I went again today. Why?? I got up, and went running. It was short, it was slow...but I was running.
I'm scaring myself.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
A Quick Run
No time for the pool, and too much stuff to carry to and from school to be biking. So after school I was feeling wild and crazy and went for a 25 minute walk/run. Seriously...what has gotten into me?
Then I went and ate a massive Nepalese meal complete with a huge naan and rice! Yum!!
Then I went and ate a massive Nepalese meal complete with a huge naan and rice! Yum!!
Monday, June 25, 2007
1200m
400s/200k/300p/200s/100s
Just a quick dip before the pool closed. Half the Masters team was there swimming, or actually just talking.
Can't go to practice tomorrow. I'll try to get to the pool again later this week!
Total: 1200m 40min.
Just a quick dip before the pool closed. Half the Masters team was there swimming, or actually just talking.
Can't go to practice tomorrow. I'll try to get to the pool again later this week!
Total: 1200m 40min.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Mt. Oitsurushiyama
Chica and I climbed Mt. Oitsurushiyama again today! I was doubtful about the climb because it's been pouring the last two days, but this morning was dry! The trail was a little wet and slippery, but it wasn't raining!!
It's just 10am and I've already gone for a three hour hike, showered and eaten! Yatta!! Of course it meant that I got up at 4:45! But anyway, now I have the whole day ahead of me! And it's gonna be a long one. Two good-bye meals to attend!
Total: 3 hours 5.2km
Thursday, June 21, 2007
A Rainy Run
I felt drugged when I got home from school today--so tired I could barely stand up straight. I had to lay down for 10 minutes before I went to go tutor. And then I was planning to go to the pool, but was still exhausted so I came back home and laid down for about 45 minutes. I popped up and decided to eat dinner but still felt so drugged so I decided to go for a walk/run. Strange, I know, but I just felt like I needed to get my blood moving. I walked about 10 minutes, ran about 10 minutes and then walked another 5 minutes. It felt good to be out and moving, but still exhausted. Although I feel better now.
It wasn't raining when I left the house, but by the time I got home it was pouring. It was nice to be out in the rain.
Not sure if I'll have to run in the relay marathon on July 6th, but it's a possibility. So I should get a few more runs in before that.
It wasn't raining when I left the house, but by the time I got home it was pouring. It was nice to be out in the rain.
Not sure if I'll have to run in the relay marathon on July 6th, but it's a possibility. So I should get a few more runs in before that.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Cleaning Time
Packed up and ready to go home, I noticed all the teachers had just changed into their 'sports wear'. I asked the English teacher that sits next to me what everyone was doing today. She said the school was going to go volunteer cleaning the underground walkway/subway that allow students to cross the busy streets and avoid all the traffic. Ehh...nobody told me. But it was after 4:15 and I only had work clothes so I said 'next time ne' and walked out the door. But it just so happened that I met up with students and a few teachers as they were walking to the cleaning site. And it was my favorite teacher...my crush! So, how could I not help!?! I rolled up my pants, threw down my bike and bag and grabbed an extra broom. Thirty minutes later everyone was sweating and exhausted! But it was fun, I miss doing labor activities. Not exactly a workout, but since the pool was closed....this is about all I'm gonna get in today!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
KMSC 2450m
300s/300p/300k/150s
200IM k
200IM p
200IM drill
6x100 IM
50ez
6x25 2nd 25 FAST, all others EZ
Total: 2450m 1hr. 20 min.
I was seriously debating going to practice tonight. But I checked my horoscope and it said I shouldn't cancel any plans because people are expecting me. So I went. Maybe it's a lame way to make a decision, but it got me to the pool. I told myself I would resist any attempts to ask me to 'coach' tonight. I was in a bad bad mood and didn't want to do anything but swim. After the warm-ups and everyone started gathering at the end of the lane...they started asking. I told them I wasn't feeling well and didn't want to tonight. That only lasted for a few minutes. They tried cajole a few other swimmers with no luck so they came back to me. Agh! I said again I wasn't in the mood and I had a bad day so therefore I'd be really strict tonight. Could they handle it? They didn't seem concerned.
So we started with the 200's. Not bad, but of course nobody could swim them without stopping because there are too many people and too many slow people in the lane. I was lucky if I could swim a full 25. Sometimes I ended up sculling just so I wasn't passing people. Nobody passes people here at swim practice!
Then I announced the 6x100 IM set. Everyone groaned and laughed and said 'impossible'. And apparently it was for almost everyone. Only two of us actually finished it. All the women gave up after the 1st one and decided they would do every other 100. And one guy disappeared to use the bathroom. And another guy just disappeared. I warned them. When the women weren't swimming they were standing at the end of the lane cheering us on. Ha ha ha. Nothing like swimming with your cheerleaders in the water with you.
Anyway, after everyone finished, we did a small little 25 set for the last five minutes. And I announced that if you completed the workout it was 1400m. I'm not sure anyone has swam that much before at practice, but of course only the new kid in his 20s finished it with me. But everyone was saying 'tanoshikata.' Whatever! I think they'll be glad to see me go next month!.
Nothing like taking out a bad day on a group of innocent middle-aged masters swimmers!
200IM k
200IM p
200IM drill
6x100 IM
50ez
6x25 2nd 25 FAST, all others EZ
Total: 2450m 1hr. 20 min.
I was seriously debating going to practice tonight. But I checked my horoscope and it said I shouldn't cancel any plans because people are expecting me. So I went. Maybe it's a lame way to make a decision, but it got me to the pool. I told myself I would resist any attempts to ask me to 'coach' tonight. I was in a bad bad mood and didn't want to do anything but swim. After the warm-ups and everyone started gathering at the end of the lane...they started asking. I told them I wasn't feeling well and didn't want to tonight. That only lasted for a few minutes. They tried cajole a few other swimmers with no luck so they came back to me. Agh! I said again I wasn't in the mood and I had a bad day so therefore I'd be really strict tonight. Could they handle it? They didn't seem concerned.
So we started with the 200's. Not bad, but of course nobody could swim them without stopping because there are too many people and too many slow people in the lane. I was lucky if I could swim a full 25. Sometimes I ended up sculling just so I wasn't passing people. Nobody passes people here at swim practice!
Then I announced the 6x100 IM set. Everyone groaned and laughed and said 'impossible'. And apparently it was for almost everyone. Only two of us actually finished it. All the women gave up after the 1st one and decided they would do every other 100. And one guy disappeared to use the bathroom. And another guy just disappeared. I warned them. When the women weren't swimming they were standing at the end of the lane cheering us on. Ha ha ha. Nothing like swimming with your cheerleaders in the water with you.
Anyway, after everyone finished, we did a small little 25 set for the last five minutes. And I announced that if you completed the workout it was 1400m. I'm not sure anyone has swam that much before at practice, but of course only the new kid in his 20s finished it with me. But everyone was saying 'tanoshikata.' Whatever! I think they'll be glad to see me go next month!.
Nothing like taking out a bad day on a group of innocent middle-aged masters swimmers!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
~1000m with Erika
500s
25s
100s
Total: ~100m 70min.
Two years ago, when I first arrived in Japan, I had told my welcome host family how much I loved swimming. That fall my host mom introduced me to the local pool. Unfortunately, it was a therapy pool and far too warm and too small to do serious lap swimming. As I was attempting laps, I met an elementary school student swimming with her grandmother. We started chatting and through gestures, my inadequate Japanese and her elementary English, we had an impromptu swimming lesson. She was already a good swimmer, so we worked on pushing off the wall and doing flip-turns. It was a great opportunity for both of us. She got a mini-swim lesson with a foreigner, and I received a lesson on how easy it is to become immersed in a new community.
Two years later, that same girl who fumbled over flip-turns while I fumbled over Japanese, was sitting in front of me waiting for an answer. I smiled, pointed to my head, and said, “Yes, of course I remember.” Her eyes were twinkling. We talked about that day, about whether she still swims at that pool, and about her good memory. It was soon evident that her speaking test, a measure of her English knowledge, had become a real communicative experience without the focus on grammar and the ‘right’ answer. We were connecting and she was passing with flying colors. She had communicated and had done it in fluent English. It was not perfect English, but it was fluent! She was motivated to say what she knew without any preparation or prompting. A connection -- inspiring real communication -- is far more meaningful than correct or ‘perfect’ answers on a speaking test.
25s
100s
Total: ~100m 70min.
Two years ago, when I first arrived in Japan, I had told my welcome host family how much I loved swimming. That fall my host mom introduced me to the local pool. Unfortunately, it was a therapy pool and far too warm and too small to do serious lap swimming. As I was attempting laps, I met an elementary school student swimming with her grandmother. We started chatting and through gestures, my inadequate Japanese and her elementary English, we had an impromptu swimming lesson. She was already a good swimmer, so we worked on pushing off the wall and doing flip-turns. It was a great opportunity for both of us. She got a mini-swim lesson with a foreigner, and I received a lesson on how easy it is to become immersed in a new community.
Two years later, that same girl who fumbled over flip-turns while I fumbled over Japanese, was sitting in front of me waiting for an answer. I smiled, pointed to my head, and said, “Yes, of course I remember.” Her eyes were twinkling. We talked about that day, about whether she still swims at that pool, and about her good memory. It was soon evident that her speaking test, a measure of her English knowledge, had become a real communicative experience without the focus on grammar and the ‘right’ answer. We were connecting and she was passing with flying colors. She had communicated and had done it in fluent English. It was not perfect English, but it was fluent! She was motivated to say what she knew without any preparation or prompting. A connection -- inspiring real communication -- is far more meaningful than correct or ‘perfect’ answers on a speaking test.
As she was leaving I said, “Let’s go swimming again.” She turned and beamed as she "Yes".
Today we went swimming together!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Mt. Oitsurushiyama
Today Chica-san and I climbed Mt. Oitsurushiyama in Nyuzen. It is 6km roundtrip and about 3 hours, 90 minutes up and 90 minutes down. It is a super step trail and there is rope along many sections of it to help you get up and down. It was lightly raining for part of the hike, but at the top it was clear and dry. We might try to do it a few more times before the end of July to help get me ready for the big one this fall.
At the top of the mountain, less than 1000m!
We saw monkeys at the bottom!!
After the hike, Chica and I stopped at her farming patch and picked strawberries! So delicious!
At the top of the mountain, less than 1000m!
We saw monkeys at the bottom!!
After the hike, Chica and I stopped at her farming patch and picked strawberries! So delicious!Monday, June 04, 2007
KMSC 2650m
Warm-up:
500s/100p/300k/100p/100scull/100p
Sets:
5x50 kick :10 rest
5x50 pull :10 rest
10x50 every 3rd choice :10 rest
8x25 4th at 60-75% :5 rest
50scull
Cool Down
200s
Yep, I swam at a meet yesterday and got back in the pool today. I gotta stay in shape, or more like it....get in shape!! Not too many people showed up today, and none of the 'coaches' showed. I thought after all of yesterdays criticism about my strokes I would NEVER be asked to coach again. But hair dryer man stopped me and assigned me to be the 'teacher' for the fast lane. Everyone was tired and sore, so tried to keep them moving without too much excertion. It was all supposed to be pretty easy, stretched out and long. But not everyone could do it and with so many people in one lane, it was hard to stay on the :5/10 rest. It was more like :20-25 for me. But everyone seemed happy that they had swam 1250m at the end!
And after practice I got some pictures from Reiko. I took pictures of the pictures because I hadn't bothered with many photos yesterday. I posted those below in the meet posting.
500s/100p/300k/100p/100scull/100p
Sets:
5x50 kick :10 rest
5x50 pull :10 rest
10x50 every 3rd choice :10 rest
8x25 4th at 60-75% :5 rest
50scull
Cool Down
200s
Yep, I swam at a meet yesterday and got back in the pool today. I gotta stay in shape, or more like it....get in shape!! Not too many people showed up today, and none of the 'coaches' showed. I thought after all of yesterdays criticism about my strokes I would NEVER be asked to coach again. But hair dryer man stopped me and assigned me to be the 'teacher' for the fast lane. Everyone was tired and sore, so tried to keep them moving without too much excertion. It was all supposed to be pretty easy, stretched out and long. But not everyone could do it and with so many people in one lane, it was hard to stay on the :5/10 rest. It was more like :20-25 for me. But everyone seemed happy that they had swam 1250m at the end!
And after practice I got some pictures from Reiko. I took pictures of the pictures because I hadn't bothered with many photos yesterday. I posted those below in the meet posting.
富山県マスターズ水泳短水路大会2007
Toyama Masters Short Course Swim Meet 2007
Before meeting the team behind the Kurobe City Hospital at 6:45AM, I ate rice and nattou, packed a few snacks and checked my bag again to make sure I had my goggles and cap. At the hospital we paid up, 2900Y to swim two events plus a relay and lunch. And then I climbed in a car and zoned out for 40 minutes as we drove to the pool. I got the required, "Where are you from in America?", "Where's that?", "My daughter went to American once." conversation and then everyone stopped talking. I was absolutely fine with that because I hate talking to people before 8AM.
As soon as we got to the pool, claimed our prime real estate in the bleachers right above the 25meter bulk head, I changed into 3 suits and got in for a warm up. Even with three pools, and 7-8 lanes for swimming, it is hard to do more than a 50 without having to stop and wait for someone to get out of the way. But I managed to get in a 950m warm-up.
900m
2x start + 25m
About 30minutes after opening ceremony and the start of the meet I headed back down for another 200 warm-up. Luckily or not, my races were almost back to back. So I didn't have to wait around a lot in-between. First up...the 100 breast! There was only two heats of women. I was in the second or younger heat. And yet again, I was seated next to a super fast woman from Uozu, the next town over. But I just realized who she is. She is at the pool on Monday nights privately coaching two sisters before the Masters team starts. I've chatted with her a few times, not realizing that she is my archenemy in breaststroke! Ha ha ha, well, it doesn't really matter cause she kicked my ass again!! I think she finished a full 6 seconds before me. And she holds the record in my age group and hers. I didn't swim a great race. My turns kinda sucked, I'm not sure I did a full underwater pull. And my last 50 I got super tight and slowed way down. Also after watching the video twice at the dinner party...I was told my pull is all off and I don't tuck my head enough (or at all). But even with those flaws I managed to get first in my age group. Although I'm not sure if there was anyone else swimming! :)
A teammate blow drying his hair in the stands.
Again, I jumped in the cool down/warm-up pool, swam another 2-300m and got out for the next event. The 100m IM is more of a fun event....or it's supposed to be! I have signed up for it the last few meets because it's something different I haven't done before. This time around, my goggles slipped. It wasn't horrible, but they started filling up with water during my fly, luckily it was only 25m. During back they were able to drain a little and I was able to turn my head enough to squeeze them back on with my arm during its rotation. Of course my back was the slowest and I was really far behind. But during the breast I was able to pick up speed and catch up to the woman next to me and we turned at the wall at the exact same time (video clip). This got us both going for the last 25, my competitive edge kicked in and my only goal was to out touch her. I did! But watching the video makes it look like I was just enjoying a lazy swim through the pool. My arms are barely moving. I really need to work on arm turnover. So, I survived the goggles and came in first in my age group again. I'm guessing the girl I out touched was also my age group, so maybe I really did get first in that one!
Lunch Time!! Well, I hate to eat too much, but I had almost two hours before the next race. So I scarfed a few white bread sandwhiches from a convienence store. So healthy, I know! But that's what they had for our lunch. Either that or a rice ball or a Japanese bento. And I just can't do Japanese food in that situation. The last thing I want to taste in my mouth is fish or soy sauce as I'm diving into the water! San Tache has arrived just at the end of my breast event, but caught the IM. We hung out in the bleachers and watched the meet for awhile until I went back down for a final warm-up.
My last Masters event in Japan with the Kurobe Masters Swim Club was a 200 Medley Relay. I swam 50 breast. I wasn't really paying attention to how far ahead our fly swimmer was of the pack, but I was the first one in the water, and I was the first breast swimmer to touch. We finished first in the only heat! But we didn't break the record which was set last year by a team with San Tache on it! Bummer!!
The 200 Medley Relay Team: Yoshiko (fly), Me (breast), Ueyama (back), Takamatsu (free)
So, all in all, I placed first in all my events! That's a lifetime personal best for me! I've never gotten first in anything! But, since I've started practicing with the Masters team my times have gotten worse!! I was much slower this year than I was last year! That's a bad sign.
At the dinner we had a mini-awards ceremony. Everyone was super excited that I got first in all my events (as was I) and the Club President asked if I got an PR's. I honestly didn't know. But looking back on my times...they are some of my worst!! Depressing! But I guess given the practices it's not super surprising. I might be better off to swim in my own lane on Monday nights and do a real workout. But I have less than 2 months left. I might as well keep swimming with them. And hope that the next team I join in the next country I live in pushes me more!
Hairdryer man and I pose with my 1st Place Awards.
Reiko-chan is so super cute!!
A photo of a photo that Reiko took at the dinner!
Overall Results:
Total: ~2000m, all freakin' day!
100m Breast 1:35.75
100m IM 1:31.21
200m IM relay 2:19.66 (I think my split was a 43 or 46?)
As soon as we got to the pool, claimed our prime real estate in the bleachers right above the 25meter bulk head, I changed into 3 suits and got in for a warm up. Even with three pools, and 7-8 lanes for swimming, it is hard to do more than a 50 without having to stop and wait for someone to get out of the way. But I managed to get in a 950m warm-up.
900m
2x start + 25m
About 30minutes after opening ceremony and the start of the meet I headed back down for another 200 warm-up. Luckily or not, my races were almost back to back. So I didn't have to wait around a lot in-between. First up...the 100 breast! There was only two heats of women. I was in the second or younger heat. And yet again, I was seated next to a super fast woman from Uozu, the next town over. But I just realized who she is. She is at the pool on Monday nights privately coaching two sisters before the Masters team starts. I've chatted with her a few times, not realizing that she is my archenemy in breaststroke! Ha ha ha, well, it doesn't really matter cause she kicked my ass again!! I think she finished a full 6 seconds before me. And she holds the record in my age group and hers. I didn't swim a great race. My turns kinda sucked, I'm not sure I did a full underwater pull. And my last 50 I got super tight and slowed way down. Also after watching the video twice at the dinner party...I was told my pull is all off and I don't tuck my head enough (or at all). But even with those flaws I managed to get first in my age group. Although I'm not sure if there was anyone else swimming! :)
A teammate blow drying his hair in the stands.Again, I jumped in the cool down/warm-up pool, swam another 2-300m and got out for the next event. The 100m IM is more of a fun event....or it's supposed to be! I have signed up for it the last few meets because it's something different I haven't done before. This time around, my goggles slipped. It wasn't horrible, but they started filling up with water during my fly, luckily it was only 25m. During back they were able to drain a little and I was able to turn my head enough to squeeze them back on with my arm during its rotation. Of course my back was the slowest and I was really far behind. But during the breast I was able to pick up speed and catch up to the woman next to me and we turned at the wall at the exact same time (video clip). This got us both going for the last 25, my competitive edge kicked in and my only goal was to out touch her. I did! But watching the video makes it look like I was just enjoying a lazy swim through the pool. My arms are barely moving. I really need to work on arm turnover. So, I survived the goggles and came in first in my age group again. I'm guessing the girl I out touched was also my age group, so maybe I really did get first in that one!
Lunch Time!! Well, I hate to eat too much, but I had almost two hours before the next race. So I scarfed a few white bread sandwhiches from a convienence store. So healthy, I know! But that's what they had for our lunch. Either that or a rice ball or a Japanese bento. And I just can't do Japanese food in that situation. The last thing I want to taste in my mouth is fish or soy sauce as I'm diving into the water! San Tache has arrived just at the end of my breast event, but caught the IM. We hung out in the bleachers and watched the meet for awhile until I went back down for a final warm-up.
My last Masters event in Japan with the Kurobe Masters Swim Club was a 200 Medley Relay. I swam 50 breast. I wasn't really paying attention to how far ahead our fly swimmer was of the pack, but I was the first one in the water, and I was the first breast swimmer to touch. We finished first in the only heat! But we didn't break the record which was set last year by a team with San Tache on it! Bummer!!
The 200 Medley Relay Team: Yoshiko (fly), Me (breast), Ueyama (back), Takamatsu (free)So, all in all, I placed first in all my events! That's a lifetime personal best for me! I've never gotten first in anything! But, since I've started practicing with the Masters team my times have gotten worse!! I was much slower this year than I was last year! That's a bad sign.
At the dinner we had a mini-awards ceremony. Everyone was super excited that I got first in all my events (as was I) and the Club President asked if I got an PR's. I honestly didn't know. But looking back on my times...they are some of my worst!! Depressing! But I guess given the practices it's not super surprising. I might be better off to swim in my own lane on Monday nights and do a real workout. But I have less than 2 months left. I might as well keep swimming with them. And hope that the next team I join in the next country I live in pushes me more!
Hairdryer man and I pose with my 1st Place Awards. 
Reiko-chan is so super cute!!
A photo of a photo that Reiko took at the dinner!Overall Results:
Total: ~2000m, all freakin' day!
100m Breast 1:35.75
100m IM 1:31.21
200m IM relay 2:19.66 (I think my split was a 43 or 46?)
(I'll try to post a few pics and maybe some video soon)
Saturday, June 02, 2007
1500m
200s
100brst
100bk
4x25 fly drills
200k w/brd fr/brst
200k w/0 brd fr/brst
300p
2x50 25 sprint brst/25 ez
200s
The last swim before the meet tomorrow. There has been no tapering because there was no real training. So I decided to step it up today and wear 6 suits! I felt like I was wearing body armour! At least tomorrow it'll feel like I'm tapered. Which reminds me...I gotta shave tonight.
100brst
100bk
4x25 fly drills
200k w/brd fr/brst
200k w/0 brd fr/brst
300p
2x50 25 sprint brst/25 ez
200s
The last swim before the meet tomorrow. There has been no tapering because there was no real training. So I decided to step it up today and wear 6 suits! I felt like I was wearing body armour! At least tomorrow it'll feel like I'm tapered. Which reminds me...I gotta shave tonight.
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