Hazy orange glow
Chased away by drab grey clouds,
Race against the rain.
(20-25k with steep hills)
Friday morning I went for my last long training before the Kyoto Mountain race. Except for a few drops, the rain didn't start until evening, so I guess I won the race! Wanting to cover a good distance I decided to go from Suma to Shin Kobe on the all-Rokko mountain trail. It didn't get any easier, especially since I was pushing harder than last time, the distance being shorter. It was good training for climbs and descent, but since the Kyoto race is 'easier' to run on, perhaps I should have chosen something closer to the race. Oh well, I'm sure doing something tougher will be useful in the end.
Maybe because of my stronger pace, some of the hills seemed tougher, especially in the beginning. Mt. Kikusui and the climb to Futatabi weren't that hard, even if I had to stop once or twice to catch my breath. Actually, it was the first few hills that seemed tougher, even if I passed a number of hikers of all adult ages. From Futatabi to Shin Kobe, I met a number of students on school outings and groups of disabled people enjoying the beautiful scenery.
By the end of my course, I was starting to have a headache and it stayed with me pretty much all day, followed b a bit of fever. I think it was from dehydration since I drank a lot during throughout the day after and barely went to the washroom. I'll have to be careful the next times.
And when I got back, my registration had come it. I have bib number 2238. Having it completed it in around 4 hours and not having much muscle pain 24 hours later (but stairs are no fun and I live in a 3-story house...), I feel confident I can finish the Kyoto race in 4:30, my objective this year. It'd be nice if I could finish it even faster but I'm not going to make any projections here.
2011/11/18
2011/11/03
Jogging Haiku 39: Charity
Jog for charity
With my favorite cause of all,
Let's go Kazuma!
(16km, with the baby car)
Today I ran with my son for the Japanese International Food for the Hungry charity group. I had for them a few years back, when they had a different name. Sponsors (and you are not too late...) had the option to give me a fix amount or to donate for every lap around the outer moat of Osaka Castle (3.5km). As everyone gave me a fixed amount and I didn't feel like doing laps around the same course, I decided to jog from my place to the castle and do a symbolic lap around the designated course. To the starting point, the path I took was about 12.5km.
As I crossed the Juso bridge, Kazumax got pretty excited and he remained so until I got to a bakery nearby. After buying some bread there I stopped by my friend Fif's place, he who had given Kaz a present a few weeks after his birth. After a few minutes, off we were towards the Oh river. We went along it until near Osaka castle, passing a number of walkers who had joined some sort of event. After crossing a pedestrian bridge, we were in the castle's park, and a few minutes before getting to the starting point, Kaz got a little fussy. Thanks to a Passe-Partout song he remained calm until we got there. Of course, once there, got excited with everyone talking to him. After talking with a few people, off we were for our lap. Quickly he got fussy again, but luckily the balloon the group had given us kept him entertained. Here are the pictures from the day.
With my favorite cause of all,
Let's go Kazuma!
(16km, with the baby car)
Today I ran with my son for the Japanese International Food for the Hungry charity group. I had for them a few years back, when they had a different name. Sponsors (and you are not too late...) had the option to give me a fix amount or to donate for every lap around the outer moat of Osaka Castle (3.5km). As everyone gave me a fixed amount and I didn't feel like doing laps around the same course, I decided to jog from my place to the castle and do a symbolic lap around the designated course. To the starting point, the path I took was about 12.5km.
As I crossed the Juso bridge, Kazumax got pretty excited and he remained so until I got to a bakery nearby. After buying some bread there I stopped by my friend Fif's place, he who had given Kaz a present a few weeks after his birth. After a few minutes, off we were towards the Oh river. We went along it until near Osaka castle, passing a number of walkers who had joined some sort of event. After crossing a pedestrian bridge, we were in the castle's park, and a few minutes before getting to the starting point, Kaz got a little fussy. Thanks to a Passe-Partout song he remained calm until we got there. Of course, once there, got excited with everyone talking to him. After talking with a few people, off we were for our lap. Quickly he got fussy again, but luckily the balloon the group had given us kept him entertained. Here are the pictures from the day.
2011/10/22
Jogging Haiku 38: Base de Plein Air
Around the barrier
Half trail into the forest,
What fence, officer?
(12-14km, last 3k sprinting)
It was nice to run on roads and paths I walked and rode growing up. Some paths were not were I remembered them, while others were very muddy, and all were beautiful in their fall coats. Great run all around.
Half trail into the forest,
What fence, officer?
(12-14km, last 3k sprinting)
It was nice to run on roads and paths I walked and rode growing up. Some paths were not were I remembered them, while others were very muddy, and all were beautiful in their fall coats. Great run all around.
2011/10/20
Jogging Haiku 37: Mt. Pinacle
Flocks of birds waking
Deer fleeing my intrusion,
Fall call of nature.
(Abt 11km, climbing up Mt. Pinacle)
Away from town at a chalet next to Lyster Lake, I woke up one morning, jogged around the lake to the start of the trail up to the top of Mt. Pinacle. It was pretty muddy, but not impassable. The climb was not so long, and from the top, the view was outstanding. I wish I had my camera with me. It took me a while to find my way down the other side, and when I did, I picked up the pace til the end. All in all, a great outing, with much wildlife encounters.
Deer fleeing my intrusion,
Fall call of nature.
(Abt 11km, climbing up Mt. Pinacle)
Away from town at a chalet next to Lyster Lake, I woke up one morning, jogged around the lake to the start of the trail up to the top of Mt. Pinacle. It was pretty muddy, but not impassable. The climb was not so long, and from the top, the view was outstanding. I wish I had my camera with me. It took me a while to find my way down the other side, and when I did, I picked up the pace til the end. All in all, a great outing, with much wildlife encounters.
2011/10/17
Jogging Haiku 36: Back in Montreal
Jogging new old streets
Red, oranges and yellows
In an autumn dance
(short 30min jog)
I did something I looked forward to, jogging back home. I basically never ran here in Montreal, since I picked up the activity in Japan. Staying at my moms, I'm running new streets as I don't really know the area, but they feel old because of the architecture and especially because of the feeling of nostalgia I get, especially smelling the odor of old leaves in fall. Looking forward to the next runs, which will be at a chalet in the Eastern Townships. Trailrunning here I come!
Red, oranges and yellows
In an autumn dance
(short 30min jog)
I did something I looked forward to, jogging back home. I basically never ran here in Montreal, since I picked up the activity in Japan. Staying at my moms, I'm running new streets as I don't really know the area, but they feel old because of the architecture and especially because of the feeling of nostalgia I get, especially smelling the odor of old leaves in fall. Looking forward to the next runs, which will be at a chalet in the Eastern Townships. Trailrunning here I come!
2011/10/09
Jogging Haiku 35: Forgot
Completely forgot
To think about a haiku
Next time I promise.
(16km in two legs, pun intended)
I jogged from my home to the KFMH3 run in Suita, a distance of about 10km. I mostly followed the Kanzaki river, making the trail pretty trafficless, something I always appreciate. It was pretty hot then, and a small cold notwithstanding, I could keep up my medium pace the whole time.
I made a small navigational mistake, which resulted in, perhaps, a slightly shorter trail, and the discovery of the last few hundred meters of the KFMH3 trail. I got to the station and only the hare and another member were there. The run was quite nice, going through parks, passing a Greek Orthodox church (!) and through some temples and shrines, including the one where Peking Dog had his Shichi-Go-San, a rite-of-passage ceremony when children are 3, 5 and 7 years old. There were numerous hills, but after the Suma-Takarazuka trail, they seemed like anthills to me. By the end of the course, Dances with Sheep's GPS indicated a trail of about 6km. All in all, it was great day of jogging, looking forward to jogging back home in Canada next week! I don't know if I'll have time to run before leaving.
To think about a haiku
Next time I promise.
(16km in two legs, pun intended)
I jogged from my home to the KFMH3 run in Suita, a distance of about 10km. I mostly followed the Kanzaki river, making the trail pretty trafficless, something I always appreciate. It was pretty hot then, and a small cold notwithstanding, I could keep up my medium pace the whole time.
I made a small navigational mistake, which resulted in, perhaps, a slightly shorter trail, and the discovery of the last few hundred meters of the KFMH3 trail. I got to the station and only the hare and another member were there. The run was quite nice, going through parks, passing a Greek Orthodox church (!) and through some temples and shrines, including the one where Peking Dog had his Shichi-Go-San, a rite-of-passage ceremony when children are 3, 5 and 7 years old. There were numerous hills, but after the Suma-Takarazuka trail, they seemed like anthills to me. By the end of the course, Dances with Sheep's GPS indicated a trail of about 6km. All in all, it was great day of jogging, looking forward to jogging back home in Canada next week! I don't know if I'll have time to run before leaving.
2011/10/04
Jogging Haiku 34: Flat Tire
A walk to the shop
For some bicycle repairs,
Half moon guiding me.
(6km, easy-medium pace, with some capoeira)
When I went out Tuesday morning to pick some pictures at Costco, I noticed that my front-wheel tire had a flat. After dinner, I walked about 3km to the bicycle store and then decided to run back home. I took a longer route, jogging along the Kanzaki river. That part of the trail was pretty dark, but the moonlight help me navigate the trail amidst tall grass.
Unlike some other riverside, there are only 1 or 2 homeless people living there, and most importantly for my safety, they don't keep dogs, so I felt completely safe there. In Japan, most homeless were regular people who lost their jobs (they thought they had them for life) and then couldn't face the public humiliation of not working and continued living the 'high' life until the loans grew insurmountable; many of them are now hiding from organized crime to whom they borrowed the money. I think they certainly are the hardest working homeless people in the industrialized world, rarely begging, most of them going around town to gather scrap metal and cardboard to sell to recyclers.
For some bicycle repairs,
Half moon guiding me.
(6km, easy-medium pace, with some capoeira)
When I went out Tuesday morning to pick some pictures at Costco, I noticed that my front-wheel tire had a flat. After dinner, I walked about 3km to the bicycle store and then decided to run back home. I took a longer route, jogging along the Kanzaki river. That part of the trail was pretty dark, but the moonlight help me navigate the trail amidst tall grass.
Unlike some other riverside, there are only 1 or 2 homeless people living there, and most importantly for my safety, they don't keep dogs, so I felt completely safe there. In Japan, most homeless were regular people who lost their jobs (they thought they had them for life) and then couldn't face the public humiliation of not working and continued living the 'high' life until the loans grew insurmountable; many of them are now hiding from organized crime to whom they borrowed the money. I think they certainly are the hardest working homeless people in the industrialized world, rarely begging, most of them going around town to gather scrap metal and cardboard to sell to recyclers.
2011/10/03
Jogging Haiku 33: Early in The Morning
Float in assembly
Sun rays falling down oblique,
Perfect autumn run.
(12km, good pace)
Having woken up early, I decided to have my day's run early, since when I run back from work, it is sometimes hard to get a good night sleep, my body still alive with adrenaline. I started off at a good pace and kept it up for the whole run, taking a regular route with two detours. The day was perfect, with morning sunny and cool conditions. Along the way, I passed some people on morning walks and jogs, others on their way to work, and most interestingly some assembling a float for a local shrine festival. It's at times like these that running is best.
Sun rays falling down oblique,
Perfect autumn run.
(12km, good pace)
Having woken up early, I decided to have my day's run early, since when I run back from work, it is sometimes hard to get a good night sleep, my body still alive with adrenaline. I started off at a good pace and kept it up for the whole run, taking a regular route with two detours. The day was perfect, with morning sunny and cool conditions. Along the way, I passed some people on morning walks and jogs, others on their way to work, and most interestingly some assembling a float for a local shrine festival. It's at times like these that running is best.
2011/10/01
Jogging Haiku 32: Undokai
October begins
Relay-practicing students,
It's Sports Day season.
(6km, average pace, with some capoeira at the end)
Sports Festivals are a common trait at Japanese school. They are traditionally held at the end of September, beginning of October, although in recent years some schools hold them in May because the temperatures at this time of year can still be very hot.
I actually attended my first one on Sunday at my niece's elementary school. She and her friends seemed to have had a great time, and I guess that's the most important. I look forward to Kazuma's a few years down the line.
Relay-practicing students,
It's Sports Day season.
(6km, average pace, with some capoeira at the end)
Sports Festivals are a common trait at Japanese school. They are traditionally held at the end of September, beginning of October, although in recent years some schools hold them in May because the temperatures at this time of year can still be very hot.
I actually attended my first one on Sunday at my niece's elementary school. She and her friends seemed to have had a great time, and I guess that's the most important. I look forward to Kazuma's a few years down the line.
2011/09/29
Jogging Haiku 31: Pasta Power
Off with a high pace
Adventure starts out the door,
Hash trail discovered.
(6km, strong pace)
I decided to go for a post-dinner run tonight, notwithstanding the fact that I cooked pasta gratin for dinner (very good, better than my first attempt). As I didn't want to waste any time since I'd be showering with my son and in the evening infant moods can swing wildly, I decided to go off at a good pace. I took a trail that I thought wouldn't be too long even if it was my first time doing it. Measuring on mapmyrun.com gave me about 6km, so I wasn't off the mark with my estimate. As I was running I figured that some strong pace training will help me on the Sanjurokumine trail in December, especially in the last few kilometers. The last hill starts off not very steep, and I figure that if I can jog it instead of walking it like the last two times, it could really make a difference in my time. I hope to get my personal best, 4:30:00 at the max (my previous best is 4:39:40 or something, although I did a few pictures both times).
And this trail, at 6k, should be perfect for a future KFMH3 trail. Hashers, be warned!
Adventure starts out the door,
Hash trail discovered.
(6km, strong pace)
I decided to go for a post-dinner run tonight, notwithstanding the fact that I cooked pasta gratin for dinner (very good, better than my first attempt). As I didn't want to waste any time since I'd be showering with my son and in the evening infant moods can swing wildly, I decided to go off at a good pace. I took a trail that I thought wouldn't be too long even if it was my first time doing it. Measuring on mapmyrun.com gave me about 6km, so I wasn't off the mark with my estimate. As I was running I figured that some strong pace training will help me on the Sanjurokumine trail in December, especially in the last few kilometers. The last hill starts off not very steep, and I figure that if I can jog it instead of walking it like the last two times, it could really make a difference in my time. I hope to get my personal best, 4:30:00 at the max (my previous best is 4:39:40 or something, although I did a few pictures both times).
And this trail, at 6k, should be perfect for a future KFMH3 trail. Hashers, be warned!
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