Today is a Japanese national holiday which honors young people who have reached, or who will reach, the age of 20 during the current year. They will be legal adults and gain the right to vote in elections as well as to drink and smoke tobacco.

Local governments usually have a ceremony known as a seijin shiki (adult ceremony)to honor the “new adults”. The ceremony is generally held in the morning and all of the young adults maintaining residency in the area are invited to attend. Government officials give speeches, and small presents are handed out to the new adults.

Women celebrate the day by wearing furisode kimono, which are kimono in which the portions which hang from the sleeves are long as compared to the kimono with shorter sleeve portions worn by mature, married women. Some women will add hakama (baggy pantaloons). Most young woman cannot put on a kimono themselves, and go to a kimono kitsuke who dresses them. They also go to a hair stylists to have their hair set the day before or early in the morning. Many women rent their kimonos because of the cost of buying one.

Another 4 years till I have to worry about my son’s seiji shiki and I suppose I better start saving for it. I wonder though if he is ever going to grow up lately. Going through a terrible time at the moment with schooling and being a teenager.

How did I celebrate the day? A 10km slow jog up the river ( 5km up and then back). Took it easy, legs felt good however when I tried to pick the pace up a bit I could feel my heart start to struggle. Even though it only went to 164 max according to the Garmin heart rate monitor. The stress of running and cycling for the heart appear to be quite different. I can easily ride at 164bpm. Often maxing at 185 or higher. Running though is different. I need to look into that and figure out why. Is it all that extra weight of my body pounding on my hips and knees and ankles? On a bike it’s like sitting on a sofa. No weight impact, all nice and fluid.

The dogs are looking very scruffy with their coats growing all tangled and mangled. My intention for the rest of the day is to make them look a little more like Airedales and a little less like werewolves. If I get through that and feel good, I may hit the gym or go for a castle ride. If not I’ll ride to work tomorrow.

Weight was still in the 85kg range this morning and I pigged out a bit yesterday on fried chicken, sausages and bread from the bakery.

Will come back and edit in more here tonight.

2009 tally: Bike152.4km Run 35.4km