Training

Did we mention that we're running a 1/2 marathon next Sunday? We signed up last Spring but at first it seemed very far off and pretty unobtainable. Neither of us has ever run a race before. Alas, we started running, little by little increasing frequency and distance. Now I'd go so far as to say we've been "training".

The race goes around Lake Suwa - the lake our town sits on. It's been nice to train around because it has kilometer markers. Last weekend we ran all the way around it - 10 miles. Ouch.

Probably the most annoying thing about running our first race in Japan is the plethora of lithe 50+ Japanese folks practically sprinting around the lake in their top of the line running gear. Really makes you feel like a schmuck to get passed up by a 60 year old in perfect shape.

Here is a list of some of the things we've seen regularly while training around Shimosuwa:

1) Animals - egrets, herons, fish jumping in the lake, hawks and shiba inus galore!

2) Fuji-san - across the lake, on very clear days, Mt. Fuji is visible in the distance. It't not that frequent of an occurrence but it's magical when it happens.

3) Plants - wildflowers, bonsai trees in our neighbor's backyards, peach and apple trees, the rice harvest and now, leaves changing.

4) Rowing - very popular here.

Wish us luck!