Ibigawa Take 5

Final breakfast We started the day with another wonderful breakfast at home.  We've tried a lot of things that we wouldn't have tried without this trip.  Some of it is great and some is too unfamiliar to enjoy.  It's like when someone tries Vegemite when they didn't grow up with it.  I ate as much as I felt like eating since there was no run or race coming up.  The persimmons (柿) are my favourite food this trip.  We had plenty of time to finish packing and visiting a little since we didn't need to be at the town hall until 8:30.  When I started packing, I got nervous about fitting everything and having the right bag weights.  It was going to take a long time to organize too, but it all worked out.  What could go wrong when travelling with Rebecca?  Nothing. Town hall for goodbyes It's always so sad to be leaving.  We have such an incredible time and the people are all so good to us.  Some very close bonds are always m...

Morning I woke up around 3:30 and never really got back to sleep even though I had taken a sleeping pill last night.  I did get nearly 7 hours of sleep.  That's really not too bad the night before race days in general.  I had everything laid out the night before and was all set and excited to go.  Every time is a such an amazing experience with how the organizers take care of us.  Michiaki wanted us to get the full marathon experience.  So, we drove to a shuttle stop to get a ride on that to the library where we wait for the race.  After arriving at the library, I realized I left a small bag with my uniform in it.  Toshiko was still at home and brought it for me.  So, it all worked out.   Getting ready to race In the library, there were the usual sandwiches, tempura, and banana twinkies.  Everyone sat around visting.  I was talking a little and giving ideas to people about the race.  Nikki and I talked abou...

Breakfast Breakfast was wonderful again!  I really like the persimmons.  I went out for a short run.  Michaiki showed me where to go.  He said, hidari, migi, massugu (left, right, straight).  I made it with no problem until I had to get back home.  I got close to home and continued straight when I should have gone left.  I got really nervous because I told him I would be 20 minutes.  If I was late, he would probably come nervously looking for me.  I turned back, made the right turn not sure if it really was correct.  I ran along the road hoping to find the Komatsu digging equipment that is near his street.  I was about to turn back again thinking it was wrong, but then there they were.  So, it all worked out. It'll all work out!  What could possibly go wrong?  Those words have become our trip motto.  When we were getting ready to go the night before coming to Japan, Grandpa made a comment about his ...