Hibernation

I have spent the past three days hibernating in the mouse-free house of Cristina in Higashi-Kushira. I have probably only been outdoors for a collective 30 minutes, let’s make that 20 if you count all the times I walked to or from my car. Friday night, we saw countless episodes of Season 2 of 24. I would say if I had to count, maybe 6. Saturday, we woke up and watched some more 24. Later in the evening, Cristina and I invited Jill and Laura over to watch a movie. We ended up viewing Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It was OK but I have to admit that I was a bigger fan of the Royal Tenebaums by the same director and actors. In the hours after Jill and Laura left, we stayed up to the wee hours of the morning to watch the about 6 episodes of Season 2 of 24.

The next day, I woke up and Cristina was getting ready for her big race. She was to run and 800 meter-leg of a Marathon relay race. She was representing one of the nine sections of her town. I was standing at the corner of the last 100 meters of Cristina’s leg as she ran. She looked tired and cold, but determined. It was funny because there were so many locals by me (since she was running the leg that was actually in her section of town) that were cheering her on, most of them calling her Christian, but they were cheering her on nonetheless. When I began to yell at the top of my lungs, “Go, go, go, faster, faster, faster, you’re almost there!” Everyone began to try to yell what I was saying although it didn’t quite so much sound like that. Her team ended up in 3rd Place and she has the cool bronze medal to prove it. She said that her part was also very difficult because a chunk of it was uphill. I have to say that the runners that passed a minute before her seemed just as tired as she did. I will try to post a picture shortly where you can see her running in her hooded sweatshirt showing nothing but her nose. Apparently the wind was killing her (don’t worry, not literally). Later that night we were invited to a party for her section of the town where we enjoyed beer and lots of beef. It was much fun and very entertaining. However, Cristina somehow got herself entangled into hosting an espresso party in her house Friday after work. Don’t ask me how, but she seems to be regretting it. Afterward, you should guess what we did. Rather than going to the second party (singing karaoke), we opted to go home to see the last 6 episodes of 24. Let me tell you, I can’t wait to start on Season 3. I think I might though just so that I stay somewhat active and healthy. Sunlight and movement are always good things for your body. Well, maybe not always, but you get the drift. Besides, I think it’s best to ration the dosage evenly throughout the weeks.

I am excited about starting my training tonight. Cristina and I are going to go running to start training for the Sakurajima Marathon. After that, we will visit Tomo-chan who I have not seen since last year.