Garmin Forerunner 50 REVIEW

You’ve probably heard what it does and I can confirm you that it does exactly what it says on the tin, so to speak. It tells you the distance, speed, calorie burnt and heart rate. With a bit patient, it can be a very effective training device.

Now for the downside, it’s not very user-friendly. I can imagine my mum would be twiddling with it for ages and eventually shout out my name and ask for help. Secondly, the Garmin Ant USB as previously said by other users doesn’t work properly. The PCs I tried have crashed or it didn’t detect my device at all. Lastly, I got the kit brand new from Amazon UK but the battery was already gone. With further research, the watch actually has this reoccurring problem. Some said that it lasts less than the warranty which is 12 months. But I managed to change the battery myself without a hitch with a big big help from Marc who posted how to replace the battery for the Garmin Forerunner 50 at Fixya.

Overall, I’m fairly happy with it. It’s not the best product in the market but it’s affordable. If you could fork out a few more quid, buy or try out before you buy some other models. But if you fancy a no-nonsense watch for your training, then I would highly recommend this.

Lastly, thanks sis.

Tokyo Marathon 2009 Training WEEK 3

I did 20 min SPEEDWORK and 20 min EASY RUN on Thursday. I used the R.I.C.E treatment on my left knee after the run. I had a good form throughout the run and didn’t suffer any stiffness. I thought the warm-up and cool-down were adequate enough but my right leg suffered a slight cramp at the back on the next day. With a bit of stretching, it feels much better.

Nike Pegasus REVIEW

It’s comfy and lightweight and also pretty good value for money. Cheers bro for the Christmas gift. This will help me get thru winter training and gear up for the Tokyo Marathon 2009.

Nagano Marathon 2009 Application OPEN

I’m pleased to say that the Nagano Marathon 2009 application is now open. It’s just on its 11th year but already it has been attracting top athletes as well as amateur runners to participate in this great event. Since hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, Nagano has put itself on the map and is dedicated now to promote various sports in the area.

I can see the run being very scenic and tranquil as the course runs through valleys and mountains.

The deadline for foreign application is 27th February 2009 and the joining fee is JPY 6,000. You’ll get a T’shirt before the run and a towel when you finish. It’ll start from Nagano City Athletic Park and finish at The Olympic Stadium on Sunday, 19 April 2009. For more info, please have a look at their website.

R.I.C.E.

Not the food but it’s the first form of treatment to prevent injuries. It’s basically common sense and most peeps use this method of treatment already without actually knowing it.

The acronym R.I.C.E. stands for: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Rest is necessary so you don't stress the injury more. So stop, sit down, if necessary and rest.

Ice applied against the injury will reduce swelling and internal bleeding. As opposed to heat, coz it may increase the problem. A pack of frozen peas will do just the trick.

Compression will also reduce swelling, such as wrapping your leg with an elastic bandage.

Elevation will limit fluid buildup. So relax and put you feet up and raise the injured part higher than your heart whilst lying down.

Tokyo Marathon 2009 Training WEEK 2

I did SPEEDWORK today but due to fatigue and the pace, it made it a bit difficult for me to finish the 5-mile run. In all honesty, speed isn’t my thing and it’s the one thing I tend to take for granted. I know it meant to help you strengthen your legs but it made me stop twice and recover. After 2 miles, I slowed the pace down a little. Then I experienced a cramp at the back of my right leg. So I walked briskly just to do 3 miles but finally halted and stretched. I had a minute to recover and then began running again and finished the 5-mile run.

I need to concentrate more on my running form. My breathing seems OK as I’m not really gasping for air as much as I would expect because of SPEEDWORK. But my muscles aren’t getting enough oxygen thus tightening a little. So warm-up. Never skip it and always run your way. Listen to what your body is saying.

Tokyo Marathon 2009 Training WEEK 1

I actually rested for the whole week. My recovery rate has been pretty good but my nagging knee injury remains persistent. I needed to put my feet up for a while. So RELAX...

Tokyo Marathon 2009 Training Schedule

I decided to change my training and use Runner’s World SMART COACH. It gives me a 12-week plan and target mileage each week. The magazine is circulated worldwide and the website offers valuable resource for runners.

Toyota 10K 2008

It was tougher than I first anticipated. But no soreness or any signs of injury on the next day and the day after. Maybe I could have done better and improve my split time per km but overall I felt good after the run.

Nagoya CIty Marathon 2008

After much deliberation and also, conflict with timing and work, I've decided to skip the Nagoya City Marathon this year and hope to join the next year's race.

Tokyo Marathon 2009 Training Schedule

I’ve made my own marathon training schedule adapted from Hal Higdon's MARATHON TRAINING GUIDE. So far, so good! The only comment I have in my first few runs is that fitting all the short runs in my schedule with my work commitment is fairly hard. I have to juggle all of the days to achieve the weekly mileage target. I will try and keep it up until the Toyota 10K and alter it a little thereafter.

Nemo is in!

I received an email confirmation yesterday and I have been selected for the Tokyo Marathon 2009, which will be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Office Building from 9:00am on Sunday, 22nd March 2009. It’s gonna be my first full marathon so wish me luck. Gambarimasu!

Anjali Yoga

Anjali Yoga is based in Cape Town, South Africa. It offers a more complete, holistic approach of yoga to strengthen, energise and even detoxify or purify, in a spiritual sense, your entire body. The instructor, a good friend of nemo, is a fantastic humatarian and will be more than happy to show and guide you the beauty of your inner self through yoga and dance. She’s been taught in a traditional way and even went to the Himalayas to acquire the technique. R.UN Japan is very proud of Anjali Yoga and would like to recommend everyone to contribute one way or another to bringing peace in the world. And remember, it all starts from within.

Footie in J-land

My love of footie hasn’t faded away since being here in J-land. Being a Brit, I think, it’s in the blood. But sometimes the beautiful game is sometimes lost in translation. Imagine your rooting for your favourite team and the commentators are speaking in another language, then you'll be a liitle at a lost. And sometimes it loses the whole intensity of the match. However, I'm just glad the Premier League is, on occasion, broadcasted on NHK BS1 or BS2 terrestrial channel especially when the Big Four play. Or if you’re really loaded you can subscribe to J-sports, a cable sports channel and it’ll inundate you of all the fixtures, matches and results so you don't miss a thing. It's kinda like Sky sports back home. But what’s disappointing, as well as kinda acceptable at times, is calling footie soccer in J-land. Due to the US influence of American Football, it's fairly big here too and the growing popularity of footie, Japan and South Korea having hosted the World Cup, one needs to differentiate the other. However, clarification is still needed when talking about the beautiful game. When one mentions football, the other might say 'oh you mean soccer'. And when one pronounces it, it's so strong that it sounds like ‘sucker’ as if someone’s cursing you. If you say 'sucker', the other will probably say 'oh you mean football'. You can’t win! Some J-peeps either devote to call it ‘football’ or ‘sucker’. Maybe it’s because they both learn British and American English and would rather stick to one style. Furthermore, to add to the mayhem, Australian English may have a different notion to it all.

It is a funny old sport. Spirits run high with this game. The J-peeps adore footie. Popularity is increasing so rapidly that it may challenge baseball in the future as Japan’s No. 1 sport. Come on!

Nagoya Half Marathon 2008 Application OPEN

Still thinking. Hmm?

Sky Hall Toyota

Sky Hall Toyota provides all your sporting needs when it comes to training and indoor sports. The complex has different facilities. The gym, for instance, is particularly large, where there are a number of different exercise and weight training machines. Mats are available to those whose into yoga and free weights to anyone whose into heavy-duty training. Next door is the aerobic hall, sessions like hip-hop dancing, and other aerobic programmes are held weekly. There is also a massage room and health check room. The staff can even provide you a course, where they would measure your BMI and create a program to meet your needs. There is no pool but for only 300 yen per session, it's a done deal!

Me New BIKE

It was quite tricky getting meself a bike actually due to my size I needed to opt for a 28in frame. Bicycling in J-land is as common as eating rice and miso soup. Every kid in the block at point or another would have cycled to and fro his/her school. The most common one would set you back around 10,000 yen. You would get the basic stuff in silver, probably with just one gear and fairly heavy in weight and as a final touch, a basket at the front. Mine is a slight upgrade with 6 speed-gear change for those hilly roads and a fitted-automatic headlamp for cruise mode at night. I must admit it's a fantastic way to get in shape and if you alternate running and cross-training with cycling, you'll get a thorough CV workout. Again, it all depends on your training but for a good sweat and a fat burning workout, 1-2 hour(s) cycling a day would do just the trick.

Toyota 10K 2008 Application

I wanted to practice running and perfect my 10K with the run up to the Tokyo Marathon 2009, which is still pending BTW. Although I am a little gutted having missed the The NIKE + HUMAN RACE 10K at Mt. Fuji, the Toyota 10K offers a more relaxed run for all the family. In fact, you can choose from a 5K run to a 10K walk. It's up to you, whatever tickle your fancy!

Registration is 1,500 yen and you get an official T'shirt sent to you at a later date. The run is on Saturday, 30th November 2008.

Tokyo Marathon 2009 Application

Nemo's registered for the Tokyo Marathon 2009. Although it is still in progress, a confirmation of acceptance will be sent in November. But he is already gearing up for the run. Come on!

Intro

Name any sports or any fitness regime. One activity, one way or another, running will be part of the training. R.UN Japan wants to share with you the obvious that running is great for your health as well as it enhances your self-motivation. It's just you and the open road. Setting a goal and fulfilling it create wholeness within your body and overall self. I don't want to be particularly religious about it but running has a sense of zen-ism. Finding it and keeping it will fulfill your goal. Not just the run itself but life too.