Well, my back had been getting a little better, and I had been getting some good sleep for the few nights before the race, so I was hopeful, but realized the chances of having a good race were slim.
Got the train up with Don, and it all went pretty smoothly, although there were a ton of people there, of course, and was a little stressed about getting a good position. Turned out it was no big deal, and being the B block was not bad either, as I was able to jump up on the sidewalk and get by a lot of them.
First four 5k splits: 20/20:17/20:52/21:03
Right on target for a sub 3:00, but I knew from about the 10k mark that things were going to end well, as the pain in my back was starting in, and my right hamstring was feeling tight. Also, the new Zoom Streak XC 4s were giving me trouble - they felt really stiff and were starting to give me hotspots.
Pretty soon after the halfway mark I started to really feel bad, and couldn't breath properly because of my back, and started to walk. I thought I was going to get a DNF, but there was basically no way to get back to the finish, so I just kept plugging on. I tried to run as much as I could, but it started to get really tough.
I kept waiting for Don to pass me, but it took quite a while, so I knew he was not having a great day either.
The last 17k were really rough. Mostly walking, trying to run for five minutes at a time, but just couldn't. Kept thinking I would drop out, but it was never a feasible option, so I just kept pushing. Somehow I recovered enough to run (very slowly) for the last 5k and salvage a little pride.
Finished in 3:48.
Wondered if one issue was not getting in enough mileage, or from going out too fast, and they were probably both factors, but the real problem was my back. Frustrating that I don't know what caused it, and that a trip to the osteopath didn't help like it usually does.
Looking forward to some time off for the holidays, and then figuring out what the next challenge will be.
I'll be back for you Tsukuba!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Taper week 2 - Last Week Before Tsukuba!
Mon: Zoom Streak 4. One hour on the way home along the Sumidagawa. Took it fairly easy, felt good, but am a little concerned about how comfortable these shoes will be for 42k...
Tue: Bike 33k.
Wed: Zoom Streak 4. 50 min/12k along the Arakawa. Woke up with a sore lower back, maybe from sleeping on the flooring in the small room because of Taiyo's snoring. Decided to run anyway, and after a while it loosened up a bit. Did about 3-4k in the middle at race pace, or a little faster. Wore my new super skimpy shorts, and they are a bit tight, so wonder what they will be like...
Had a great visit to Oedo Onsen with Miho as a surprise for my birthday. She got me an oil massage, which felt good, but did not make my back problems disappear.
Thu: My 39th B-day!! Rest. Back still feeling sore.
Fri: Rest. Back still sore, actually hurts on the right side when I try to take a deep breath. Went to the osteopath, which usually does the trick, but wasn't so lucky this time.
Sat: Rest. Back is slightly better. Wondered if part of the problem is just general lack of movement from all the rest, so went with Taiyo to his pool lesson, and then went up to the garden in Kashiwa after that. Ok enough to run at this point, but may not be a great race.
Sun: Tsukuba Marathon. Bad as expected. (see separate post)
Tue: Bike 33k.
Wed: Zoom Streak 4. 50 min/12k along the Arakawa. Woke up with a sore lower back, maybe from sleeping on the flooring in the small room because of Taiyo's snoring. Decided to run anyway, and after a while it loosened up a bit. Did about 3-4k in the middle at race pace, or a little faster. Wore my new super skimpy shorts, and they are a bit tight, so wonder what they will be like...
Had a great visit to Oedo Onsen with Miho as a surprise for my birthday. She got me an oil massage, which felt good, but did not make my back problems disappear.
Thu: My 39th B-day!! Rest. Back still feeling sore.
Fri: Rest. Back still sore, actually hurts on the right side when I try to take a deep breath. Went to the osteopath, which usually does the trick, but wasn't so lucky this time.
Sat: Rest. Back is slightly better. Wondered if part of the problem is just general lack of movement from all the rest, so went with Taiyo to his pool lesson, and then went up to the garden in Kashiwa after that. Ok enough to run at this point, but may not be a great race.
Sun: Tsukuba Marathon. Bad as expected. (see separate post)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Taper Week 1
Mon: Rest. Legs feel pretty good, but right hamstring tight.
Tue: Bike 33k. Tried to take it easy, but nasty north wind on the way home from work.
Wed: Ultras. One hour run home along Sumidagawa. Right hamstring feels tight, so will take another rest day tomorrow. Blisters from Sunday still bothering me, too.
Thu: Rest. Wore the new super ugly Zoom Streak XC 2s all day to break them in.
Fri: Zoom Streak 3s. One hour home along the Sumidagawa. First run in these shoes, although they do feel a bit pinched in the toe area, they are definitely stiffer than the old model. Still some tightness in my right hamstring, and my damn blisters were still bothering me, so I came home and cut them open.
Sat: Pouring rain all day, so gave myself some rest, but got in decent core workout at home.
Sun: Ultra liners. about 90 min/18k along the Arakawa. Great afternoon for a run, complete with pretty sunset followed by a downpour of downright painful raindrops for the last 1k. Legs and feet felt good for the whole run, liners have a big old hole in the right foot, so decided to toss them. Wish I could find something just like them that is more durable.
Tue: Bike 33k. Tried to take it easy, but nasty north wind on the way home from work.
Wed: Ultras. One hour run home along Sumidagawa. Right hamstring feels tight, so will take another rest day tomorrow. Blisters from Sunday still bothering me, too.
Thu: Rest. Wore the new super ugly Zoom Streak XC 2s all day to break them in.
Fri: Zoom Streak 3s. One hour home along the Sumidagawa. First run in these shoes, although they do feel a bit pinched in the toe area, they are definitely stiffer than the old model. Still some tightness in my right hamstring, and my damn blisters were still bothering me, so I came home and cut them open.
Sat: Pouring rain all day, so gave myself some rest, but got in decent core workout at home.
Sun: Ultra liners. about 90 min/18k along the Arakawa. Great afternoon for a run, complete with pretty sunset followed by a downpour of downright painful raindrops for the last 1k. Legs and feet felt good for the whole run, liners have a big old hole in the right foot, so decided to toss them. Wish I could find something just like them that is more durable.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
100 Ups!
http://hundredup.com/
Read about this first in an article Chris McDougall in the NYT. Then found this site through the huaraches group. Have been trying them recently, try to do at least one set of them today. Have still only done the Minor so far, and it's pretty challenging!
Read about this first in an article Chris McDougall in the NYT. Then found this site through the huaraches group. Have been trying them recently, try to do at least one set of them today. Have still only done the Minor so far, and it's pretty challenging!
Namban Race and BBQ - My first medal!
It was a gorgeous day from the get go, if slightly chilly in the morning. Rode up the river early to help out, and Phil asked me to ride the 10k course to find where the finish would be. This means I ended up riding my bike over 20k before the race, albeit at a relaxed pace. It was a good warm up in any case.
We got things going and had a fairly good showing, both for the 10k and HM. I was set on getting in the top three, although knowing the times from last year made it a bit of a crap shoot.
I went out first off the line, but was quickly taken over by another guy, who got out in front of me, and stayed there the whole race. I felt pretty good the first loop, but was really starting to get tired by the second and was getting a blister on my left foot to boot. Like an idiot, I decided to try running in the MWU4s with no socks on, obviously forgetting how bad the MWU3s messed up my right foot at the HM in Watarase last year. As I climbed the riverbank at the last turnaround, I saw Jay at the bottom of it, and knew there was a good possibility he was going to overtake me. I didn't have much left in me to push until about the last 1k, and as I ran down the hill to the finish, a baseball team of boys were riding up. One of the boys wasn't paying attention and almost hit me, so I yelled at him: 危ない！バカやろう！I felt pretty bad about it later, but I was sprinting towards the finish line and didn't have much control over my emotions. Turns out Jay could not catch me, so I grabbed 2nd place! The guy that beat me, Brett, was way ahead, and turns out he wasn't even running hard (his PB for 10k is 32 something!). I finished in 38:00, which is almost two minutes faster than the TELL 10k I ran last year. It's still not really a fast time, but considering the long run I did the day before, the bike riding, and the blister, it wasn't bad.
The BBQ was a good time as well, got to chat with and meet a lot of people. We had good food and really warm weather. We had a kid's race that Taiyo ran in and then I got to give him his prize along with all the other kids. Then I got my 2nd place medal, the first I've ever gotten for something other than finishing.
We got things going and had a fairly good showing, both for the 10k and HM. I was set on getting in the top three, although knowing the times from last year made it a bit of a crap shoot.
 |
| Team Namban |
I went out first off the line, but was quickly taken over by another guy, who got out in front of me, and stayed there the whole race. I felt pretty good the first loop, but was really starting to get tired by the second and was getting a blister on my left foot to boot. Like an idiot, I decided to try running in the MWU4s with no socks on, obviously forgetting how bad the MWU3s messed up my right foot at the HM in Watarase last year. As I climbed the riverbank at the last turnaround, I saw Jay at the bottom of it, and knew there was a good possibility he was going to overtake me. I didn't have much left in me to push until about the last 1k, and as I ran down the hill to the finish, a baseball team of boys were riding up. One of the boys wasn't paying attention and almost hit me, so I yelled at him: 危ない！バカやろう！I felt pretty bad about it later, but I was sprinting towards the finish line and didn't have much control over my emotions. Turns out Jay could not catch me, so I grabbed 2nd place! The guy that beat me, Brett, was way ahead, and turns out he wasn't even running hard (his PB for 10k is 32 something!). I finished in 38:00, which is almost two minutes faster than the TELL 10k I ran last year. It's still not really a fast time, but considering the long run I did the day before, the bike riding, and the blister, it wasn't bad. |
| On your marks... |
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| First Place Brett |
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| Second Place Me |
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| Third Place Jay |
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| That hurt! |
Last Big Week Before the Taper
Not sure what 'big week' will mean, but hopefully solid mileage with a bit of speedwork.
Mon: Ultras. 80 min run home along the Arakawa. Threw in alternating 1k at race pace (?) X 4. This is my sixth straight day of running, so the legs are feeling it. Looking forward to a day of biking tomorrow.
Tue: Bike 33k. Got stupid on the way home from work and was 'racing' with some dude who was chasing me, and got home with a sore hamstring (?) on the outside of my right leg. Forced to miss the Namban workout that I've been looking forward to and take a day off. Stupid!
Wed: Rest. Feels like a pull, stiffer today than it was yesterday, but hopefully it will feel better tomorrow, although I have a feeling it will be another day of rest.
Thu: Ultras. One hour running home along the sumidagawa, very easy pace. Slept with castor oil that I got from my osteopath on my leg last night, and it seemed to do the trick, as my leg felt much better in the morning. Did feel a bit stiff towards the end of the run, but don't think I made it any worse.
Fri: bike 33k.
Sat: Ultras. 90 min along the Arakawa. Medium pace, but tried to take as many opportunities as possible to go up and down the riverbank.
Sun: Namban 10k and BBQ (see separate post)
Not a big week by any means, but some good solid runs considering how my right hamstring was feeling, and a race I was happy with!
Mon: Ultras. 80 min run home along the Arakawa. Threw in alternating 1k at race pace (?) X 4. This is my sixth straight day of running, so the legs are feeling it. Looking forward to a day of biking tomorrow.
Tue: Bike 33k. Got stupid on the way home from work and was 'racing' with some dude who was chasing me, and got home with a sore hamstring (?) on the outside of my right leg. Forced to miss the Namban workout that I've been looking forward to and take a day off. Stupid!
Wed: Rest. Feels like a pull, stiffer today than it was yesterday, but hopefully it will feel better tomorrow, although I have a feeling it will be another day of rest.
Thu: Ultras. One hour running home along the sumidagawa, very easy pace. Slept with castor oil that I got from my osteopath on my leg last night, and it seemed to do the trick, as my leg felt much better in the morning. Did feel a bit stiff towards the end of the run, but don't think I made it any worse.
Fri: bike 33k.
Sat: Ultras. 90 min along the Arakawa. Medium pace, but tried to take as many opportunities as possible to go up and down the riverbank.
Sun: Namban 10k and BBQ (see separate post)
Not a big week by any means, but some good solid runs considering how my right hamstring was feeling, and a race I was happy with!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Slow Build
Hoping to build up to a big week next week, but work has been really busy, so may be tough. Will definitely shoot for another long run on Saturday, though.
Mon: Bike 33k. Great Halloween party at KidZania!
Tue: Rest. Two days of being on my feet all day. My back started bothering me, and I finished late, so bagged it.
Wed: Ultra liners. Good run home, not too hard, not too easy.
Thu: Ultras. One hour home along the Sumidagawa. Running abnormally late from 9-10, and legs a bit stiff. But another lovely windless night.
Fri: Ultra liners. Easy run home for an hour along the sumidagawa. Taking it easy in preparation for a long run.
Sat: 31.4/2:26:25/4:40/143/Zoom Streak. Good, solid run. Legs felt good, if a bit fatigued at times, but did not feel like I was struggling despite the pace. Cool to know that this is my pace and HR without me keeping track of it at all. Was a little sore afterwards, but no issues with my feet, which is a real bonus.
Sun: Ultra Liners. Easy run out and around Sumidagawa for about 50 min. Got back and noticed that my Ultra liners already have a hole! No! I've really been enjoying running in them, and have no idea what I'll do a for a replacement.
Overall a good, solid week, and now just need to decide what to do with this next week, which I had originally planned on making my biggest week before starting the taper. Guess will leave it up to how my legs feel, but will definitely plan on doing the Namban workout on Wednesday.
Mon: Bike 33k. Great Halloween party at KidZania!
Tue: Rest. Two days of being on my feet all day. My back started bothering me, and I finished late, so bagged it.
Wed: Ultra liners. Good run home, not too hard, not too easy.
Thu: Ultras. One hour home along the Sumidagawa. Running abnormally late from 9-10, and legs a bit stiff. But another lovely windless night.
Fri: Ultra liners. Easy run home for an hour along the sumidagawa. Taking it easy in preparation for a long run.
Sat: 31.4/2:26:25/4:40/143/Zoom Streak. Good, solid run. Legs felt good, if a bit fatigued at times, but did not feel like I was struggling despite the pace. Cool to know that this is my pace and HR without me keeping track of it at all. Was a little sore afterwards, but no issues with my feet, which is a real bonus.
Sun: Ultra Liners. Easy run out and around Sumidagawa for about 50 min. Got back and noticed that my Ultra liners already have a hole! No! I've really been enjoying running in them, and have no idea what I'll do a for a replacement.
Overall a good, solid week, and now just need to decide what to do with this next week, which I had originally planned on making my biggest week before starting the taper. Guess will leave it up to how my legs feel, but will definitely plan on doing the Namban workout on Wednesday.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Suwako HM - A new HM PB!
I signed up for this after Namban folks said it was feasible as a day trip. Come to find out it was not, but Geraldine, from Namban, offered me to stay at her cottage up there, despite that she had never met me. Took the Azusa up on Saturday and arrived a bit before 9, Geraldine was kind enough to drive out to pick me up, and was accompanied by another Nambanner, Maya. At her house were two more women, Taeko, a nambanner, and Ruby, Geraldine's 82 year old friend from the UK. It was a pleasant night chatting a bit, and I managed to sleep ok on the thin futon and hard floor.
In the morning, I drank a huge almost one liter shake I had made for the trip. This was too much, as I would find out later with some stomach issues. Also, I had only brought 3 of the stomach pills with me, whereas I usually take at least four.
We got to the race area plenty early, and parked nice and close at a pachinko place. Got in a good warm up, the weather was warmer and more humid than expected with cloud cover that was starting to break. It was a nice enough lake, mainly surrounded by urban area, but some mountains as well that were pretty.
I met up with Paddie and we got in the line up together. There was another guy Richard that Paddie knew and said he was going for sub 1:20. Paddie said he would be happy with anything under 1:25, so I was happy to have someone in the same ballpark as me.
My strategy was to go out hard and just try to push it through all the way. That's what I did, and it hurt right from the beginning. My legs felt a bit stiff and tight, and my gut was bothering me right away. I did the first 3k in under 11:30, which was fast, but close to the target of where I wanted to be. Paddie caught up with me by about 4k, and we hung together for a while. It was my first time running with him, and I was quite surprised by the way he slapped his right foot. Seemed really inefficient, and was surprised that he can run as fast as he does. He pulled ahead as I started to feel worse and wonder if I was going to have a decent race at all. It was good to have him in my sights, though, and so I just focused on that. I meant to take my splits every 3k, but kept missing the markers, so just kept going as fast as my condition allowed. As we got close to the halfway mark I passed Paddie and tried to pull him a long with a fairly feeble, 'C'mon Paddie!'. There was a cool little band at the halfway mark, and there were great people cheering pretty much the whole way. I started to feel better and get a second wind. When I got to about the 16k mark, I started feeling like I was not going to make it without a toilet stop. That big shake I drank and the lack of medicine was taking its toll (despite the 4-5 times I had already crapped before the race...). I tried to hold off a bit, and then could not find a toilet. When there finally was one, there were only about 2k left, and I just decided to see if I could push myself. I was feeling pretty beat, and I knew if I stopped I would lose a lot of momentum.
When we came around the corner and could see the big finish gate, I was pretty excited, as always. I gave it a push about 400 meters out, but couldn't sustain it. There was one guy right with me, and as we got about 100m meters away he tried to overtake me, but I literally gave it a last grunt (and crowd pleasing) push and beat him.
Finished in 1:23:25, beating my old PB by about 1.5 minutes. Was pretty happy with the race, and my legs felt decent.
Got in a good walk around part of the lake on the way to the train station, and stopped for lunch at a little place selling kama meishi which I enjoyed while looking at the lake.
Overall a good race, although a bit far. Would be nice to go up there and stay with the family before and/or after.
In the morning, I drank a huge almost one liter shake I had made for the trip. This was too much, as I would find out later with some stomach issues. Also, I had only brought 3 of the stomach pills with me, whereas I usually take at least four.
We got to the race area plenty early, and parked nice and close at a pachinko place. Got in a good warm up, the weather was warmer and more humid than expected with cloud cover that was starting to break. It was a nice enough lake, mainly surrounded by urban area, but some mountains as well that were pretty.
I met up with Paddie and we got in the line up together. There was another guy Richard that Paddie knew and said he was going for sub 1:20. Paddie said he would be happy with anything under 1:25, so I was happy to have someone in the same ballpark as me.
My strategy was to go out hard and just try to push it through all the way. That's what I did, and it hurt right from the beginning. My legs felt a bit stiff and tight, and my gut was bothering me right away. I did the first 3k in under 11:30, which was fast, but close to the target of where I wanted to be. Paddie caught up with me by about 4k, and we hung together for a while. It was my first time running with him, and I was quite surprised by the way he slapped his right foot. Seemed really inefficient, and was surprised that he can run as fast as he does. He pulled ahead as I started to feel worse and wonder if I was going to have a decent race at all. It was good to have him in my sights, though, and so I just focused on that. I meant to take my splits every 3k, but kept missing the markers, so just kept going as fast as my condition allowed. As we got close to the halfway mark I passed Paddie and tried to pull him a long with a fairly feeble, 'C'mon Paddie!'. There was a cool little band at the halfway mark, and there were great people cheering pretty much the whole way. I started to feel better and get a second wind. When I got to about the 16k mark, I started feeling like I was not going to make it without a toilet stop. That big shake I drank and the lack of medicine was taking its toll (despite the 4-5 times I had already crapped before the race...). I tried to hold off a bit, and then could not find a toilet. When there finally was one, there were only about 2k left, and I just decided to see if I could push myself. I was feeling pretty beat, and I knew if I stopped I would lose a lot of momentum.
When we came around the corner and could see the big finish gate, I was pretty excited, as always. I gave it a push about 400 meters out, but couldn't sustain it. There was one guy right with me, and as we got about 100m meters away he tried to overtake me, but I literally gave it a last grunt (and crowd pleasing) push and beat him.
Finished in 1:23:25, beating my old PB by about 1.5 minutes. Was pretty happy with the race, and my legs felt decent.
Got in a good walk around part of the lake on the way to the train station, and stopped for lunch at a little place selling kama meishi which I enjoyed while looking at the lake.
Overall a good race, although a bit far. Would be nice to go up there and stay with the family before and/or after.
Post-Suwako Recovery (?!) Week
Thought this would be a really easy week, but my legs recovered faster than expected, and so I got in some good workouts.
Mon: Rest
Tue: Bike 33k (Had some issues with my rear hub after having just replaced the bearings along with my chain, sprockets, and front bearings)
Wed: 1hr Run home in the Ultra liners. Legs felt quite good.
Thu: 1 hr run home in the ultras. Ran pretty hard for a while.
Fri: Picked up the bike and went out for about 42k along the Arakawa. Got my butt kicked riding back against the wind - good workout!
Sat: 23k/1:50:49/4:50/119/Ultra liners. Wanted to go out for about two hours. Was a good workout, ran pretty hard for part of it. First time measuring my HR in a long time, and was surprised how low it was. What a difference cool weather makes!
Sun: Bike 33k
Mon: Rest
Tue: Bike 33k (Had some issues with my rear hub after having just replaced the bearings along with my chain, sprockets, and front bearings)
Wed: 1hr Run home in the Ultra liners. Legs felt quite good.
Thu: 1 hr run home in the ultras. Ran pretty hard for a while.
Fri: Picked up the bike and went out for about 42k along the Arakawa. Got my butt kicked riding back against the wind - good workout!
Sat: 23k/1:50:49/4:50/119/Ultra liners. Wanted to go out for about two hours. Was a good workout, ran pretty hard for part of it. First time measuring my HR in a long time, and was surprised how low it was. What a difference cool weather makes!
Sun: Bike 33k
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