QUOTE OF THE DAY

"IT IS NOT THE DESTINATION BUT THE JOURNEY THAT COUNTS"

my dad

Thanks for the reminder dad -- and the journey has been amazing -- I am so thankful to have been able to be part of this amazing sport -- the ups and downs have been a roller coaster ride but hell, isn't life......The new clinic will be a God send to me -- only people who are committed to bettering their performances will be part of it and that way my crazy training will not have a backlash like there has been in the recent past.........

Suwa Ko --- pictures to follow, as I am writing this at the Narita Airport in Japan...............3000 feet above sea level not expected -- lesson one -- check out your race geographically; Lesson 2 -- dress for the finish not the start -- I have always done this but not this time and I suffered -- it was cold, cold an hour before the race -- 20 minutes in the hear and humidity hit...I knew we were all in for a difficult day -- a monsoon had hit the night before and that was scarey but amazing to witness....

They dont have pace bunnies in Japan -- they have pace cows, tigers, spidermen, etc etc -- all in head to toe outfits -- amazing to see......Taiko drums and fireworks at the start and fireworks to announce the end at 2:40

Had two of my younger participants at the Rosedale Running Room clinic appear at the race to surprise me -- what a great feeling to see them there.

The most beautiful race course I have ever seen -- nothing can compare - the Lake at your left side from start to finish, snow capped mountains so close you could touch them when you make the turn to home at 16k ---- spectators yelling for a full 21.1 k -- not the first and last 500 meters like in Canada.........

The greatest event I have been part of -- you get your race shirt when you finish - not till then.... You get your medal four weeks after the race as the engrave your name and finish time on it and ship it to you - this is a keeper.

To set a personal best here is the culmination of almost two years of hard work -- but the lessons I learned will drive me to work even harder -- never take anything for granted and be a real student of the sport.

More to follow -- the Sake is starting to do the talking -- Cheers or as they say here "Campi"