18 days until the marathon

Two years ago, I developed an injury just before the Tokyo Marathon and couldn't start it. This year I took a different approach to training - the number one rule being, if I felt a problem beginning I took a day off.

Now it's just dawned on me that I've completed my hard training. I'm tapering for the marathon now, and that means I'm unlikely to develop an injury. Basically, barring a terrible misfortune, I've made it to the start line!

24 days until Tokyo Marathon

Walking a tightrope at the moment with my training for the Tokyo Marathon. Both Achilles tendons would like very much to cause me difficulties, my knees need daily icing and the lymph gland on the right hand side of my neck is a bit swollen and sore. But two more long runs and I'm into recovery mode.

Enjoying my running

I'm really enjoying my running at the moment. Losing 1-2 kilograms has made me realise I can go faster with less effort - it's making my track sessions a lot more enjoyable.

I got my time and result for the Okutama ekiden that was held in December, and I was pleased to see I set a new club record, and was among the fastest 25 runners for that stage.

At the track last night we did 4 x 1,600m. Hard mentally, but I ran almost exactly even splits: 5.27, 5.23, 5.25, 5.25.

This Sunday is Shibuya Ekiden, a short and fast race of 2.8km. I'm feeling a little stale, but I hope to feel good on the day - I think we can podium.

Achilles

Why does my achilles feel fine when I run but sore when I don't? I've done no miles for three days and the achilles feels a little worse. Still nothing ice and rest can't fix.

Oda Field in the rain

Bit of an odd night of training tonight - it was cold and very wet.

The plan was 2km, 1km, 2km, 1km - but I missed the start of the first 2km, so I ran it as a warm-up.

Then I ran 3.09, 6.51, 3.14.

I felt OK, but I didn't realised my 3.09 was actually rather quick.

My achilles is just bothering me a little.

Training's going really well

I daren't tempt fate, but my training is progressing better than ever before. I'm injury free bar a few little niggles (including a left ankle that's felt tight for months) and I'm getting stronger and faster quickly.

My weight has dropped to the low 59kg range (from 62-63 only four months ago) and I've managed six weeks in a row doing at least one run of more than 2 hours each week plus other long runs of around 90 minutes. This week, I've done a race, then 2 hours, 90 min x 70%, and 90 min x 90% (until I cracked at 83 minutes and slowed).

Tokyo Marathon is around 12 weeks away - a bit less - so I can fit in 10 weeks of solid training if my body continues to let me and, hopefully, my weight also will continue to fall.

Running again

Back to regular long runs. Still have a bit of a problem with my ankle, and my hip (piriformis) is very tight, but I can run every day without any major issues.

running again - just

My achilles pain has gone on the right side, but it's just there on the left - 2 out of 10 pain when I'm NOT running and no pain when I am. Did 1 hour today and yesterday. Seems to make no difference to the pain I feel. Yesterday my legs felt really tight, today they felt OK, but not good.

If my left leg was a car...

...I'd have to take it to the wrecking yard. Ran again this week, because my achilles had improved. But three 30 minute runs later and I've got pains in my ankle, foot and both sides of my knee - all on the left side.

Injured

My achilles is not getting better, and my massuer is getting worried, so I can't run. Today, I did a 35-minute walk. I felt like such a loser - walking sucks. I did learn some new things about my area though - fashion designer Issey Miyake's factory is near my house - I never knew that. And I found quite a big temple too. So maybe there are some good reasons to slow down - you get to see stuff. But all in all, I feel about as happy as the little guy above...