Back on track!

I knew I hadn't kept my log on this blog for a while, but did not realize it have already been a month since I updated it a last time!

I have to admit, my mind was bit away from running- actually I was in slamp in the training.
I seemingly sprained my unckle, which prevented me from any training for about 2 weeks, and then I was on a trip. I did run on this trip, but only to have my knee injured. Since then, I saw a doctor, went to a physical therapy clinic, and started doing a strenghening training.

It did took a while, and I was very frustrated because I could not run and feared I would ever be able to run again, but finally, I am back on training again, and I feel good!

I run 9 miles two weeks ago, and 10 miles last week. It was windy and rainy last weekend, but I saw so many runners bisides us on the trail we ran. I admire the enthusiastic runner who just run despite all adverse conditions! God, they are so serious!

I still have to be careful about how I run and train as my knee symptom had not gone away.
I found out for the first time in my life that my knee caps are tilted- you cannot see it from the outside, I had my knees x-rayed..I wonder how would one person find that out unless one has a problem! I never ever had any problem with my knees despite all the iexrecise and tournaments I went through for teniss.

Another major problem I have is my overpronated feet. I did not realized how seirous problem this can give you. I am supposed to put the insole molded to my feet(orthotics, they call it)
in every shoes I wear--How can I put that buggy thing in my skinny sandal or heels??
The therapist threat me that I would start to have backpain if I do not take care of it properly,
and I had not had backpain yet but maybe I should listen to them- as much as I could. I am very deligent in some aspect but often create my own rules above it, so I have to see how I can get along with this one- I am finally getting my orthotics this Friday, thank god!

It's only two months before the Honolulu marathon, and I am excited, filled with both expectation and anxiety. For the fundraising part, I have $600 more to raise.
I really appreciate your support on my endeavor and for the cause!

Thanks so much!!

Thanks for participants for my fundraiser-Japanese Dinner. Next to me it Mr. Kondo, the owner of the restaurant Yosaku who have given me a generous deal and services.

We had a good time, good food, and everyone had a bottle of Tamari organic soy sauce to take home.

Thanks also for those who have wrote back to me telling that they would love to come but they live too far.. Ohio, Germany, Japan etc.

Here is a closer shot for my Yukata. Olga, who had lived in Japan had also wore hers. This is a casual version of Kimono which we wear for summer festivals. Below is with Vicki, my supervisor at Winrock International.

Thanks agains for all your support!

Since I begun this marathon program, I realized that marathon is indeed a very popular sports.
My supervisor told me her husband will run a half in Anapolis this weekend, and the president of soy sauce company who is kindly donating bottles of organic tamari soy sauce for my dinner party told me today that he will be running 10K in Marine Corps in October. My colleague told me sometime ago that she did her first marathon last year. I guess I will probably keep coming across the runners from now on, and it is fun as it is quite a new world to me. You are never too old to go out and start new things, I guess.

No run this weekend :)

Left outer ankle still hurts when walking, so this weekend I went to the run site but only to greet our team, talk to the coach about my condition and get advise. Oh, I also did little fundraise. Runners can bring friends and family as "Water volunteers" and 25$ will be counted as donation. So, I contributed for me as a water volunteers, cutting fruits and staff to get food ready for runners who come back from their runs hungry.

I hope it gets better soon..

Have Japanese Dinner
& Contribute to support AIDS Clinic!

Saturday, August 26, 2006 5:30pm-7:00pm

@Yosaku (Japanese Restaurant)
Address:4712 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC 20016 (One block North of Tenley Town Metro Station on Red line)
Phone:(202) 363-4452

$30 per person, with a bottle of Organic Tamari Soy Sauce!
The dinner is a combination with Sushi, Teriyaki chicken and Tempra. Sushi can be replaced by fried tofu by request. Please let me know your choice when RSVP.
*Please bring cash. The price includes service & tax.
*Wines will be served. Other drinks are available on your purchase.

A part of proceeds from this dinner will be donated by a
courtesy of Yosaku.
Bottles of Organic Tamari Soy Sauce are donated by
San-J International, Inc. www.san-j.com
Please RSVP before Wednesday August 23.
For RSVP and more info, please contact Yuka
Phone:202-361-4259 Email:yuka.iwatsuki@gmail.com

http://www.aidsmarathon.com/participant.asp?runner=DC-4273&EventCode=HN06

Still suffering from pain...

Last Saturday we ran 12 miles.
I am glad I made it, and thank you for those who have congratulated me!

This time again I am suffering from the aftermath of the run.
I have pain in my feet and outer malleolus when I walk. It feels like there is something wrong with the bones as I feel the pain in inner part, but it is probably the muscle.

I thought it finally stopped this morning, but by the time I arrived the office it started again.
The pain comes randomly, probably by putting my feet and malleouls in certain degree and pressure, but I can't tell that and there is no way I can prevent the pain from happening without not walking at all. It is very stressful when you take a step and a sudden bite hit you!

I hope I will get over it by Saturday when we run 6 miles.

This is the letter I sent to my friends on August 2

Dear All,

10 miles run wasn't as tough as I feared it to be, but it was theaftermath of the run that tormented me the most. The sore! It wasalready beginning in the afternoon, and by the evening my legs andfeet ached so much that I needed to lean my whole body forward to helpmy legs make steps! Naturally I had to cancel playing tennis the nextday (Sorry Chris!), but the joyous feeling that I shared with our team members when we marked 10 miles (16 km) was rewarding. "If you can run10 miles, you can run a marathon" was what a neighbor whom I had acasual conversation with in the elevator said, and though I have no idea if there is any evidence that supports his words, completing 10miles did gave me more confidence, and brought hopes that I might beable to run a full marathon.

While I was preoccupied with 10 miles run in the last 10 days, 8 people including myself have made their contributions to AIDSMARATHON. Many thanks to Emily, Izumi, Milton, Mark, Vicki, Miho, andMakia for your thoughtful donations that made it possible to meet my goal for July! I would not introduce one by one, but it is just amazing to see a variety of connections between the donors and me.This time donors included a former resident of the room I currently live (I've never met her in person!), a classmate from high school wholives in New York (I have not met her after our graduation!), friends in California I reunited in the last trip, and those whom I see orcommunicate on everyday basis but it being started only after this March as I started my life here in D.C! I thank you all for becoming a part of this.

Having met my goal in fundraising encouraged me a lot, but actually I have $2400 more to reach my total fundraising goal. My next goal is to raise additional $1500 by August 25.

August 25 is called "the recommitment day" and it is a turning point for participants of this program because this is the last chance to drop the program. The recommitment form that I will put my signature and credit card number on would become the legally binding agreement that would allow AIDS MARATHON to charge the difference between my fundraising balance and the target goal set by AIDS MARATHON. I should have a minimum balance of $1000 by August 25, and $3400 by September22 to avoid that to happen. My current balance is $700 so I shouldwork hard in August to make ends meet.

According to what I learned from browsing the website, more than 2.3million people living with HIV/AIDS are less than 15 years of age, andwomen are an increasing proportion of that population.The situation is nothing but alarming because HIV can be transmittedfrom mothers to children, and when girls become mothers the same thingwould happen again. The spread needs to be stopped to avoid moresuffering of children, mothers, and that of people affected by it.As you know, your donation goes to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, whichprovided 9,000 HIV tests for free in 2005. I think it is crucial toprevent the spread of HIV and this Clinic plays significant role inthis regard, but actually it does a lot more than that. Since itsestablishment in 1973, the Whitman-Walker Clinic has been the largestprovider of HIV/AIDS services in the Washington metropolitan area. Thedemand for services in the DC area is quite high as it is currentlyestimated that 1 in 20 adults are infected with HIV. The rate of newAIDS cases in Washington, DC is 12 times the national average. TheClinic provides a number of services, such as housing assistance,medical, counseling and legal services. Now, more than ever,Whitman-Walker Clinic needs the support of the community to be able tocontinue providing the life saving services that are needed in thisarea. AIDS MARATHON program is the largest contributor and it consists of 10% of an annual budget of the Clinic.

Thanks for sharing your time to read this, and there are events comingup so I will write you soon!

Take care,

Yuka Iwatsuki

P.S. I have attached the donor form in case you prefer to write checksand send them for donation. This form is also good for the peopleoutside U.S. Please put your credit card no. on this paper with yoursignature,and scan it and email it to Pam Rikerpriker@aidsmarathon.com, or just fax to +1 202-332-5329, or simplymail it to the office.

P.S.2 Here is how to make donation through the website who have acredit card with billing address in U.S.Go to www.aidsmarathon.com > choose "Sponsor A Runner", WashingtonDC,> enter my name or runner number which is DC-4273 and you can useyour credit card.

This is the letter I sent to my friends on July 31.

Dear All,
Hi This is Yuka.

Trip to California made me skip two weeks of training, but I had agreat run in Napa Valley in high-class residential area where superbhouses look down to us up from the hills. We also enjoyed our run inMonterey along the turquoise sea. I am running 10 miles (16km) thisweekend, which would become another record for the longest run in mylife if I could run to the end.

While I was away from home, Martha, Carol, Otto and Phil had kindly made contributions through my AIDS MARATHON website. Many thanks! This made the amount of donation to $275 dollars. My goal for July is to reach $525 so I would appreciate if those who have not made donationswould consider doing so this month.There may be those who have donated but not mentioned above, it isprobably because of the time lag in process- it takes at least 5 days for your donations to appear in my participant's account. So let meknow if your name is not listed after a few weeks. Unfortunately a credit card with a foreign bank account would not be accepted on thewebsite, but is accepted by sending in the form. Let me know if youneed the form.

Some of you may start worrying or wondering if I would ever be able toraise $3400 by September 25. I am aware that I am bit slow and behind,so I am planning some events in coming months. I will keep you posted!Take Care,Yuka IwatsukiP.S. Please see below for how to make donations and why I am doing it,especially for those who received this for the first time!I have uploaded the recent photo of my pace group athttp://runningyuka.blogspot.com/

In weekend runs, we run as a group consists of people whose 3 miles test run time was close.

Our group is called Cathey O'brien, a famous marathon runner.

Go Cathey O'brien!