I am in Tokyo at present and while here I make a point of running on the Oda field. This is piece of land that Mr Oda donated to the city to build a track on, upon his death. The condition was that it was to be free and available to anyone in the city for one day a week.
So every Wednesday, I and about 400-500 Japanese and western runners migrate to the track to run round and round in circles.
In the olden days when I was younger and faster, I remember running sub15minute time trials for 5,000m in lanes 3 to 5. (Unfortunately the track was so crowded I could not get near lanes one or two !!)
While in Tokyo it is like a religious homage to run around that track.
I think what makes it so special is that I meet old friends and make new friends while there, some of us a bit older and a bit slower but still I am amazed that everyone still keeps coming up with new targets and goals to aim for.
This Wednesday in torrential rain, I was pleased to see everyone turn out as they would in the UK, and as I splashed through my 5,000m track session, a little slower than last year, I realised that it was not just the running that brought me back time after time, but the amazing friends I have picked up along the way.
Back I England at OpenwaterswimUK I get a similar feeling, I don’t look forward to the icy cold water every spring but to the old friends I will catch up with and the new friends I will meet.
I return to the UK on Sunday 15th November and have decided to replicate the Japanese model. I will set up a track session every Wednesday at the Eton track, where anyone of any level is welcome, and I shall get some groups running together, where the only pre requisite is the desire to improve, and a willingness to make new friends.
As I am expecting quite a lot of triathletes to come along, the sessions will be based around 5km to 10km speed work.
Keep checking this site as I will be putting up details of the meeting times shortly and ofcourse anyone will be welcome to join in.
What do you call Elite runner as i read you put ex elite runner, 27/28 mins for a true 10km?
Generally I tend to think of an elite runner as sub 30mins for 10km. I was 1,500m Champion at University with a PB of 3:45 and a PB of 28:50 for 10km while in Japan in the 80’s and I managed 29min 57 at 40 and also won the Masters (40+) world Championships 10Km in 2004 age 41, but has slowed down quite a bit by then to 30:30