Racing, Racing!

Hey all, finally back in business!

I just found out that I got a place in the 2013 Kobe marathon!  The best part, Natsuko is running as well!  Her first marathon, very exciting.

Also, I've started running with a friend who's preparing for a 100k in Hong Kong.  He has a strong marathon background but hasn't run for years.  So, we're working together to bring back his running fitness.  A very nice project :)

In preparation for his 100k, we'll be running/ jogging/ walking the Rokko-Juso Trail Race, also in Kobe.  This is a 50k trail run through Mt. Rokko which sits just north of Kobe city (check the mountain in the picture above and trail below).

Funnily enough, Rokko-Juso is 6 days after the Kobe marathon, so needless to say, I don't have any dreams of pushing it hard, just take it as it comes.

Anyway, time to scheme up some training plans.  Be back soon with ideas.

Motivation

Here's something I watch for a morning pick-me up.  Enjoy :)

Badwater Ultramarathon

Coming up in July is the ultimate of the ultimate, 135m through Death Valley in the Western USA.

Here's a great video to get you hooked.

Coffee and Racing

After kicking my coffee habit for the desert, I'm slowly being loured back in.  So, this ARTICLE from Triathlete Europe highlighting that coffee isn't such a bad thing for racing set me at ease.

Mt. Rokko

After a long post-MdS layoff, I'm slowly starting to move again.  Today, I headed for the hills.  Literally.

Mt. Rokko, one of many trails

Kobe in the forefront, Osaka in the distance
from Mt. Rokko

My first trip on the trails of Kobe's friendly northern neighbor.  I loved every second and plan to spend more time there.

UNICEF, Charity Stage: Marathon des Sables

Related Posts

From the dessert:  Check-in, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5

Post-race report:  Pre-race, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3), Stage 5


UNICEF, Charity Stage: 7.7k, I'm walking this one!

tent 58, prepped for the UNICEF Stage
somehow, Meghan, tent mate and top woman!, got cut from the right

Disclaimer: 99% of the time I take a positive outlook, and generally, I don't want this blog to be 'political' but I feel strongly about this, so here we go.


New to this year's race is the UNICEF charity stage, a non-competitive 7.7k stage that doesn't count towards standings or time.  In the 27 previous years of the MdS, this day would have been competitive stage 6 and would cover a half marathon making the full race about 250km.

While I'm sure every competitor supports raising awareness for good causes (most people were probably raising money for some charity), I don't think the organization of this charity stage was the best approach.

Here are my thoughts on how it was handled/ could be handled better:

1 ) Poor Communication - Explain this when racers sign up and give them a chance to raise money/ awareness in advance.  The fact that there would be a non-competitive stage was not made clear when we signed up (click HERE for my initial thoughts when I first found out in March).  We were not made aware that the race format was changing nor were we given a chance to raise money/ awareness.

2) Why Non-Competitive? - Make this a competitive, charity stage.  At the end of stage 5, we cross the 'finish' line, are given medals and told 'congrats, you finished!'  This race is more mind than body, and once these things occur, your spirit all but shuts down.  All the little things that were suppressed, now become magnified.  This makes getting up and preparing the next day all the more difficult.

3) Give the Injured a Break - Offer transport to those in serious need.  Many people push themselves to the brink to finish this race.  Over the week, I saw feet, injuries and exhaustion the likes of which I never knew.  But, in the same breath that these people are told to kick back and relax because 'you did it!', they're reminded that they have to do it again tomorrow.

Please don't think I'm angry about this stage.  It was actually quite nice.  I spent the time walking and chatting with my tent mates.  I just think it should be handled differently.

Anyway, the 8k took us about 2hrs, and we were on buses back to a shower and a bed.

Stage 5: Marathon des Sables

Related Posts

From the dessert:  Check-in, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5

Post-race report:  Pre-race, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 (1), Stage 4 (2), Stage 4 (3)

Stage 5 (marathon stage): 42.2k, more dunes!

Waking up on the last competitive day, I felt free.  Not sure if it was the completed long stage, the day of rest, the already covered 180k, the finisher's medal waiting at the end or the hot meal to come shortly after, but whatever it was, I was loose.

Morning, like clockwork.  Ready to go.

pic by Mark Gillett

 After the long-stage success, stuck to the run/ walk strategy with no anxiety this time.

To be honest, from start through CP2 is all a blur.  Not because I was running that fast, only because I was able to shut my brain off and just go.

Coming out of CP2 and looking at 4k of dunes, brain kicked in again.  Then, on a flat rocky patch, anxiety began to build, 'last day, don't leave anything out here.  Too early to let loose now?  Yeah, wait for CP3.'  Luckily, I did hold off a bit and would need that energy for another 3k of dunes ahead.

Around 31k, we exited the dunes to flat, and with CP3 not so far, it was time to get going.

Out of CP3, I was off to the races and heating up quickly.  I didn't care.  'Last 10k.  Keep it rolling.'

Passing through a cool (looking, not temp :) section of deep red ground, I lamented not being able to stop for pics, but there was business to take care of.

Finally, through a village that seemed all but abandoned, out the other end and flat, rocky trail to the finish.  'That's it, there it is!  Can't overheat now.  Keep pushing!'

6 days, 222k and an unmeasurable experience.

pic by Mark Gillett

I'm in the video at 17secs!

indescribable
pic by Mark Gillett

enjoying some time on our behinds!
Glenn (center) - good friend, saved me more than once
Steve (left) - tent mate, inspiration, finished 20th overall!
pic by Mark Gillett

In the spirit of the race, our shade time was short-lived.  We headed back into the sun to welcome home friends, tent mates, countrymen and total strangers.

Stage time:  5.19.31

Stage place:  147

Overall time:  32.48.33

Overall place:  167  (out of 970 finishers)