Okutama Ekiden

I reluctantly agree to participate in the Okutama Ekiden this past Sunday. Reluctantly because of the logistic challenges of the traditional ekiden - a running relay with individual legs from train station to train station.

These logistics require that each team member carry the warm clothes to change into for the runner handing off to him. Of course I am late and screw everything up. So I need to run well to redeem myself. I manage 29:30 on the downhill 8.5k anchor leg and pass 7 other teams. Everyone is delighted and says this is a good performance.

And in the end it seems very much worth the time and effort to enjoy the highly traditional and scenic Okutama Ekiden.

.

Mr. Donut

- I manage a 36:22 10k at Ohtawara last Sunday despite my feeble mileage.












- Solette, Staffan, and Mary from the US all are captivated by the unique Japanese running experience













- In the end it is all about coffee and honey-dips at Mr. Donut

Fast Seattle Women

I wished to get in at least one quality training session during my 3 weeks in the US.  So last night I returned to Seattle's Green Lake track to run with the unfriendly running club mentioned in my June 28 post.  

The group may not offer a warm welcome, but they certainly provide a rigorous workout:

4x1000 at 3:25 with a mere 60-second rest, then after a brisk 10 minute run we launched into 4x400 in 77, 75, 73 and finally a blowout 69-seconds.

I was roughly in the middle of the group of about 30 runners.  Maybe that is not surprising.  But get this - running right around me (and ahead of me) were 7-8 women, several around 40 years old.  So much for my dismissing all American woman runners as overweight, 7-hour marathoners carrying balloons and raising money for charities. The woman next to me, Susan, was 39-years old and had run a 2;47 marathon last year.  

Edogawa 10k

I participated in the Edogawa 10k yesterday, an event I have enjoyed in the past for its convenient location, elaborate award ceremony, festive post-race lunch and casual ambiance. Problem was that this year I was absurdly over-confident about running a good time going into the run.

At least through the first 4 kilometers I did feel reasonably OK - maintaining a steady 3:33 pace. But I found myself increasingly worried to be so winded and also to find myself ahead of faster teammate Gerard. I kept thinking that surely I should be able to run a pace significantly faster than the 36:48 10k portion of the Murakami Triathlon. But this proved to be wishful thinking.

I faded dramatically over the last half of the race and was clocked in 36:32.

Of course I could still enjoy the elaborate award ceremony. Here are pictures of me struggling to follow the proper marching and bowing rituals and receiving an incredibly heavy bronze medal for my 3rd place age-group finish. Naturally I am thinking to melt the medal down and sell the bronze to pay for food given my precarious financial situation now that all my projects are losing their financing.

Murakami Triathlon

I am astonished to run 36:48 for the 10k run portion of the Murakami Triathlon Sunday. I am astonished I could run 36:48 at all, let alone after pushing through a 72-minute 40k ride. So despite the fact that stormy weather forced the cancellation of the swim portion of the event, my second triathlon event of 2008 proved another fine adventure.

When we arrived in Murakami on Saturday we were met by fierce winds blowing in from Siberia and huge foaming breakers crashing on the beach. Since I have been laser-focused on swimming this summer I was disappointed when the officials replaced the swim with a 1k beach run in heavy sand to start the event.

As usual I was unorganized during the final hour before the triathlon start. I felt reluctant to take my bike to the official race bike mechanic knowing I would be met with scorn and disgust, but I am so clueless about bike mechanics and could not get my front wheel to spin true. Sure enough the bike doctor was shocked and horrified by all the rust and neglect. I could not understand most of his grumbling in Japanese as he struggled with my bike, but what I picked up on was clearly shock and disdain: "hidoi, maintenance wa dame desu, toriazu shoganai..." I had pinched my front brake cable when I reattached my aero bars and lost various bolts and my front spokes were completely rusted, but thanks to the last second adjustments it appeared that my bike could survive another event.

When the starting gun went off I high-stepped through the sand as best I could, entering the bike transition zone about 10-seconds ahead of most of my teammates. But alas they overtook me right away, despite all my effort to prepare and focus on a fast transition.

The 40k ride along the Sea of Japan coastline was scenic with the huge waves breaking on the rocky shore. I rode well - my approximate time of 1:12 is a PB for this distance though I struggled a bit in some wind after the turnaround and during a short downpour toward the end of the ride.

Perhaps I slacked off a bit on the bike to save strength for the run, but I think I pushed pretty hard and my thighs felt sore when I dashed out of the second transition zone. And yet the bike ride did not seem to slow my run down at all. I felt like I was moving fast and this was confirmed when I saw my 2k split of 7:15. I passed Phil Ryan around 3k and he told me Anthony was just up ahead which further emboldened me. I hoped to finish ahead of the upstart Anthony who has just started doing triathlons this year, but who is clearly a natural talent. I finally managed to pass Anthony at about 7k as I maintained a steady 3:40 per kilometer pace to the finish.

My effort was good for 3rd place out of 49 runners in my division.

Murakami Triathlon Preparation

I have been thinking I should change the blog's subtitle to "NOT training for a triathlon in Tokyo" or most accurately "Complaining about bicycling in Tokyo"

As is so often the case over the last several years, I have a whole litany of complaints about cycling training.

I had hoped to do at least a half-dozen good rides leading up to Sunday's Murakami Triathlon.  But then a bizarre series of flat tire problems eliminated 3 crucial rides.  Of course these flat tire problems were largely a result of my own neglect and my ineptitude with mounting the tube properly and starting my rides so late in the day.

I was thinking I was swimming and running reasonably well, but this is meaningless when your bike leg is slow and your legs are shot after the bike.

Beijing Olympics 5

It is my last night in Beijing and naturally I am compelled to experience another track and field session.  So I wade into the throngs of ticket scalpers lined up outside the Olympic Village entrance and spot a young Chinese holding a ticket for that night.  When I try to begin negotiating he frantically gestures for me to follow him and leads me to a nearby building entrance.  Apparently the Chinese authorities are still frowning on this market clearing mechanism.  The young seller types out his asking price of 1500 yuan (US$215) on his cell phone. I point to my watch to indicate the fact the session is already starting and offer 200 yuan.  I am a bit surprised when he indignantly marches off, and I grow concerned as I walk along the gate and all the tickets held up for offer are for events on later days.  Then a burly Australian walks up beside me, asks if I need tickets, and asks 700 yuan.  I respond that I can pay half that and I discretely slip him cash as we stride past the Chinese security forces and chat about US hopes against the Jamaicans.  It is a win-win transaction; the Australian is no doubt delighted to unload his ticket at the last second at 350 (50 yuan below the face value) and I am delighted to get back in the Birds Nest.

One of the really great things about attending these international events is the camaraderie with fans from all over the world.  I find myself sitting next to Ivan, a young 800-meter junior champion from Ukraine and a boisterous group of Estonians.  They are all so extremely excited to learn I am from the US and they hug me with joy when Americans Dawn Harper and Jeremy Wariner win their respective races and try to console me when the British sprinter overtakes Sanya Richards in the 400.  Of course we all go crazy when Estonia wins the discus throw.

One other thing that just does not come through on TV is the emotional power of the medal award ceremonies.  When everything else at the track stopped and 90,000 fans rose for the New Zealand national anthem for the woman's shot put gold medalist on Sunday both Christian and I were deeply moved.  For New Zealand!  For the woman's shot put!  an event we had not even seen or even thought about prior to that moment.

Beijing Olympics 4

I attend the Athletics competition at the Birds Nest Sunday night. It is amazing to actually be at the Olympics. I feel goose bumps when we came out of the subway and in the distance I catch sight of the huge Olympic torch in the distance.

Only ticket-holders can go through wide perimeter security tents to get into the main Olympic Village. It is like entering a magical new world. Granted it is a bit of a corporate sponsor world with numerous Coca-Cola and McDonalds kiosks, Visa ATMs, and Bank of China VIP tents.

As amazing as the competition is, the architecture may be more memorable for me. It is breathtaking to see from different angles. Christian and I cannot stop take pictures in front of the Birds Nest and Water Cube. Most of the other 100,000 spectators are also posing in front of the stadiums as well.

The restrooms are hidden, the concourses are long and steep, the concession lines slow, but none of this detracts much from the magic of being at Olympics.

Beijing Olympics 3

Naturally I was concerned about the air quality in China. For months I have heard so much about the stifling humidity and choking smog, and  the risk of black lung I faced by running during my Olympic trip.

 

But I run with teammate Chuck in Shanghai and smog is not an issue.  (avoiding getting hit by lightning was more of an issue).

 

Then in Beijing the sky is blue and I can see mountains clearly in the distance.  Christian and I do 12k around the Summer Palace Grounds and the air is fine and I hardly break a sweat in the cool comfortable weather.

Beijing Olympics 2

Everywhere I go in China (restaurants, convenient stores, getting my hair cut)  I see televisions showing Olympic coverage.  Everywhere I see the One World One Dream logo. And everywhere, everywhere I see the country medal standings.  I thought tabulating national medal counts was counter to the Olympic spirit and was actively discouraged?  But the medal counts scroll across the bottom of every Chinese broadcast 24x7.  

 

Not that I watch Chinese Olympic coverage.   Strangely I come to the Olympics in China and find myself watching coverage from the Philippines.  Which is ideal.  The Philippines have relatively fewer athletes competing and so the coverage is remarkably broad and unbiased (and in English).     

Beijing Olympics - 1

Who needs to go to Seattle in August to escape the heat when you can summer in the Chinese coastal city of Dalian.  I arrive to blue skies and cool crisp temperatures.  The US Olympic track team is staying here during the games as well to minimize their time in Beijing smog. 

 

My one-year Chinese multi-entry visa was still valid , otherwise I probably would not have made it here since the Chinese government has been limiting "undesirables" like myself from getting visas during the Olympics.   Amazingly I was able to travel to China during the Games using 20,000 airline award miles and the hotels are reasonably priced since no one can get in the country.   

 

I enjoy several long runs through the hills and coastline of Dalian, but unfortunately I have yet to see Lagat running through the city parks or eating at the seafood restaurants. 

Kamakura Shakado/Hokokuji Route

Here is a map (courtesy of Joachim) of a 9km route through the quiet neighborhoods and hilly hiking trails of eastern Kamakura where Joachim, Mark, Ami and I ran several weeks ago.

This loop is an interesting variation on the normal counter-clockwise route I normally lead
around the circumference of Kamakura. There is very little overlap between the two routes other than the waterfront section.

This Eastern loop takes us through the remarkable Shakado pass which dates back centuries, past the Hokokuji temple and then along a densely forested ridge extending south to the Zushi Marina and the sea.

Fuji Mountain Climbing Race

Last Friday I participated in one of the quintessential Japan running experiences - the Fuji Tozan climbing race.  By the time I learned about the registration it was too late to enter the climb to the summit and I settled for the run to the 5th station. The Summit Race is 21 km with an elevation gain of 3,000 meters, and the 5th station race is 15km with an elevation gain of 1,480 meters.  I was pleased to be forced to select the easier event - the 5th station race is more of a running endeavor (as opposed to a climbing/crawling, oxygen deprivation experience), and the summit race requires scrambling back down a long painful trail. 

But when we arrived in the town of Fuji-Yoshida at the base of the mountain and I looked up at the awe-inspiring site of Mount Fuji looming above us - I could not help but feel that strange compulsion to make it to the top.  I felt that even more so at the starting line with the 

The cutoff times for Fuji Tozan are absurdly strict - for the Summit Race you must reach the 8th station within 4 hours.  More than half the entrants are cruelly turned back after climbing for 19km - and runners who make it to the finish are considered conquering heroes. 

I ran reasonably well - finishing the 15k course in 1:40:46 which was good for 21st among the 480 finishers in the 5th station event. 

I went out easy on the course's flat section (all 500 meters of it) from the starting line at Fuji-Yoshida city hall to the first turn.  Then as we begun the relentless climb, I started to steadily pass people.  Fortunately much of the first 11km is on a smooth paved road where we enjoyed shade and splendid scenery.  

I managed to get into a nice running rhythm despite the elevation gain.  I did have to fight back negative, panicky feelings ("if I feel bad, now just wait until we really start to climb later"). Fortunately the Fuji Tozan 5th station race does not  torture us with the ever-increasing  steepness of  Ohyama Tozama -- a race which I have done 3 times and which haunted me throughout.  

The first water stop was 35 minutes into the race at which point dehydration was taking a toll.  The water and cafe latte gel I carried gave me renewed strength and I passed Jin at this point. I thought I might keep only passing runners all the way to the top, but then when we reached Umagaeshi at 11km, the course becomes steeper and the terrain more uneven, and suddenly a series of gaunt, elderly men begun to scamper by me.  It seemed apparent to me that these guys were a different breed of hill climbing runners and that they lived to climb these steep rugged slopes.
  
I reached a 13km marker at 1:15 on my watch and thought I might break 1:30.  I begun to walk on steeper sections where I felt that little extra time could be gained by running.  I was surprised that it took so long to get to the finish but felt pretty strong as we crossed the finish.  

Now I feel I must do the Fuji Summit Race some day. I think I would be relatively less competitive at the summit event, but who cares - the challenge and uniqueness are compelling.

Kamakura 5k Open Water Swim Report

I complete my first open-water swim event on Saturday in Kamakura - swimming 5 kilometers in exactly 90 minutes.

One of my goals for 2008 was to compete in a pure swim event - partly because it would encourage me to improve my swimming for the triathlon, but more importantly because it struck me as an interesting new challenge in itself.

I was mentally prepared to finish dead last among a group of muscular, former lifeguards, water polo players and collegiate swim champions. However upon arriving at the beach I immediately struck up a conversation with a fellow competitor - a slight, older Japanese triathlete who told me he had been running for years and the swim was his weakness. I managed to bite my tongue and avoid saying I was of the same type.

Two-hundred competitors lined up for a beach start - a start that was remarkably relaxed compared to the frenzied thrashing starts at triathlons. Most of the field, including myself, waded out into the ocean at a leisurely pace - seemingly in no hurry to actually start swimming. I found plenty of room on the outside and launched into a smooth pace - trying to avoid the numerous jellyfish blobs. The first half of the first of the three 1600 meter loops seemed to take forever - 18 minutes to 850 meter mark. After that I got progressively faster and passed other swimmers most of the way.

A boat at the turnaround buoy handed us water and some strange food-like substance that tasted very good after all the ocean water. I was a bit dehydrated in my wetsuit on the 28 degree morning, and these water stops saved me. I also ate my Cafe Latte Power Gel at the halfway mark which also seemed to help.

The other swimmers seemed to emerge on the shallow beach at the same leisurely pace we entered the water. However hoping to hit 90 minutes and being more of a land animal, I furiously porpoised through the shallow water and sprinted up the beach to the finish.
My time of 1:30:00 is much faster than my 1:27 for 3.8k at Ironman. I place a respectable 105th out of approximately 200 total participants.

Later in the afternoon along with teammates, Dave Sims and Oleg from our Tokyo International Waters Swim Club, I participated in a 3x750-meter relay. We finished 10th out of 41 teams. Unlike the 5k I entered the water at a full sprint after taking the wristband from Dave, and I found myself gasping for breath on every stroke for much of my leg. My pace was slower than in the 5k, partly because of the overly fast start and partly perhaps because of fatigue from the 5k.

Remarkably though, two day later I feel very little soreness and fatigue from the longest swim day of my life.

I have no intention to abandon running and cycling and devote my life to open-water swim, but I had a blast on Saturday and look forward to doing another open-water swim event next summer.

Countdown to 5k Open Water Swim

Only 16 hours until my swim marathon.   I feel increasingly anxious - but this anxiety could be caused by other things in my life.  Anyway I need to focus on keeping my stroke smooth and long and consistent tomorrow. 

I anticipate swimming for up to 2 hours - a long time to be working in the open seas.  My rule in running/triathlon events is to eat every 30-minutes on any endurance event over 60-minutes.  So I am thinking to tuck a gel or two inside my wetsuit.  I have not practiced doing this, so I have no idea if eating in the middle of the swim will be do-able. 

As is often before a big event I find myself thinking - "I really should have done one more real long training swim..."

My race goal?  Really just to finish and have fun.  I have been averaging 2:00 on 100 meters in pool for 20 reps, but when I get out in the open water the workouts do not seem as relevant.

My other goal - not to make excuses and tell other participants "I am not really a swimmer".  Tomorrow I am a swimmer.