My First Marathon

Marathon Day 28th Feb 2010

king30 — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:03:37 +0000

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.

Training Feb 24th 2010

king30 — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:54:28 +0000

Today was just a quick run to stretch out the legs before the weekend. Quick 12 mins out and 12 mins in. No problems.

Cardio

Road Running

25 mins

4km

Training Feb 21st 2010

king30 — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:53:13 +0000

Today did 10km run. Didn’t want to do anything that long. The first part was ok and then left knee started to hurt. The problem was the support strap was too tight. After i loosened the strap it was better.

Cardio

Road Running

56mins

9.6km

Training Feb 14th 2010

king30 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:26:54 +0000

Today I tried the same route as last week. I took the camel pak running bag this time with 1 litre of water. I managed to complete the course and was in a much better shape than the previous week. By Tuesday everything was recovered.

Cardio

Road Running

119 mins

19.4km

Training Feb 7th 2010

king30 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:07:46 +0000

Today I did a road run from home to the palace, 3 laps around the palace and then home. The first 12 km was ok. Then i stopped to find some water. After that it was a bit tough and my calf’s were feeling sore. Finished the distance running and walking. At the end my legs were very tired. Left knee is sore, both calf’s the right more than the left, right heel and top of right leg. Hopefully will be recovered by tomorrow.

Cardio

Road Running

126 mins

19.4km

Training Jan 30th 2010

king30 — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:20:26 +0000

Was aiming for 20km but was finding it took difficult and stopped after 14km. I think I didn’t eat enough food today.

Cardio

Treadmill

91 mins

1000 calories

14km

Training Jan 24th 2010

king30 — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:14:03 +0000

This week I needed to do a run longer than 15km. During the week I was too busy at work and didn’t manage to do anything. Even though i was a bit tired today after snowboarding yesterday I decided to have a go. I ate a snickers before I started. I ran 5km before having a drink. First 5km felt fine. Next 5km was a bit tougher. After 10km i ate a energy block and then did another 3 km. Then did 2km and then 1km, 1km, 1km. It was pretty tough to get to 18km but glad I’ve done it. Should be easier next time.

Cardio

Treadmill

114 mins

1297 calories

18km

Snowboarding Jan 23rd 2010

king30 — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:09:16 +0000

Did a day trip today to yuzawa area (kagura tashiro). Had to wake up at 5.35am and then get a cab to the Tokyo station and then the shinkansen. Was pretty tired no didn’t get any time to get any breakfast. When we arrived at Echigo Yuzawa station it was very cold.
We got the bus and started to walk to the ski area to get changed and buy the lift pass. Once of the group slipped on the ice and took a bit of stumble.
Got to the top of the ropeway and then snowboarded until lunch time. The snow as good and it was very quiet on the slopes. Was a fairly easy morning apart from a nice black run with loads of powder.
Good lunch at the top of the dragondola and then back to the slopes. Lots of powder everywhere.
All in all a good day trip.

Training Jan 17th 2010

king30 — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:29:35 +0000

Weights session.

Cardio

Cross Trainer

10 minutes

Level 7

103 calories

Weights

Lat Pull Down	3 sets x 10 reps	41kg
Leg curls	3 sets x 10 reps	63.5kg(2) , 72kg(1)
Lower back	3 sets x 10 reps	58.9kg
Reverse Leg Curl	3 sets x 10 reps	40.8kg(1), 49.9kg(2)
Shoulder Press	3 sets x 10 reps	22.7kg
Upper Back	3 sets x 10 reps	31.7kg(2), 34.2kg(1)
Outer thigh	1 sets x 10 reps, 2 sets x 9 reps	27.24kg (1), 31.78kg(2)
Inner thigh	3 sets x 10 reps	27.24kg(1), 31.78kg(2)
Leg Press	3 sets x 10 reps	81.72kg
Glut Raise	61 reps

Training Jan 13th 2010

king30 — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:23:28 +0000

Today I wanted to do a 17km run. I hadn’t run for 2 weeks as I was busy at work and also because of snowboarding.
The first 5km was tough. My shins were hurting. The next 5km was fine and the next 5 was tough. In the end I stopped after 15km. Not sure if I was still tired from the weekend or if I needed more energy.

Cardio

Treadmill

93.27 mins

1086 calories

15km