Here’s the story, in short (in no particular order)… 1. Japanese volunteers, race officials and spectators are more vocal on the whole than perhaps any spectators I’ve encountered this side of Boston. 2. Japanese spectators outstretch their hands more for high-fives than anywhere else I’ve seen. 3. At 28k, there are gorgeous Carnivalesque dancers clad…
Tag: training
China: Marathon Training Weekend
Friday, October 25th: 10 x 1 mile “Square” relay around Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai. Our InterSport team up against 106 other corporate teams from around Shanghai. Leigh & I rushed in from work, way from the other side of the city. Very little time to warm up–enough stretching time but only about 3/4 mile…
A Year In China, IV
Friends: I apologize for the formatting mess-up in this post. Tuesday, 10/08: 71 degrees, cloudy. Great conditions. Air somewhat improved, but still 120’s right now. Runable, but hoping for more improvement. Went out to run a few, but seems there was an endless recess period today. Kids from all grades, all directions, were flying around…
A Year in China, III
9/15: That was eerily rational. Chinese folks, at least 4 at once, stood fast as several of us exited the train at South Shaanxi. Wow. 9/16: Tired but less humidity, breezy, good air. I’m heading to InterSport. 4 classes today but felt like 2. 3 were 80 minute periods. But these sixth graders are great….
Healed, but…
Left—October 29th, nearly 4 days after fracturing left foot, fifth metatarsal: Right—December 11th, 6 weeks 5 days post-injury. New, thicker bone filling in the fracture line. I AM HEALED! Shouting from the rooftops!!!!! Alas, keeping boot on till next Thursday to help new bone transition through infancy. Then… Christmas run forthcoming!! My new life will…
Why Me?
I still can’t help but wonder: why me? Fractured foot———is this real, or a nightmare?! Just when I’ve been getting back into racing shape. No PRs on the immediate horizon, but I’ve been chipping away. And lately my racing instinct has been on the rise as I effectively put away two competitors in the final…
Fractured Foot/Gym Days IX-XI
Friday, 11/09: Legs Air cycling: x 8 (with duration of time) 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 2:00 1 minute x 4 (faster) Resistance Band: 1 minute x 3 times per hip Hammy weights: x 4 sets (at 27 kilos, except first at 23) 15 reps per set Adductor: x4–15 reps at 60lbs Abductor: x 4 –15 reps…
My 5 Worst Running Injuries
5. May-June ’99: Kwai, Botswana Injury & Cause: Some kind of unknown strain in foot occurring one day while racing kids on a dirt road in the middle of the Okavango Delta. Don’t remember how long without running at all, but this thing lingered into the beginning of cross country season and I had to…
Fractured Foot No Matter: 3 Days of Gym Work
Here’s what I’ve done today and each of the past two days in my quest to maintain running fitness while allowing recovery of my left foot. Found new cardio! Friday, 11/02: Hammy leg curls 50 lbs 4 x sets (15 reps per set) Air Bike (“cycling” with legs in air) 4 x for these seconds:…
6th Time’s a Charm, Right?
In the dark of night, they were coming for me. I didn’t know how close they were, but in that sixth attempt, I wanted it badly. I went out in the driver’s seat, as my tenth grade student runner Tony had done in last month’s race. Typically, I don’t lead from the gun. I build….
Meet One of the Fastest Runners in NYC
Welcome to the second edition of Meet a Bronxite. I would like to introduce everyone to Bobby Asher, one of the fastest and most consistently competitive runners in the New York City region. Mr. Asher is a teammate of mine with the Van Cortlandt Track Club (VCTC). Note: Minimal editing below for clarity but otherwise…
Part III: In the Palm of Your Hand, My Marathon Report
My marathon on April 30th, the expected race of a lifetime, was by 9.1 miles like my eyeglasses—flying through rain drenched air before bumping hard across slick asphalt. Recovered, the glasses slipped again from my confident grasp as I came nearly to a full and complete stop. Finally, the glasses perched again atop the bridge…
Don't Let My Parents Read This 