30 June 2009

Embarrassed by this interloper

No running!
I still have pain in the pelvis (stress fracture) AND the knees!

Alas more time off is required to at least fix the Stressy.
I was confident three months would have done it but.... apparently not!

I have reverted to one exercise session a day, I have upped the press ups (push ups) from 300 to 400 per session (5 X 80). I try and tie those in with shoulder presses and chin ups - only 5 X 10 but I'm getting more comfortable with them and might increase it to 5 X 15 Chin ups.

Checking out Brett Larners Japan Running News I was entertained by his coverage of the Mens 1500m National Championship.
Copied here" The men’s 1500 m saw an unexpected face steal the win from national record holder and six-time defending national champion Fumikazu Kobayashi (Team NTN). Running against Kobayashi and two other athletes holding the B-standard, this year’s 5000 m national champion, Yuichiro Ueno (Team S&B), started off the 1500 m in last place. Ueno has developed a bit of a reputation as an idiot for always going out too hard. Rounding the first corner he went wide, passing the entire field and audaciously opening a considerable gap. Two runners initially tried to follow but soon sat back and joined the chase pack, which for the most part seemed not to take Ueno's breakaway seriously. Ueno clocked 59.4 for the first and second laps, not especially quick but an indication either of how little respect the field of 1500 m specialists gave him or how lazy they were. Kobayashi in particular waited in the pack, clearly planning to kick his way to the win with the least effort necessary.

At the bell Kobayashi took off and Ueno began to lose ground. He looked to be in range, but on the final curve he had a kick of his own and Kobayashi could only watch as the title slipped away. Adding insult to injury, Ueno began to thump his chest and wave down the home stretch, even looking back just before crossing the line. He clocked 3:42.51, exactly tying his PB, with Kobayashi 2nd in 3:44.34. Without a World Championships qualifying time to his name Ueno will not be doubling in Berlin, but he was gleefully happy to add a second national title to his name just days after his first, proving he is among Japan's best after a long period of setbacks. Doing it by humiliating a pack of more experienced athletes who were content to run conservatively made Ueno's run the highlight of this year's Nationals. Maybe his month racing in California this spring taught Ueno a few things about being aggressive and taking chances. Or maybe he is just a lucky fool who got away with it for once. Embarrassed by this interloper from the longer distances, Kobayashi may or may not be named to the Berlin team and will have to sweat it out or try again, and harder, next month."


Does anyone remember when John Treacy caught Steve Ovett by surprise and dipped under his raised arms to beat Steve!!!???
Or the the time Tom Byers the American 'rabbit' ran away from the field in the Dream Mile (??) to beat the field!!!???

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