And, because I can talk to people in Japanese, get the information and produce it in English, it's a nice little niche market. In past years, he himself has won several gold awards and one Grand Prix award. Poulson and his wife of 22 years, Eiko, live in the suburbs of Tokyo, in a house Poulson describes as small by American standards, but perfectly respectable for Japan. Here, they reared their daughter, Jennifer, who is now entering her sophomore year at the University of Washington. Eiko has a small business teaching English at home to neighborhood children.
Most houses have no front or back yards and only small side yards.
Tokyo is a wonderful place to run, Poulson says, and there are many road races to enter. Members originate from all parts of the world, including America, Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong and New Zealand. The group of about 50 runners trains together once a week and runs in about six relay races a year, as well as other races. The word, 'ekiden,' is even being used in America and other countries to describe a long road relay race, usually 40 or 50 kilometers, with five or six people running. Poulson runs in U.S. events when he is stateside.