A New Way to Run

Ohisashiburidesu, Dear Reader(s)...

Sorry this is just going to be a quick one but I'm on Day 2 of "Quit wasting time on things that get you nowhere!" Not that I put this blog in the "things that get me nowhere" category...well...anyway...

I'm trying to pick up pace and increase my running distance (oh yeah, did you remember that the actual topic of this entry is about running?) so I tried something different the other day. Usually I run with my iPhone because I have this awesome app called RunKeeper which tracks my distance and gives me audio cues about my time, pace and distance. I like knowing how far I've run and how fast I'm going. I thought that it helped me. But yesterday, I decided to use just my mp3 player (1 of 3 Zunes in all of Japan! And an awesome gift from an awesome person named Ryan)...and it was pretty awesome! I ran 7km (more or less considering the variability of the GPS) and I was not plagued with thoughts of "oh god, I've gotta run faster" or "I've only gone that far?!" I guess there were other factors in play such as the beautiful day I had for running and the fact that I felt really good in my new running shoes. But it was a good change and I'm going to continue with it.

Also, I have lots of different kinds of music on my mp3. I guess I was kind of getting sick of the "running" and "get pumped" mixes I made on my iPhone. I still carry my iPhone but just so that I can use RunKeeper to log my runs.

Anyway, part of my "Quit wasting time" routine is getting to bed on time so that I can attempt to get the minimum 7 hours of sleep that I realized my body needs. When did that happen?! I used to be able to feel normal at 5 hours or less! I guess I'm just getting old.

Don't worry, my new routine will enable me to post more often because I do find this blog meaningful to me!

P.S. While I'm trying to cut down on my Facebook time and have decided to stop using Twitter...I've picked up a new "microblogging" time suck called Pinterest. Check out my boards!

My New Running Shoes: Vibram Bikila

(SUPER FEET!!!!)

First of all, I want you all to know that this is only the second pair of running shoes that I've ever bought. I'm no expert on shoes. Actually I don't really know anything about shoes at all. My last pair were ____ and I chose them based on how light and comfortable they were. I guess nothing has really changed though.

After the 10K, I decided that I wanted to take my commitment to running up a notch. I would make myself a runner! So I thought, what's the most important thing a runner wears? Sunscreen, duh! What's the next important thing? Shoes! (Though I guess barefoot runners would disagree.)

As a treat, I decided to go ahead and spend the money to get my hands on the Vibram Bikilas. They were finally available in my city- previously, the official website only listed a few stores in Tokyo but now there are 2 stores in my entire prefecture that are official carriers of Vibram and they're both in my city.

Why did I choose these shoes? I just think they were the simplest choice. I didn't want to browse and try on several different pairs of shoes just to find the one that made my feet feel right. The Bikilas basically take my feet and make them super feet! Seriously, I don't feel like I'm wearing shoes. I feel like I've just upgraded my feet. I guess that's strange but as stated in Parks and Recreation: "The human foot is the ultimate technology." And yeah, the character who said it was wearing Vibrams.

Some other points: (+ = positive; - = negative; I don't think you're stupid...I just thought I should put in a note.)
+ They're light and compact- I can carry them anywhere.
+ I don't have to wear socks which means I don't have to worry about packing socks too if I travel with them.
+ They are machine washable!
+ They are attractive (at least I like them!)
+ They'll make my legs stronger in the long run (pun intended!).
- They draw attention to me. They are bright, strange looking and are much more noisy than my other pair of shoes. Guess I can't ninja around in these...
- I wonder if my feet will get cold when I'm running in the fall.
- I wonder if it will be uncomfortable when it rains. (But I am optimistic that it won't be any more uncomfortable than running in regular shoes and I think it'll be less uncomfortable.)

Don't have anything else to add so...'til next time, happy running!

My First 10K Marathon: Just don't shit your pants!

This is how I felt during most of the run.

I did it! I did it! I ran a 10K race (in Japan, they call any running race a marathon, I guess) and I did it in under an hour! Unbelievable...(I heard from a coworker that there is some talk going around that the race's distance was fishy, many people were surprised by their finish time and someone's gps came up half a km short! This news is certainly a blow to my confidence in my race time...but it just means I'll have to enter another race to prove myself!)


Like I said in the previous post, I went on a short hanami trip right before the race. Actually one of the reasons it was short was because I wanted a day to rest before the race. My goal was to run at least 8K once during the trip but because of the weather and very early wake up times, I had to cut my goal short. I DID take a short run but it wasn't in Hirosaki. It was in Tazawako and I'm glad I decided to run there. First off, the weather was great- cool and a bit overcast. Second, it was a cute town (as opposed to a small city like Hirosaki) surrounded by mountains and small rivers. Everyone that I saw smiled and greeted me. It made me wish that we were placed in a town like that (but only just a little- I know how lucky we are to be in Sapporo!) Anyway, that day I only ran about 4K but it gave me hope.

Let's fast forward to race day. I had to wake up early and get to the stadium to pick up my race card and Runner's chip (tracking device). I was there 3 hours before my start time!! Still, I barely made it to the pick-up station before they started to close up shop! Imagine if I hadn't made it in time?! I wore my new running tights under windbreakers and my sports bra with my new long sleeved running shirt. I packed my cap and my running shorts in my bag along with my lunch and my running pouch with my earbuds and iPhone.This is the 2K point...I don't look too worried...yet...

This is only my second marathon but I have to say that I really love the energy of the crowd. Everyone there, whether they were runners or supporters, was so enthusiastic and happy. The seniors manning the pick-up station were so happy to take my notice card and hand me my race packet (two number bibs with safety pins, Runner's chip, a marathon program, and a towel) and told me to do my best (Ganbatte kudasai!!). I really think that phrase is much more supportive than "good luck" though I know the sentiment is supposed to be the same.

Anyway, I was able to meet up with a coworker and his friend who were both running the 5K which started at 10:40. So I was able to cheer them on and high five them as they ran past me. I have to admit that although I love when people are cheering on the sidelines, I'm a little shy when it comes to me being the cheer-er. I tried my best to encourage the runners with clapping and occasional shouts "ganbatte!" but I think I should try harder next time. (Haha...try harder to cheer!!!)

By 11:00 I started to get nervous. I knew that getting to the stadium so early was going to mess with my head. I ate half a Power Bar, small OJ juice box, a banana, raisin bread and some water. I wasn't hungry but I knew that I needed the fuel (as much for my body as for my mind; I knew that if I didn't eat, it would be hard for me to convince myself that I had everything I needed to finish...in other words, I would start thinking "oh god, i didn't eat a good enough lunch...i can't finish. i won't finish..." Such is the power of my defeatist attitude.).

After lunch, I changed into my shorts and put my race bib on and attached the Runner's Chip to my shoe, I checked my bag and went into the stadium. I messaged Ryan one last time to say I was nervous and he gave me the only advice that could possibly have made me feel better at that point: "Just don't shit your pants!"This is the halfway point. Trying to put on a brave face for the camera.
This is your halfway point as well...sorry this post is so long and rambly.

I followed the crowd of people wearing neon yellow bibs to the start line and had 10 minutes before race start. It was then that my nerves really started up. I didn't feel this way the last time I ran. I guess because I literally arrived at the start line when the race started.

I readied my iPhone by starting up the RunKeeper app but kept only one earbud in so I could hear the signal bell. I was seriously thinking about just dropping out at this point. I felt nervous and maybe something a little like loneliness. But the signal bell sounded and the announcer stated enthusiastically that the 10K has started and the crowd started moving. I was swept up with the crowd and before I knew it I ran past my coworker and his friend who high-fived me and cheered me on.

Nerves gave way to concentrating on my breath and pace and this is how the first 2K went. But I started getting distracted. I started thinking I can't do this. I can't finish this. Just then, I saw my coworker and his friend one more time. I guess they were on their way home and had to stop to let the runners through before they could get out of my park. Honestly, it was a nice surprise to see them cheering again and one that gave me the courage and the will to keep going.

I focused on my music (a strange mix of Prince, Talib Kweli, Queen, etc.) and tried to remember the course map and where I might be and how far I had to go. At one point the course exits the park for a little bit and runs along the Toyohira River. It's at this point that it folds in on itself and it was at this point that I really wanted to just stop. We were nearing the water station and just beyond that was the halfway point and on the right side I could see runners on their way back to the stadium. This sight disheartened me. I wondered how many people were behind me if so many were in front of me and already on their way back. I saw a runner inside the medic tent with skinned knees. For half a second, I wished we could trade places so I could sit down.

I knew that line of thinking was crazy so I focused on the water station. Just get yourself to the water station and it'll be alright. You're almost there. It was also at this point that I realized how hot I was. The sun was high in the sky (the race started at noon) and I could feel my cheeks and lips burning a bit. I felt stupid for not reapplying lip balm before I lined up. I wished that my cap protected my face a bit more.

I was so happy to reach the water station. I slowed to grab a cup and splashed the water on my face and then grabbed another to drink. This was awesome! I had always wanted to do that! Hahaha.

After the water station, I remembered that I only had a few more meters to go before the halfway point. I was energized by this but also a bit dismayed because I couldn't see the halfway point and it didn't look that far away on the map! Trickery!!

The halfway point was marked by 6 foot tall orange cone and I high-fived the cone as I rounded it. The centaur rock song that Ryan suggested came on just as I was coming up on the cone. It was triumphant and I remember picking up my pace a bit. This might have been detrimental. I passed the water station, which was serving cups of sports drink on this side. Luckily I decided to drink before drenching myself and saved myself from getting sticky. But I think I hit rock bottom right after that. I noticed that it didn't look like there were many runners behind me. There were barely any spectator's cheering at this point and I was really running low on spirit. I felt my energy drop and my weight seemed to increase. My iPhone was telling me I had only run 6K but the signs were telling me that I only had 3K more to go. Or maybe my Japanese wasn't so good and it was telling me something else?

The going was rough...but once I saw the stadium, I tried my best to muster up some spirit to run. And then I entered the stadium, scanned the small crowd for Ryan, relaxed my face into what I hoped was a smile and not a grimace, and sprinted for the finish line. Triumph! The clock read 12:58:26 when I entered and I worried that Ryan hadn't made it since I told him to come at 1...since I thought I would be finishing after 1. But he was there and got two shots of me before I crossed the finish line.I made it!!! Now get out of my way!!!

My quads were cramping something awful by the time we exited the stadium. I stretched a bit and then used the walk to the train station as a cool down. My official time is 58:28!! Yay! But I placed in the 800s out of about 1000. Boo!!

Trying to get there before the girl dressed in pink!

I've already researched a possible 10K in June and a 16K in July. I'm hoping to be able to train enough to run in a half marathon in October...so...I need to step up my game! I can't believe I'm saying all this...I swear in the middle of the run I wanted to give up running forever but I guess I'm addicted.

Anyway, thanks for reading/skimming/looking at the pictures/skipping to the end!!!

That's me- #7200- and I am two seconds away from crossing the finish line!!