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Sumo Wrestling: The Best Way to Start Your Day
With the Tokyo Marathon quickly approaching, we decided to slow our roll just a bit. This week join us as we unpack one of our last two days in Japan including visiting the restaurant wrecked by the Crazy 88s, and walking the Shibuya Crossing. Oh and of course, Sumo Wrestling: The Best Way to Start Your Day! Starting the Day by Running with the Sumos Traveling in the off-season has it’s benefits: But it also has some down sides, like missing out on some of the big draws of tourist season. For Tokyo, this included the blooming of the cherry blossoms and for us, watching Sumo wrestling. Not wanting to…
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The Count Down to the Tokyo Marathon
With the snow monkeys in our rear view mirror, it was time to look ahead. We had just a couple days left for sight seeing as we began the count down to the Tokyo Marathon. Join us for one of our last days in Tokyo as we crawl through squishy black holes, visit with Lady Liberty and eat mysterious things at the market in Kanda! The Bullet Train Back to Home Base We were a little sad as we headed back to “the crevice” aka our spacious hotel room in Tokyo. Not because we were leaving behind the mountains and the snow monkeys. It was because this was our last…
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Hanging out with the Snow Monkeys
Since we have a little down time between our adventures to London and Big Sur, we thought we’d go back and share a little more about our time in Japan. This week, let’s talk about our stay at a traditional hot spring hotel and hanging out with the snow monkeys in Yudanaka. Faster than a Speeding Bullet? Turns out that a bullet train is NOT faster than a speeding bullet. (Actually I just looked it up and they only go about a tenth of the speed.) BUT taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano was rather posh and the views of Fuji-san couldn’t be beat. The Onsen Ryokan (Hot…
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On the Road from Boston to London
Hey all! Super quick update for you. This week we are on the road from Boston to London! We don’t really have the quiet time we need to share a more in-depth article so here are just a few highlights. The Boston Marathon Experience with Destination Marathons We had the amazing opportunity to spend time with the team from Destination Marathons while we were in Boston. Here are some pics of the bus tour we took with Tom Derderian winning coach for the Greater Boston Track Club, President of the USA Track and Field New England Association, author and producer of Boston: The Documentary. We also enjoyed doing a Coffee…
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How to Spend THE Perfect Day in Boston
It doesn’t matter if you’re in town for a conference or to run the Marathon, there are things in Boston you DO NOT want to miss on your first trip. Since we’ve been to Bean Town a time or two, let us share with you how to spend THE perfect day in Boston. Preparation is Key Since you’ve only got a maximum of 18 hours of usable time, make sure you’re ready for the adventure in advance. First Stop – Breakfast at Stephanie’s on Newbury Stephanie’s on Newbury is ALWAYS busy. Not because it’s a touristy place but because it’s JUST THAT GOOD. Consider making reservations in advance or you…
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The Day of the Deer Assault
We were finally adjusted to Japan’s time zone and slept a REGULAR night. (Thank goodness, because 5am mornings when you’re up before 4am can become a bit dull!) This day, we hopped downstairs for our regular breakfast of salad, rice and curry before heading off on our adventure. Join us as we unpack our trips to Miyajima Island and Hiroshima aka the day of the deer assault! Hopping the Ferry Though the ferry looks to be built for cars crossing from Hiroshima to Miyajima, that morning only people were passengers. It was a cold morning, but fortunately the trip was short and the VIEWS were breath taking. Miyajima Island and…
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The Fastest Train to a Quieter Time
After a quiet evening back at our little hotel, which we now refer to as “the crevice”, we packed up for a new adventure. This time we would be taking the fastest train to a quieter time. Join us as we share all the sites from our first day in Kyoto! 180 mph on the Bullet Train As much as Tokyo is bright lights, modern buildings and LOTS of people, Kyoto is more traditional, well known for their temples and shrines, and has a slower pace. After our long flight and our first two days of 10 mile walks, we thought this might be just the thing to help us…
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Adventure to the Ueno Zoo
After a good night’s sleep, we were once again up at an unreasonable hour. I think we were awake by 3am and by 7am, we were STARVING. The weather took a breezy turn, making the high for the day barely above 40 degrees. Our original plan included a trip to teamLab Planets, a walk through art installation, that includes ankle deep water and walking bare foot. Not feeling this was still the best plan, we opted for plan B. Here is the story of our second day in Japan – the adventure to the Ueno Zoo. The Fun Before Getting There The Breakfast Buffet As soon as the buffet opened…
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To Japan Via Delta One
As many of you may know, 2023 is the year Stephen will finish all of the Abbot World Marathon Majors. Because of Covid, the London Marathon was differed to April. And then the race gods decided the he should do Tokyo in March.* Since Stephen will be the first person to accomplish this as a living organ donor, I decided to reach out to Delta Airlines to let them know about it. You never know, right? (Like maybe they’d let him see the cockpit or comp us a few drinks.) Instead, we were given the treat of a lifetime. Here is what it was like to fly to Japan via…
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Beachy Vibes and Fast Race Times in Jacksonville
Stephen says, 2023 is the “Year of the Marathon”. His crazy race calendar kicked off with the Dopey Challenge in Orlando and it’s looking like it might end with Honolulu in December. Last week, he shared the race report for the DONNA half. This week, I’d love to share with you the rest of the beachy vibes and fast race time in Jacksonville Beach. The Arrival Unlike our typical trip, our flight didn’t leave until 8pm. This led to a rather leisurely trip to the airport and a little extra time in the Delta Lounge. I took advantage of the unstructured time to have a glass of house Rose’ while…
