With the exception of the last couple of weeks I haven’t been to great at posting on Simplistic Thoughts. It’s partly because I have been busy with working on other blogs and partly because I have been busy doing various things here in Miyakojima (teaching English, learning Sanshin, studying Japanese, running a half-marathon, etc).
Well, I am going to try and change this and start posting a lot more often. Below are some of the topics that I will be posting about and some of the other ideas for the site.
Broader Topics
In the past, the main focus of this site has been self development, life hacks, and a few adventures and tips on the side. Moving forward I plan to cover more day to day topics and adventures that I participate in. Since I currently live on a tropical island in Japan, that will range from snorkeling in the ocean, local festivals, spear fishing, and maybe even trips to the store when entertaining.
I will try to keep the posts helpful, and at least entertaining, but they will not be limited to any particular topic.
Getting Back in Shape..again
Last year I did a 30 day challenge using a popular abs program to get in shape. Without changing my diet, I actually got it pretty good shape within 30 days. Unfortunately, once the challenge was over, I cut back on my workout routine. In order to get back in shape, and stay there, I will doing more posting on exercising. I am also planning to make some videos of some of my favorite workouts.
More Videos
About a year ago I bought a new camera which among other things can go under water and also shoot hd video. I have been practicing with video editing software and will try and get more videos on the site. Everything from the places I go to various instructional videos.
More Cultural Topics
Having lived in Japan for a few years now I don’t tend to think about all the cool/weird stuff. When I think about it though, there are actually a lot of items, activities, and sometimes just weird happenings that would make good blog posts. Of course, I will also be posting tips on language learning.
More Adventures
Last year I did a lot of snorkeling, spear fishing, hiking, scuba diving, entering caves, and fishing. I also went to a lot of live performances (from hula to folk dancing to native Okinawan music). I plan to write more about these topics, and when possible, take videos and pictures.
Your Feedback
I would love to hear your thoughts on what you would like to read about more. If you really enjoy a certain topic let me know and I will try write more on it.
I look forward to sharing my adventures with you and thank you for reading.
Okay, so it wasn’t the best idea I have ever had. For the last several months I have changed my running style and in turn, my running shoes.
For the most part, things were going well. I was running several kilometers in my generic crocs everyday with no side effects. I could run longer, faster, and had no pains at all. So I decided to put it to the ultimate test. I would run a half-marathon with my new running style and wearing my crocs.
Since I had run most of last summer in crocs, the pair I had lost almost all their tread and were quite slippery. So I dug down deep and forked over the money for a new pair (all 4oo yen, about $4). The grip was certainly better, but there was something I noticed as soon as I put my feet in them, they seemed harder. I think it may have been this that eventually lead to my downfall.
Having over a month until the marathon I had plenty of time to work them in. Running a 3-4 km a day seemed no problem at all. I had no blisters and my legs were fine. However, when I decided to run to the video store and back (about 10 kilometers) I started getting pains in my left knee around the 7 km mark. I am not sure the exact reason, but I believe it has to do with the increased hardness of the new shoes, where I am placing the weight on that foot, and how much my foot is slipping each time it hits. I ran this route twice more in the following days with the same result.
Since my leg was pretty sore, I went to a massage therapist who said that I had put a lot of strain on the muscle on my outer thigh which goes through the knee. The only thing I could do was let it rest and stretch.
The marathon
After arriving on Irabu island, we had to wait about a half an hour for a bus to take us to the start line. They hadn’t prepared enough transportation, and I ended up just barely making it. I was checking in my bags and registering my number when the shot went off. Not the best start.
My goal was to try and keep the pace that I normally ran with with my shorter runs, though I didn’t know if that would have actually been possible or not. However, having starting late and at the very back, I was well towards the front and going strong after about 10 km.
Unfortunately, it was also at about this point that the knee pain really started to kick in. I managed to run through the pain until about the 15th km and then finally started walking as the pain increased. From this point on I ran a few times, but the pain was so great that I could only do it for a short distance. At certain times I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be able to finish. Which was too bad since I still had a lot of energy left and my muscles felt fine.
It wasn’t until I actually finished and looked down at my feet that I saw the immense blisters I had developed. It was actually a little scary. I just hadn’t really noticed them because of my knee.
In the end I accomplished what I had set out to do. That is, to run a half-marathon in crocs. Turned out not to be such a good idea, but it was fun. Now to either find a better shoe or adjust my running style to get rid of the pain.
Below is the coverage from Miyako TV. I run by at 4:30 to pick up water.
