Spending most of Saturday at Nagai
Park in the heart of Osaka was brilliant. The city planners of the 1950s
certainly got this one spot on. Stadium Nagai dominates the eye line from the entrance
and like an excited schoolboy, and without a word, I ditched the family and
hurriedly made my way in for a closer look. As I approached my enthusiasm
heightened almost to boiling point once I realised that the noises within had
to be those of an athletic meet. Would I be able to get a glimpse inside this 50,000
seat colossus?
In no time we found ourselves sat at
the highest point looking way way down on the performances below. I for one soaked
up the atmosphere from my tiny plastic bucket seat. I marvelled at every event
that included the 800m, 400m hurdles, the 200m, 4 x 100m and the long jump. My
only regret was missing the pole vault which had concluded shortly before we
arrived.
The girls enjoyed a soda each while I
sipped an ice coffee. I’d have taken a few more pictures but these days’
photography inside stadiums just isn’t allowed. Such a shame really.
Later on we navigated the hour long
botanical walk also within the Park which reminded me of home and the trails I
used to run.
Nagai Park, a jewel to cherish and
return to for sure as often as we can.
Sub 3.10 training is going well. I haven’t missed a run, a distance or targeted pace. I feel fresh with no discernible discomfort. I may even have found myself a coach to help me along!
Sub 3.10 training is going well. I haven’t missed a run, a distance or targeted pace. I feel fresh with no discernible discomfort. I may even have found myself a coach to help me along!
The 800m hurdles would be the cruelest race ever, if it existed ;-) Lucky you're not on the IAAF event designing committee! Sounds like an exciting day. Like the stretching routine photo. Intrigued by the new coach - hope he/she is adaptable to your love of statistics and charts :)
ReplyDeleteAAUGH! strewth … no flies on you Ewen unless of course you happen to live in Canberra! I reckon you’d get along really well with my new coach. He’s a real big fan of yours and can run a bit too which helps.
ReplyDeleteNagai Park is great. We are pretty close to there. Good luck with your "coach," don't let him hobble you with too many speed sessions over the summer. ;)
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