Over the Hill!!!

Friday night.....forget Fish'n'Chips at the Yacht Club...it's time for a 'Finally Friday F... Off ' Hash Run somewhere in Tokyo.

Yesterday morning dawned wet, windy and very chilly. By lunchtime, the torrential rains, thunder and lightning had given way to sunshine and the temperature was in the low 20's, but it was still blowing a gale. Reluctantly, Moses and I agreed to join Steve, who was keen to get some exercise, as most of his time is spent at a desk and computer. He fears that we're 'going to the pack' ....not ready to be 'put out to pasture' yet......whatever!!!!

The three of us arranged to meet at Shinagawa Station at 6.45 then catch a couple more trains to Roppongi. Travelling from Yokohama means Steve, Moses and I practically complete a marathon before we even get to the start....lots of hurried walking....escalators ....stairs....wrong exits...unreal crowds...wrong platforms...and more fast walking etc. Once in Roppongi we followed the chalk arrows to the start point for a Christmas Hash in Roppongi Hills. For once we arrived with time to spare and, therefore, time to chat for a bit. Someone from the hash group always stays behind and looks after the gear and, importantly, the food and beverages! Steve and Danny were keen to get on the move! Danny, the one who introduced us to hash running in Tokyo, works with Steve. He is addicted and never misses a run,  meaning he often runs Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Sometimes even Monday ....mad!

 'Muff Diver', the hare for this run, briefed us and explained that there would be 6 checkpoints and the 'Beer Stop' would be back at the start.

7.30pm arrives.... and to the cry of 'ON ON'!! we're off...
 

Racing across a field of blue....

avoiding the flooded areas.....

we head towards the trees on the other side!

Leaving the farm land, or was it 'Fairy Land' behind us we head towards the city......

Warning:

'Four wheeled' farm animals ahead....take care....may hinder your progress and, if angered, known to trample ...or conversely..... offer a welcome rest stop!

We ran through streets and back alleys.....

Up steps, down steps. Along arcades....

....over paths carpeted with fallen leaves and....

even through 'subway' burrows....

Beside our path, in 'lovely' pastures.... 

Reindeer grazed and....

 ....at one stage we came to a 'dead end' in a very dark cemetery! It was too dark to see the arrows!

Are we there yet??....nearly...watch the 'stampeding' stock....9.5 km's covered so far...

 PHEW!!..... quick grab a photo......the 'home paddock's' in sight!

Finally...the beer stop appears.

'Hey Moses, you little yakusa, what are you doing here??? We left you four kilometres ago favouring your 'sore' knee'.
'Ah!!! I am tough, I run very fast and get here before you!'

Yeah sure!...more like you found a shortcut...no wonder you were happy to stay with 'Got the Clap'...you knew he would have a shortcut up his sleeve.

At this stage the three of us decided to leave the revellers to their 'down downs'. We had further to travel than them, the wind was cold and we needed food!!!

Roppongi Hills is a 'must see' spot with its beautiful architecture and shops.

 
Here, the trees in the paddocks were covered in blossoms...

 ...blossoms, different to any we've ever seen.!

I was keen to drive home in my Ferrari...


and Moses in his Mercedes.

Finally we located somewhere to graze and rest our weary legs. By this stage both boys had gammy knees as well! 
We had a delicious feed, Mose's shout this time.

We then, very kindly,  left the cars at the 'Roppongi Carlton' for someone else to drive home!

The extra kilojoules needed to be burnt by hanging out with the locals on the trains.  Nothing like standing all the way home when all you want to do is lie down and sleep!!

The pastures of Roppongi Hills were very beautiful and very tempting .....but..... we feel being 'put out to pasture' is not an option yet.

So for us.......it's more hash running ....more cycling.....more walking....!

Its all good fun, if it doesn't kill us.

Training today: Cycling all over Yokohama..... keeping our muscles loose in preparation for tomorrow's Sumo run.

Tomorrow: We're off with the Yokohama Marathon runners (maybe). We'll start with them but do the shortened Sumo Hash version, 10+km's. If it's more, we're outta there! We'll grab the bikes instead!