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Dec 30, 2024
I've always enjoyed using whiteboards and diagrams to visualise work but I've never tried creating cartoons - a whole different way of communicating. I always thought I didn't have it in me. The drawings would look terrible, and I'd just give up.
But I'm giving it another shot. Right now, it's not about quality; it's about quantity and improving, one step at a time.
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Dec 30, 2024
While on a trip to Japan with my wife, we got talking about how much of what we do in life is shaped by movies - everything from beauty standards to how people are judged by their wealth, even to our ideas about who the "bad guys" in the world are.
Personally, I prefer sitting side-by-side. It feels more intimate and it's so much easier to share food that way. But it's funny how the default seating arrangement is almost always face-to-face. -
Back from Balmoral! Spent some time walking the hills, followed by a swim - perfect weather for it.
I found a great hill to practise on for the UTA50 in May. It's 500m long with a 70m elevation gain. I did 3 reps today, which added up to 200m elevation.
Considering the UTA50 involves over 2km of elevation, I'm thinking a solid training session could be a 1km run plus 500m hill up and down x 10 times. That would work out to about 20km total with 700m elevation.
Definitely aiming to tackle this in March or April!
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The first workout after a 4-week break and being sick - definitely felt the drop in fitness but the goal today was just to push through the Hyrox stations at around 70% effort.
Session Summary
Total Time: 1h 2m
Calories Burned: 730
Workout Breakdown- 1km easy run
- SkiErg: 500m
- Sled Push: 180kg, 40m
- Sled Pull: 140kg, 40m
- Burpee Broad Jumps: 40m
- Rowing: 500m
- Farmer's Carry: 20kg x 2, 100m
- Lunges: 24kg, 20m
- Wall Balls: 7kg x 20
- 1km easy run
Happy to have completed it - just building back step by step!
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Went for an "easy" 3km run today. After three weeks off - thanks to holidays, being sick, and enjoying way too many snacks in Japan - I've definitely lost some fitness. Oh, and I gained an extra 3kg of "holiday goodness."
The first few runs and workouts after a break always feel tough, like you'll never get back to where you were. But it's just temporary. I love the grind. Step by step, you get better than the week before.
Next up: UTA50 - an ultramarathon in the Blue Mountains this May. Time to focus on leg strength and hill training. Bring it on!
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If you visit Japan, don't expect to find almond milk for your coffee or rubbish bins on every corner. But what you will find are plenty of adorable logos and cute instructions.
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Tell me you got sick without telling me you got sick...
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Osaka at night feels alive. The big glowing Running Man sign in Dotonbori lights up the busy streets. Food stalls fill the air with yummy smells.
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Visited Osaka Castle. The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to wars, lightning strikes and natural disasters. The current structure dates back to 1931.
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In Osaka today.
Fun fact: Osaka brought the world the sushi train in 1958!
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Japan's mastery of small-space solutions shows in designs like a basket under a cafe chair and an umbrella holder. These simple ideas maximise convenience and keep spaces uncluttered.
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I had a lovely 11km walk (included a nice hill climb) over two hours from the hotel to Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan's most iconic Shinto shrines in Kyoto.
The pathway up Mount Inari is lined with over 10,000 torii gates, each inscribed with the donor's name and the date of their donation.
The shrine itself extends across Mount Inari, with the summit standing at around 233 metres - a great workout!
Scattered throughout the grounds are stone fox statues, which are considered messengers of Inari. Many of these foxes are depicted holding keys in their mouths, symbolising the key to a rice granary.
The fox statues wear bright red scarves as a way to show respect and thanks to the spirit they represent. The red colour is also thought to keep away bad spirits and bring protection.
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Visited Kyoto Tower (131 metres tall, completed in 1964, inspired by a candle-like design). While it's undeniably an iconic structure, the observation deck was surprisingly small, with a ceiling so low I could touch it with my hand.
Despite being built to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, the slight movement of the deck was noticeable - which definitely freaked out Em a bit!
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Nijō Castle, built in 1603 as a residence for Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, is a place best experienced in person. Its cypress-wood architecture and extensive gardens are amazing, far beyond what photos can convey.
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I've applied for the Sydney Marathon 2025.
Now that it's a major event, you have to apply and hope for the best to secure an entry. Fingers crossed!
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The first full day in Kyoto, a city home to over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines.
Busy Nishiki Market on Monday morning.
There are many wires hanging from the poles. I'm not sure why they don't bury them underground - perhaps it's due to earthquakes.
The city has strict height restrictions, preserving its low-rise, picturesque views.
A road sign that looked like an alien holding a child.
And the streets here? They're typically narrow and quiet.
Fushimi Inari Shrine at night
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Japanese post boxes are delightfully short. Their tops barely reach belly-button height.
This compact design is no accident. It prioritizes accessibility, ensuring children and wheelchair users can easily reach them.
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Today, we took the Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto.
The experience was smooth and hassle-free. The train covered an impressive 365 km in just 2 hours and 5 minutes.
Travelling with luggage wasn't an issue at all. While there wasn't enough space for my suitcase on the overhead shelf, it fit comfortably in the legroom area and between the seat in front of Em.
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Last night, I went for a "traditional" Japanese dinner for a change 🙈
One thing that's been a bit tricky about food in Japan is finding accessible vegetables. Sure, you can track down tomatoes and lettuce but it's not as simple or as common as in Australia.
Supermarkets aren't as common in urban areas, with most shopping options centred around smaller convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Family Mart.
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Visited Odawara Castle this afternoon - a place steeped in history. Once the base of the Hojo Clan, it grew into one of the region's most formidable fortresses. At its height, the castle town was protected by an incredible 9-kilometre moat and earthen walls. Sadly, much of it was destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.
