Evening Run

I signed up for the MCAS Futenma WestPac Marine Corps Marathon last week and decided to make it a long training run. I figured it would be good timing for a really long run and it was.

The course was nice. It was a 5 mile loop so the relay teams that were going at the same time could be 5 mile legs. I started the race with the plan of 9 minute miles for the first leg and 8 minute miles as long as I could hold them afterward.

So, I ran the first lap a little fast, in 41:35, at least it was slower than 8:00/mile. I really picked it up at the end of the next lap in 38:32. I figured I would hold back a little more and did with a 39:36 for the 3rd lap. Then, the 4th lap gave me a little resistance and I only managed a 44:06.

On the last 5 miles my legs started to go. I ran a 49:04 and finished with a time of 3:32:55 and finished 4th place in the race.

Afternoon Run

Will and I met up for a long run. Will had 16 in mind while I only wanted 9. So the compromise was that I biked out to Araha beach and ran with him until Kadena Marina and back. I followed him in the bike to and from our normal meeting place. I got in 9.6 miles in 92 minutes. It was just about a perfect long run for my current condition.

As for my condition, I continued to gain weight over the last 2 weeks. I had a trip to Osaka for a wedding and then got sick for the beginning of the week. My real problem is that I removed running from my list of top priorities. Although I don't plan on rejoining with FreeRun, I plan to make running a priority.

First step is my weight. I need to get back to around 70kg. I am back up to 85.8 now. (Not quite as bad as my 100kg from 3 years ago!) So I need to focus on my weight. But my plan has 2 more major points.

Number 2 is my strength. I have not included a strength program like I kept in high school and college. I now am convinced this is what led to my muscle imbalances that led me to my recent injuries.

Last will be flexibility. I will make gains in flexibility will I lose weight and gain strength. I will do all of this by the first of the year, when I will make solid running goals.

I want to be in the fitness that I can start thinking about breaking 33 in the 10k, 55 in the 10 mile, and 75 in the half marathon. I am thinking about hosting a 30k workout race on the habu trail the first week of January. I also am putting together a Runners' Moi (a kind of monthly-get-together).

Evening Run

In the evening I did the Wii fit for the first time, I bought it for Chikako but I figured I would take advantage of it to track my weight-loss goals and have some fun with it.

After that Chikako and I did a 2.6 miler in the parks near our apartment. It was a good run and I hope to encourage Chikako to train for her marathon in December. I missed sign up so I plan on getting and entry from someone that already signed up but cannot attend. That way I can run with her.

Lunchtime Run

It had been raining hard for 5 days straight so it had been unseasonably cool. So Will and I set out at lunchtime dressed expecting the same weather. But we didn't get nice cool rain.

The sun came out and we baked in high humidity for a 60 minute run. The route was nice; we ran by 2 beaches. The view was nice too; as we were running back there was a group of women. One was dressed in a sun dress and it kept blowing open in the wind to give a good bikini view.

I ran by and said, "kaze arigatou!" Japanese for, "Thank you wind!" the girls broken into laughter and the women gave us one last intentional flash. It was funny and appreciated.

Lunchtime Run

I haven't been running nearly as much as I like. And it is showing in my belly, with a 20 lb weight gain since February. I have been off and on with less interest since my injury and my appetite for competitive running isn't as high.

Will helped me today. We are starting to run at lunchtime. I am hoping that runs like these will help me stay consistent enough to get where I was early in the year. Or further.

We did a great 7.7 mile run in about 72 minutes. It started and finished at Gunners Gym and we managed to make it to the park in the center of Okinawa city before looping back around.

Evening Run

This was a really fun run. I wanted to try something new and use a cab to get in a nice one-way run. I ran from the hotel to the Shin-Iwakuni station. This was a very scenic route by the river and the Kintai castle. It took 1 hour and 15 minutes in heavy rain. I enjoyed every minute of the 8 mile run. The cab was a little costly at $30 maybe I will start using the train to get me back instead.