"I'm on my way from misery to happiness today"
On my 4th day of not running and feeling better for it. Still some lingering pain in my Achilles, my ankles and left hamstring but hopefully this rest is enough to fix the problems I've been having. I'm chomping at the bit to run again and will do a long slow one tomorrow.
On a different note. I was listening to an interesting podcast this morning. They talked about studies that have shown that athletes who were able lie to themselves were the best overall.
How they ascertained that these people were lying was by asking them questions such as "Do you enjoy your bowel movements?" "Have you ever wanted to be raped and/or rape somebody else?" "Have you ever thought about suicide in order to get back at someone?" And many more such unpleasent questions. It was supposed that everyone has these thoughts at least once so if you answered "no" to any of these you were prone to lying to yourself!
Well it seemed in follow up studies those that did answer "No" (a lot) whether they were runners, swimmers, or other such timed obsessed athletes.. well they were the ones that did the best in their sport! They were the high achievers.
Bringing this home. The people who are able to say to themselves such things as "I'm the best!" "Nobody trains harder than me!" "I'm a lean machine!" etc etc help themselves and make it a kind of self fulfilling prophecy! It's not like they totally believe it but they are able to hold these thought in the face of contradictory ones.
I heard a story by Pat Carroll where he and a friend told Darren Wilson, for a joke, that they were doing 20 X 1000 meter repeats when actually they were actually only doing 6 or something like that. But the laugh was on them when Darren being the positive guy that he was, did these without much thought and, came out and blitzed both of them in a 10K race the following month.
A little self deception can go a long way in our lives too! I'll leave you with another example, one from my youth...
When I was a teen I saw my girlfriend walking in the park with another guy and I ignored it saying "Probably her brother!" But I broke it off a week later when I walked in on them making love! I had to. I couldn't abide by incest now could I!?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Currently unattended!
"In The Long Run" is currently unattended while the management visits clinics in the former Soviet Union seeking answers to the question of recent form slump. Please enjoy this musical interlude!
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Take me out to the ball game!
A day not to forget.
Went to see our "Orix Buffaloes" pro baseball team play today with G'Dad and the kids! Nice day out! One of the best things being the girls walking around with beer kegs on their back serving draught beer! And if that wasn't enough there were these giant sized hot dogs! I think I now understand the George Bush refrain of "They hate us for our freedom."
Related to old George, how about them catching and killing Osama? Is it only me or does this life seem like a made for TV movie! We seem to go from one thing to another with no time to catch our breath! My own life recently has taken a turn towards the dramatic!
I'll relate a story from last Saturday morning. I woke up in my usual daze clutching the wall and pulling myself up it to my feet, we sleep on a futon on the ground. There was a basket of washing on the side table that I'd bumped, and I thought at the time, cleverly caught and replaced back on the table.
Anyway, I headed out of the bedroom into the kitchen naked except for a pair of "Sponge Bob" boxers, poured out a cup of coffee and stared out the window to see what kind of day it was. Before my second sip I felt a strange sensation, a dripping and a wet feeling on my feet. I looked down slowly to see several big splotches of deep red blood on my feet!
For some strange reason I looked up to the ceiling thinking that the blood had came from there but when I couldn't see anything I instinctively shoved my hand down my boxes fearing the worse! Well everything seemed connected but I pulled out my hand and it was blood red to the wrist!!
I rushed to the bathroom in a state of panic that you can probably understand only if you've seen "Alien" or your family name is "Bobbit"! On pulling down my shorts I let out a blood curdling scream that brought in my two sons. One, the youngest had a ghost white face and the other a smile that had me thinking, in a vain effort to make sense of this, that he'd set it up! After yelling at him "What have you done to me!" I proceeded to wash my groin area I was at this stage covered in thick blood from my navel to my knees!
"Jesus Christ this is coming from my old fella" I screamed, or something to that affect! I grabbed the shower hose again and turning it harder on myself I attempted to see where this blood was coming from! If this was you, would you rather that the blood was coming from your front hole or back one? Yes, I know it's the kind of a lose, lose answer but luckily I found the leak and it was coming from my sack!
You'd think that "Luckily" and blood coming from ones ball bag should not be used in the same sentence but I was able to stop the blood flow and make sense of why I was standing buck naked, surrounded by (mostly) concerned family members in a pool of my own blood!
Once the panic had subsided I put it together rather quickly. I seems like when I snatched the falling washing basket the steel buckle on my sports watch had cut deep into my scrotum and produced this fearsome deluge!
I'm fine now but it did put things into perspective. I mean when you think you are bleeding profusely from the penis your case of Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis tend to fade in importance!
Nevertheless my present injuries remain an issue that I'll touch on next post.
Went to see our "Orix Buffaloes" pro baseball team play today with G'Dad and the kids! Nice day out! One of the best things being the girls walking around with beer kegs on their back serving draught beer! And if that wasn't enough there were these giant sized hot dogs! I think I now understand the George Bush refrain of "They hate us for our freedom."
Related to old George, how about them catching and killing Osama? Is it only me or does this life seem like a made for TV movie! We seem to go from one thing to another with no time to catch our breath! My own life recently has taken a turn towards the dramatic!
I'll relate a story from last Saturday morning. I woke up in my usual daze clutching the wall and pulling myself up it to my feet, we sleep on a futon on the ground. There was a basket of washing on the side table that I'd bumped, and I thought at the time, cleverly caught and replaced back on the table.
Anyway, I headed out of the bedroom into the kitchen naked except for a pair of "Sponge Bob" boxers, poured out a cup of coffee and stared out the window to see what kind of day it was. Before my second sip I felt a strange sensation, a dripping and a wet feeling on my feet. I looked down slowly to see several big splotches of deep red blood on my feet!
For some strange reason I looked up to the ceiling thinking that the blood had came from there but when I couldn't see anything I instinctively shoved my hand down my boxes fearing the worse! Well everything seemed connected but I pulled out my hand and it was blood red to the wrist!!
I rushed to the bathroom in a state of panic that you can probably understand only if you've seen "Alien" or your family name is "Bobbit"! On pulling down my shorts I let out a blood curdling scream that brought in my two sons. One, the youngest had a ghost white face and the other a smile that had me thinking, in a vain effort to make sense of this, that he'd set it up! After yelling at him "What have you done to me!" I proceeded to wash my groin area I was at this stage covered in thick blood from my navel to my knees!
"Jesus Christ this is coming from my old fella" I screamed, or something to that affect! I grabbed the shower hose again and turning it harder on myself I attempted to see where this blood was coming from! If this was you, would you rather that the blood was coming from your front hole or back one? Yes, I know it's the kind of a lose, lose answer but luckily I found the leak and it was coming from my sack!
You'd think that "Luckily" and blood coming from ones ball bag should not be used in the same sentence but I was able to stop the blood flow and make sense of why I was standing buck naked, surrounded by (mostly) concerned family members in a pool of my own blood!
Once the panic had subsided I put it together rather quickly. I seems like when I snatched the falling washing basket the steel buckle on my sports watch had cut deep into my scrotum and produced this fearsome deluge!
I'm fine now but it did put things into perspective. I mean when you think you are bleeding profusely from the penis your case of Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis tend to fade in importance!
Nevertheless my present injuries remain an issue that I'll touch on next post.
Friday, April 29, 2011
"I'm on the right track baby I was born this way."
Any Lady Gaga fans out there? Then you must know the title of this blog. While I'm not a great fan I appreciate anyone who makes an effort and that's what she does! My race today was similar in this respect. Although I did what I could the twisting turning course of Sakai and a few injuries going in had me wanting.
Still it is a course record and I did come 5th in the Master's division. But frankly I was a little depressed after finishing. Anyway if you allow me to spin this, I'm definitely on the right track and just have to be patient. Nothing is going to rush new PBs just have to put in the extra work and wait for the right time/race.
I reckon we all need to not reach our expectations at times otherwise we would never have the motivation to train harder! Just what it will take to get me to a breakthrough I'm not sure, but I'm moving forward looking for it and that's the best I can do!
Today's time: 36:38
The video below is of me in the last 200 hundred meters and I look pathetic, not being able to muster more of a sprint! Just for the record this course is reckoned by the winners to be 200 meters long and by my measurements, my walking measure, it's over 300 meters long!
And one thing before I finish. If anyone who has anything to do with the organisation of this race is reading. Put your hand in the registration jar and 1) buy us chips, 2) put in kilometer markers, and 3) give the top ten something for their efforts. Tight bastards! You know it really makes our wonderful Sakai City look cheap and thoughtless! While I love running in my hometown, we really could do a better job of it. Just not Japanese, I reckon.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Last of the Mohicans
So far...
No approach by a coach, but starting to think there is still a lot I can do myself before I have to ask for help. I have a 10K race coming this Friday and although I've been training for it and want to do well I'd just be happy with a course record. Think this will be the 5th time I've run the Sakai-City Marathon (10K) and the 2nd time to run in the masters division. I was 7th last year in about 36:50 on a hot day.
The last few training runs haven't been easy, got this pain on the outside of the heal of my right foot and the Achilles on that foot feels like someone is giving it the old "Siamese Burn." Not to mention a little bit of plantar fasciitis due to some over ambitious speed work and some hamstring problems on the left leg. Other than that I'm fine ;) Anyway I'd do what I can on the day and it could be, going by the course and my best efforts going into this, between 34:00 minutes and 36:00! Looking towards it and wanting to PB if I can!
Thought I'd share this clip as it is my all time favorite movie and please if you haven't seen it, or haven't in a while. Do yourself a favor, as they say.
No approach by a coach, but starting to think there is still a lot I can do myself before I have to ask for help. I have a 10K race coming this Friday and although I've been training for it and want to do well I'd just be happy with a course record. Think this will be the 5th time I've run the Sakai-City Marathon (10K) and the 2nd time to run in the masters division. I was 7th last year in about 36:50 on a hot day.
The last few training runs haven't been easy, got this pain on the outside of the heal of my right foot and the Achilles on that foot feels like someone is giving it the old "Siamese Burn." Not to mention a little bit of plantar fasciitis due to some over ambitious speed work and some hamstring problems on the left leg. Other than that I'm fine ;) Anyway I'd do what I can on the day and it could be, going by the course and my best efforts going into this, between 34:00 minutes and 36:00! Looking towards it and wanting to PB if I can!
Thought I'd share this clip as it is my all time favorite movie and please if you haven't seen it, or haven't in a while. Do yourself a favor, as they say.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Do I need a coach?
Running to win!
Been thinking over the past few years whether or not I should get a coach and recent events have again put this question front and center.
Ryan Halls' fantastic run in Boston has, I reckon, justified his decision to "Self Coach" but while I'm in awe of his achievements his fourth place still shows that time means little when you're racing at this level! You really have to race to win that means beating those around you no matter the time they're running! The question still remains could Ryan have achieved what he did in Boston keeping the coach he had? And can he race to win in future without the help of a good coach?
Also our blogging mate Thomas' recent sub three shows what a good program and a great coach can do for you. I applaud Thomas's ability train hard and listen to others, not easy for a smart guy! Still, this is not to say he couldn't of achieved what he did on his own, one way or another, I reckon.
My basic view is this: I want a coach as I think self coaching is basically a disaster but my options are limited due to the fact that I'm not an elite runner and don't have the money to pay for the kind of help that would be superior to the advice I can get from "friends" and what I can cobble together from the Internet and experience of others.
Below (listed) are some things I could possibly do as I'm not happy going along exactly as I am now so I'd like some kind of change. Yet it's tricky, knowing just what to do at this stage. What do you think?
I could
1) Stay with my current Marius Bakken's plan and pay someone, another high level coach, to adjust it to my specific goal, a sub 2:30:00 marathon some time within the next three years... (Cost about $100 US one off). Peter Pfitzinger offers such a service.
2) I could pay one of you guys my loyal and knowledgeable readers to guide me. Willing to pay in sports gear, shoes and the like before and after reaching goal (value about $350 US).
3) I could ask someone like Mcmillan, Pat Carroll or Peter Pfitzinger to coach me to this goal marathon,. Pay them monthly at the rates they offer, not too much but much more than the other options.
What do you reckon on the above? Do you see any other options for me? Are you able to offer your services? Let me know otherwise I might have to take "Coach Hoffman" up on his offer of a coach. Like he says in "Eat to Win"... "The side affects may vary but the results speak for themselves!" ;)
Been thinking over the past few years whether or not I should get a coach and recent events have again put this question front and center.
Ryan Halls' fantastic run in Boston has, I reckon, justified his decision to "Self Coach" but while I'm in awe of his achievements his fourth place still shows that time means little when you're racing at this level! You really have to race to win that means beating those around you no matter the time they're running! The question still remains could Ryan have achieved what he did in Boston keeping the coach he had? And can he race to win in future without the help of a good coach?
Also our blogging mate Thomas' recent sub three shows what a good program and a great coach can do for you. I applaud Thomas's ability train hard and listen to others, not easy for a smart guy! Still, this is not to say he couldn't of achieved what he did on his own, one way or another, I reckon.
My basic view is this: I want a coach as I think self coaching is basically a disaster but my options are limited due to the fact that I'm not an elite runner and don't have the money to pay for the kind of help that would be superior to the advice I can get from "friends" and what I can cobble together from the Internet and experience of others.
Below (listed) are some things I could possibly do as I'm not happy going along exactly as I am now so I'd like some kind of change. Yet it's tricky, knowing just what to do at this stage. What do you think?
I could
1) Stay with my current Marius Bakken's plan and pay someone, another high level coach, to adjust it to my specific goal, a sub 2:30:00 marathon some time within the next three years... (Cost about $100 US one off). Peter Pfitzinger offers such a service.
2) I could pay one of you guys my loyal and knowledgeable readers to guide me. Willing to pay in sports gear, shoes and the like before and after reaching goal (value about $350 US).
3) I could ask someone like Mcmillan, Pat Carroll or Peter Pfitzinger to coach me to this goal marathon,. Pay them monthly at the rates they offer, not too much but much more than the other options.
What do you reckon on the above? Do you see any other options for me? Are you able to offer your services? Let me know otherwise I might have to take "Coach Hoffman" up on his offer of a coach. Like he says in "Eat to Win"... "The side affects may vary but the results speak for themselves!" ;)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Follow me
http://twitter.com/
Thanks for your advice from last post, all helpful. I'm now basically doing as much as I can, in the way of speed, and backing off when things start to get ugly. I heard an excellent quote by Nate Jenkins in an interview with "Running Times Radio" something to the affect of... "Nobody ever got better/faster from any workout it is only ones ability recovery from training sessions that will make the difference" (between a champ and a chump).
I'll plug on with this in mind. What I wanted to write about today was "Twitter." I've had an account now for about 6 months and although I had little idea on how to use it, at first, I've certainly warmed to it and you will find me there, at least checking, almost everyday.
Just a little of my twitter history.
At first I thought it would be good to tell people what I was up to..
(Below actual tweets)
"At maccas having coffee before my run I'd ask what are the poor people doing but no need they're all here I'll ask them myself"
But that was not really what good tweeting is all about. Twitter is much better to help promote your business or interests..
"January 2011 races and locations in Japan are up on samurai running http://samurairunning.com/register.html"
And or let people know you have just uploaded a new blog post..
"High mileage. The story so far...http://the-long.blogspot.com/"
But the best part for me is that it gives me an outlet for my dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. While I love running I think that if I had a wish I'd rather be Rodney Dangerfield than any elite runner. But sadly I may not have enough talent to be either. But I'll keep trying ;)
Below a collection of tweets, "funny or not" you be the judge!
Some are topical..
"Paul the Octopus, of World Cup prediction fame, has died. Now no idea who's going to win the World Cup? I suppose I could ask a scallop!"
"Canadian authorities investigate dog encased in block ice found on man's front lawn" say it may be linked to frozen turds on back lawn"
Some are personal..
"I'm not sure if I talk about my kids too much at the office but a guy at work did quit, saying he "wanted to see less of my family!"
Some a a mix of personal and topical (Mubarak's Egypt).
"My son understands Egypt after all he has grown up with calls of "Get out out old man" but I keep telling his mother I'm not going anywhere!"
"Teen Virgins on the Rise ... Nearly one-third of teens reported no sexual activity." looks like we've finally found some common ground"
Most of my tweets follow a theme like my recent ones of "Words that should be."
"Extra Teartestical" The effort exerted when running away from what you mistakenly believe to be an alien!"
"Whoredrobe" A large storage area where you keep things you don't want your wife to know about."
"Unplanned Parentwood" An unfortunate erection that spontaneously appears during a meeting with your child's teacher!"
"Stimuless Package" The grion region of the average married man!"
"Spare-condtioner": Those little left over packets of rinse left in the hotel rooms of bald men."
I won't give up my day job just yet but I'd like you to follow me on Twitter, at least humor me ;)
Thanks for your advice from last post, all helpful. I'm now basically doing as much as I can, in the way of speed, and backing off when things start to get ugly. I heard an excellent quote by Nate Jenkins in an interview with "Running Times Radio" something to the affect of... "Nobody ever got better/faster from any workout it is only ones ability recovery from training sessions that will make the difference" (between a champ and a chump).
I'll plug on with this in mind. What I wanted to write about today was "Twitter." I've had an account now for about 6 months and although I had little idea on how to use it, at first, I've certainly warmed to it and you will find me there, at least checking, almost everyday.
Just a little of my twitter history.
At first I thought it would be good to tell people what I was up to..
(Below actual tweets)
"At maccas having coffee before my run I'd ask what are the poor people doing but no need they're all here I'll ask them myself"
But that was not really what good tweeting is all about. Twitter is much better to help promote your business or interests..
"January 2011 races and locations in Japan are up on samurai running http://samurairunning.com/register.html"
And or let people know you have just uploaded a new blog post..
"High mileage. The story so far...http://the-long.blogspot.com/"
But the best part for me is that it gives me an outlet for my dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. While I love running I think that if I had a wish I'd rather be Rodney Dangerfield than any elite runner. But sadly I may not have enough talent to be either. But I'll keep trying ;)
Below a collection of tweets, "funny or not" you be the judge!
Some are topical..
"Paul the Octopus, of World Cup prediction fame, has died. Now no idea who's going to win the World Cup? I suppose I could ask a scallop!"
"Canadian authorities investigate dog encased in block ice found on man's front lawn" say it may be linked to frozen turds on back lawn"
Some are personal..
"I'm not sure if I talk about my kids too much at the office but a guy at work did quit, saying he "wanted to see less of my family!"
Some a a mix of personal and topical (Mubarak's Egypt).
"My son understands Egypt after all he has grown up with calls of "Get out out old man" but I keep telling his mother I'm not going anywhere!"
"Teen Virgins on the Rise ... Nearly one-third of teens reported no sexual activity." looks like we've finally found some common ground"
Most of my tweets follow a theme like my recent ones of "Words that should be."
"Extra Teartestical" The effort exerted when running away from what you mistakenly believe to be an alien!"
"Whoredrobe" A large storage area where you keep things you don't want your wife to know about."
"Unplanned Parentwood" An unfortunate erection that spontaneously appears during a meeting with your child's teacher!"
"Stimuless Package" The grion region of the average married man!"
"Spare-condtioner": Those little left over packets of rinse left in the hotel rooms of bald men."
I won't give up my day job just yet but I'd like you to follow me on Twitter, at least humor me ;)
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Faster faster the lights are turning red!
Life in the fast lane!
As you may know with my marathon being cancelled I've turned my attention to a 10K PB and have been following a 33 min 10K plan. The trouble with this is most of the sessions call for times that are close to or better than my PBs at 3K to 5K, like 3 x 3200 meter repeats in 10:39 with 400 meter jog repeats in between! Given that my 3K PB is 10:15 you can see that I'm having trouble finishing these kind of sessions off!
Actually I'm really not worried, I figure if I can get thereabouts I will see improvement. But one thing that does worry me is the plans' "easy" days have me running at 4:15 per K over about 10ks. While I can handle these sessions (have been cruising up until now), I worry that they don't give me much rest between speed sessions and I'm going to breakdown sooner or later.
What do you think? Should I battle on with it? If not, how would you adapt this schedule if you were me?
As you may know with my marathon being cancelled I've turned my attention to a 10K PB and have been following a 33 min 10K plan. The trouble with this is most of the sessions call for times that are close to or better than my PBs at 3K to 5K, like 3 x 3200 meter repeats in 10:39 with 400 meter jog repeats in between! Given that my 3K PB is 10:15 you can see that I'm having trouble finishing these kind of sessions off!
Actually I'm really not worried, I figure if I can get thereabouts I will see improvement. But one thing that does worry me is the plans' "easy" days have me running at 4:15 per K over about 10ks. While I can handle these sessions (have been cruising up until now), I worry that they don't give me much rest between speed sessions and I'm going to breakdown sooner or later.
What do you think? Should I battle on with it? If not, how would you adapt this schedule if you were me?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
No limits, indeed!
Desperado!
A tribute to Rick of "Rick's Running No Limits Desperado" His recent 50 year old 1:17:00 half marathon was an impulsive act of character and guts. Here's hoping Rick doesn't "come to his senses!" anytime soon.
A tribute to Rick of "Rick's Running No Limits Desperado" His recent 50 year old 1:17:00 half marathon was an impulsive act of character and guts. Here's hoping Rick doesn't "come to his senses!" anytime soon.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE
All revved up and no place to go!
Well that's how I was feeling a few days ago with all the marathon cancellations but seeing how things are developing with the situation here it's given me an idea. And flexibility is the key!
I was listening to a podcast the other night by a MIT professor of economics talking about how natural disasters basically don't make a difference to advanced economies overall. That is, they hardly register on the GDP of a developed economy because things are just re-routed! After Kobe, Japans third biggest port city, was destroyed in 1995, it took about one month for other cities and other places to take up production capacity. Even though its industries accounted for about 12% of total output the year of the earthquake there is no discernible dip in GDP.
Us "advanced" runners are also the same. When it comes to problems such as cancelled races or injury we look for alternatives whether it be a new race or cross training. The important thing is we don't let any disruption derail our overall progress!
In this spirit I've cobbled together a handful of smaller races to take me to a fall marathon (See left hand column). I've downloaded a sub 10K 33min training plan and in my first race I'm looking to, if not go 33mins, to go way below my current 10K time of 35:35!
Reading "Beer Matts" blog I'm feeling more justified in my decision to focus on speed. He notes in a recent post what he believes were the main things that enabled him to go from a 3 hour marathon to sub 2:30:00 within five years! In his number two point he says:
"A big (read massive) turning point for me was starting to run track in 2007 - with the aim of improving speed through all the race distances (the quicker you can run a lap, the quicker you will run a marathon)."
Sounds like sound advice!
Some wild eyed efforts are called for!
If you haven't seen this quake map you should. Shows just how much things have been moving from the morning of the big one. Amazing!
http://www.japanquakemap.com/
Well that's how I was feeling a few days ago with all the marathon cancellations but seeing how things are developing with the situation here it's given me an idea. And flexibility is the key!
I was listening to a podcast the other night by a MIT professor of economics talking about how natural disasters basically don't make a difference to advanced economies overall. That is, they hardly register on the GDP of a developed economy because things are just re-routed! After Kobe, Japans third biggest port city, was destroyed in 1995, it took about one month for other cities and other places to take up production capacity. Even though its industries accounted for about 12% of total output the year of the earthquake there is no discernible dip in GDP.
Us "advanced" runners are also the same. When it comes to problems such as cancelled races or injury we look for alternatives whether it be a new race or cross training. The important thing is we don't let any disruption derail our overall progress!
In this spirit I've cobbled together a handful of smaller races to take me to a fall marathon (See left hand column). I've downloaded a sub 10K 33min training plan and in my first race I'm looking to, if not go 33mins, to go way below my current 10K time of 35:35!
Reading "Beer Matts" blog I'm feeling more justified in my decision to focus on speed. He notes in a recent post what he believes were the main things that enabled him to go from a 3 hour marathon to sub 2:30:00 within five years! In his number two point he says:
"A big (read massive) turning point for me was starting to run track in 2007 - with the aim of improving speed through all the race distances (the quicker you can run a lap, the quicker you will run a marathon)."
Sounds like sound advice!
Some wild eyed efforts are called for!
If you haven't seen this quake map you should. Shows just how much things have been moving from the morning of the big one. Amazing!
http://www.japanquakemap.com/
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
NAGANO CANCELLED!
Made official today the notice read:
"Considering the seriousness of this disaster, we, the Nagano Marathon Organizing Committee, have decided to cancel the 13th marathon race which was to be held on April 17. Many citizens from Nagano City as well as Nagano Prefecture are participating in the rescue activities in the disaster area. Thus we cannot secure enough people who are indispensable in supporting the operation of the race such as security, medical support, and volunteers. As the organizing committee, we decide that even if we held the race, we would not be able to carry out a safe and effortless operation."
So that's it! Sort of expected it but none the less I'm disappointed as I'd put a lot of training into this and was thinking they just might go ahead with it if only for the chance it would give them to raise some money. Anyway as they said they are going to donate the "total entry fee of 76,270,500 yen" (from 8,973 runners) so I'm sure that will go a long way to helping and maybe is more than they could have raised otherwise.
Whether or not it's the "right decision" is no longer worth the thought I'll just have to deal with it. Yes considering I'm alive, healthy and with family I really have nothing to complain about. I was in tears today after seeing a photo of a young boy distraught, crying in his mothers arms after finding the body of his older brother! I can't stand to see this kind of anguish but really even if they cancelled every sporting event for a year there is really nothing that is going to relieve this kids' pain but time.
Still, I often wondered as a young man myself when I lost people close to me, why the world didn't stop?! Of course life goes on, but it shows respect when we slow things down a bit and show these people that we at least understand this feeling! So overall I support the Nagano Marathon Organizing Committee's decision.
As for my running future it is bright! I'm going to take this fitness and get a few PBs in the "lesser" distances, 3K, 5K, (by myself in training) over the next 2 months. A 10K race PB on April 29th and a half marathon race PB in May. After that I'll not race until Early August in Australia, a half, and start my preparations for a marathon PB in the Japanese fall.
I'll cry a few more tears for the people of North East Japan before this is thing is all through but I've got a plan and the motivation to carry it out. I wish everyone the same.
Sub 2:30:00, here I come! (sooner or later) ;)
"Considering the seriousness of this disaster, we, the Nagano Marathon Organizing Committee, have decided to cancel the 13th marathon race which was to be held on April 17. Many citizens from Nagano City as well as Nagano Prefecture are participating in the rescue activities in the disaster area. Thus we cannot secure enough people who are indispensable in supporting the operation of the race such as security, medical support, and volunteers. As the organizing committee, we decide that even if we held the race, we would not be able to carry out a safe and effortless operation."
So that's it! Sort of expected it but none the less I'm disappointed as I'd put a lot of training into this and was thinking they just might go ahead with it if only for the chance it would give them to raise some money. Anyway as they said they are going to donate the "total entry fee of 76,270,500 yen" (from 8,973 runners) so I'm sure that will go a long way to helping and maybe is more than they could have raised otherwise.
Whether or not it's the "right decision" is no longer worth the thought I'll just have to deal with it. Yes considering I'm alive, healthy and with family I really have nothing to complain about. I was in tears today after seeing a photo of a young boy distraught, crying in his mothers arms after finding the body of his older brother! I can't stand to see this kind of anguish but really even if they cancelled every sporting event for a year there is really nothing that is going to relieve this kids' pain but time.
Still, I often wondered as a young man myself when I lost people close to me, why the world didn't stop?! Of course life goes on, but it shows respect when we slow things down a bit and show these people that we at least understand this feeling! So overall I support the Nagano Marathon Organizing Committee's decision.
As for my running future it is bright! I'm going to take this fitness and get a few PBs in the "lesser" distances, 3K, 5K, (by myself in training) over the next 2 months. A 10K race PB on April 29th and a half marathon race PB in May. After that I'll not race until Early August in Australia, a half, and start my preparations for a marathon PB in the Japanese fall.
I'll cry a few more tears for the people of North East Japan before this is thing is all through but I've got a plan and the motivation to carry it out. I wish everyone the same.
Sub 2:30:00, here I come! (sooner or later) ;)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thanks, bullshit and hope!
March 2011
Thanks
Wanted to thank you all again for your support and thoughts. I know that it's hard to focus on the negative, we all instinctively want to turn away so a special thanks to those that fight the urge and keep the Japanese victims in their thoughts!
A call out to Ewen, Rick and Ron (Punk Rock Runner), fantastic fellas. Each in their own way do more than they'll ever know! Regulars to this blog must know Rick and Ewen but maybe don't really know "Punk Rock Runner" Ron. But I can tell you he is one of the nicest guys you could have the pleasure to know. Read his blog, he is the real deal, and a funny bastard on top of it!
Bullshit
Another thing I wanted to say was that while I want everyone to keep us in their thoughts, please don't worry or at least don't take seriously the over-reactions of the foreign media. They are doing things like focusing in on mask wearing Tokyoites with dark foreboding music. But they are failing to mention that the only reason people are wearing them is because it's hay fever season here, pollen rates being much higher than the radioactive ones. They won't tell you either that the rate of radiation is higher in Rome than it is in Tokyo now! In most cases I wish they would try to get their facts right and focus on the people who need help instead of running back to Tokyo from the North East and playing up the fears from there. My advice to CNN in particular: Get back up to the affected areas or go back to Libya!! And start reporting the facts, if I want a story I'll read Dickens!
As for my running it is in a shambles as only today my 10K set for this Sunday has been cancelled as the place where it's being held is next to a rescue pactice base and distribution area (Although it is far from the quake region). Again I can't complain but I'm looking to salvage my running somehow with Nagano looking more doubtful by the day. What do you reckon I should do in the short term and the long term if I can't run my full on April 17th and any shorter ones before that?
Hope
Recent events are of course over-shadowing running and you would think that for someone as obsessed with running as me this would be a bad thing but it is not really so cut and dried. While I want to get back to a "normal life" of running and racing asap, I can see the bigger picture of this situation being good for us all, in the long run (pun intended). I'm sensing a coming together and a new sense of purpose in the people living here. It is really fascinating to see and I'm sure that this tragedy will help all of us see the truth of what Roger Bannister once said..."What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?" Also read the below linked article written by Murakami Ryo for the New York Times, it too is spot on!
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/opinion/17Murakami.html?_r=1&src=tptw
The chorus of the following song makes the statement that everyone is currently "walking about in the undulation," and that we should forget our tiredness, search for the meaning that will end this, and to start walking again.
Bugger it, let's run!
Thanks
Wanted to thank you all again for your support and thoughts. I know that it's hard to focus on the negative, we all instinctively want to turn away so a special thanks to those that fight the urge and keep the Japanese victims in their thoughts!
A call out to Ewen, Rick and Ron (Punk Rock Runner), fantastic fellas. Each in their own way do more than they'll ever know! Regulars to this blog must know Rick and Ewen but maybe don't really know "Punk Rock Runner" Ron. But I can tell you he is one of the nicest guys you could have the pleasure to know. Read his blog, he is the real deal, and a funny bastard on top of it!
Bullshit
Another thing I wanted to say was that while I want everyone to keep us in their thoughts, please don't worry or at least don't take seriously the over-reactions of the foreign media. They are doing things like focusing in on mask wearing Tokyoites with dark foreboding music. But they are failing to mention that the only reason people are wearing them is because it's hay fever season here, pollen rates being much higher than the radioactive ones. They won't tell you either that the rate of radiation is higher in Rome than it is in Tokyo now! In most cases I wish they would try to get their facts right and focus on the people who need help instead of running back to Tokyo from the North East and playing up the fears from there. My advice to CNN in particular: Get back up to the affected areas or go back to Libya!! And start reporting the facts, if I want a story I'll read Dickens!
As for my running it is in a shambles as only today my 10K set for this Sunday has been cancelled as the place where it's being held is next to a rescue pactice base and distribution area (Although it is far from the quake region). Again I can't complain but I'm looking to salvage my running somehow with Nagano looking more doubtful by the day. What do you reckon I should do in the short term and the long term if I can't run my full on April 17th and any shorter ones before that?
Hope
Recent events are of course over-shadowing running and you would think that for someone as obsessed with running as me this would be a bad thing but it is not really so cut and dried. While I want to get back to a "normal life" of running and racing asap, I can see the bigger picture of this situation being good for us all, in the long run (pun intended). I'm sensing a coming together and a new sense of purpose in the people living here. It is really fascinating to see and I'm sure that this tragedy will help all of us see the truth of what Roger Bannister once said..."What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?" Also read the below linked article written by Murakami Ryo for the New York Times, it too is spot on!
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/opinion/17Murakami.html?_r=1&src=tptw
The chorus of the following song makes the statement that everyone is currently "walking about in the undulation," and that we should forget our tiredness, search for the meaning that will end this, and to start walking again.
Bugger it, let's run!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Don't want to close my eyes...
Just when you think things couldn't get worse after the earthquakes up north comes tsunamis, and possible nuclear meltdown scenarios! Now there is an earthquake directly under Mt Fuji and we all know what waking up that girl would do to Japan!!!
Look I'm really not the type to believe in Armageddon and I don't trust the media to give clear and balanced coverage but things are definitely getting a little pear shaped and I just want things to calm down a bit and get back to worrying about my running weight.
To speak of running, there is a real chance that my goal marathon, Nagano, may be cancelled and frankly after all that has gone on I'm OK with it. Still training hard, had a session of 20x1 minute efforts at full tilt with a 30 second recovery that had me almost as spent as the fuel rods from Fukushima Daiichi reactors, 1 thru 4!
I really shouldn't joke about this but it is better than those I've seen seriously saying that all this is "Gods retribution on Japan for Pearl Harbour!" To those people I say: What did your country do to deserve you!? Fucken fools are worse than natural disasters.
But to you good people, I have nothing but respect and love ;)
Thanks for all your kind words.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Japan Quakes and Tsunamis
Hi all,
"Mother Nature" is doing what it always does, it really doesn't give a shit for our thoughts, dreams or what God we believe in. Having said that, I can't dwell on the risks of living I'm just glad we do on the whole give a shit about eachother. It really grabs ones attention. In times like these, peoples' common humanity is very much apparent. Seeing peoples' empathy play out and seeing the efforts they will go to, to help each other out really touches me. And every act of kindness matters so yes...
Thanks to everyone who has gotten in touch via email or blog to ask if everything is OK. It's nice to know we are in your thoughts. I also know why some people don't get in contact. Either they know that things are OK with us or simply don't want to make this about them which is totally understandable. Of course you simply may not consider me at all which is also understandable cause I do tend to get on some people's tit/goat/nerves ;)
Anyway, I'm also reluctant to write about this lest it be seen as me making it about myself but I thought that I'd better write something to put your minds at ease and thank you cause as I said it means a lot to us.
Please keep the people who have lost everything in your thoughts and understand the feelings of those, like us, scared by this force of nature. You'll forgive me a little rant. It sounds obvious and a bit crass to preach at this time but I will say something about the situation.
What we can/should do, at times like this, apart from physically helping, is to double the efforts in our own lives to live and inspire each other by our efforts small and large. Also please take care of yourselves too because you may not live in an earthquake zone but living well has its risks. Don't be complacent cause there are people who love/need you and getting hit by a truck or something like that is not the way you should be remembered.
Keep living, doing your thing, the thing only you do best!
And thanks again.
"Mother Nature" is doing what it always does, it really doesn't give a shit for our thoughts, dreams or what God we believe in. Having said that, I can't dwell on the risks of living I'm just glad we do on the whole give a shit about eachother. It really grabs ones attention. In times like these, peoples' common humanity is very much apparent. Seeing peoples' empathy play out and seeing the efforts they will go to, to help each other out really touches me. And every act of kindness matters so yes...
Thanks to everyone who has gotten in touch via email or blog to ask if everything is OK. It's nice to know we are in your thoughts. I also know why some people don't get in contact. Either they know that things are OK with us or simply don't want to make this about them which is totally understandable. Of course you simply may not consider me at all which is also understandable cause I do tend to get on some people's tit/goat/nerves ;)
Anyway, I'm also reluctant to write about this lest it be seen as me making it about myself but I thought that I'd better write something to put your minds at ease and thank you cause as I said it means a lot to us.
Please keep the people who have lost everything in your thoughts and understand the feelings of those, like us, scared by this force of nature. You'll forgive me a little rant. It sounds obvious and a bit crass to preach at this time but I will say something about the situation.
What we can/should do, at times like this, apart from physically helping, is to double the efforts in our own lives to live and inspire each other by our efforts small and large. Also please take care of yourselves too because you may not live in an earthquake zone but living well has its risks. Don't be complacent cause there are people who love/need you and getting hit by a truck or something like that is not the way you should be remembered.
Keep living, doing your thing, the thing only you do best!
And thanks again.
Monday, March 07, 2011
The Capacity to Wait
"The Path"
Training experienced a bit of a hiccup over the last few weeks. I had two days off the week before last and 3 days off this week just gone, due to a combination of hamstring strains and sinus headaches.
I was able to get in my long runs though and don't think I've lost too much fitness. While it is frustrating for me not to run I know I shouldn't/can't push the training or the recovery as it simply isn't the way of things.
A quote from a book I'm reading now by Panasonic founder Konosuke Matsushita talks about this in relation to life but you can easily see how it relates to waiting out the "bad times" in our running life too.
"Bad times pass, invariably leading to good. People who achieve great feats know how to wait until the time is ripe......Told to be patient, people by nature tend to become all the more eager to move ahead. But nature is unmoved by selfish human sentiments. To human whim, nature is hard and cold; to those who wait, it endows them with warmth and light. We should cultivate the capacity for patience."
Training experienced a bit of a hiccup over the last few weeks. I had two days off the week before last and 3 days off this week just gone, due to a combination of hamstring strains and sinus headaches.
I was able to get in my long runs though and don't think I've lost too much fitness. While it is frustrating for me not to run I know I shouldn't/can't push the training or the recovery as it simply isn't the way of things.
A quote from a book I'm reading now by Panasonic founder Konosuke Matsushita talks about this in relation to life but you can easily see how it relates to waiting out the "bad times" in our running life too.
"Bad times pass, invariably leading to good. People who achieve great feats know how to wait until the time is ripe......Told to be patient, people by nature tend to become all the more eager to move ahead. But nature is unmoved by selfish human sentiments. To human whim, nature is hard and cold; to those who wait, it endows them with warmth and light. We should cultivate the capacity for patience."
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