With a 60 second record improvement at Ageo half I can give closure to this fall season with satisfaction. Not much training this month due to the half marathon and a cold I caught on the last week, but the runs done were all of quality. I now have one more race left next month and that will be it for 2008. Whatever result I get, this will be a successful year in sports for me.
November
1.- Jog 11 km
2.- Rest
3.- Jog 20 km @ 4.08 pace
4.- Jog 17 km @ 4.10 > 3.40 pace
5.- Rest
6.- 13,250 meters tempo – 47.50 : Total 20 km
Avg: 3.36
7.- Jog 17 km
8.- Jog 13 km
9.- Trail jog at Takao: 17 km
10.- Jog 17 km
11.- 8 x 1000 – 1 min 200 meter recover jog : Total 18 km
3.36 – 3.28 – 3.26 – 3.24 – 3.21 – 3.18 – 3.17 – 3.03
12.- Rest
13.- Jog 15 km
14.- Jog 14 km
15.- Rest
16.- Ageo half marathon : 1.13.39 (read report) PB
Total: 26 km
17.- Rest
18.- Rest
19.- (3 x 2000) + 3000 – 5.30 min 600 meter recovery jog : Total 20 km
6.23 – 6.24 – 6.27 – 9.31
20.- Jog 17 km
21.- Jog 18 km
22.- sick
23.- sick
24.- sick
25.- Jog 13 km
26.- Jog 15 km
27.- 2 x 5000 – 4 min 400 meter recovery jog : Total 19 km
16.44 – 17.19
28.- Jog 20 km
29.- Rest
30.- Jog 18 km
Total running: 345 km
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
AU smart: Gotta love japanese phones
About a month ago I finally got a new phone (I had been using my previous one for over 3 years) after my old one stopped breathing. Did not get a new model as I wanted one made by SANYO and their latest mobile was from the spring lineup. Why SANYO? Because their phones have a really useful dictionary software that allows me to read and copy/paste Japanese characters without having to leave email mode (most dictionaries force you to leave your email and get into the dictionary program to use it).
Anyways, fortunately the phone was new enough to have the AU smart sports software installed. This new software (not so new anymore) with the use of GPS allows walkers, runners and cyclists know the distance they cover and the speed they are going to on any given training session. The software also shows you a map of where you are at any given point during your journey. It also has other features such as calories-burned counter, mp3 player and a website where you can record your daily training.
I've had my phone for a bit over a month already and two days ago finally decided to give the system a try. Pretty useful and accurate. I will definitely be using it whenever I do free runs to know the distance I am covering. And good thing the phone I have is water proof so sweat and rain shouldn't be a problem ... wonder though if it is free of charge hmmm....
Anyways, fortunately the phone was new enough to have the AU smart sports software installed. This new software (not so new anymore) with the use of GPS allows walkers, runners and cyclists know the distance they cover and the speed they are going to on any given training session. The software also shows you a map of where you are at any given point during your journey. It also has other features such as calories-burned counter, mp3 player and a website where you can record your daily training.
I've had my phone for a bit over a month already and two days ago finally decided to give the system a try. Pretty useful and accurate. I will definitely be using it whenever I do free runs to know the distance I am covering. And good thing the phone I have is water proof so sweat and rain shouldn't be a problem ... wonder though if it is free of charge hmmm....
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The most competitive half marathon in the world: The 21st Ageo City Half Marathon - report
On November 16 I took part in Ageo half marathon. For the past years I have chosen this day in November as my main race event. First, because it represents the first race I ran in Japan - November's 2005 Toda Marathon. Second, because for some reason there are MANY races on this weekend - to mention one: Tokyo Woman's Marathon. Third, because the weather is always perfect: very cool and usually accompanied with light rain.
It was the first time for me to run this event, not my first time to apply though. Last year I got injured a week before the event and spent that weekend in bed.
Unlike most races that I run without any pressure I had two things in mind here:
- My last serious attempt in a half marathon pb was November 2006 therefore I not only needed to pb, but I needed a pb good enough to cover two years of training.
- I might be running Betsudai Marathon in February and to do so I needed a sub 75 minute half marathon before December to qualify.
I needed a pb and what better place to do it than in Ageo, where maybe 500 of the participants have personal bests under 71 minutes.
The start takes place on the track (imagine over 1000 runners all with fast times starting inside a track – the mess it was) where I had to come to full stops several times. The race continued crowded for the 1st 3km, after that, everything went out smoothly. Surprisingly from this point on I kept on passing people, been passed by perhaps 10 runners throughout the entire race. Following are my splits with some comments:
17.23.03 - 5km
The 1st km split was 3.38 (but considering the stops itwas more like a 3.25). Pretty sure the first 5km were done in a 17.15ish effort.
17.16.80 – (34.39.83 – 10km)
Good even pace trying to keep Brett at sight
17.42.31 – (52.22.14 – 15km)
I am a runner that needs the km marks and after the 10km mark they had them every 3km or so which was not very helpful.
17.38.20 – (1.10.00.34 – 20 km)
Same time as my Takashimadaira 20km result. Began pushing at about 18km.
3.39.88 – last 1.1 km
Total net time: 1.13.39
Ran a good last km in about 3.18 and finished on two legs thinking "this wasn't that hard."
All in all great race. About a minute pb and my legs already feel good.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
October running: PB month
I think October has been my best training month so far. 422 km ran in 25 trainings, averaging about 17 km per run. I was able to put in 3 tempo runs, a couple of fast semi long runs and speed training. As a result: 3 major personal bests in 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and 20km. The best part was I did not run any of these at 100% - which doesn’t exactly mean I will run faster when I do give it all (so many factors can affect a race result other than how much effort you put in it), but at least it is a fact I can go faster.
Now I have to concentrate in Ageo half marathon.
October
1.- 10 km tempo – 34.34 : Total 18 km
Splits: 3.23 – 3.27 – 3.26 – 3.29 – 3.29 – 3.27 – 3.27 – 3.28 – 3.30 – 3.23
Avg: 3.27
2.- Jog 17 km
3.- 12 x 200 – 70 sec 200 meter recovery jog : Total 12 km
Avg: 33 seconds per 200
4.- Rest
5.- Itabashi track meet 1500 1st place
Total 18 km
6.- Jog 15 km
7.- Jog 17 km
8.- 10 km tempo – 34.38 : Total 18 km
Splits: 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.27 – 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.29 – 3.11
Avg: 3.28
9.- Jog 15 km
10.- Jog 20 km
11.- Rest
12.- Jog 20 km @ 4.06 pace
13.- Jog 15 km @ 4.15 > 3.50 pace
14.- Rest
15.- 6 x 1000 – 1 min 200 meter recovery jog : Total 17 km
3.07 – 3.14 – 3.10 – 3.09 – 3.11 – 3.09
16.- Jog 16 km
17.- Jog 14 km
18.- Jog 10 km
19.- Takashimadaira 20 km : 1.09.58 (read report) PB
Total: 24 km
20.- Jog 15 km
21.- Jog 18 km @ 4.03 pace
22.- Rest
23.- 5 x 1000 – 2 min 350 meter recovery jog (hilly course) : Total 16 km
3.22 – 3.21 – 3.22 – 3.16 – 3.22
24.- Jog 18 km
25.- Rest
26.- Track race 5000 : 15.53.14 (read report) PB
Total 14 km
27.- Jog 19 km
28.- 10 km tempo – 33.58 : Total 18 km PB
Splits: 3.30 – 3.25 – 3.25 – 3.24 – 3.23 – 3.21 – 3.23 – 3.24 – 3.24 – 3.16
29.- Jog 16 km
30.- Rest
31.- Jog 20 km
Total running: 422 km
Now I have to concentrate in Ageo half marathon.
October
1.- 10 km tempo – 34.34 : Total 18 km
Splits: 3.23 – 3.27 – 3.26 – 3.29 – 3.29 – 3.27 – 3.27 – 3.28 – 3.30 – 3.23
Avg: 3.27
2.- Jog 17 km
3.- 12 x 200 – 70 sec 200 meter recovery jog : Total 12 km
Avg: 33 seconds per 200
4.- Rest
5.- Itabashi track meet 1500 1st place
Total 18 km
6.- Jog 15 km
7.- Jog 17 km
8.- 10 km tempo – 34.38 : Total 18 km
Splits: 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.27 – 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.30 – 3.29 – 3.11
Avg: 3.28
9.- Jog 15 km
10.- Jog 20 km
11.- Rest
12.- Jog 20 km @ 4.06 pace
13.- Jog 15 km @ 4.15 > 3.50 pace
14.- Rest
15.- 6 x 1000 – 1 min 200 meter recovery jog : Total 17 km
3.07 – 3.14 – 3.10 – 3.09 – 3.11 – 3.09
16.- Jog 16 km
17.- Jog 14 km
18.- Jog 10 km
19.- Takashimadaira 20 km : 1.09.58 (read report) PB
Total: 24 km
20.- Jog 15 km
21.- Jog 18 km @ 4.03 pace
22.- Rest
23.- 5 x 1000 – 2 min 350 meter recovery jog (hilly course) : Total 16 km
3.22 – 3.21 – 3.22 – 3.16 – 3.22
24.- Jog 18 km
25.- Rest
26.- Track race 5000 : 15.53.14 (read report) PB
Total 14 km
27.- Jog 19 km
28.- 10 km tempo – 33.58 : Total 18 km PB
Splits: 3.30 – 3.25 – 3.25 – 3.24 – 3.23 – 3.21 – 3.23 – 3.24 – 3.24 – 3.16
29.- Jog 16 km
30.- Rest
31.- Jog 20 km
Total running: 422 km
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
5000 meter track race - mission two clear
Ran a small track race last Sunday (26th). Still had my legs tired from the 20km, but was confident of running a good time.
Unfortunately I could not run under 15.50 like planned, but I did manage to break my record by 5 seconds. Pretty sure running under 15.50 will be no problem next time.
Splits:
3.09.72 - 3.11.49 - 3.09.69 - 3.11.57 - 3.10.67 = 15.53.14
Unfortunately I could not run under 15.50 like planned, but I did manage to break my record by 5 seconds. Pretty sure running under 15.50 will be no problem next time.
Splits:
3.09.72 - 3.11.49 - 3.09.69 - 3.11.57 - 3.10.67 = 15.53.14
Friday, October 24, 2008
Takashimadaira road race report: Mission one clear
Last weekend I took part in my first serious event for the fall: Takashimadaira road race. I was nervous as my training had had many interruptions, but looked forward to the 20 km run as I knew a pb was at reach.
The course was not new for me as I had ran this event last year as well, ending with a disappointing performance (last year’s report here). Good, flat, 5 km loop with kilometer marks on the 3rd, 4th and 5th km. Only problem here is the weather. For some reason it is always hot and sunny and very windy between the 4th and 5th kilometer. This year was not the exception.
The goal time was to run in around 70 minutes at an even 3:30 pace per kilometer. I ended with a 17.09 for the first 5 km. 21 seconds faster than goal pace … a bit too fast. I ran the 2nd 5km loop in about 17.22 … also a bit too fast. At that point I thought “push this 3rd loop and then fight in the 4th loop where you’ll have 30 seconds extra”. Surprisingly I never really had to fight at any point except for the last 200 meters to make sure I ended under 70 minutes.
Official gun time was 1 hour 10 minutes 0 seconds. Time in my watch (from the start line) was 1 hour 9 minutes 58 seconds. Perfect performance.
I did end up slowing down as the race progressed but I think that it was just because I was running according to how I felt. I put the same % of energy in the 1st 5km as I did in the last, except that in the last the total amount of energy I had was obviously less.
Five days later I still feel a bit tired from the run which means I tried harder than I thought, but still I am pretty sure I had some more gas left in the tank.
Either way a personal best for the distance and a confidence builder for the upcoming half marathon in November and the 5000 meter race this weekend.
Splits:
6.51 - 3.28 - 3.27 - 3.21 - 6.58 - 3.29 - 3.27 - 3.27 - 6.56 - 3.38 - 3.31 - 3.32 - 7.03 - 3.41 - 3.35 - 3.26
*km 1, 2 - 6, 7 - 11, 12 - 16, 17 are together as there is no mark between them.
The course was not new for me as I had ran this event last year as well, ending with a disappointing performance (last year’s report here). Good, flat, 5 km loop with kilometer marks on the 3rd, 4th and 5th km. Only problem here is the weather. For some reason it is always hot and sunny and very windy between the 4th and 5th kilometer. This year was not the exception.
The goal time was to run in around 70 minutes at an even 3:30 pace per kilometer. I ended with a 17.09 for the first 5 km. 21 seconds faster than goal pace … a bit too fast. I ran the 2nd 5km loop in about 17.22 … also a bit too fast. At that point I thought “push this 3rd loop and then fight in the 4th loop where you’ll have 30 seconds extra”. Surprisingly I never really had to fight at any point except for the last 200 meters to make sure I ended under 70 minutes.
Official gun time was 1 hour 10 minutes 0 seconds. Time in my watch (from the start line) was 1 hour 9 minutes 58 seconds. Perfect performance.
I did end up slowing down as the race progressed but I think that it was just because I was running according to how I felt. I put the same % of energy in the 1st 5km as I did in the last, except that in the last the total amount of energy I had was obviously less.
Five days later I still feel a bit tired from the run which means I tried harder than I thought, but still I am pretty sure I had some more gas left in the tank.
Either way a personal best for the distance and a confidence builder for the upcoming half marathon in November and the 5000 meter race this weekend.
Splits:
6.51 - 3.28 - 3.27 - 3.21 - 6.58 - 3.29 - 3.27 - 3.27 - 6.56 - 3.38 - 3.31 - 3.32 - 7.03 - 3.41 - 3.35 - 3.26
*km 1, 2 - 6, 7 - 11, 12 - 16, 17 are together as there is no mark between them.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
And now to the important stuff ...
Summer is over meaning the road racing season is here and with it my most important events of the year. I compete all year round, however between October and March I tend to run my most important races. What's in the menu so far?
October 19th: Takashimadaira 20 km
I will not give 100% in this race, but I will give it more than 90%. Planning to pass the first 10 km in 35 minutes and either pick up the pace or maintain it. If I can manage a 70 minute run I'd be a very happy person.
October 26th: Machida 5000 meter track race
Haven't done any speed training in the last months, but I will try to go for a personal best in this, my first official 5000 meter race. If I fail I will go for it again on the 30th at the Atomi time trial.
Breaking 15.50 should be possible.
November 16th: Ageo half marathon
Main event of the year. I haven't had a personal best attempt at a half marathon since January 2007 so I am looking forward to this race. My goal will depend on how Takashimadaira feels but if everything goes well there I might try to go for a sub 73 minutes.
December 14th: Mitake 15 km trail run
My debut trail run. Apparently lots of climbing to be done. I will be going in with no practice or experience but hoping to be in the top 15 places.
December 21st: Ota-ku 10 km road race (maybe)
I have done this event twice already and it seems like the perfect place to attempt to break my personal best in the 10 km by hopefully 60 seconds or so.
If I do not race this I might do a 10,000 meter run at the track on my own.
January events:
Wanted to do Shinjuku half but apparently applications have closed due to its popularity. Might do the 10km run instead though.
I will also be doing Shibuya ekiden and perhaps a duathlon or some road race I find.
I think that's all for now.
October 19th: Takashimadaira 20 km
I will not give 100% in this race, but I will give it more than 90%. Planning to pass the first 10 km in 35 minutes and either pick up the pace or maintain it. If I can manage a 70 minute run I'd be a very happy person.
October 26th: Machida 5000 meter track race
Haven't done any speed training in the last months, but I will try to go for a personal best in this, my first official 5000 meter race. If I fail I will go for it again on the 30th at the Atomi time trial.
Breaking 15.50 should be possible.
November 16th: Ageo half marathon
Main event of the year. I haven't had a personal best attempt at a half marathon since January 2007 so I am looking forward to this race. My goal will depend on how Takashimadaira feels but if everything goes well there I might try to go for a sub 73 minutes.
December 14th: Mitake 15 km trail run
My debut trail run. Apparently lots of climbing to be done. I will be going in with no practice or experience but hoping to be in the top 15 places.
December 21st: Ota-ku 10 km road race (maybe)
I have done this event twice already and it seems like the perfect place to attempt to break my personal best in the 10 km by hopefully 60 seconds or so.
If I do not race this I might do a 10,000 meter run at the track on my own.
January events:
Wanted to do Shinjuku half but apparently applications have closed due to its popularity. Might do the 10km run instead though.
I will also be doing Shibuya ekiden and perhaps a duathlon or some road race I find.
I think that's all for now.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
September running: Ups and downs
Ran a week of high mileage followed by two weeks of really low mileage. Pretty mediocre month regarding training. Racing wise though I came out victorious in the 2008 Aquathlon series tournament winning 2 of 4 races.
Had a strange injury that forced me to take 5 days totally off from running. Still haven't figured out what caused my severe abdominal pain. Went to a clinic and a big hospital, had x-rays, urine tests, blood tests, but nothing. A doctor said it was asthma ?? Another just a cold ... who knows ...
September
1.- Injury
2.- Injury
3.- Jog 15 km
4.- Rest
5.- Jog 17 km
6.- Jog 16 km
7.- Jog 13 km
8.- Jog 19 km
9.- Jog 18 km
10.- Jog 18 km
11.- Jog 19 km
12.- Jog 17 km
13.- Rest
14.- Meguro Aquathlon - 300 mt swim / 4.2 km run
Time: 19.57 (1st place)
Afternoon: Jog 16 km
15.- 9 km tempo - 31.15 : Total 18 km
Splits: 3.27 - 3.27 - 3.30 - 3.29 - 3.30 - 3.29 - 3.31 - 3.29 - 3.18
Average: 3.28
16.- Jog 17 km
17.- Jog 3 km
18.- Strange pain
19.- Strange pain
20.- Strange pain
21.- Strange pain
22.- Strange pain
23.- Setagaya Aquathlon - 200 mt swim / 3.1 km run
Time: 15. 14 (2nd place)
24.- Jog 10 km
25.- Jog 12 km
26.- Jog 11 km
27.- Rest
28.- Jog 20 km @ 4.06 pace
29.- Rest
30.- Jog 16 km
Total running: 290 km
Had a strange injury that forced me to take 5 days totally off from running. Still haven't figured out what caused my severe abdominal pain. Went to a clinic and a big hospital, had x-rays, urine tests, blood tests, but nothing. A doctor said it was asthma ?? Another just a cold ... who knows ...
September
1.- Injury
2.- Injury
3.- Jog 15 km
4.- Rest
5.- Jog 17 km
6.- Jog 16 km
7.- Jog 13 km
8.- Jog 19 km
9.- Jog 18 km
10.- Jog 18 km
11.- Jog 19 km
12.- Jog 17 km
13.- Rest
14.- Meguro Aquathlon - 300 mt swim / 4.2 km run
Time: 19.57 (1st place)
Afternoon: Jog 16 km
15.- 9 km tempo - 31.15 : Total 18 km
Splits: 3.27 - 3.27 - 3.30 - 3.29 - 3.30 - 3.29 - 3.31 - 3.29 - 3.18
Average: 3.28
16.- Jog 17 km
17.- Jog 3 km
18.- Strange pain
19.- Strange pain
20.- Strange pain
21.- Strange pain
22.- Strange pain
23.- Setagaya Aquathlon - 200 mt swim / 3.1 km run
Time: 15. 14 (2nd place)
24.- Jog 10 km
25.- Jog 12 km
26.- Jog 11 km
27.- Rest
28.- Jog 20 km @ 4.06 pace
29.- Rest
30.- Jog 16 km
Total running: 290 km
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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.
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.
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