So, we've been traveling for 9+ months and running has been way low on the priority list.
But, we're in the US for a segment that allows for some training and I've convinced E to run a 5K parkrun in Paris with me on 4/22.
This means I've actually been doing some real running. I even went online and spent some time trying to find a 5K training program, which was, in and of itself, very interesting, because most 5K programs are for non-runners.
They are designed to get people who run not at all or very little, to be comfortable with the idea that they could run 3.1 miles for a time goal. And I am so supportive of this. I've spent some of my favorite friend-runs supporting people in this category. I think it's possibly one of the best things the running community has offered to the public.
But for me, right now, given my age and current fitness, I WANT to take advantage and enjoy where I am (healthy) so I don't regret it later.
While I've dropped off the running front during the sabbatical, I've never hit the point (thus far, though I'm sure the day is coming) where I couldn't run without stopping for 3.1 miles. It might be slow. It probably wouldn't be pretty, but I felt a little confused by the fact that almost all of the training programs I found assumed their target audience couldn't.
I knew that fit (elite, even) runners trained for 5Ks and I figured that since I'd taken so much time off seriously running any long distance races, this level of training would be a good place to start. Thankfully, eventually, I found the BAA 5K plans and realized I'd found a good solution.
So, I'm a little less than 4 weeks out from my target run and I'm doing actual workouts and hitting target paces (many of which are slower than what I'd do without guidance, followed by strides at high effort). Also, when E joins, it's awesome 'cause his long legs just challenge me to be that much faster or more hard-core than I otherwise would without him.
Did I mention the re-introduction to runner's high? Holy shit, if you haven't been running, opting in to a real running training plan means that after the first few real workouts, you are grinning, talkative, just generally happy, and an all around positive fool. It's fun. I recommend it.
Recent workouts for this very out of shape runner have included 10X 3 min intervals (w/2 min R/I walking) in the mid 9s per mile; or 9 X 15 seconds (45s r/I) in the mid 8s per mile after 35 minutes of mid-aerobic work in the high 11s. None of this is remotely athletically impressive, but damn, if all of them don't feel super great.
And that, my friends, is the big take-home for me. I'm hoping to keep it up and keep enjoying it. I'd like to be like my father-in-law (and then some), I want to hike, run, and be active into my 70s, 80s, and beyond. I'm hopeful this year off of hiking, traveling, and taking some time to reevaluate our life will help me achieve that.
Also, in case you were wondering, I'm so out of shape that a sub 30 5K sounds like a nice solid goal. Wish me luck. It looks like I've got an opportunity in Georgia in a couple of weeks and another one in Paris. I'm hoping to make the most of both of them.
March 29, 2017
March 24, 2017
Sleep & One to Two Accomplishments a Day
I've got another 3 months or so left in the sabbatical, but I'm already starting to try to tie it all together and process it.
What, exactly, have I learned from this process?
How have I changed?
What will I do differently in the future?
What will I appreciate more than ever before? (Ummm... LAUNDRY!).
Interestingly, quite a bit of the most intense thinking about this year and what I want to learn from it has happened on this latest stop back in the US. While here, I could, if I wanted, opt back into my old lifestyle: insanely tightly scheduled, super productive, lucrative, exhausting, dependent upon everything being *very* Okay, but using that infrastructural support to GET SHIT DONE.
And, to be honest, I have picked up a little work, here and there -- if the project is small enough and I can fit it in, why not do something that will finance some of the EU leg? (Scared of the upcoming expenses!)
I've also done the research and spreadsheet manipulation to opt back into a structured running plan with scheduled workouts for the first time since we left. Oh, and I've returned to making todo lists and crossing things off of them, physically, on paper, again -- a habit I've had since childhood but more or less dropped unless SHIT GOT F'D UP while on Sabbatical.
It's like this 7 week visit to the US is an early re-entry program. I'm testing the waters and figuring out what I'll re-embrace and what I'll try to leave behind.
So, what are the huge differences between pre-sabbatical and now, in the US?
1. Sleep. I have so few obligations on me while in the US this segment. While traveling, I've got language study, geography research, transportation logistics, laundry, figuring out where we're staying, etc. Turns out, in addition to reading a bit more, watching some more video content, and listening to more audiobook content while walking and running, I am super happy to get more sleep than I used to in the US, even more than what I get while traveling internationally (which tends to be a solid 8-9 hours).
I regularly wake up, enjoy the early morning light, and go back to sleep. I am extra-aware of what a privilege this is because for more than half of our time in the US, we've been staying with friends and family who have young children. The early rising to the gorgeous light is almost always due to the kids, but the ability to go back to sleep is 100% due to the low-stress adult sabbatical without children. I am extremely grateful and am trying very hard to be openly appreciative without gloating like an asshole. But, it does feel, on some molecular/fundamental level, like I did need to learn how to get some good sleep and I'm more than happy to take advantage while I can.
2. One to Two Accomplishments a Day. I've always been a bit of an over-achiever. If the average person can do X in a day, historically, I'd just tell myself that obviously I should be able to do 1.5X, and then I'd do my best to meet that standard. It's ridiculous, arbitrary, etc, but it's one of the identifying characteristics that I've held close to my core as being part of my essence -- and frankly, other than occasionally compromising my health, it's served me pretty damn well.
So, imagine my shock to learn that international travel has actually chilled my inner over-achiever out quite a bit. Thanks to the serious reality checks I've encountered and a general lack of infrastructure resulting in an inability to accomplish tasks on anything close to an agenda I'd consider normal, I appear to have internalized the idea that if you do a good job on one or two things in any given day, then that day is a glowing success.
This sojourn in the US, I'm simultaneously lazy, inspired, and also at a loss for how to organize my time once I've crossed off the #1 and #2 goals each day. It's such a fundamental mind-shift that I can only watch my new approach with fascination, a bit paralyzed with awe.
I *am* actually quite happy accomplishing very little each day (but incrementally, something, to be fair). And in doing so, I'm super free to hang out with people, relax, and make time and space for what sounds fun, is spontaneous, and, yes, going back to #1, more sleep.
Essentially, the big sabbatical lessons so far for me are that I've learned how to sleep more and feel good about myself while accomplishing less. If you'd asked me before we left what I'd hoped to achieve, I can assure you that neither of these would have been in my top 10.
And yet, I'm feeling pretty great about where this appears to be headed.
Oh, that reminds me, I need to start reviewing both French and Italian... leaving for Europe in 3 weeks, and old habits die hard.
#SabbaticalLessons
 |
| Sunset from the boat in the Galapagos. |
What, exactly, have I learned from this process?
How have I changed?
What will I do differently in the future?
What will I appreciate more than ever before? (Ummm... LAUNDRY!).
 |
| One of hundreds of Galapagos Marine Iguana Photos. My restraint is impressive. |
And, to be honest, I have picked up a little work, here and there -- if the project is small enough and I can fit it in, why not do something that will finance some of the EU leg? (Scared of the upcoming expenses!)
 |
| Heaven on Earth -- Galapagos flour sand beach |
I've also done the research and spreadsheet manipulation to opt back into a structured running plan with scheduled workouts for the first time since we left. Oh, and I've returned to making todo lists and crossing things off of them, physically, on paper, again -- a habit I've had since childhood but more or less dropped unless SHIT GOT F'D UP while on Sabbatical.
It's like this 7 week visit to the US is an early re-entry program. I'm testing the waters and figuring out what I'll re-embrace and what I'll try to leave behind.
 |
| Pier, long tails & much infrastructure that could (and probably would) go wrong. |
So, what are the huge differences between pre-sabbatical and now, in the US?
 |
| Chumphon ferry landing -- gorgeous and not chaotic at all. Refreshing. |
1. Sleep. I have so few obligations on me while in the US this segment. While traveling, I've got language study, geography research, transportation logistics, laundry, figuring out where we're staying, etc. Turns out, in addition to reading a bit more, watching some more video content, and listening to more audiobook content while walking and running, I am super happy to get more sleep than I used to in the US, even more than what I get while traveling internationally (which tends to be a solid 8-9 hours).
I regularly wake up, enjoy the early morning light, and go back to sleep. I am extra-aware of what a privilege this is because for more than half of our time in the US, we've been staying with friends and family who have young children. The early rising to the gorgeous light is almost always due to the kids, but the ability to go back to sleep is 100% due to the low-stress adult sabbatical without children. I am extremely grateful and am trying very hard to be openly appreciative without gloating like an asshole. But, it does feel, on some molecular/fundamental level, like I did need to learn how to get some good sleep and I'm more than happy to take advantage while I can.
 |
| Bangkok Sunset |
2. One to Two Accomplishments a Day. I've always been a bit of an over-achiever. If the average person can do X in a day, historically, I'd just tell myself that obviously I should be able to do 1.5X, and then I'd do my best to meet that standard. It's ridiculous, arbitrary, etc, but it's one of the identifying characteristics that I've held close to my core as being part of my essence -- and frankly, other than occasionally compromising my health, it's served me pretty damn well.
So, imagine my shock to learn that international travel has actually chilled my inner over-achiever out quite a bit. Thanks to the serious reality checks I've encountered and a general lack of infrastructure resulting in an inability to accomplish tasks on anything close to an agenda I'd consider normal, I appear to have internalized the idea that if you do a good job on one or two things in any given day, then that day is a glowing success.
 |
| Axolotl! (Osaka Aquarium) |
I *am* actually quite happy accomplishing very little each day (but incrementally, something, to be fair). And in doing so, I'm super free to hang out with people, relax, and make time and space for what sounds fun, is spontaneous, and, yes, going back to #1, more sleep.
 |
| Kuala Lumpur, Petronas Park |
And yet, I'm feeling pretty great about where this appears to be headed.
Oh, that reminds me, I need to start reviewing both French and Italian... leaving for Europe in 3 weeks, and old habits die hard.
#SabbaticalLessons
March 18, 2017
Time Flies When There Are Less Complications
 |
| Welcomed with a Midwinter Night's Dram... |
After Japan, E and I flew to LA and spent 5 nights with friends near Pasadena.
A dedicated laundry room!
A full-size American-style luxury kitchen.
Grocery stores with EVERYTHING.
A rental car on roads with signs and driving rules we understood.
Running outside without getting lost.
 |
| Pasadena USPS office -- Ancient |
I also did a day or two of work, preparing materials for a 30 minute talk and moderating a 30 minute discussion panel afterwards. Afterwards, I spent a full day attending talks on topics that are important to my professional life, which I hadn't thought about much in the last 9 months. I still like what I do for a living, and I really like the smart and nice people in my industry who attended this conference.
From LA, we flew on a sweetheart airline miles deal to Denver, where we spent a week relaxing in the snow and skiing with E's extended family. The conditions were wonderful, and the mountain resort was super chill. I tried to fit in a run at the gym, but it didn't work out, so I just called living and walking around at 10,000 feet with downhill skiing every other day my workouts. I'd hoped to try cross-country skiing, but I ended up having to manage some work and life issues, and there just wasn't time without cutting into family time, which I didn't want to do.
 |
| Delicious Beer Sampler in Gunnison |
After skiing, we spent 3 days driving across the Rockies and back to the airport to visit friends in the adorable town of Gunnison, Colorado. The drive is easily in the running for one of the most beautiful I've ever done (and by done, I mean sat as a passenger while E kindly drove the whole way). Once in Gunnison, I could have stayed for quite some time. Small town vibe, good brewery, friends, great flat running at 8,000 feet, plus an easy drive up to Crested Butte Ski Resort. Oh, and legalized marijuana makes for a *very* chill population -- although, in Gunnison, it appeared that they may have been suffering from a slight oversupply of dispensaries. I couldn't see how a town of less than 6,000 could possibly need more than 5 dispensaries within 500 meters of the Walmart, but perhaps that's just me.
 |
| One of many roadside cabins on the Gorgeous Rockies crossing... |
 |
| Just another Colorado view. |
We're here during SXSW, which is a bit of chaos and crowds, but overall, it's hard not to love this town. Great food. Wonderful running and outdoor parks. Some of our best friends. A housing market that is much more reasonable than the bay area. A tech scene that is slightly less all-encompassing than Silicon Valley. A slower pace of life than California.
 |
| Taking advantage of TX culture |
All of a sudden, I'm shocked to realize we've been in the US for almost 3 weeks. It feels like no time at all, even though we haven't been truly at *home* for any of it. 3 weeks traveling outside the US feels like a long time. It's about 1/3 of what we've typically booked as the max amount of time we can handle outside the US before we need to return back to what we think of as home. But 3 weeks in LA, Colorado, and Austin (where we have no family or property) feels *normal* (thanks to graciously generous friends). And the time just flies. I'm a little surprised to realize it's less than a month until we leave for Europe.
And after that, we'll be back in the US for quite a long while. And, I think we'll both be very appreciative and ready to spend some dedicated time in our US-centric comfort zone when we get back. I'm not sure I ever understood that appreciation as well as I do now and I expect to understand it better then.
March 10, 2017
Japan: Already Missing the Food
Japan is one of our favorite countries for many reasons, but the biggest one is probably the food. Yes, the sushi and sashimi is amazing. But there are many other delicious different options as well.
This visit's top food experiences (in no particular order) were as follows:
1. Matsusaka yaki niku
Matsusaka beef is one of the less well known Japanese highly marbled beef types. I made us a reservation at a Yaki Niku restaurant in Osaka to try the specialty, and we were very pleased. The pieces were less than 1 cm thick, and easily cooked in 10-20 seconds on each side.
You cooked it yourself on a grill in the middle of the table (as well as vegetables), and it was absolutely melt-in-your mouth heaven. After the fact, E & I agree that this was probably the best overall meal of the trip in terms of value (it was expensive, but not remotely as expensive as a big steak meal in San Francisco would be), exposure to new food (we'd never heard of Matsusaka), the experience, and general deliciousness.
2. Kobe beef teppanyaki
Last trip to Japan, we'd accidentally enjoyed Kobe beef at ITOH by Nobu. This trip, we would be riding the train directly through Kobe, so E pointed out that *obviously* we had to stop and have Kobe beef in Kobe. So, we did some research and made reservations (okay, we had the Hyatt in Fukuoka make reservations for us) at a recommended teppanyaki joint.
Teppanyaki grill, crystal clean and ready to go.
We took the Shinkansen into town, checked into our hotel, and did some urban hiking (there are waterfalls smack dab in the middle of the city) to build up an appetite. We checked into the restaurant for our reservation only to learn that we had the wrong location (typical), so they called over to the correct location and asked them to hold our seats while we zipped over in a cab.
Abalone and Kobe (pre-cooking)
This meal was completely over the top. The chef sliced our beef cuts into various portions in accordance with the marbling and cooked teensy tiny pieces individually, and then told us which flavors to enjoy in which order (just salt, just pepper, vinegar, mustard sauce, and mustard sauce with fried garlic chips). The fat, fascia, and tendon portions were cooked down and rendered slowly until they were just little crispy bits in a pool of grease, which was then used to cook bean sprouts. Absolutely delicious, but so unnecessary.
3. Ichiran
We love ramen. Ichiran has quite the reputation and we haven't ever been to one, so it was on our list for this trip. Our first visit was an accident. We'd tried to go to one of the famous Okonomiyaki joints in Dotonbori in Osaka, but the line was crazy long and I was getting hangry. Conveniently, it was next door to an Ichiran shop, so we got in the much shorter line, explained that we'd take counter or table (counter is always faster) and were handed forms to fill out.
Our first Ichiran bowls
By the time we'd finished filling out the forms (incorrectly, of course), we reached the vending machines, where we put in our cash and pushed all the buttons to get the small tickets for each of the various things we'd ordered (1 ramen each, an egg for me, mushrooms for E, nori for both of us, beer for both of us, and vinegar for me).
Seated at the counter by number
We were sent upstairs to a lightboard showing which counter seats were open, and then we were seated at 2 counter seats next to one another, with articulated dividers (so we could open the space and chat with each other but have privacy from the folks to our left and right). Each seat had a small window through which you pushed your paper form (specifying spiciness, broth richness/fattiness, noodle softness, garlic level, and a few other variables) and your tickets. The servers' hands (you never saw their faces) took your tickets and papers through the window, fixed your mistakes (we didn't realize that the second form was for ordering additional servings *after* the fact and we'd essentially doubled our order), and then food and drinks started to appear. Eventually, your perfectly customized bowl of ramen was delivered with a long polite sentence and a deep full body bow. Then the curtain was lowered over your window and you were left to enjoy the deliciousness in peace in your counter cubicle.
M Yakuniku (Matsusaka beef meal) next to the main Ichiran in Dotonburi.
We loved the experience so much that we decided to go again, visiting the corporate headquarter shop when we got to Fukuoka (Hakata is the region that is the most famous for ramen).
Ichiran headquarters
We rounded out the ramen on the trip with 2 more bowls: one at a random ramen joint in the Raumen Stadium in Hakata (8 different small ramen shops -- decision paralysis), and one at an Ippudo shop in a basement of a commercial building in Tokyo. Both were delicious and wonderful, but neither could compare to the deliciousness of the fully customizable experience at Ichiran.
4. Izakayas
One night, E had an uni bowl for dinner.
It's hard to come up with the total number of Izakayas we visited, but it's probably somewhere around 8-10. If we didn't have a plan for dinner, we typically ended up in an Izakaya. If they had it, we always ordered Tako Wasabi. In Hiroshima, we had another cook your own meal experience (like Yaki Niku), but this one had coals instead of a gas grill, no overhead hood (smoky!) and the menu was much more varied -- we ordered gigantic clams, a squid, and some vegetables to grill along with some sashimi. On several occasions we sat at counters in front of a manned grill and ordered whatever looked good on the menu so it could be prepared and delivered over the counter as it was ready.
We did eventually get an okonomiyaki and takoyaki in Osaka,
but both didn't make our top foods list.
Skewers were a popular option with shishitos, eggplant, mushrooms, and octopus making frequent appearances, as well as more exotic options like a fried chicken (yakitori) moriawase (sampler), small beef pieces (of course), and fried cheese. Izakayas are the meals where we were the most likely to have random stuff. Like breaded and fried camembert (E was in heaven!). Or deep fried wontons around raw tuna, melted cheese, and a shiso leaf (surprisingly delicious). Or anything pickled for me. Of course, there were other delicious Japanese staples sprinkled in as well, like miso soup, ochazuke, udon, soba, somen, etc.
E's favorite Izakayas have electronic ordering systems
5. 7-11 train lunches
Because we were doing so much long distance train travel, on at least half of the days we'd find ourselves seated in a very comfortable train seat with a table in front of us during lunchtime. On those days, after getting our tickets but prior to boarding, we'd go to the 7-11 in the train station and buy the ingredients for our lunch. Typically, we'd have an onigiri or 2 each (my favorites are soft boiled tea egg, smoked salmon, and sour plum, whereas E loves roe in all of its forms), along with whatever random foodstuffs caught our fancy (octopus jerky, spicy rice crackers, yakisoba in a hotdog roll sandwich, whatever), and often, we'd splurge on train beer or train sake as well.
Typical 7-11 train lunch
6. Kaiten-Zushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi)
Because we're trying to economize, we only ate sushi 3 times in Japan. All were kaiten-zushi, and all were delicious and filling and reasonably priced. The first one, in the Osaka-shin train station was probably the highest quality fish (and the most expensive). The second one, a shop in Osaka branded by the inventor of conveyor belt sushi, was the best value by far. The third shop, a suburban chain full of families on a Saturday afternoon in Kakegawa was probably the most interesting experience, as we hadn't really interacted much with suburban/rural Japanese families.
Special orders placed on the screen & delivered via mini-shinkansen on the top belt.
I could go on, but need to stop at some point, so I'll just give honorable mention to the amazing Shabu Shabu selected and prepared by my childhood exchange student in Kamakura and say that Japan really is an amazing food destination.
E claims he will never eat Shabu Shabu in the US again
This visit's top food experiences (in no particular order) were as follows:
1. Matsusaka yaki niku
Matsusaka beef is one of the less well known Japanese highly marbled beef types. I made us a reservation at a Yaki Niku restaurant in Osaka to try the specialty, and we were very pleased. The pieces were less than 1 cm thick, and easily cooked in 10-20 seconds on each side.
You cooked it yourself on a grill in the middle of the table (as well as vegetables), and it was absolutely melt-in-your mouth heaven. After the fact, E & I agree that this was probably the best overall meal of the trip in terms of value (it was expensive, but not remotely as expensive as a big steak meal in San Francisco would be), exposure to new food (we'd never heard of Matsusaka), the experience, and general deliciousness.
2. Kobe beef teppanyaki
Last trip to Japan, we'd accidentally enjoyed Kobe beef at ITOH by Nobu. This trip, we would be riding the train directly through Kobe, so E pointed out that *obviously* we had to stop and have Kobe beef in Kobe. So, we did some research and made reservations (okay, we had the Hyatt in Fukuoka make reservations for us) at a recommended teppanyaki joint.
Teppanyaki grill, crystal clean and ready to go.
We took the Shinkansen into town, checked into our hotel, and did some urban hiking (there are waterfalls smack dab in the middle of the city) to build up an appetite. We checked into the restaurant for our reservation only to learn that we had the wrong location (typical), so they called over to the correct location and asked them to hold our seats while we zipped over in a cab.
Abalone and Kobe (pre-cooking)
This meal was completely over the top. The chef sliced our beef cuts into various portions in accordance with the marbling and cooked teensy tiny pieces individually, and then told us which flavors to enjoy in which order (just salt, just pepper, vinegar, mustard sauce, and mustard sauce with fried garlic chips). The fat, fascia, and tendon portions were cooked down and rendered slowly until they were just little crispy bits in a pool of grease, which was then used to cook bean sprouts. Absolutely delicious, but so unnecessary.
3. Ichiran
We love ramen. Ichiran has quite the reputation and we haven't ever been to one, so it was on our list for this trip. Our first visit was an accident. We'd tried to go to one of the famous Okonomiyaki joints in Dotonbori in Osaka, but the line was crazy long and I was getting hangry. Conveniently, it was next door to an Ichiran shop, so we got in the much shorter line, explained that we'd take counter or table (counter is always faster) and were handed forms to fill out.
Our first Ichiran bowls
By the time we'd finished filling out the forms (incorrectly, of course), we reached the vending machines, where we put in our cash and pushed all the buttons to get the small tickets for each of the various things we'd ordered (1 ramen each, an egg for me, mushrooms for E, nori for both of us, beer for both of us, and vinegar for me).
Seated at the counter by number
We were sent upstairs to a lightboard showing which counter seats were open, and then we were seated at 2 counter seats next to one another, with articulated dividers (so we could open the space and chat with each other but have privacy from the folks to our left and right). Each seat had a small window through which you pushed your paper form (specifying spiciness, broth richness/fattiness, noodle softness, garlic level, and a few other variables) and your tickets. The servers' hands (you never saw their faces) took your tickets and papers through the window, fixed your mistakes (we didn't realize that the second form was for ordering additional servings *after* the fact and we'd essentially doubled our order), and then food and drinks started to appear. Eventually, your perfectly customized bowl of ramen was delivered with a long polite sentence and a deep full body bow. Then the curtain was lowered over your window and you were left to enjoy the deliciousness in peace in your counter cubicle.
M Yakuniku (Matsusaka beef meal) next to the main Ichiran in Dotonburi.
We loved the experience so much that we decided to go again, visiting the corporate headquarter shop when we got to Fukuoka (Hakata is the region that is the most famous for ramen).
Ichiran headquarters
We rounded out the ramen on the trip with 2 more bowls: one at a random ramen joint in the Raumen Stadium in Hakata (8 different small ramen shops -- decision paralysis), and one at an Ippudo shop in a basement of a commercial building in Tokyo. Both were delicious and wonderful, but neither could compare to the deliciousness of the fully customizable experience at Ichiran.
4. Izakayas
One night, E had an uni bowl for dinner.
It's hard to come up with the total number of Izakayas we visited, but it's probably somewhere around 8-10. If we didn't have a plan for dinner, we typically ended up in an Izakaya. If they had it, we always ordered Tako Wasabi. In Hiroshima, we had another cook your own meal experience (like Yaki Niku), but this one had coals instead of a gas grill, no overhead hood (smoky!) and the menu was much more varied -- we ordered gigantic clams, a squid, and some vegetables to grill along with some sashimi. On several occasions we sat at counters in front of a manned grill and ordered whatever looked good on the menu so it could be prepared and delivered over the counter as it was ready.
We did eventually get an okonomiyaki and takoyaki in Osaka,
but both didn't make our top foods list.
Skewers were a popular option with shishitos, eggplant, mushrooms, and octopus making frequent appearances, as well as more exotic options like a fried chicken (yakitori) moriawase (sampler), small beef pieces (of course), and fried cheese. Izakayas are the meals where we were the most likely to have random stuff. Like breaded and fried camembert (E was in heaven!). Or deep fried wontons around raw tuna, melted cheese, and a shiso leaf (surprisingly delicious). Or anything pickled for me. Of course, there were other delicious Japanese staples sprinkled in as well, like miso soup, ochazuke, udon, soba, somen, etc.
E's favorite Izakayas have electronic ordering systems
5. 7-11 train lunches
Because we were doing so much long distance train travel, on at least half of the days we'd find ourselves seated in a very comfortable train seat with a table in front of us during lunchtime. On those days, after getting our tickets but prior to boarding, we'd go to the 7-11 in the train station and buy the ingredients for our lunch. Typically, we'd have an onigiri or 2 each (my favorites are soft boiled tea egg, smoked salmon, and sour plum, whereas E loves roe in all of its forms), along with whatever random foodstuffs caught our fancy (octopus jerky, spicy rice crackers, yakisoba in a hotdog roll sandwich, whatever), and often, we'd splurge on train beer or train sake as well.
Typical 7-11 train lunch
6. Kaiten-Zushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi)
Because we're trying to economize, we only ate sushi 3 times in Japan. All were kaiten-zushi, and all were delicious and filling and reasonably priced. The first one, in the Osaka-shin train station was probably the highest quality fish (and the most expensive). The second one, a shop in Osaka branded by the inventor of conveyor belt sushi, was the best value by far. The third shop, a suburban chain full of families on a Saturday afternoon in Kakegawa was probably the most interesting experience, as we hadn't really interacted much with suburban/rural Japanese families.
Special orders placed on the screen & delivered via mini-shinkansen on the top belt.
I could go on, but need to stop at some point, so I'll just give honorable mention to the amazing Shabu Shabu selected and prepared by my childhood exchange student in Kamakura and say that Japan really is an amazing food destination.
E claims he will never eat Shabu Shabu in the US again
March 5, 2017
A Running Goal after Asia
We did a ton of walking in Asia. A few stair-heavy climbs to sights, and lots of hours of just traipsing about. Quite a bit of the work on travel days was with 20+ pounds of packs on on our backs, fronts, whatnot. We'd regularly look at the map, decide it was only a mile or 2 from where we'd exited transit and just hoof it with everything we owned in Asia on our bodies. A 20 minute mile with 10+ Kg of extra weight will get the heart rate up, my friends. Especially if there is an increase in elevation. All things considered, after Asia, I actually feel relatively fit in a way I don't in my normal life.
However, I did not do much running in Asia at all.
All told, in the last 10 weeks I think I ran about 10-15 times in gyms (wherever there was I gym in our hotel I tried to put it to good use, often doing core and weights as well), plus another 10-15 attempts outside, most of which didn't go super well due to road conditions, safety, getting lost, etc. The typical outdoor running attempt probably took around an hour and resulted in somewhere around 2 miles of total running plus lots of walking, figuring things out, pushups, dips, and other random exercises, typically at outdoor gyms (they are all over the place).
We've been back in the US for a week now, and I've definitely increased my running frequency, but I'm still battling a deep chest cough that I developed after my second brutal cold in a row in Japan. Those Japanese colds were horrid (E claims I got asian bird flu), but I can't complain because my body was kind enough to keep my head nice and clear for the diving portion of our travels (when, if I'd had a cold, I would have been unable to equalize my ears, so no diving).
My runs since we've been back have been 1-2 miles of easy jogging uphill followed by 2ish jog/walk miles back down, hacking up gunk from my lungs. Nothing fast. Nothing high effort. But something aerobic and it feels so good. I totaled around 6 miles run/walking in 2 days in the hills this week and I was *sore* the third day, but I still fit in another 1 mile up running, 2 miles recovery coughing, and another 1.5 hiking up and down the hills while catching up with a friend on the third day. So 9 miles in 3 days plus some down days for travel this week...
Clearly, I have some running ground to recover.
But, we're in the US for another 6 weeks before we head out to Europe, so my goal is to slowly increase my mileage and running fitness, and then, unless I discover a random race where we're staying the US, my next goal race is a parkrun in Paris!
Either Mont Souris or Bois de Boulogne April 22nd. After I've actually been running consistently for a couple of weeks, I'll come up with some actual goals. But in the meantime, I'm super excited to have a goal race for the first time since Summer 2016.
However, I did not do much running in Asia at all.
All told, in the last 10 weeks I think I ran about 10-15 times in gyms (wherever there was I gym in our hotel I tried to put it to good use, often doing core and weights as well), plus another 10-15 attempts outside, most of which didn't go super well due to road conditions, safety, getting lost, etc. The typical outdoor running attempt probably took around an hour and resulted in somewhere around 2 miles of total running plus lots of walking, figuring things out, pushups, dips, and other random exercises, typically at outdoor gyms (they are all over the place).
We've been back in the US for a week now, and I've definitely increased my running frequency, but I'm still battling a deep chest cough that I developed after my second brutal cold in a row in Japan. Those Japanese colds were horrid (E claims I got asian bird flu), but I can't complain because my body was kind enough to keep my head nice and clear for the diving portion of our travels (when, if I'd had a cold, I would have been unable to equalize my ears, so no diving).
My runs since we've been back have been 1-2 miles of easy jogging uphill followed by 2ish jog/walk miles back down, hacking up gunk from my lungs. Nothing fast. Nothing high effort. But something aerobic and it feels so good. I totaled around 6 miles run/walking in 2 days in the hills this week and I was *sore* the third day, but I still fit in another 1 mile up running, 2 miles recovery coughing, and another 1.5 hiking up and down the hills while catching up with a friend on the third day. So 9 miles in 3 days plus some down days for travel this week...
Clearly, I have some running ground to recover.
But, we're in the US for another 6 weeks before we head out to Europe, so my goal is to slowly increase my mileage and running fitness, and then, unless I discover a random race where we're staying the US, my next goal race is a parkrun in Paris!
Either Mont Souris or Bois de Boulogne April 22nd. After I've actually been running consistently for a couple of weeks, I'll come up with some actual goals. But in the meantime, I'm super excited to have a goal race for the first time since Summer 2016.
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