Cicadas and ducks
A summer cacophony,
Mi-mi-mi quack-quack.
(13km, with jogging stroller)
I went for a morning jog this morning with Kazuma. I wanted to test the distance of a trail I found for the KFMH3. If there are any hashers reading me, don't worry, the start won't be at my place, so the run will be much shorter! I wasn't planning on doing the whole course I did yesterday with my son by bicycle, but as my condition was good, I just kept on going. Actually, I could have gone on for a few more clicks easily, I think.
I wonder why I felt so good. I haven't run much recently, and with the rain, I haven't ridden my bicycle that much either. On top of that, I didn't eat anything before going, only drinking a few 100s ml of water. It certainly did feel good to be running again, though. And I think I found a pretty interested trail too. I'm thinking September might be a good time to exploit it.
Keep on jogging!
2012/07/21
2012/06/03
KFMH3 Run: Ikoma
Today I took my son out for a run with the KFMH3. The run was from Ikoma, and since I had the baby car, I elected to take the cable car up the mountain. I was joined by no name KT, who was joining her first hash run. I was glad she decided to shortcut with me since some of the downhill sections in trail would have been a bit harder to navigate without her. Actually, I should have invited Silver Grey to come with us too, as he got lost on trail, but with the help of some friendly drivers, he could hitchhike back home (and this gives me the occasion to meet him again tomorrow).
The trail was very nice and I was glad I had old faithful with me. At the top of the hill there was an amusement park and we didn't linger too long. Then we hit the trail and things were a little sketchy at times, but not as bad as you'd imagine. I was glad we didn't have to go up. After deviating a bit off course to avoid an incline, we got to a small village near the top, where the residents were very friendly. I dropped some coins in a box and scored some beans and homemade miso: I can't wait to try them! From then, the trail was all downhill and on road, and it was quite steep at times; I think my arms will come to haunt me tomorrow!
We eventually got back to civilization and after a few minutes of checking, we got on trail to the finish. It was a great day, and I hope you'll enjoy the snaps below!
The trail was very nice and I was glad I had old faithful with me. At the top of the hill there was an amusement park and we didn't linger too long. Then we hit the trail and things were a little sketchy at times, but not as bad as you'd imagine. I was glad we didn't have to go up. After deviating a bit off course to avoid an incline, we got to a small village near the top, where the residents were very friendly. I dropped some coins in a box and scored some beans and homemade miso: I can't wait to try them! From then, the trail was all downhill and on road, and it was quite steep at times; I think my arms will come to haunt me tomorrow!
We eventually got back to civilization and after a few minutes of checking, we got on trail to the finish. It was a great day, and I hope you'll enjoy the snaps below!
2012/05/26
Jogging Haiku 53: Royal With Cheese
Not always healthy
The destination looked good,
Gigantic burger.
(9.3km at an regular pace)
After some morning work, and with the family busy with other things, I decided to run a part of the distance back. My destination was Awajishima Burger joint near Nishinomiya station. The place was recommended by an acquaintance, and although very delicious, I don't know if it qualifies as the best burger in Japan; Any's Burger near Tanimachi 6-chome is pretty darn good, too!
The most unhealthy parts of the meal were probably the side dishes I ordered, the great onion rings and fine Longboard Lager, as the burger was filled with delicious veggies. Well, OK, the homemade bacon and cheese probably added some calories as well, but who cares. I don't run just to be healthy, although it is part of the equation: I run because I like it. I would have had that burger anyways.
The destination looked good,
Gigantic burger.
(9.3km at an regular pace)
After some morning work, and with the family busy with other things, I decided to run a part of the distance back. My destination was Awajishima Burger joint near Nishinomiya station. The place was recommended by an acquaintance, and although very delicious, I don't know if it qualifies as the best burger in Japan; Any's Burger near Tanimachi 6-chome is pretty darn good, too!
The most unhealthy parts of the meal were probably the side dishes I ordered, the great onion rings and fine Longboard Lager, as the burger was filled with delicious veggies. Well, OK, the homemade bacon and cheese probably added some calories as well, but who cares. I don't run just to be healthy, although it is part of the equation: I run because I like it. I would have had that burger anyways.2012/04/10
Intervals
I recently heard and read that short and intense exercise may be better to burn fat than stamina workout. I guess it shouldn't be too surprising considering that's what body builders have been doing for years. With that in mind - and a beer gut around my waist - on my jog back from work, I did intervals, speeding for approximately 30 seconds and then jogging more slowly for 50. It was not as hard as I thought, although I think I could have pushed harder on the sprints. The total run was about 6km, and it wasn't even a little difficult to finish.
By the way, I'm really digging my Five Fingers. They're basically the only shoes I wear these days. I was tempted to wear them at my son's day care center entrance ceremony (welcome to Japan, the land of the omnipresent protocol), but family peace is more important. I even wear them at work, and although it raises a few eyebrows, it seems to be easily excused since I'm a 'strange' gaijin anyways. I do wish the Bormio model will eventually be introduced to the Japanese market. In the mean time, my Komodo Sports get (usually) good attention everywhere, whether it's at a photo shoot at a skate rink or during a hanami (cherry blossom viewing party, another good excuse to enjoy beer in Japan, the land of the rising suds). Now if only their Japanese representatives would get back to me about a demo for my capoeira group...
By the way, I'm really digging my Five Fingers. They're basically the only shoes I wear these days. I was tempted to wear them at my son's day care center entrance ceremony (welcome to Japan, the land of the omnipresent protocol), but family peace is more important. I even wear them at work, and although it raises a few eyebrows, it seems to be easily excused since I'm a 'strange' gaijin anyways. I do wish the Bormio model will eventually be introduced to the Japanese market. In the mean time, my Komodo Sports get (usually) good attention everywhere, whether it's at a photo shoot at a skate rink or during a hanami (cherry blossom viewing party, another good excuse to enjoy beer in Japan, the land of the rising suds). Now if only their Japanese representatives would get back to me about a demo for my capoeira group...
2012/03/27
Jogging Haiku 52: Hisashiburi
Hisashiburi means "long time no see" in Japanese, and it certainly the case with this blog. In the end I did not jog every day in February, and I did skip a number of days at the end when my son was admitted at the hospital for dehydration caused by the rota virus. He got over it, but is struggling with another bug these days.
On the jogging front, after being incapable of finishing a 20k+ run a couple of weeks ago I decided not join a mountain race that's coming up next month. I think the cookies I ate during the run are what prevented me from finishing, and it was quite demoralizing.
On the other hand, I had been wearing my Five Fingers almost daily recently and I've gotten pretty used to them now. My calves and Achilles tendons don't hurt anymore. Last night I jogged about 6km in them at my regular speed, and this morning, although my feet were a little tight, I felt no pain whatsoever. Yeah! I composed a hiaku last night, here it is:
Out barefoot again
Jogging at a normal pace,
Yeah! These are comfy.
On the jogging front, after being incapable of finishing a 20k+ run a couple of weeks ago I decided not join a mountain race that's coming up next month. I think the cookies I ate during the run are what prevented me from finishing, and it was quite demoralizing.
On the other hand, I had been wearing my Five Fingers almost daily recently and I've gotten pretty used to them now. My calves and Achilles tendons don't hurt anymore. Last night I jogged about 6km in them at my regular speed, and this morning, although my feet were a little tight, I felt no pain whatsoever. Yeah! I composed a hiaku last night, here it is:
Out barefoot again
Jogging at a normal pace,
Yeah! These are comfy.
2012/02/23
Jogging Haiku 51: Excuses Schmexcuses
I have excuses
All mostly irrelevant,
Time to get moving.
Yesterday I didn't jog. OL, so I ran a little to catch a train, but that doesn't count, it was well below a kilometer. So when I went out this morning, I decided to extend my usual 6k course, and it ended up being 7.5k. Actually, I preferred this course so I might do it again in the future.
As I was thinking of my haiku, It also occurred to me that I could have a second jog today to try and compensate for yesterday's laziness. And so, with my 5 fingers, I jogged from work to Kyobashi station, a distance of 3.5km. I stopped at a park to do a littlecapoeira, and the 'shoes' are fantastic for it.
Durind the jog my right ankle (not tendon) felt tight, and after my left Achilles tendon flare up. I guess it's to be expected in the beginning.
2012/02/21
They're here
I got off the train one stop early and jogged the 1.4k back to my place. I didn't have the time to get into my groove, and they didn't feel bad either. Looking forward to experimenting with them some more.
Day 20: Groove Out
My ankle is still flaring up from time to time, and nonetheless I went for a longish one, 13.6k. I focused on putting in practice what I'd learned on Saturday, and after a while, it felt fine and I was in the zone, feeling as if I could go on for hours, especially in the last segment along the Yodo river, between the Midosuji line and Juso.
But as I got down from the dike, I started to lose my concentration. This got accentuated when I saw the time, past 10pm. Mind you, this was normal, but I thought I'd finished work at 8:00, not 9:00. It got me confused, and more than anything else, I lost my groove. It might sound strange, but it's the best way I can explain it. Afterwards, I was able to start jogging again, but my ankle felt weird - although not really hurting - and after getting stopped by a train at a crossing, I wasn't really able to start again.
On the good side, even if I used my legs differently, today Tuesday I have no muscleache, except for my Achilles tendon that feels like it has for about a week now.
2012/02/19
Jogging Haiku 50: Close Call
Out barefoot jogging
A patrol car cruises by,
Would've been funny.
Officer: What are you doing?
Me: I'm jogging.
Officer: Where are your shoes?
Me: Haven't you heard of 'hadashi running'?
Officer: Can I see your passport or Alien Registration Card?
Me: Uhh, I forgot it at home. I live near; my wife and baby are asleep, please don't wake them up.
Luckily, they just cruised by and let me (us) be. I felt a lot safer running in the middle of the street than in the park or on the sidewalk; the surface was more even and past rains should have cleared the surfaces better.
Day 18: 'Barefoot' Running
Today I joined a 'barefoot' running clinic held by Vibram Five Fingers and Tokyu Hands. As I might have mentioned before, I was going to buy a pair a few weeks ago when I saw a poster about this clinic. I thought I could wait a few weeks to actually get the chance to try them on first. Sadly, quite a long time was spent resuming 'Born to Run', which is partly the cause for the increased interest in barefoot running (guilty as charged).
When we finally got up, the instructor proved to be very kind and attentive to the large group of people (25-30) who showed up for the event. We tried several exercises to give us an idea of how to change our style of running to the one prescribed for this type of exercise. All were excellent, building on top of the previous one, and I hope to remember them all when I give barefoot jogging another go. I also tried a little bit of capoeira with the shoes, and they felt much better than any other type of shoe I've had before.
So in other words, even if the event was in some ways one long plug for Five Fingers, they did prove their point: I understand the benefit of this type of jogging, the shoes will be useful when doing capoeira outside, and with the small coupon we received, it will make the deal even sweeter. I just hope the soles are long lasting because this kind of 'shoes' are the cheapest around (it's like a bikini I guess: the smaller, the more expensive)!
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