17 October 2009

Finally Run for the Cure day came around. The registration process was a total shambles. Despite record online registrations, they did not have the resources to deal with all the people. What is the point of signing up online first if you still have to queue on the day? All the different queues blended into one anyway, and the Japanese volunteers were not doing a good job of directing people. Given that a lot of participants are gaijin they need to enlist the help of some English speakers too, I think. But I feel mean for complaining since they are all giving up their time for the charity. Anyway, I hooked up with a couple of other TMG runners and chatted while we waited. It took an hour and a half to finally get to the head of the queue and pick up my goody bag. I presume that there must be a reason why they can't hand them out to people after they cross the line, like many other events I've been to.

The run itself went pretty well, once it started an hour and a half late. I felt quite strong for the first circuit of the palace, but almost as soon as I wistfully passed alongside the finish line to begin the second lap, I felt the energy drain from me. Despite that, my second leg was as fast as my first, so must just be a matter of perception, and I finished the 10km in just over 58 minutes. Assuming that it was definitely a full 10km, that's almost as good as my pre-Emily form!

In the afternoon, Nick's friend Alistair (aka Uncle Mac) came over. He is in Japan on business again, and I was so pleased that he had a window of opportunity to spend some time with us as Nick likes him a lot. We all went for a stroll up to Shiba Koen park, in the gathering gloom of an early dusk in cloudy weather. We also took in Zojoji temple, and I realise that I had never actually looked inside it. There were lavish golden decorations and some monks beating out a rhythm on large hollow gourds, and heady incense was burning outside. Back in the partment, the guys began their evening as they meant to go on, with plenty of beer. Emily had been nervous of Mac to start with but soon relaxed with him.