Running tips

I'm realy enjoying this running lark at the moment. I've conditioned myself into going for a run every day now, be it in the morning or evening, clocking in between 3 - 7km each time. The results have been fantastic. My weight has come down to 67kg from 70kg and now I'm working on my speed. A good tip I received from another runner is to do hill sprints. This entails including a few hill sprints into the usual running course, which is quite easy around Nakameguro, and the result is better speed generation. The first few times is a killer, but my legs do feel stronger now, and it feels like I have more energy. All jolly good, what!

Takao san

We went on a short hike, Jay's first, up the nearest mountain called Takao san recently. As it was during Golden Week, it was pretty crowded, but the weather was perfect and the ascent easy. The clean crisp air reinvigorated my senses and brought wonder to Jay's. The sheer abundance of multi-hued green must have had a strong impact on him.

Jay at play, and then sleeping like dad

Green eye, blue eye

Walking along a familiar riverbank this morning, I noticed a cat licking some grass. It had been raining during the night and although it had stopped some hours previously, the dew still clung to the grass, offering the thirsty cat some fresh beverage refreshment. As I approached, it looked up at me, as if it knew me, as if saying, "Alright there, Tom. This rain water is delicious. You should try some." I then noticed something unusual. His left eye was emerald green and his right eye ocean blue. He blinked at me twice, then bent down to continue enjoying his morning brew.

Just me and Jay...oh, duck

It's Sunday, the rain is petering out and Miyu has been given a day pass to Shimokitazawa to trawl the shops there with her friend Chihiro for kool clothes. That means me and the little man have a whole day together. After writing this, we're going to head on down to Mori Art Museum in Roppongi to take in the Turner Prize Retrospective. It'll be interesting to see Jay's reaction to Damien Hirst's work! It's been a while since I took in any modern art, so really looking forward to it, although now I'm thinking if I'll be able to take the push chair in there or if I'll have to carry Jay around? Hmm, will check out their HP.

Fever

Jeez, Jay's come down with a fever around 40 degrees C, which is mighty high and a big worry. He's all lethargic and grumpy, as you would be if you were burning a hole in the floor like the human torch! He still manages a smile though, and even tries to crawl towards me when he catches sight of me as I enter the bedroom, only to fall like a crumpled bag, his muscles like jelly. Times like these I wish I could absorb his pain like a human sponge, but instead, I'll just patiently mop his brow and sing him lullabies in my off kilter voice and hope it speeds his recovery.

Snake

Cycling along the Meguro River this morning, and I came across a huge snake! I didn't think they had them in Tokyo, but there it was, slithering along the path in front of me, chased by an old man who was shouting at it excitedly. It was about 1 metre in length, and silver brown in hue. It escaped into the hedges, and I tracked it for a while, spotting it periodically glinting in the shrubbery. Some people believe snakes symbolize money and wealth, so here's hoping!

Boys Day 2008

We ventured up the mountain to British Hills for Boys Day this year, and what a strange place it is. During the Bubble Years, a rich businessman, who loved all things British, decided to build a mini-village with replica manor house, pub, cottages and gardens on top of a mountain in Fukushima. He imported all the stone from Britain, as well as antique furniture, fittings and books (for the library). It's actually pretty realistic, in a souless kinda way, and the pub lunch of chicken and chips was the worst food I've ever had in Japan (so they got that one right!) Jay loved it though. He had a great time crawling around the big empty library.

A wet dash around the Imperial Palace

A mixed bag of tricks so far for Golden Week '08. 

Saturday found me waking very early, with Miyu and Jay (who were off to Fukushima to shoot a video for Miyu's friend's wedding), in order to take part in the 9th Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) Runathon. I'd decided that I needed some sort of target to all this running I was doing, so I combined testing myself in a race (5km), with contributing some funds to a very worthy cause (TELL provide a free telephone counselling service to foreigners here in Japan, the only one of its kind in the country, as far as I know). 

I was a bit nervous, as I hadn't been in a race for about 10 years, but I thought, with about 200 runners competing in the 5km run, if I could come in the top 50 I'd be very happy.

It was pissing it down with rain, which meant I'd stay cool and not over heat. The trains to the starting point were not crowded, and I plugged into my ipod and listened to some fast beat tracks to get me in the mood for speed. Upon arrival, I got my registration number and my number to stick on my top, and warmed up. B chance I bumped into Akio, who's a Account Exec at my office and who was running the 10km course. We chatted until it they called for the 5km to begin. 

I didn't have any real strategy as such, apart from try to get out in front of the pack and then keep a steady pace. The starting gun went and I sprinted forward, dodging around people and trying not to slip on the slippery concrete. I soon found some space and settled into a more reasonable pace. I could see the front runners, who were going at a tremendous rate, and thought if I could just keep them in sight, that'd be good. 

The rain was really coming down hard, and visibility was dire. It didn't help that I was wearing glasses, as the water pooled on my lenses, lending my view a distorted vision. Anyway, I focused and kept moving, occasionally getting cheered on by some early morning tourist parties, all following a brightly garbed tour guide with a long equally bright flag. 

A couple of runners passed me, and I tried to keep up, but they were really fast. Mentally I said no more will pass me, and I kicked in to finish. At the back of my mind was the prize money on offer for the top 10 finishers, but I thought no way will I be in with a chance. The finish line approached all of a sudden, and I couldn't believe it was almost over! The two faster runners in front were sprinting to the line, and when they crossed it, they were given a sheet of paper - 9th and 10th. I looked up at the big digital clock, 20 minutes and 40 seconds! Blimey! Not only did I make it in at 11th place, but I'd beat my personal best by about a minute!! 

My lungs felt like they were about to burst, and walked off my thundering heart beat. I couldn't believe it - 11th! This racing lark is well good. 

I found out that the winner had got in around 16 minutes, which was a long way away indeed for me, but it gives me a new goal to achieve.