Rainy Season: So What?

Yesterday was the official start of the rainy season in the Kansai area. Apparently it was almost a week late, although it does not feel like it. I was originally supposed to go paragliding, but the bad weather predictions trumped that plan. Luckily for me, I had a good B plan, a *un with the KFMH3. The HHH runs through sunny, rainy, snowy and trembling conditions. Actually, I've been trying to start the FOKT H3 (Fanatical Osaka Kobe Typhoon H3) for some time, but 'good' weather has prevented me from doing so.

It was pretty rainy, and as the hares had laid trail with chalk alone in the morning, they had to accompany us on the trot to show us the way. At times a little bit of pink chalk was visible, and it would have been impossible to follow trail had they left us on our own. Starting from Kawaramachi in Kyoto, we followed the Kamo river for a few hundred meters, before heading east towards the hills. We jogged along the Heian shrine moat, before going through Nanzen temple, ran down a boulevard, turned left to a street passing some famous temples, before going through Yasaka shrine to the finish.

Anpanman*o led the way, at a faster pace in the beginning as what I'm used to for warming up. But knowing that the trail wouldn't be too long, it wasn't to hard for me to follow. All in all, it was a pretty course, similar to what I had hared a year ago but in the opposite direction. The trail out of Nanzen temple was quite different, though, and I will need to visit it again for some pictures in the future. I leave you with a shot I took from the train going to Kyoto.

Not Hurting

I woke up this morning and my leg was still hurting a little. But I wanted to know if it would affect my jogging, and I'm glad to say that it didn't. I jogged a shortish course, about 6.5 km, one where I get to greet a centenarian rooted friend and go along a few rivers and canals. My legs felt fine, although my right knee felt a little strange at times and by the end of the course, a toe was rubbing wrongly in my sock, and it resulted in a small blister.

But truth be told, I was jogging in old socks that don't really fit anymore. You know I preach that the only equipment required for a jog is a pair of shoes, but I realized that maladjusted socks can be little pain as well. That being said, recent regular sport socks do just the trick, this particular pair was just a little too old. Otherwise, I was wearing cheap sport shorts from Uniqlo (a Japanese store similar to the Gap) and my t-shirt proudly bearing the Terminator Stout logo (scroll down).

It was pretty hot, and even if I had drunk some water before, thirst did hit me. Nearing the end, after smiling to an old man he gave some encouragement, to which I replied with a heartfelt 'gambarimasu' (Keep on going, I will do my best; really it's hard to translate as it is used in so many situations). But the good sounds of Lorena C and Goma da Didgeridoo kept me going until I reached the shrine near my home. All in all, a good morning jog, and I feel ready for my wedding anniversary date!

Hurting

I went for a short morning jog last Thursday. My short is 6km. I actually jogged a trail I hadn't done in some time. It's one of my 'training' course that can easily be extended to 10k when I feel or need to. I forgot to have a drink before setting out and I did feel thirsty along he way. But it was not much of an issue and I could finish without struggle.

But starting last Monday and continuing last night Friday, capoeira has been hurting my left leg, just under the left knee. It's not a muscle, I think, and I'm no expert to say what it is, but all the genuflexions we did this week have got my tendon (or whatever it is) hurting. Good news is that pain is weakness leaving the body, and from this minor injury, my legs are going to come out stronger, but it's not a great feeling.

In any case, I'm planning to go for another morning jog tomorrow morning, just because I feel I should. I wouldn't do capoeira tomorrow, but I feel that my shoes need a workout.