Windy cloudy day
Blue stripes etched across the sky,
Fall typhoon coming
(8.5km, mostly sow pace with strong headwinds)
I jogged to Shin Osaka station this morning to get my bicycle that was impounded yesterday (illegal parking). So with my shower after, I did a reverse triathlon, sort of. The winds while jogging along the Kanzaki river were quite strong, but as I'm still recovering from my strong run on Monday evening, the slow pace was fine with me and legs.
Until an older gent passed me. I told myself it was fine, that I was on a recovery jog, but I guess my ego had a different view and convinced me that near the end of this run, it was time to kick it into high gear a little. He had a good 20 meters head start by then and it didn't take me too long to gain up on and pass him.
That wasn't very nice of me. I'm sure it flattered his ego when he passed and man at least 20 years his cadet, and the courteous thing to do would have been to let him go. It was only afterwards that this thought came to me, even if I am reading Carnegie's 'How to Win Friends'. Although the logical order is reversed, it serves me well that I had my bicycle impounded!
2011/08/29
Jogging Haiku 22: Bikini Girls With Machine Guns
Unusually fast
Passing walkers, joggers and cyclists,
What's with the abs cramps?
(15km, at a good pace, except for the last 3km when the cramps hit me)
I don't know if it's the negi toro sushi I had for dinner, that I didn't have any candy at work, my new jogging shoes or all the unspent calories after yesterday's KFMH3 run, but I was running fast tonight. I felt really good, despite this morning's hangover. I jogged quite a bit yesterday (and forgot again about a haiku, sorry), doing about 7km pre-hash from a photo gallery in Ibaraki city to Takatsuki where Slimie Limie hared a shortish 5km trail. The heat was pretty bad yesterday, and perhaps this evening relatively low temps (maybe 28 degrees Celsius) explained my shape tonight. But it felt really good tonight and enjoyed the faster-than-usual pace.
But around the 12km mark (estimated) I developed a small abs pain on the right side. What cause is uncertain, but I did have a visit to the washroom after the run, which could explain it. It was a little disappointing to get it since I wanted to run further, but oh well, I'll keep my energies for next time!
Speaking of toilets, I have a small photo exhibition starting tomorrow night at the Blarney Stone Shinsaibashi; drop by if you have the chance. All the pictures were taken inside toilets!
Passing walkers, joggers and cyclists,
What's with the abs cramps?
(15km, at a good pace, except for the last 3km when the cramps hit me)
I don't know if it's the negi toro sushi I had for dinner, that I didn't have any candy at work, my new jogging shoes or all the unspent calories after yesterday's KFMH3 run, but I was running fast tonight. I felt really good, despite this morning's hangover. I jogged quite a bit yesterday (and forgot again about a haiku, sorry), doing about 7km pre-hash from a photo gallery in Ibaraki city to Takatsuki where Slimie Limie hared a shortish 5km trail. The heat was pretty bad yesterday, and perhaps this evening relatively low temps (maybe 28 degrees Celsius) explained my shape tonight. But it felt really good tonight and enjoyed the faster-than-usual pace.
But around the 12km mark (estimated) I developed a small abs pain on the right side. What cause is uncertain, but I did have a visit to the washroom after the run, which could explain it. It was a little disappointing to get it since I wanted to run further, but oh well, I'll keep my energies for next time!
Speaking of toilets, I have a small photo exhibition starting tomorrow night at the Blarney Stone Shinsaibashi; drop by if you have the chance. All the pictures were taken inside toilets!
2011/08/25
Jogging Haiku 21: Walking, Walking, on The Tightrope of Insanity
Insects and critters
Sing much nicer melodies,
Than firecrackers.
(15km, walked the whole way)
For a literal change of pace in order to improve stamina I walked the whole course tonight, a lengthened version of my 13km course back home. Who would have thought that it proved more challenging! OK, so I had a heavier backpack, but still. I was surprised to realize that in many ways, walking for about 3 1/4 hours ( I stopped to take some cellphone shots and at the convenience store) would be harder than running 1 1/4. But it's good I did it, since it showed me some weakness in my current training regimen.
In the last 60-90 minutes, I was basically a zombie, not thinking about much (thus the title of the entry; click on the title if you don't get the reference) except for the beer I am drinking now. As a nice surprise, a souvenir box of crab & cucumber sushi roll waited for me at home. Yumm.
Sing much nicer melodies,
Than firecrackers.
(15km, walked the whole way)
For a literal change of pace in order to improve stamina I walked the whole course tonight, a lengthened version of my 13km course back home. Who would have thought that it proved more challenging! OK, so I had a heavier backpack, but still. I was surprised to realize that in many ways, walking for about 3 1/4 hours ( I stopped to take some cellphone shots and at the convenience store) would be harder than running 1 1/4. But it's good I did it, since it showed me some weakness in my current training regimen.
In the last 60-90 minutes, I was basically a zombie, not thinking about much (thus the title of the entry; click on the title if you don't get the reference) except for the beer I am drinking now. As a nice surprise, a souvenir box of crab & cucumber sushi roll waited for me at home. Yumm.
2011/08/22
Jogging Haiku 20: Gimli
High schoolers passing
Giving me the right of way,
Onto the finish.
(12km, fast pace with sprint at the end)
As bad as my last outing was, this one was great. Right off the start, perhaps aided by the energizing drink I took before, I went out at a good pace. I took the regular Shirokita river path onto the Yodo river side road. Then, I decided to cross the Midosuji bridge to the other side of the river. There, on the elevated bank path, I entered the zone, remembering my first Sanjurokumine race, during which at some point I felt like Gimli with Aragon and Legolas chasing the orcs.
Of the three characters, I definitely identify myself with Gimli the most. He's a dwark. He's not made for fast running. But on his stout legs he doesn't give up and gives the orcs a run for their money. I'm the same. I'll never win a race (unless I'm the only one entering), but it doesn't deter me to go for it and do my best. As I was sprinting at the end of the course, I also remembered Dean Karnazes's coach who told him that it's supposed to hurt like hell.
Well, I was panting when I finished, but I felt quite satisfied after the last outing counter-performance. Fitting for my 20th haiku.
Giving me the right of way,
Onto the finish.
(12km, fast pace with sprint at the end)
As bad as my last outing was, this one was great. Right off the start, perhaps aided by the energizing drink I took before, I went out at a good pace. I took the regular Shirokita river path onto the Yodo river side road. Then, I decided to cross the Midosuji bridge to the other side of the river. There, on the elevated bank path, I entered the zone, remembering my first Sanjurokumine race, during which at some point I felt like Gimli with Aragon and Legolas chasing the orcs.
Of the three characters, I definitely identify myself with Gimli the most. He's a dwark. He's not made for fast running. But on his stout legs he doesn't give up and gives the orcs a run for their money. I'm the same. I'll never win a race (unless I'm the only one entering), but it doesn't deter me to go for it and do my best. As I was sprinting at the end of the course, I also remembered Dean Karnazes's coach who told him that it's supposed to hurt like hell.
Well, I was panting when I finished, but I felt quite satisfied after the last outing counter-performance. Fitting for my 20th haiku.
Jogging Haiku 19: Can't Win'em All
Blue, yellow, red bricks
Laid in dizzying patterns,
8-bit memories.
(5km, did not finish my intended course)
Some days are harder than others, and last Thursday was one them (which explains why I was reticent to write about it). Looking back on it (something I did on tonight's jog, read the next post), I suppose I was just too tired; I hadn't slept enough that week and I had ridden my bicycle in the heat in the morning.
I felt pretty bad after the run, but now I think I still did pretty well. Actually, I didn't want to go jogging that night, tired as I felt, but I still managed to do so for 5k; certainly better than nothing. And having found the energy to go that far and then walk all the way to the train station (cheapest option, not the closest), well, I must have walked another 3k or so. We can't win every battle, but it wasn't a complete loss.
Laid in dizzying patterns,
8-bit memories.
(5km, did not finish my intended course)
Some days are harder than others, and last Thursday was one them (which explains why I was reticent to write about it). Looking back on it (something I did on tonight's jog, read the next post), I suppose I was just too tired; I hadn't slept enough that week and I had ridden my bicycle in the heat in the morning.
I felt pretty bad after the run, but now I think I still did pretty well. Actually, I didn't want to go jogging that night, tired as I felt, but I still managed to do so for 5k; certainly better than nothing. And having found the energy to go that far and then walk all the way to the train station (cheapest option, not the closest), well, I must have walked another 3k or so. We can't win every battle, but it wasn't a complete loss.
2011/08/10
Jogging Haiku 18: Burning
False alarm near home
Tunnel second-hand smoking,
Sizzling temperature.
(9km, tried to go fast, but the heat caught up with me)
Tunnel second-hand smoking,
Sizzling temperature.
(9km, tried to go fast, but the heat caught up with me)
2011/08/08
Jogging Haiku 17: Reflections
Umeda by night
Floating fantasy fortress,
Yodogawa love.
(13.5km, faster pace than usual with a dash in the last hundred meters)
I ran my original course, going to the Yodogawa in Asahi ward, crossing a pedestrian-and-train bridge, before continuing along the Yodogawa until Juso. As I hadn't run that course for some time, I was anxious that some stray dogs jump me like before, but I had more to fear from kids with firecrackers than anything else. Actually, my sweaty cap worked as an efficient mask to filter the smoke from a group out to outdo last Saturday's Naniwa Fireworks on the same river.
My main goal for running this much is to get in shape to record a personal best time at this year's Sanjurokumine Mtn Race in Kyoto next December, and get into the habit of doing regular sports to be a healthy and example-setting dad when my son will grow up. It also has the advantage that in the last month or so, I lost about 3kg. I'm sure the next 3 will be harder to lose, but it's finer to look at oneself in the mirror when I get out of the shower these days! Actually, I feel better than I've ever felt in my entire adult life I think. Thank you Kazumax for giving me the motivation to exercise more.
Floating fantasy fortress,
Yodogawa love.
(13.5km, faster pace than usual with a dash in the last hundred meters)
I ran my original course, going to the Yodogawa in Asahi ward, crossing a pedestrian-and-train bridge, before continuing along the Yodogawa until Juso. As I hadn't run that course for some time, I was anxious that some stray dogs jump me like before, but I had more to fear from kids with firecrackers than anything else. Actually, my sweaty cap worked as an efficient mask to filter the smoke from a group out to outdo last Saturday's Naniwa Fireworks on the same river.
My main goal for running this much is to get in shape to record a personal best time at this year's Sanjurokumine Mtn Race in Kyoto next December, and get into the habit of doing regular sports to be a healthy and example-setting dad when my son will grow up. It also has the advantage that in the last month or so, I lost about 3kg. I'm sure the next 3 will be harder to lose, but it's finer to look at oneself in the mirror when I get out of the shower these days! Actually, I feel better than I've ever felt in my entire adult life I think. Thank you Kazumax for giving me the motivation to exercise more.
2011/08/04
Jogging Haiku 16: Stars
Sweaty humid night
Few people out and about,
The stars all for me
(12km, the last 2 1/2km at a faster pace; could have gone longer if needed)
Sleeveless shirts are cool and make one feel sportlike and macho. But a big disadvantage is the lack of surface with which to wipe your sweat! With last night's humidity, it would have been welcomed, but oh well. The end 'sprint' was not planned, just something I thought about doing to increase strenght and stamina. Most of the last part is under the shinkansen track along the JR main line; last night a freight train was going past me in the opposite direction, giving me a feeling of increased speed. It felt good.
Few people out and about,
The stars all for me
(12km, the last 2 1/2km at a faster pace; could have gone longer if needed)
Sleeveless shirts are cool and make one feel sportlike and macho. But a big disadvantage is the lack of surface with which to wipe your sweat! With last night's humidity, it would have been welcomed, but oh well. The end 'sprint' was not planned, just something I thought about doing to increase strenght and stamina. Most of the last part is under the shinkansen track along the JR main line; last night a freight train was going past me in the opposite direction, giving me a feeling of increased speed. It felt good.
2011/08/02
Jogging Haiku 14 & 15: Summer Vacation Almost Here
Grasses lacerate
Birds, crickets, fish, dragons fly,
Urban oasis
Lovers on a bike
All smiles, singing, saluting,
Summer holiday.
(8.5km, new Toyonaka route, need to find a way to make it longer)
Two haikus today as I had forgotten to do one on Sunday HHH run. With not early morning w*rk this week, it almost feels like a holiday, although I still wake up early in the morning. So while yesterday I took the opportunity to prepare some documents for a photo course I'll offer in September, this morning I went for a jog. Early is best these days as the maximum go into the 30's in the middle of the day.
2011/08/01
Jogging Haiku 13: No Rhythm
Snapshots of the danjiri,
Flow interrupted.
(5.5km, hard to jog after taking the shots)
A danjiri is the float you see on the picture. Brave men mount it and need to find their footing as it inclined to turn corners and it wobbles down the street.
Sadly I forgot to compose a haiku yesterday on the KFHM3 run in Katsura. Sad indeed as the 10km or so mountainous course was really beautiful, especially the part in the bamboo forest. At least I found a place to take bamboo pictures.
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