I can't believe that this is my first blog post in 5 years... 5 years!?
The things that have happened since then.
Somehow I managed to get my new email account attached to this blog and it popped up on google. Thanks for taking over.
Time to start blogging upcoming races for memories.
Well where to start?!
I guess will start out with saying this was my 6th time running the Ondo Ekiden.
Everytime I have ran the 3rd section which is 3.8km. This sucker is engraved in my mind. Have had some tough memories here.
Will all things going on and not making time myself and a priority to run, did not do any interval runs leading up to this one. Was afraid of straining something or getting injured before and just thought would wing it.
Start things as usual.
1. Shin Taoka (same as always)
2. Koshi Gamo (repeater)
3. Jordan Langen
4. Duc Duong
5. Yagawa-san (Mazda)
6. James Marsh (repeater)
7. Omoto-san (repeater)
The course:
With leaving in Hiroshima city now, I woke up early and drove directly to Ondo from here. First time to do that. The wife and baby stayed back home to not get too tired for the long trip later in the afternoon.
Showed up at the Ondo Ground right next to the Shimin Center and meet with all of our teammates.
Sat through the loooong intro ceremony. Do we need to go to these anymore... hah
It's starting to be fun to go through the logistics of the race each year such as:
uniforms, bibs, after partys, pickup/luggage. Used to always find myself in the backside of things with planning but it is starting to be fun to take on more responsibility with things. I guess that is what becoming an adult is about huh. Crazy to think the first ONDO Ekiden I ran was 11 years ago! Holy smokes where has the time gone.
Back to the race.
It had just stopped raining and we shuttled out to our respective locations on the course.
Here is mine as always.
Started with same warm-up as always and for some reason, it still feels like the heart rate is increasing more than normal with just simple runs. Too many covid shots, too many beers, or too little Hiyamas and bicycle commuting like the good ol days. Or getting old. Probably a combo of everything had me feeling a little sluggish at the beginning wondering/worrying about how the body was going to feel once turning on the Engine to max RPMs. While jogging and warming up, had to sneak into a mtn road and drop a deuce to relieve the stomach. First time having to do that before an Ekiden aha. Getting lined up with an old pair of Nikes from Hiyama-san, old time Nike spandex and some tree truck legs with a jiggly butt, it was time to through down. Say Koshi barreling down the road in front of me about 5th/6th and was impressed with this placing. He handed the ribbon and I took off excited as always. Forgot to get the watch set before running so fiddled with it for a few seconds before being able to start really trying to run.
Looking down at the watch the first few times was 3:15 or so km pace and was feeling HR spike quickly. Felt like couldnt hold on to that at all so backed off a bit to what seemed like a 3:30 or so pace just to keep things realistic.
Heard footsteps coming from behind and it was a Hiroshima Kencho race club member cruising by. He finished in about 12 flat which is pretty dang fast. No chance was gonna not let him pass no matter how much I wanted.
The weather was perfect, flat road, and just my wishes to get closer and closer to that Hayase bridge in the distance.
Many spectators were screaming MORIMOTO IIN! Because they could read our race bib
森本医院
Probably half of those spectators were Morimoto senseis patients. haha
Trying to hang on to dear life with the pace and felt like was slowing more and more. Definatily regret not doing intervals. Probably thought that 15x during that short run.
As I was getting closer to the Hayase bridge saw a ton of the Morimoto family cheering which helped ALOT.
Kayoko, Yoshiaki, Miho, Keigo/Shogo, Hisari were all there cheering. Yoshiaki sure knows how to cheer! He pumped me up and I was able to not speed up, but not lose pace anymore than I had been rapidly at the point.
Finally saw the bridge getting closer and then saw Duc from Vietnam who was running his first Ekiden. Sped up as much as the body let me and was excited for Duc to run his first Ekiden in Japan. He had been in Kurahashi for a few years, went to Tokyo for a year and a half and finally came back to Kurahashi because he wanted to work on the island again. What a cool experience for him to join! I still remember my first Ekiden in Japan. haha
Passed Duc off the ribbon and saw him run towards Kurahashi. Met Doi-chan for which brought back memories of 11 years ago when I got the Kukansho for the 3rd segment. Maybe next year?! haha
Here are the splits:
Realize I need to stop comparing times to the past and what was and just enjoy the time now.
I am super grateful to be running out there pain free and laughing with friends.
Here is a pic after the race.
Oh ya! The results!
This year our goal for the team was to get top 10 and we got 7th. Not bad but would like to get top 5 next year! Maybe do some recruiting and shoot for top 3?! That is Shin's goal.
After we got to go Clayton Bay Hotel buffet thanks to Morimoto sensei's family. It was the first time going there since pre-covid! What a special treat!
Thank you Morimoto family for sponsoring the Ekiden and treating us to Clayton Bay!
Just happy to be typing this up quickly like old days. Time to get some goals started.
See ya shortly!
Memo for the future!
