2012/02/11
Day 11: Out With Kaz
Kaz and I went for a short 3.4k jog today, from Shinfukae to my friend's home near Hanaten. We mostly jogged along one street, which was a little surprisingly very quiet considering it connects many areas together. Since as many streets in Osaka it has no sidewalks, the situation was more than welcomed. My achilles tendon still ached a little, but much less than yesterday. Kaz was very quiet; I thought he'd take a nap, but he stayed awake the whole time. He "woke up" when we got to my friend's home and we all had a great time.
2012/02/10
Day 10: Timelapse
Today before some afternoon work I went on a short 3.1k jog, using King Camera's time lapse feature. It took a picture every second, and the movie has a frame rate of 12fps. I hope you don't get sick! I'll keep trying to set it horizontally, but Youtube keeps reverting it to its original framing...
2012/02/09
Day 9: Achilles
The picture was shot and edited with king camera, a neat iphone app for the photo-fun-graphers amongst us. The rabbit was busy pounding the mochi (look it up if you don't get it).
2012/02/08
Day 8: Shorty
After yesterday's long run, I opted for a small 2.2k jog after meeting a friend about a new project I mentioned before. He was full of useful advice, thanks very much, Nick. The distance was short, and I did it again in my crocs. This time I felt my Achilles tendon a bit, but nothing painful and it was gone after less than a kilometer. I don't know if it was from the minimal running or from the long outing the day before, which otherwise left no consequences.
2012/02/07
Jogging Haiku 47: On On On
On familiar roads
On two feet instead of wheels,
On home I go back.
(20.5km, the first 2/3 at a conservative pace, the last at my fastish pace, which isn't saying much)
For day 7 of my challenge, I decided to jog from my work in east Osaka back to my place, a distance of 20.5km (I thought it was a little longer, but I took slightly different roads than when I measured it before, which must account for the difference). For me, that's a long distance, as my usual longish runs don't exceed 12k. Because of that, I started out at a conservative pace, wanting to enjoy it, and especially to finish it! The part I had only ridden on my bicycle so far was rather pleasant, although there was some congestion near one train station. And perhaps more quickly than I had imagined, I got to the Shirokita canal, signalling that I'd be soon at the halfway mark. My confidence remained strong, even after one misstep on a downhill that gave my leg and lower back an unexpected shock, with no consequences so far luckily.
When I did get to the halfway mark around another workplace, I knew I could go the distance, and it felt nice. About 4km later, I effortlessly and instinctively picked the pace, which didn't prove hard at all to do, surprisingly. I took a road I hadn't taken in some time and it was nice to be back on a course I've often used. And sooner than later I was at the overpass near my place, and then got to the convenient store near my place, which signalled the end of my course (wanted to buy tofu, which went down really well alone seasoned with olive oil, apple vinegar and black pepper, as well as in miso soup which revealed itself to be a great post-run drink). I was hoping to finished by 8pm, and was happy to see that I'd finished about 13 minutes early (although I thought the trail was closer to 22k).
This might have been my only chance to do that course for some time, as I may have new work on Tuesday evenings starting soon. I'll need to find a new course to cover that distance in the future, but I don't think I'll do it too often, as I imagine that it will be taxing on my body, at least for now.
So with tonight's long run, it bring my total mileage for the first 7 days to 45km. Pretty happy with that. If I keep this up it will bring me to almost 200k, I don't think I've ever jogged so much in my life. Keep on jogging!
On two feet instead of wheels,
On home I go back.
(20.5km, the first 2/3 at a conservative pace, the last at my fastish pace, which isn't saying much)
For day 7 of my challenge, I decided to jog from my work in east Osaka back to my place, a distance of 20.5km (I thought it was a little longer, but I took slightly different roads than when I measured it before, which must account for the difference). For me, that's a long distance, as my usual longish runs don't exceed 12k. Because of that, I started out at a conservative pace, wanting to enjoy it, and especially to finish it! The part I had only ridden on my bicycle so far was rather pleasant, although there was some congestion near one train station. And perhaps more quickly than I had imagined, I got to the Shirokita canal, signalling that I'd be soon at the halfway mark. My confidence remained strong, even after one misstep on a downhill that gave my leg and lower back an unexpected shock, with no consequences so far luckily.
When I did get to the halfway mark around another workplace, I knew I could go the distance, and it felt nice. About 4km later, I effortlessly and instinctively picked the pace, which didn't prove hard at all to do, surprisingly. I took a road I hadn't taken in some time and it was nice to be back on a course I've often used. And sooner than later I was at the overpass near my place, and then got to the convenient store near my place, which signalled the end of my course (wanted to buy tofu, which went down really well alone seasoned with olive oil, apple vinegar and black pepper, as well as in miso soup which revealed itself to be a great post-run drink). I was hoping to finished by 8pm, and was happy to see that I'd finished about 13 minutes early (although I thought the trail was closer to 22k).
This might have been my only chance to do that course for some time, as I may have new work on Tuesday evenings starting soon. I'll need to find a new course to cover that distance in the future, but I don't think I'll do it too often, as I imagine that it will be taxing on my body, at least for now.
So with tonight's long run, it bring my total mileage for the first 7 days to 45km. Pretty happy with that. If I keep this up it will bring me to almost 200k, I don't think I've ever jogged so much in my life. Keep on jogging!
2012/02/06
Day 6: Calories to Burn
For the second time in 3 days, I had an all-you-can-eat lunch to celebrate my wife's birthday. Today we went to a cake/dessert place, that also offered pasta and curry rice (my choice). I did have quite a few helpings of dessert, the best in my opinion was the banana creme brulée pie and the apple mousse cake (the last one also much enjoyed by my wife).
After work I had decided to get off a station early and jog back home, but I decided to do the opposite and jog straight out of work, which ended up being the best solution for two reasons: primo I saved some yen since this way I didn't need to transfer train companies (used the money for a beer!); secundo, it rained harder when I got home then when I set off.
Again I ran in my Crocs, 3.1km tonight, and although I could feel a little bit of tension in my right Achilles tendon by the end of the run, it was nothing really bad. I guess all that barefoot capoeira has already reinforced some the muscles needed. I'll give it a few more days to see if it hurts more, but "barefoot" running is something I'm going to enjoy, I think.
After work I had decided to get off a station early and jog back home, but I decided to do the opposite and jog straight out of work, which ended up being the best solution for two reasons: primo I saved some yen since this way I didn't need to transfer train companies (used the money for a beer!); secundo, it rained harder when I got home then when I set off.
Again I ran in my Crocs, 3.1km tonight, and although I could feel a little bit of tension in my right Achilles tendon by the end of the run, it was nothing really bad. I guess all that barefoot capoeira has already reinforced some the muscles needed. I'll give it a few more days to see if it hurts more, but "barefoot" running is something I'm going to enjoy, I think.
2012/02/05
Running to Catch The Last Train
Not much of a jog today, but I did it anyways. I jogged from the bar to the subway station, a big 1.4km! Usually when I run to the station it is to catch the last train, and although I did get the last train, I ran by choice, not necessity. I went out to celebrate the birth of my friends' daughter Lylou. I was wearing Crocs, which are as close to minimal running as I've gotten so far. My running style was a little different, but it wasn't unpleasant in any way. I think I might try to go longer with them soon.
2012/02/03
Jogging Haiku 46: Short Couple
Morning hangover
Disappears with fire bands,
Why the firemen?
Last night I jogged from Umeda to Yotsubashi to go to my capoeira lesson. The jog was short, about 2,7km, and it reminded why I dislike running downtown on main thoroughfares: traffic signals, cyclists texting and smokers. I guess I could have taken side streets to avoid such sidewalks, but I was meeting a friend who was going to try capoeira for the first time and since I needed to traverse some of big roads, I would have needed to do detours and/or wait at traffic signals anyways. It proved to be a good little warm up.
Then this morning I went for another short one, about 2,3km near my place, after waking up early. While the distance wasn't long, I did climb up and down many stairs, using the ones of an overpass going over the train tracks. My ankle was bothering me a little - and I don't know if it's the continuous running or the capoeira - and my underfeet also hurt a little, and in this case I know it's because of the capoeira! On the way back, I noticed some firefighters, all men, who were packing up their stuff from a nearby apartment building. I hope everyone was safe.
Disappears with fire bands,
Why the firemen?
Last night I jogged from Umeda to Yotsubashi to go to my capoeira lesson. The jog was short, about 2,7km, and it reminded why I dislike running downtown on main thoroughfares: traffic signals, cyclists texting and smokers. I guess I could have taken side streets to avoid such sidewalks, but I was meeting a friend who was going to try capoeira for the first time and since I needed to traverse some of big roads, I would have needed to do detours and/or wait at traffic signals anyways. It proved to be a good little warm up.
Then this morning I went for another short one, about 2,3km near my place, after waking up early. While the distance wasn't long, I did climb up and down many stairs, using the ones of an overpass going over the train tracks. My ankle was bothering me a little - and I don't know if it's the continuous running or the capoeira - and my underfeet also hurt a little, and in this case I know it's because of the capoeira! On the way back, I noticed some firefighters, all men, who were packing up their stuff from a nearby apartment building. I hope everyone was safe.
2012/02/02
Jogging Haiku 45: Let's Get Philosophical
Innocent questions
Distract my mind from the pain,
Why ask why, really.
(10.7km, fairly easy pace)
For the second day of my challenge I decided to jog back from my morning class in Itami. The course is nice, with a good mix of pavement and riverside paths, a good part of which has sadly been cemented recently.
During the class the student and I started talking about sports and hobbies, asking me why I had so many activities. When asking 'why?' - and I often do when writing for Kansai Scene - people often expect an easy-to-follow and revealing answer, but often it isn't as simple as that. Here is an approximation of an answer.
To me, Life (capitalized for a reason) is about change and adaptation. Species that don't evolve and move (plants 'move' with their seeds) get swept up by new developments. And as I view my life as a microcosm of Life, I find it important to do many things, to try new experiences.
I feel human life is also about happiness. Keeping a young heart is easy when you do different things and continue learning and achieving new goals. Although I can't say that I love the cold weather, I pity those who live in the tropics where the weather is the same throughout the year; they will never experience the amazing joy of seeing the first snow of the year (and later seeing the same amazement in children's eyes), the comforting joy of drinking hot sake under a kotatsu table on a cold winter night, the liberating joy of that first spring day when you venture out the door in short sleeves and shorts with the warm sun hitting your face, or the dazzling joy of seeing beautiful colours on trees blanketing mountains. For similar reasons, I pity people who waste hours watching TV, remaining spectators of fiction instead of being actors in real Life. When I'll be on my deathbed, memories of 24 are not what I want flashing in front of eyes.
For me, I experience different joys partaking in different activities. With jogging I will always remember the moment I crossed the finish line of the first Oxfam Trailwalker Japan with Yuriko, Akemi & Carsten by my side. The Wow!-I-can-do-a-back-bridge eureka moment is what drives me to continue to play capoeira, always getting a kick when I manage to do a high parafuso, 5 or more scissor kicks while on a handstand, or a beautiful bico do papagaio, even if that's how I dislocated my shoulder two months ago. Ride 30cm+ of dry powder and you'll understand the rush I get snowboarding. And that just with physical activities. Mental activities, like photography and composing inconsequential haikus, are also part of that process.
Wondering like my student how I do it (and it's nothing special, really)? The answer is deceptively simple, so actually difficult to grasp completely: I just go out and do it. I get off the tatami mat, put my shoes (and hat when it's cold or rainy), and out the door I go, literally or figuratively. Come out play!
Distract my mind from the pain,
Why ask why, really.
(10.7km, fairly easy pace)
For the second day of my challenge I decided to jog back from my morning class in Itami. The course is nice, with a good mix of pavement and riverside paths, a good part of which has sadly been cemented recently.
During the class the student and I started talking about sports and hobbies, asking me why I had so many activities. When asking 'why?' - and I often do when writing for Kansai Scene - people often expect an easy-to-follow and revealing answer, but often it isn't as simple as that. Here is an approximation of an answer.
To me, Life (capitalized for a reason) is about change and adaptation. Species that don't evolve and move (plants 'move' with their seeds) get swept up by new developments. And as I view my life as a microcosm of Life, I find it important to do many things, to try new experiences.
I feel human life is also about happiness. Keeping a young heart is easy when you do different things and continue learning and achieving new goals. Although I can't say that I love the cold weather, I pity those who live in the tropics where the weather is the same throughout the year; they will never experience the amazing joy of seeing the first snow of the year (and later seeing the same amazement in children's eyes), the comforting joy of drinking hot sake under a kotatsu table on a cold winter night, the liberating joy of that first spring day when you venture out the door in short sleeves and shorts with the warm sun hitting your face, or the dazzling joy of seeing beautiful colours on trees blanketing mountains. For similar reasons, I pity people who waste hours watching TV, remaining spectators of fiction instead of being actors in real Life. When I'll be on my deathbed, memories of 24 are not what I want flashing in front of eyes.
For me, I experience different joys partaking in different activities. With jogging I will always remember the moment I crossed the finish line of the first Oxfam Trailwalker Japan with Yuriko, Akemi & Carsten by my side. The Wow!-I-can-do-a-back-bridge eureka moment is what drives me to continue to play capoeira, always getting a kick when I manage to do a high parafuso, 5 or more scissor kicks while on a handstand, or a beautiful bico do papagaio, even if that's how I dislocated my shoulder two months ago. Ride 30cm+ of dry powder and you'll understand the rush I get snowboarding. And that just with physical activities. Mental activities, like photography and composing inconsequential haikus, are also part of that process.
Wondering like my student how I do it (and it's nothing special, really)? The answer is deceptively simple, so actually difficult to grasp completely: I just go out and do it. I get off the tatami mat, put my shoes (and hat when it's cold or rainy), and out the door I go, literally or figuratively. Come out play!
2012/02/01
Jogging Haiku 44: First day
Hunting locations
For a new project of ours,
Just found baguette.
(3.3km, easy pace)
For the first day of my 30-day (well, 29; February is leaping this year) challenge of jogging every day, I went for a small jog around my neighborhood to a bakery my wife likes. Along the way I scouted locations and I took alleys I'd never been on before. My legs didn't feel so energetic, although it shouldn't be too surprising since I rode over 55km on my bicycle yesterday, including the last 14 in less than 40 minutes, including traffic slowdowns & stops. Mind you, that's not to much faster then the world-record marathon pace!
The day hadn't started so good though, as I ignored my early alarm clock to go for a quick jog. But the extra time did allow me to think of a reason to jogging, which made the outing all the more pleasant. The distance might have been short, but day one is no time to go all out and burn myself out. Tomorrow I'll go longer, jogging back from morning classes in Itami.
For a new project of ours,
Just found baguette.
(3.3km, easy pace)
For the first day of my 30-day (well, 29; February is leaping this year) challenge of jogging every day, I went for a small jog around my neighborhood to a bakery my wife likes. Along the way I scouted locations and I took alleys I'd never been on before. My legs didn't feel so energetic, although it shouldn't be too surprising since I rode over 55km on my bicycle yesterday, including the last 14 in less than 40 minutes, including traffic slowdowns & stops. Mind you, that's not to much faster then the world-record marathon pace!
The day hadn't started so good though, as I ignored my early alarm clock to go for a quick jog. But the extra time did allow me to think of a reason to jogging, which made the outing all the more pleasant. The distance might have been short, but day one is no time to go all out and burn myself out. Tomorrow I'll go longer, jogging back from morning classes in Itami.
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