Jason,
So what can you tell us about Fukushi?
Jason,
So what can you tell us about Fukushi?
Well, Fukushi you to!
Japanese half marathon record holder.
Slightly funny face!
I saw her run at the 2006 World Cross in Fukuoka, and somebody on the sidelines said something to her during the race, and she started LAUGHING hysterically...DURING THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!
She's the only Japanese ever to run under 15 for 5000, and the first time she did that was in a heavy downpour in Heusden in 2002 (14:55).
I know nothing about her training or that of the Wacoal team. I don't think that they have any sub 2:30 marathoners on their team.
It will be interesting to see how she how she does in Osaka. Weather (cold, rainy and nasty) often plays a factor in that race. After she beat Noguchi at the Marugame Half last year, she said that she "couldn't imagine running twice the distance of a half marathon."
I'll predict she goes sub 2:25. I'd say there's only about a 30% chance of her winning the race. Of the 3 women's only marathons in Japan, Osaka tends to bring in the best foriegners such as Nderba.
What do you think Takahashi's chances are in Nagoya and have you trained with her lately??
Last time I ran with Q-chan was on the Imperial Place loop, 2 days before the Tokyo Marathon last year.
We might cross paths next month (January) in Tokunoshima, Japan. I am going there for a 2 week training camp with my good friend Rik Ceulemans, 2:13 marathoner from Belgium.
I am eternally optimistic about Q-chan. If she is focusing on reasonable mileage, good long runs and tempo runs, then yes I think that she'll win Nagoya. She will have good competition there, running against Yasuko Hashimoto and probably Megumi Oshima.
Mayeroff:
I beg to differ. Fukushi is a super talented girl--no doubt about it. But she doesn't seem to have the right temperament for the marathon. I watched her 10000 at Osaka and she was all over the place even for 10! I'd give her 2:26 if she's lucky.
Also I don't think Takahashi will make it. Her focus has not been the same. As much as I'd like to see her do well, I think she's been too busy pleasing her sponsors and trying out different things instead of staying with the winning combination. Sometimes trying new things would work good but doing so for the wrong reasons will not cut it.
Maybe we'll place a bet--the loser will buy okonomiyaki next time we get together!? ;o)
Be careful of snakes!!!
Hey Jason, I'm thinking of heading to Okinawa in February. Have you ben there? And if so, what's the place like for training?
Cheers
Owain
PS Are you doing Ohme 30k?
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