120831

Distance: 10.4km
Time: 1:06:48
Average speed: 6:25min/km

Feedback: It was a record breaking feat for me to run more than 10km. This is the first time in my life I ran this far I think lol! Nevertheless, I guess I could have done better if not for the waist pain (cramp?) I suffer at the 3rd kilometer. It was too painful that it reduced me to walking for about 200 meters. Thought about calling it a day and continue it the next day, but somehow managed to pull out that energy to try and continue the run, which in the end, I managed to get my first 10km.

I ran the south course for two laps and on the second lap, I almost fell not once, but twice for not seeing some steel bump on the ground and kicked it. Luckily for me I managed to steady myself. And the sky is getting dark very early nowadays. Currently thinking what other alternatives I have since I will be working from Roppongi from next week onwards and the journey back home after works takes an hour.

Anyway, I ran for 9.39km (6.23min/km) for the first hour. As long as I keep this pace, I think I should do okay during the race. Just that another point I learned is to make sure I do proper warming up and warming down. Had some muscle pain after the run as I suspect I didn't warm down properly enough. Today is also my first time using Runkeeper and indeed it is a good device to record and check on my pace etc. Will use this during the race as well!

120830

Distance: 0km (5km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Was out for dinner with colleagues, hence the training today was cancelled. Will bring forward this distance to the next day, making the run tomorrow to 10km (5km + 5km). We'll see how I fare. And just downloaded RunKeeper into my iPhone (although it made a huge noise when I launched it at my office this afternoon lol!), and will use it to record my run more accurately from now on.

Riding on the Aqua Line Breeze

As I was Googling for some information about marathon preparation, I came across an introduction video on the Chiba Aqua Line Marathon. It was aired on Chiba TV quite recently, about a month ago on July 28, 2012. The vieo started with a message from the Chiba Prefectural Governor, Mr Morita Kensaku, a brief compilation of the events that have been and are gonna be held as we head towards the race day, introduction of the race course, introduction on the invited runners and also the local volunteers who are working hard in making this race a successful event.

Chiba Aqua Line Marathon is unique in the sense that it is the very first marathon in Japan whereby runners get to run across the sea, i.e. along the Aqua Line。At the same time they are able to enjoy an 360-degree panorama of the Tokyo Bay. I find that this race is very similar to the Penang International Bridge Run, where running on the Penang Bridge is what that makes the race special.

Various event has been launched so far, including a 1-year and 100-days countdown towards the race day, and the announcement of the official logo and catchphrase for the race, which is“Run Over Chiba, Riding on the Aqua Line Breeze” (ちばを走ろう　～アクアラインの風にのろう～). 

This race attracted as many as 27,310 applications but only 15,000 runners will be selected through a lottery draw. At the same time, approximately 86 runners (54 men, 32 women), who have won various races held in Chiba prefecture have been hand-picked by the organizing body to be part of this race.

One thing that impressed me the most however, is the cooperation given by the local towards this race. There are various voluntary bodies who join in, such as providing spaces to be made water stations, planting chrysanthemum flowers along the road to welcome not only the runner, but everyone who are attending the event, dentists joining the locals by performing Japanese orchestra to cheer the runners.

But the one that stand out was the kids from Sodegaura elementary, junior high and high schoo, who will prepare hand-made flags to cheer and inspire the runners along the roadside. They will also be making onigiri (rice balls) to be distributed to the runners.

Getting to know that all these people are working so hard for this race, it has really pumped even more spirit on myself to train harder and make sure I complete the race.

Indeed, this marathon is the marathon for all – the runners, the supporters, the volunteers, everybody.

120829

Rest day

Will be going to the Constituency Office to forfeiting procedure of my health insurance. Nonetheless, will be getting a 2-km walk, both ways.

120828

Distance: 7km
Time: 50min
Average speed: 7.14min/km

Feedback: This is the first time I ran along this 7-km course. Basically, it is running along bridge, flat roads and finished off with street with many pedestrians. Unfortunately, it was a bad course. Had to climb up the stairs, and there were lots of uneven surfaces along the way. Nevertheless, still managed to complete the distance. Total time is not really a main concern yet, as I am aiming to build up strength and endurance. The strong wind along the bridge was hard to take, but I guess it is a good training for me to get used to the strong sea breeze expected along the Aqua Line. Felt like giving up halfway through the course; leg muscle was aching like hell, but quickly try to pull out all the positive energy. The self-motivation, I guess, was the factor I managed to complete this course. Anyway, it is getting dark pretty early lately and there cannot be any time wasted once I am back from work.

120827

Distance: 5km
Time: 40min
Average speed: 8.00min/km

Feedback: I first ran along this course a couple of days earlier (with a slightly different route, but same distance), and it was a good one. Not much climb but the wind along the bridge was quite something to bear. The interesting thing is, as I was running the final kilometer, the body seemed to be telling me, “This is not enough, I want more!” However, I know I have to be consistant in my training and never over-do it. Just in case I fall sick (like the diarrhea case two days earlier), my training will have to be put on hold. Finished off the run with one lap around the running track in Shinkoiwa Park and some push-ups and sit-ups.

The Marathon Can Humble You

"I've learned that finishing a marathon 

isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; 

a state of mind that says anything is possible."

 John Hanc, running writer

If you ask me half a year ago that I will be participating in a marathon race, I would have laughed off that suggestion. For a person who finds it hard even to complete a 2-km jog, that is almost like a mission impossible to the power-of-two. However, let me just say that it was a twist of coincidence. We, the Chiba-Kun Ambassadors were invited to participate in the first Chiba Aqua Line Marathon early this year. Unlike the normal participants who will have to go through a lottery draw to be selected as part of the 15,000 runners in the race, our places in the race is guaranteed. Without giving a second thought, and how grueling a marathon can be, I submitted my name.

I admit I regretted my action at first, but realizing that it will be unpleasant to pull out after registering, I told myself this it is. I’m gonna go all out and give my best in this race – my first ever marathon in my entire life. Prior to this, I have never joined in any race, be it a 10km race, half marathon, nothing. And immediately I am throwing myself into a marathon race. Sounds very overly optimistic, ain’t I?

How I will fare in the race is not my main concern now, although my target for my first marathon is just to finish the race within the regulation time. I started my training a couple of months ago, by running an average of 2-3km every few days in a park where I am currently living. There is a 650-m running track around the park, and that became my running place for some time. However, I realized that such distance is not enough if I am talking about training for a marathon.

So on one fine evening, I decided to take a detour from my usual spot and pheww, it was certainly a great experience. Running on the bridge that goes across Arakawa River and along the road which stretches along the river exposed my with the elements that I will certainly meet during the real race. A fantastic course for my intensive training, I thought.

And as a bonus, there is the magnificent Tokyo Sky Tree and on a clear day, Mount Fuji is also visible during my run.

Beginning from this week, I have put up a training schedule, in countdown to my race in late October. Hopefully, on October 21, 2012, I will be able to cross the finishing line at the Kisarazu City Hall Office, hence completing my first marathon in my life.