In the summer of 1983, a young runner set off to cover the length of Japan on foot. The run started in Japan's southernmost city of Kagoshima on the island of Kyushu and finished in Hokkaido's Wakkanai city. Read about the runner's encounters along the way during the fifty-nine day journey through the western coastline of Japan. Entries will be added on a daily basis beginning June 11, 2006.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Feel Good, Look Awful
June 24, 1983, Friday
It was sunny when I started the run at 6:30am. (The photo shows me in front of the Youth Hostel. When I first saw it, I couldn't believe it was me! The bags under my eyes show how tired I was.) I ran from Kanmon Bridge with Mr. Yasuda of the Shimonoseki Running Club. He lasted for about 40km, then I went the last 30km on my own into Yamaguchi City for a total of 70km for the day. Not a bad start on Honshu, but I know this island is going to be a very long stretch before I reach Hokkaido.
A TV crew was waiting for me about 5km outside of the city and started filming as I ran into town. I was soaked from the rain that started falling from about noon. I did start to worry about getting cold and sick like I did in Kyushu, but it turned out to be a relatively short downpour.
Near the end of the run, I started feeling pretty good. This seems to be a pattern. The last 10km are usually no problem and I am able to finish in "cruise control." After finishing the run at Yamaguchi Stadium around 3:00pm, I took a shower there and headed for my hotel.
Now I am eating and drinking in huge amounts. This is a good sigh. I must be burning at least 4000 to 5000 calories on my runs, plus the average 2000 calories that a person needs for everyday activities. I not only eat dinner, but also eat snacks all evening afterwards. Even though I was not a regular beer-drinker, I have become almost dependent on a beer or two to relax in the evening after each run.
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2 comments:
I'm sure you were more concern about how you felt and not how you looked. I guess you didn't pick up any ladies on your run.
The story about the ladies (fashion models) that I met on the run will come later...
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