6)Sunday February 29, 2003 Weather : Cloudy occasionally sunny February total running distance : 338 km

• It was reported that it would be rainy only in the morning. Thus I intended to run in the afternoon. However, it seemed that it would not rain. I decided to run around 8:00 AM.
• Yesterday, I ran to Arakawa River. The running distance was 36 km. Today's my plan was to run around 15 km.
• First, I reached Koganei Park, then went to the starting point of Tamako Lake Cycling Road. I continued to run alongside Itsukaichi Highroad.
• However, soon, I got lost since I did not have a map.
• I was forced to come back to the place where I could identify. Then I ran to Tanashi alongside Musashisakai Street and got home. Today's running distance was 20 km. It did not rain.
• The total running distance in February is 338 km. I could run more than I expected this month.

5)Saturday February 21, 2004 Weather : Sunny Running to Tama River

• It was said that the temperature would be 17 degrees Centigarade. It's almost April!
• I decided the destination as Tama River. I left home at 7:20 AM. It was cool in the morning.
• I ran alongside Shin-koganei Highroad and reached the Koremasa Bridge as usual. It was getting warmer and warmer while running.
• I felt so good and thus I continued to run on the bank of Tama River almost 2 km while I did not have a plan first.
• Then, I ran alongside the road to Chofu city. Soon I came across Tama Cemetery.
• I ran through the cemetery and came back home via Tohachi Road and Shin-koganei Highroad.
• I visited Tama Cemetery for the first time. It was so spacious and I was surprised to learn that there were so many big and gorgeous tombs.
• Today's my planned runnning distance was 30 km. But actually I ran 37 km.
• I ran totally 242 km so far in February.

4)Sunday February 15, 2004 Weather : Sunny February Run

• I started to run from 7:00 AM after a long interval on holiday. It was fine. Temperture was 4 degrees Centigrade. It was not so cold.
• Yesterday, the spring-heralding storm came on earlier than usual. The ume flowers started to come out.
• I found lovely daffodils alongside Kurome River.
  
  
  Ume flowers Daffodil
  
  
  
• It's hard for me to run a long distance since I just joined Katsuta full marathon race on February 11, 2004.
• I ran alongside Nobidome irrigation via Heirinji Temple. The distance was 20 km. When passing Heirinji Temple around 8:00 AM, I heard sutra-chanting and beating a bass drum.
• So far, total running distance in February is 185 km.

3)Saturday January 31, 2004 Weather : Sunny January total running distance : 302 km

• When completing the Tateyama Wakashio Marathon Race last Sundy, the total running distance in January was 278 km. The target was 300 km and the balance was 22 km.
• However, after the full marathon race, I did not have a mind to run for a while. I only ran 10 km in the early morning on January 29.
• Then I ran again today 14 km alongside Kurome/Ochiai Rivers. Finally the total running distance became 302 km. I could fulfil the norma.
• I have a plan to keep monthly 300 km distance until I join Saroma Ultra Matathon Race in late June.

2)Saturday January 17, 2004 Weather : Cloudy then snow Weather Forecast "Cloudy then Snow"

• The weather forecast of January 17 was "Cloudy then smow. Snow may lay a couple of inches deep." Thus I got up at 5:30 AM and started to jog at 6:30 AM.
• As forecasted, it was cloudy in the early morning. The temperature was 2 degrees Centigrade. Cold! I was running with woolen cap for the protection against the cold.
• The running course was alongside Karabori & Yanase Rivers. We did have little rain lately, thus the amount of water of Karabori River was very little. I could see that the part of water in the river was frozen.
• It was so cold that my body did not warm up while running.
• During the winter season, there is no flowers and all I can see is leafless trees. I cannot enjoy the scenery.
• Therefore, while I was running, I was listening to the radio for diversion with earphone.
• Today's running distance was 29 km. In January, so far, the total running distance is 186 km.
• The snow started to fall around noon.
• I joined "Higashi-kurume father's club" at night after a long interval. Six members gathered at the Japanese pub in front of Higashi-kurume Station. We drank, chatted and enjoyed very much as usual.

1)Sunday January 4, 2004 Weather : Sunny Black-headed Gulls

• When I ran alongside Kurome River to Arakawa River last December, I could see a flock of black-headed gulls around Asaka City.
• I could see the flock in Kurome River for the first time. Unfortunately, at that time, I did not have a digital camera and could not record.
• Therefore, I decided to see black-headed gulls with digital camera again.
• I left home around 9:45 AM. It was fine, but cold north wind was blowing.
• I was running alongside Kurome River downstream.
• The place where the flock of black-headed gulls can be seen is near the railway bridge of Tobu Tojo Line, located very close to Asakadai Station.
• The distance from my home is 12.5 km.
  
  
  Black-headed gull Flying Flock
  
  
  
• I could see more black-headed gulls in last December.
• I ran 25 km. So far, totally I ran 55 km in January.