Sleet feet.

I don't know if it's appropriate to start out blogging on a negative foot, but it is a cold mother out there in Japan today. I had planned to get in a nice tempo run this morning, but after the morning ritual of coffee and pastry when we took the dog out for a walk, I couldn't muster it. The run has been put off until the afternoon due to inclement weather.

In my youth, I would have shrugged off the cold and gotten the run out of the way. But now, the bones ache a bit more and post-walk, I rushed the dog back into the warmth of our Setagaya apartment. It was sleeting out and the damp cold reminded me a bit of where I was born and raised in Oregon. What we have here, that we didn't have there, are electrically heated toilet seats. A throne that my cold booty could appreciate.

So to the point of starting this blog; needing more motivation that ever to get out there and beat the streets, I thought there may be a lot of those similar to me out there. It's a blog for those that were once wanting to take on the world, shooting for PRs, undaunted by the extremities... who may have found that now, it is just getting out the door that is the real challenge. After a hard day or week at work, the most difficult thing is to get on the running gear and take that first step. There is no team to run or converse with while blazing the course. It is now just me and Jay-z on the ipod taking on the course and the outside world/traffic. No, I definitely need more inspiration to get my ass in gear than before. How does one just "do it?"

Nowadays, in preparation for the run, I have a new ritual. My workplace offers free lunch and snacks to employees. So, at the end of the workday, what was once a pre-run cup of coffee has become several. Usually, if I've had sufficient sleep, I limit consumption to a double-shot of espresso with some kind of carbo-laden snack to wash down the joint-soothing 1500mg of glucosamine. The fifteen-minute bike ride from the workplace in Shibuya to our apartment serves as a nice warm-up and definitely injects a necessary adrenaline boost. If you have never been to Tokyo, while it's not New York; cab drivers, buses, domestic cars, the ever-increasing motorcycles, scooters and bikes share the same CO2 choked roads. Rule 1 of the roads- the biggest vehicle has the right-of-way. Helmets are not readily available at retail stores, so if you desire a brain bucket, you'll have to make a special order or hit up the Tokyuu Hands department store to choose from their limited supply. To add to the mix, I was unable to find an affordable road bike to fit my 6'1" frame and purchased the largest 24-inch mountain bike the cycle shop had in stock(the seat post is quite a bit taller than the bike frame). In summary, battling the traffic and taking calculated risk result in the exhilaration of daily near death experiences which get me ready for the run.

By the time I reach home, I've built up a sweat- the ride providing an excellent warm-up. When I get home, I towel off and stretch. Next, since I have properly assessed the current weather conditions, I change to appropriate, dry gear. Then it is on with the Voltaren analgesic rub to further easy any aches and pains. My groin/upper thighs are as thick as old-growth Oregon timber and have always been an area that has suffered from abrasions. Thus, a dollop of Vaseline serves as a prevention for such wounds. After that, a belt to help support the lower back gets strapped on. Since it is dark and I'm going back into the adverse "man vs. machine" world, I don the reflective vest and an arm band sporting a blinking l.e.d. What were once racing flats have now been replaced with by a pair of orthotics in a rotation of well-cushioned shoes. To further motivate, a variety of playlists now litter my Itunes and the choice of the day has been synced to my new ipod shuffle(I've lost too many of these to count). I remember laughing at people who used these things, and I still cringe at seeing someone in a race with them on. Though I still would never wear one when toeing the line, it's a semi-essential piece to my running equipment arsenal. By now, the espresso has kicked in and since the toilet is strategically positioned just outside our entrance way, I do the necessary, last-second pit stop on the aforementioned throne. With my body weight now imperceptibly lightened, I step out the door and descend our stairs. Stairs are a great place to stretch for me as I can get in a litany of them in one place. Including: calf and Achilles stretches in conjunction with hamstring or quad stretches and a multitude of others. The rails provide a great place to grip for some of the stretches and doing them outside gets me colder, reminding me that I have to start moving. I can't wait to get back to the hot bath that is awaiting me.

A warm-up that was once five to ten minutes is now twenty to thirty. But once warmed-up, I feel as good as ever. Running at night always has been fun for me. One feels as if they are moving quicker than in reality. I usually start with a light jog to warm-up, moving to the beat playing on the ipod. At the start, my brain may be clouded by the day's struggles or stress at work. However, it soon dissipates as my body takes over for my brain and my arms and legs move in unison. The running rhythm takes over for the music coming through the earphones and the pace gradually quickens. Soon I am remembering ripping out intervals and I'm racing with those returning home on their bikes. On these days, I realize that I wasn't born to "jog." I was born to run.

Basically, this blog is for those of you who are out there that used to be light of foot and quick of stride. For those that need a little extra push to get them out the door. If you're just getting back on the horse after an extended break, with a little patience and consistency, you may be surprised by how quickly you get back into running fitness. I have pleasantly surpassed my expectations thus far...

*image supplied by FreeFoto.com