2007 Gear Review

As we all know, the sport is really just about buying stuff. Actually engaging in outdoor activity is a necessary evil to justify all these heavy expenses and trips to the store. With that thought in mind, here is my 2007 gear review:


1. Sports performance insoles - (Foot disc)
An amazing miracle cure. My shins and IT Band had been aching for weeks. After being analyzed and fitted with the insoles I felt better that night. Visiting a podiatrist would probably be even more effective, but would cost significantly more than the cost of my insoles - approximately $20.


2. Swim Goggles - Aqua Sphere Kaiman
Goggles have been an area of great paranoia for me. I seem to have an oddly shaped face and most of the leading goggle brands leak horribly. But Aqua Sphere fits perfectly. Moreover with the Kaiman, swimming in crowed open waters is less of murky, dark ordeal - the visibility is that much better. Definitely recommend trying on Kaiman.


3. Compression tights (2XU)
Apparently the idea is that these tights wrap around certain muscle groups to accelerate blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles, and eliminate lactic acid. The wrapping effect also reduces muscle vibration which results in less muscle soreness and reduces recovery times. Hmmm. I was skeptical, but my legs do feel better. Moreover the compression tights are light, warm, and wick moisture well (and people say they look cool). Downside - they are really tight. All in all I would definitely recommend anyone buying a tight to spend a little extra (well probably a lot extra: $50-100) and get compression tights.


4. Neck gaiter
People like to point out to me how my hair is thin on top and thus I should wear a hat to keep 80% of body warmth from escaping through the top of my head. This does not seem true at all. OK, the part about my hair being thin on top may be true, but it is does not seem true that I need to keep the top of my head warm -- it is my ears I need to keep warm. But invariably after wearing a hat while doing exercise I get too hot and find myself carrying it. Then putting it back on. Then taking it off. Then eventually getting tired of carrying it and putting it down somewhere and losing it. The beauty of neck gaiter is that it provides a self-regulating system of rotating between my ears and neck depending on degree of warmth required.


5. Other -
I did not buy any other gear this year. Frankly, I truly hate shopping.

Kamakura Christmas 2007

The 25k run in Kamakura is becoming a fine holiday tradition. December is an ideal time for a group run through the hills and temples and beaches.

I have been contemplating buying a new camera for some time, but I am so much better served to rely on the great photography of my teammates -- like these shots from Renald --

Mitake Mountain

I certainly recommend the Mitake Marathon. I particularly recommend it to visitors to Japan seeking a quintessential Japan athletic experience. Mitake contains a number of wonderfully Japan running elements:

1. A brutal climb - Other countries have hill climbs, but a 1,000 people at an obscure, local race on a December morning? All bursting up an amazing steep incline when the starting gun goes off? All maintaining a hard pace for several agonizing kilometers?

2. Scenic - Where else in the world does a race take you through a "Rock Garden" where participants leap from rock to rock past waterfalls and moss-covered stones? The course also extends along ridges with sweeping views of the 30 million residents of the Kanto Plain, and over forested hills with colorful autumn leaves.

3. Crowd support - People of all ages in the most remote areas yelling out the ritual words of polite encouragement: "nice fighto desu" and "gambatte kudasai"

4. Shinto Shrines - The marathon finishes at the 2,000 year old Musashi-Mitake Shrine

5. Onsen - This is the real cool part of the Mitake experience. All participant's race numbers correspond to one of the numerous onsens near the finish line. After a hard trail run on brisk December morning, everyone is welcomed at an atmospheric inn, and within minutes of finishing is soaking in a steaming hot springs bath.

I ran OK. The first couple kilometers are absurdly steep, but since they are the first few kilometers of a race everyone runs hard. I decided it would be almost as fast to walk. My thinking was I would pick it up when I got to the top. Unfortunately we ran into the tail end of the first wave, so I could only pick up the pace so much. But this allowed me enjoy the scenery more.

I had been warned about the steep downhill plunge at 13k, but it did not seem so bad. I held onto the support ropes as much as possible on the way down to avoid plummeting to my death (or at least avoid the embarrassment and bruises Eric Fitzpatrick suffered coming down this cliff last year).

Bizarre as this might sound, I was disappointed to realize the race was ending. I actually wanted to run farther. Partly because I felt I had energy and could pass more people. Partly because I was enjoying the course. Somehow the varied terrain of a trail run allows me to run much farther than a flat paved course.

I hope to do the Ome-Takamizu 30k trail run on April 1st.

Short Intervals

Grown-ups are supposed to run longer, slower distances right?  I mean once you get out of high school gym class if you run at all it is marathon distances or at least 10k, but certainly not sprinting 200s on a track. 

Nonetheless, this past Monday I found myself doing a workout of 4x200, 3x330, 2x400, with Gerard and Juergen.  I blasted through the 200s in 33-seconds desperately trying to stay between my compatriots and surprisingly managed to do the 400s in under 70 seconds.

Short intervals are usually defined as repeat distances of less than 600 meters usually done at a fairly high level of intensity.  Even for marathoners, short intervals are recommended during the early build phase of training.  I have heard of the benefits of short interval training for a long time, but have been too lazy to make the effort.  But now with my hopes of redeeming myself I am trying again.   Believe it or not it actually was rather fun.

I will try to follow-up in later postings regarding any perceived benefits from short intervals.