2010 for 2010

OK, so the plan was to hit 2010 miles to ring in the year 2010. I hit 2001.2 on the 28th, and it was looking good, but it was also the crux of family holiday/travel time.

Long story short, I hit the 31st still needing that last 8.8, but with blisters on my feet from snorkeling (no size 13 flippers in Japan...), and a very narrow window to fit in my run between a flight and an appointment in Tokyo.

When we got in from the flight, I changed to my running gear, completely under dressing (the flight was from a warmer southern part of Japan), and hit the road. My plan -- average sub 8 minute miles to get back in time. Shouldn't be a problem.

I headed to my regular Tokyo spot, Komazawa Park, and joined the many others doing the 1.3 mile loop there. In my second or third loop, I heard footsteps behind me. I almost never see runners at my pace in Komazawa Park, but after a half a loop the footsteps were still there. I checked the Garmin, and my pace was 7:02. I'd never seen anyone in the park running that fast. I could here the runner breathing, and it sounded like they were working pretty hard, so I took comfort in the belief that I would outlast them. I could also tell from the breathing that it was either a young boy, or a woman.

After a while the runner passed me. Her running shirt had a lot of text on it, but only one word in English: "Ultra". So much for my plan to outlast her. As she passed, I casually said "Ohayou" (pronounced like the buckeye state). The hidden message was "sure, you're passing me, but you're working really hard, whereas I'm not out of breath, and I'm cool enough to say 'Good morning' in a foreign tongue". Unfortunately, the message that came out was "I'm so flustered by you breezing past me, that I'm saying 'Good morning' at 4:00 in the afternoon.

I fell in behind her, and was able to keep pace. After another half mile or so, another runner fell in with her. He knew her, and they exchanged a few words before he fell back. I don't speak enough Japanese to catch what was said, but I do speak "runner", so here is my translation:

HIM: Hey! Ready to run?

HER: Great to see you. I'd love to run with you, but I have to kick the ass of that lame ass American who is following me. I'll find you later, after I've crushed what is left of his spirit.

That might not be an exact translation, but I'm sure it captures the essence of what was said. The guy dropped off, and I continued on the heels of the woman. After a while, my watch beeped again -- 6:31 pace. Good lord, what was I doing? Here are two possible answers:

A] Foolishly screwing up a perfectly good plan by running at race pace in a lame attempt to not get shown up by a girl.

B] Having fun being inspired by another runner.

I'm saying answer B. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

After another mile, the friend showed up again, and this time "Ultra" slowed her pace to run with him.

HIM: Um, that guy's still right behind you. Can we run together now?

HER: Oh, all right. Whatever.

I passed them just as my Garmin beeped another 6:30. After their footsteps faded, I let the pace gradually drop to 7:11 and then 7:30. I had to fight the urge to look over my shoulder. How embarrassing would it be to get caught slowing down...

As a result of these shananigans, I got back ahead of schedule, and felt exhilarated by my last run of the year.

Total miles for 2009: 2010.7.

Happy New Year!