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Mizuki Noguchi at "China-Free" Sugadaira Training Camp to Rebuild From the Ground Up

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/sports/news/CK2008060202014342.html

translated by Brett Larner

Beijing Olympics women`s marathon team leader Mizuki Noguchi (29, Team Sysmex) has begun her "China-free" main Olympic preparation in Nagano Prefecture`s Sugadaira Takahara region. Noguchi arrived in Sugadaira on June 1 to begin an intensive training camp. Her coach Nobuyuki Fujita (67) told reporters that Noguchi has abandoned plans to attend a training camp in Kunming, China which was scheduled to begin June 12 and will instead remain in Sugadaira for the rest of the month. Noguchi will take advantage of the area`s arduous up-down terrain to strengthen her lower body in order to withstand Beijing`s hard road surfaces.

In the lead up to Beijing Noguchi`s support and coaching team made the decision to avoid China, with Fujita instead selecting a domestic base for Noguchi`s training. "Kunming`s main advantage is its elevation," said Fujita. "This time, however, strong legs are going to be more important. Sugadaira`s up-down environment is the perfect site for building legs capable of handling Beijing`s roads." Kunming is situated at a high altitude but is primarily flat. Sugadaira, by contrast, features a variety of mountain trails and a cross-country course with hills 50 m tall. The concrete used in Beijing`s roads is extremely hard and will cause more stress to runners` legs than most will be accustomed to. Thus, a strong lower body will be critical and Sugadaira is ideal. Although Noguchi`s team originally planned to travel to Kunming later in the month they have instead opted to remain in Sugadaira throughout June. Noguchi will travel to Beijing on June 28 and 29 to do a test on the Olympic course, then will travel to St. Moritz, Switzerland for altitude training in July.

Although she has always trained in Kunming before her marathons, Noguchi is unconcerned with the change. "I can train anywhere," she said. "I will do anything I need to, anywhere." On the first day of the Sugadaira training camp she did a 30 km run. "My legs are feeling good and developing nicely." While training in Kunming in March Noguchi contracted a rash which interfered with her training, but with her base now located in Japan her health is safeguarded as she prepares to become the first woman to defend an Olympic marathon title.

Translator`s note: A television news story about Noguchi`s Olympic preparations which aired on NHK reported that her training plan calls for her to run 800 km during her three weeks in Nagano. Other stories indicated that the recent major earthquake in China was also a factor in Noguchi`s decision not to train in Kunming.

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