Marathon Day 28th Feb 2010
The race day finally arrived. It seems like a while ago when I first started this blog and too be honest the level of training wasn’t as much as I would have liked. This was due to a number of factors. In the end the most I managed to run was 20km. I knew that the race would be tough.
This morning I woke up at around 6.45am. I could hear the rain outside, I was tired and my stomach felt full from the food from the day before. At this point I really didn’t want to go, I just wanted to go back to bed. The rain is always demoralizing. I got ready and made some pasta. It was tough eating that kind of food at 7am. I then packed up my stuff. I decided to wear my usual run gear and also a gortex jacket over the top. I took a selection of energy bars and the amino value stuff.
I was half way to the station and then realised I’d left my number tag at home. DOH!!!. Not a very good start. So I went back and got it and then started out again. When i got to the station near the start line there was only 5 minutes left to deposit my bag in the truck. Lucky my truck was very near the station. I then headed over to the holding area K.
The holding area was gravel and there was loads of puddles so had to be careful. The next 40 minutes or so was spent standing / freezing in the rain. Finally we started to walk to the start line and then about 9.20am I crossed the start line.
I went for a very easy pace and the course was pretty easy as its all down hill for the first section. The rain was coming down more than before and my hands were wet.
The time went by very quickly watching all the runners and the supporters. At 5km there was the first drinks station.
Next arrived near the palace and then Hibiya. Up to this point the pace was fine and also i felt fine. Next was the run down to shinagawa and then back up again. Once I reached the 20km mark then I started to feel tired. I ate 1 chocolate bar and had an amino value.
I managed to run for another 4km and then I had to change to walk and run. This stretch was the run up to Asakusa and via ginza. There were loads of people handing out lots of sweets and food.
Reach 30km and now my legs were feeling stiff. The rain had almost stopped and the weather looked much better. I continued my walk / run / walk /run.
The last few km were very tough.
Finally crossed the line around 5 hours after starting. Here I received some water, a towel, a medal, banana, orange and spray to help with leg pain. I got changed and then headed back home. Too ages to get back because my legs had gone very stiff and painful after I stopped running.
Overall the event was very well organised and was good. It would have been much better if I’d completed the full training. Its definitely not as tough as trailwalker probably because it doesn’t go on and on.
Might have a go next year if I can do some proper training this year.
Approximate timing. I’m not sure exactly about the first leg. So probably my final time was just over 5 hours.
