TABLE OF CONTENTS
Race
Information -- How to find (and register for) races anywhere in
Japan
Japanese Running Magazines -- Also a good way
to find races
Running Bulletin Boards -- Communicate with
runners throughout the world
Various Links -- running calculator, Okinawa
running club, maps, shopping, podcasts, running log, weight
training, Run the Planet
Race
Information and On-line Registration
The easiest way to find
(and sign-up for) races in Japan is to search the following on-line
data bases, or purchase one of the magazines listed below. Some
races are only listed on one of the two lists; many races are on
both. Unfortunately, information is only provided in Japanese, but
the lists are simple, so even a modicum of Japanese ability should
be sufficient. Even if you don't know any Japanese, you should be
able to navigate using AltaVista's Babel Fish
Translation tool. To navigate effectively, you should open two
windows: one for the translation and one for registering (i.e. the
Japanese page). As you advance through the steps of the
registration process, just keep pasting the new addresses into the
Babel Fish Translation tool to get the translation for the new
pages. Note that you cannot register or submit information
through the translation tool. Filling in the various fields
(i.e. name, address, etc.) for registration in English should not
be a problem, however.
1.
RUNNET provides a list of races
throughout Japan, in order of the application deadlines. You can
also search the database and apply for races on-line. Though
convenient, you will have to pay a small processing fee. The data
base also provides detailed information about all the races. In
order to register for races on-line, you first need to sign up
here. (The service
is free.)
2. Sports
Entry has a much larger data base, which also provides
information for golf, swimming, cycling, triathlons, and many other
sporting events. Race information is even more detailed than the
RUNNET data base, and searches are much easier to perform. Just
chose the prefecture, date, or sports category from the pull down
menus, and hit the search button. You can apply for races on-line,
but (free) registration is required. The registration page is
here.
Geared towards beginners, this
magazine has a lot of articles about how to finish a marathon or
how to stay motivated during training. The magazine lists all races
from the Sports Entry data base.
I prefer this magazine because it
is geared towards more serious runners. The articles tend to focus
on how to improve times by training more effectively. Races from
the RUNNET data base are listed in the back.
Running
Bulletin Boards
Cool Running has training advice,
detailed training programs, logs, and best of all, the most vibrant
running community on the Internet. Post a question in one of the
discussion forums, and you will have replies within a day. Most of
the posters live in the United States, but many live in Europe,
Australia, and New Zealand. Over the years, I've also met a half
dozen or so runners that live--or have lived--in Japan. It's truly
an international running forum! Posters are extremely helpful and
supportive. I post regularly, too, so you shouldn't have any
trouble finding some of my posts. (I'm smink63, by the way.)
The
Myjjk Forum is another popular
running bulletin board, but I have only posted here a couple of
times. Although I received some helpful responses, this board does
not seem quite as active as the coolrunning community. I like how
the board is organized into separate forums, including Marathon,
Field Events, Health and Nutrition, and many
others.
Various
Links
McMillan's
Running Calculator -- Input your time for a recent race, and
the calculator will estimate equivalent performaces for every race
from the 100 meter to the marathon as well as optimal training
paces for all workouts. Distances are provided in both metric and
mileage.
Douraku no Kai
Running Club Home Page -- Although entirely in Japanese, the
web pages of this running club based in Naha, Okinawa provide
up-to-date and thorough information on running in Okinawa. Unlike
my List of Races in Okinawa, their list of events also includes
some that are open to groups, held outside Okinawa, or limited to
certain groups. They also provide timely announcements, such as
when application periods begin and end. If you can read Japanese,
this is an invaluable site for runners in Okinawa.
FreeRun
Running Club -- Home page of a running club founded in 2004 by
the well-known Okinawan runner, Hase Ryou. The group has two main
groups: a youth group, which has over seventy members, and an adult
group, which includes both Japanese and foreigners. The groups
train together on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. at the Chatan
Jusco track. If you've come to many races in Okinawa, you've
probably seen some of the runners in their green shirts with the FR
logos.
Gmaps Pedometer --
This is an excellent site for mapping out distances for running
routes anywhere in Japan. The "jump to" function at the top of the
page doesn't seem to work, but if you use the arrows, you can page
over to Japan, and then zoom in on the city of your choice. The
maps are extemely detailed and accurate, so that I had no problem
mapping out a route starting from my house. Once you map out a
route, you can save it on the Internet for future reference. Routes
can be laid out in English or metric units, and distance markers
appear for every mile or kilometer. As an example, take a look at
one of my favorite long distance runs: starting at Ohnoyama Park in
Naha, head straight up Route 58, pass through Chatan, and finish at
Kadena Town Hall. Route 58 Course
Road
Runner Sports -- A great place to shop for running clothes
while you are living abroad. The quality of the goods is superb and
the service is pretty good, but some items cannot be shipped to
Japan. Other than shoes, I buy most of my running clothes and
accessories from this store.
Phedippidations PodCast
-- A quirky podcast put together by a runner for runners. In the
show, Steve Runner provides listeners with "thoughts, opinions,
observations, and rambling diatribes composed during weekend long
runs." Steve is extremely responsive to listeners and has done a
great job of creating a virtual running community. If you have an
iPod, this is a positive and encouraging show to listen to on your
long runs.
Buckeye Outdoors Training
Log -- An excellent (and free!) site for logging all of your
runs. The site also has message boards, hundreds of training plans,
and numerous helpful features for tracking your progress. Highly
recommended!
ExRx.net -- An extremely informative
site with excellent advice on weight training. The site offers
training programs, fitness information, and tiny videos that show
you how to do just about any weight training exercise you can
imagine. If you are at all interested in weight training, check out
this site!
Run the Planet -- This site
offers descriptions of where to run and walk in the cities of the
whole world, told by the locals, and to use while you are away from
home. Marathon information, specialized running pages, and links.
Although most of the information provided for Okinawa comes from my
site, there is some helpful information for running in Tokyo and
other major cities in Japan.