented with easier challenges.

Below my splits in my watch:
4.00 - 3.37 - 3.40 - 3.47 - 3.45 = about 18.49
3.41 - 3.50 - 3.49 - 3.48 - 3.44 = about 18.52
3.47 - 3.47 - 3.47 - 3.49 - 3.46 = about 18.56 (official 18.59)
3.49 - 3.51 - 3.49 - 3.49 - 3.56 = about 19.14 (official 19.16)
3.53 - 3.53 - 3.55 - 3.55 - 3.57 = about 19.33 (official 19.36)
3.57 - 4.00 - 4.04 - 3.53 - 3.53 = about 19.47 (official 19.49)
4.01 - 4.04 - 4.05 - 4.11 - 4.11 = about 20.32 (official 20.34)
4.14 - 4.15 - 4.19 - 4.17 - 4.25 = about 21.30 (official 21.33)
4.35 - 5.05 = about 9.40 (official 9.40)

* official times are slower because they add the tenth of seconds as well.
* for some reason my chip did not record times for the first 10 km, still waiting for the certificate and hoping something to be there.
Also still waiting for my official time. For now it is about a 2.47.15

January Running: Preparing for my 2nd marathon

Two months left for Tokyo Marathon. Again no miles in the bank, but hey at least I am not injured.
This month I did some real marathon preparation. Took several days off but the mileage done on training days was decent.

January

1. Rest
2. Rest
3. Jog 26 km
4. Jog 18 km
5. 5 x 1000 - 1 min 200 meter recovery jog: Total 17 km
3.22 - 3.19 - 3.16 - 3.15 - 3.09
10 min break > 3000 x 1
10.15
6. Rest
7. Jog 17 km
8. Jog 20 km @ 4.03 pace
9. Jog 13 km
10. Rest
11. Jog 15 km
12. Rest
13. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
14. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 12 km
15. Jog 17 km
16. 4 x 1000 - 2 min 400 meter recovery jog (concrete): Total 16 km
3.12 - 3.12 - 3.12 - 3.04
17. Rest
18. Jog 27 km
19. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
20. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 18 km
21. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 12km
22. Rest
23. Jog 10 km
24. Shibuya ekiden: 8.58 (2.9km)
Total 14 km
25. Jog 17 km
26. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 18 km
27. Bike commute 22 km
5 km TT 16.13
Total 15 km
28. Rest
29. Jog 17 km
30. Rest
31. Jog 31 km @ 4 min pace

Total run: 380 km
Total bike: 154 km

Ekidens (very late post)

Have been very lazy with the posting but taking a day off work tomorrow and not feeling very sleepy (12:20 now) so might as well catch up with the blogging.
Well the blog counter shows 70 views or so this year or something so that means other people are reading my blog. What a relief. I thought this was a conversation between me and myself. Well either way this is more like a running diary for me.
Anyways to the EKIDENS!!!

I think the next months - meaning from December 2009 to December 2010 - will be remembered by me as the year of the ekiden.
I usually only take part in 2 road relays per every 12 months, this year though I think I might take part in 5 or more. So far I have done 2 and already have 3 more scheduled.

Okutama Ekiden
Okutama must be the most competitve road relays an amateur athlete can run in Kanto Area. It is also one of the oldest and most traditionals. Some things to point out:

1. It is one of the few ekidens (maybe the only) where runners actually run from train station to train station.
2. The course is up and down a mountain forcing the teams to carefully select how to line up the runners depending on their strengths on climb or descend.
3. The top runners are guided by motorcycles
4. University, high schools and elite runners take part in it. You literally need a team with an average of 15.10 or so in 5km to win this race.


Last year I forgot to apply to the Japanese Proficiency Exam (always on the same date as the race) and decided to apply to this race with my friends. Made a team with most of the strongest runners I know with the hope of finishing top 10.
A few months before the race the team looked strong on paper.
1. Akira: A high school ekiden runner with a pb of 15.10
2. Tatsuo: A pro runner with a pb of 14.20
3. Yusuke: My training partner with a pb of 15.45
4. Sakai: A friend I met some years back with a pb of 15.50 or so
5. Brett: Canadian marathoner from my running club with a pb of 15.20
6. Me with a pb of 15.53

A few weeks before the race though things did not look so good. Akira decided to quit running to become a boxer (crazy high school kids), I found out Tatsuo had retired from running, Brett had just ran an ultra marathon and I was in terrible shape.
We had a goal though: to have fun and run as fast as possible and that we did.
We finished 5th!!!!! picking up and losing places the entire way. Each doing its job just the way an ekiden should be.

Shibuya Ekiden
Shibuya ekiden is a small road relay that takes place every January in the popular Yoyogi Park. It is a small event, yet very popular and its competitive standard is rising every year.
This is one ekiden I do every year and had won twice already before this date.
My team: Yoyogi koen kokusai sembatsu were running as defending champions and well we did what we came to do...we won. This time however we really had to sweat it.

I was the first runner and handed in the sash 3rd place. THIRD PLACE!! and about 20 seconds behind the leader ... wait ... did I run slow?? NOOO I ran sub 9 min which was actually among the 10 fastest times, maybe even the 5 fastest.
Our second runner handed in 2nd, however the gap between us and the leaders grew to an unpredicted 30 things.
Our third runner kept is position handing the sash in 2nd, but the gap between the leaders grew even more. By the time, Thomas, our final and fastest runner began, the first place runners had a lead of over 40 second. Ridiculous for a 2.9 km race.
A miracle was required and that is what our Ace runner had prepared for the day. Running a course record of 8.23 he was 42 seconds faster than the leading guy who ran a solid 9.05.
The faces of the opposing team! It was a Kodak moment that will stay with me for the next 10 years or more.

*In schedule is Tomin, Tamako and Mari Tanigawa Ekidens.

December running: making it up last minute

Finally some acceptable numbers. Not in shape at all, but getting there and finally got myself organized with training times that fit my hectic schedule.
Let's see if I can continue this all throught 2010.

December

1. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
2. Bike commute 22 km
6 x 1000 - 1 min 200 meter recovery jog (dirt): Total 16 km
3.24 - 3.27 - 3.23 - 3.27 - 3.25 - 3.17
3. Rest
4. Rest
5. Rest
6. Okutama Ekiden (4th leg): 5th place
Total 16 km
7. Jog 13 km
8. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 18 km
9. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 18 km
10. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km
11. Rest
12. Rest
13. Jog 17 km @ 4.10 pace
14. Jog 17 km
15. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km @ 3.58 pace
16. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 21 km @ 4.10 pace
17. Bike commute 22 km
Jog 15 km @ 4.10 pace
18. Jog 17 km
19. Rest
20. Jog 15 km @ 4.09 pace
21. Rest
22. Jog 15 km
23. 5 km TT - 16.27
15 km total
24. Jog 17 km
25. Rest
26. Jog 14 km
27. Rest
28. Jog 27 km
29. Rest
30. Jog 13 km
31. Jog 17 km

Total Run: 346 km
Total Bike: 176 km

2009 in numbers - a summary and comparison

The numbers:

Running days: 171
Total km: 2533 km
Average run per day: 6.9 km
Average run per training day: 14.8 km
Average km per month: 211 km
KM high: December - 346 km
KM low: March - 32 km

Comparison with 2008
250 days ran vs 171 this year - absurd
3835 km covered vs 2533 this year - ridiculous
puke

The highlights:
Finished 5th place in the very competitive Okutama Ekiden

The disappointments:
The entire year was a whole disappointment sport-wise

The goals for next year:
Win some races.
Get some pbs
Get in more mileage