121021

Distance: 43.34km
Time: 5:40:10
Average speed: 07:51min/km

Feedback: Completed my first full marathon!

121008

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

Feedback: Lunch at high-tea in Shinjuku and abura-soba dinner with Yousuke.

121007

Distance: 0km (20km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Dinner at ramen with Tomoki.

121006

Distance: 10.50km
Time: 1:00:05
Average speed: 05:43min/km

Feedback: This was one of the most tiring run I had for some time. Probably the fact that I have been running for long distance for consecutive days through the week, had caused the tiredness. Leg muscles were sore as well. 

Anyway, despite all this, managed to record the festest pace so far. Gotta buck up the training pace sooner rather than later as the big day is just less than a fortnight. 

With the sore legs, went to CEATEC 2012 in the late afternoon. Came back with really sore legs lol!

121005

Distance: 0km (7km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Okonomiyaki dinner with Tomoki at Monpachi

121004

Distance: 10.0km
Time: 59:13
Average speed: 05:55min/km

Feedback: Target today was 10km and that was exactly what I did. Overall, it was another good run. However, I guess I didn't do proper stretching up (yet again) and my right ankle started to hurt after the fifth kilometer. The wind this evening was quite strong, and chilly as well. Good to get used to the sea breeze I expect to get on Aqua Line I guess.

Gonna be another two week until the big day. Gotta prepare my clothes and equipment soon.

121003

Distance: 0km (7km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Drizzling and decided to take a day off from training.

121002

Distance: 15.1km
Time: 1:34:00
Average speed: 06:13min/km

Feedback: New record! The initial target was 20km, after skipping training for almost a week. But it will be quite a sudden asking to complete that distance. Nonetheless, was quite satisfied with today’s run. Spent some extra time doing proper stretching ups before running, and that really worked wonders during my run. The ankle pain I feel almost every time on my right ankle is not that bad, in fact it was almost not felt throughout the whole run. 

In total, I did three laps at the south course. South course is by the way, the name I created myself for the course I take when I do my training along the Arakawa River. Next long-distance target will definitely be 20km.

121001

Distance: 0km (10km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Went to see Haru and Shinji.

120930

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

Feedback: Barbeque trip to Nakadaki Art Village in Isumi city.

120929

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

Feedback: Barbeque trip to Nakadaki Art Village in Isumi city.

120928

Rest day

120927

Distance: 0km (7km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Training was cancelled.

120926

Distance: 14.00km
Time: 01:25:51
Average speed: 06:08min/km

Feedback: After another long break from training, I am back with quite a long run. 14 kilometers in total, just short of 600 meters from my record thus far. The fact that the temperature had dropped drastically since this Monday, probably has helped my run. 

Didn't feel as tired as before, and the thigh muscle pain isn't as much as how it used to be even after I ran pass the 10km mark. One possibility might be the long break, hence the muscles get to rest more. However, one main concern is the continuous pain on my right ankle throughout the run. That is the only thing that bothers me now.

Overall, it was another good run, as I was literally sprinting over the final kilometer.

120925

Rest day

Second day at Novartis Animal Health.

120924

Rest day

First day at Novartis Animal Health at Roppongi. The place is full of soft toys!

120923

Rest day

Watched the Yonex Japan Open at Yoyogi National Stadium.

120922

Rest day

Had MJASS meeting and movie day in the evening.

120921

Distance: 0km (7km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Went to have Mexican food at Shinbashi, hence training was cancelled.

120920

Distance: 10.40km (Rest day)
Time: 01:01:45
Average speed: 05:56min/km

Feedback: After a long break from training, I am back. Glad that my pace didn't drop much, in fact it was one of the best pace I have ran so far. Completed the first 10km in 59:12 and ran 10.12km in the first hour. One thing I'm quite concerned is that I felt the leg muscle pain around the 5th km. Gotta find out how to combat this, especially the top section above the fibula.

Overall, it was quite a good run. Gotta stack up more kms after this as it is just 30 days to go before the big day!

List of Guest Runners of Chiba Aqualine Marathon

The official list of the guest runners for the inaugural Chiba Aqualine Marathon is out and look whose name is there, on the number 8 spot! 

source: http://www.chiba-aqua-run.com/2012/press/pdf/0918guest.pdf

120919

Rest day

Second day of business trip to Kaminoyama.

120918

Rest day

Was in Kaminoyama for business trip. Network trouble and the PC jobs couldn't be completed on schedule.

120917

Distance: 0km (7km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Back home early in the morning, slept till noon and prepared for the business trip to Kaminoyama in Yamagata.

120916

Rest day

Second day at Kinugawa Onsen and we headed to Nikko. The bus ride from Kinugawa Onsen to Nikko, which usually takes about one hour was extended to more than two hours due to the heavy traffic. Weather was unfortunately bad when we visited Chuzenji Lake and Kegon Fall (cancelled). Late afternoon, we visited the Toshogu Shrine and headed back to Tokyo. Went out to drink with Yuya at night after reaching Tokyo.

120915

Rest day

Went to Kinugawa Onsen with Takuya. Went to Tobu World Square and played the Amazing Maze which I completed in 32 minutes. Average time is said to be between 40-50 minutes.

120914

Distance: 0km (7km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Had Korean dinner with Yuya at Shinokubo after work, hence training was cancelled.

120913

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

Feedback: Also at Novartis and exhausted when reach home. Training was cancelled on this day.

120912

Rest day

Had yakiniku dinner with Yuya at Gyukaku in Nishifunabashi.

120911

Distance: 0km (7km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Was at Novartis Roppongi and back late and exhausted, hence training was cancelled.

120910

Distance: 7.46km
Time: 45:15
Average speed: 06:04min/km

Feedback: Was contemplating whether or not to run today, as it was already past seven when I reached home. However, I knew once there's a gap in between, I will find it hard to return to training, hence I pulled my body to have a short run this evening. Just one lap around the south course, which is becoming my favourite course now. Overall, it was a good one, though the slight pain on the ankle is still there.

Had a double lap at Shinkoiwa Park at the end of the run, in a fast pace. Was literally sprinting during those two laps, which improved my overall average speed actually. Starting to feel that my body is getting use to the 6:10 to 6:25 min/km pace, which I hope I can maintain throughout the whole 42.195 km.

120909

Rest day

Went to the Raya open house cum farewell party for Puan Siti Zaharah and Kak Ruslinda at the Malaysian Students' House in Koyama.

120908

Distance: 14.61km

Time: 01:29:31

Average speed: 06:08min/km

Feedback: It was a day many records were broken today. First of all I managed to finished up the first ten kilometers under an hour. Well it was really close (59:45) as I pushed quite hard in the last 300 meters or so. And my distance for the first hour was 10.04km. Not bad I thought. In fact my pace was under 6min/km until the end of the 11th km. Unfortunately my pace slowly dropped from that onwards, but at the end of the almost 15km run, I still managed to keep it under 6:30min/km. 

My only worry was my thigh muscle began to feel painful in the last kilometer. It was during that time I wish I get to put on some magic spray. Quite happy for clocking another record distance today, after skipping my training for three consecutive days.

120907

Distance: 0km (7km)
Time: N/A
Average speed: N/A

Feedback: Had dinner with Chudan mama (host family from Japan Tent 2011) at Shibuya with several others.

120906

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

Feedback: Last minute plan to have dinner with Takuya at Shinjuku, hence training was cancelled.

120905

Rest day

120904

Distance: 8.5km
Time: 51min
Average speed: 6.00min/km

* Timekeeper was paused halfway for approximately one minute. Stats are just estimation figures.

Feedback: Made a huge technical mistake today, as I mistakenly paused the time recorder around the 3.5km. Only realised it a kilometer later as there wasn't any notification at all for a while. Was kinda pissed off with my carelessness that it made me feel like stopping my training straight away. Nevertheless, continue my run until the end.

Overall, the run was good. Compared to the previous day when I struggled in the first kilometer, it wasn't that bad during today. The only concern is the continued pain around the ankle area. Not sure why, but the pain usually start after the first kilometer. It is still bearable, but for a long distance during the race, I have some worries. Perhaps the magic spray will be able to to the trick. By the way, I just realised that Runkeeper records the course we run as well. I am so in love with this great apps now haha!

120903

Distance: 7.62km
Time: 48:48
Average speed: 6:24min/km

Feedback: The first kilometer was like hell. Felt like stopping after running the first kilometer, but once I got over that distance, the body felt great and managed to maintain a good pace of around 6:30 min/km. If I can maintain this pace throughout the race, I should be able to finish the race in 4h 30m. The climb was a bit tough today, not sure why though. Decided to push myself from the initial 5km and ended up doing more than 7km today. Got a felling that body is starting to get used to this distance. The next step is to maintain the pace and distance, and at the same time slowly increase my body strength.

120902

Rest day

Went to Samita's house for some good Sinhalese food. Generally, body wasn't at 100% as I caught flu towards the evening. Legs were aching as well, probably from the run the previous day. Anyway, will continue the training as scheduled tomorrow.

120901

Distance: 5.8km
Time: 40min
Average speed: 6.90min/km

Feedback: A rather slow run today. Ran with my new pair of New Balance running shoes I got in the afternoon. Was split for choices between NB and Nike, but although Nike weighs slightly lighter, the cushion for NB is thicker, which proportionally makes it heavier than Nike. However, the fitting is better than Nike, hence it was an easy choice to make.

Also ran with my new pair of tights, but too bad can't bring along my phone. Hence, no tracking done with Runkeeper. The stats today was just a rough estimation. Overall run was good. Tomorrow should be a rest day but might do another 5km, if time allows.

Started to feel that this south course is the best, with some slopes which provide a good practice for the killer stretch along the Aqua Line.

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.