Marathons in Japan - Which One Will Inspire You?

Japan is an Island located in East Asia just along the Pacific Ocean. Its rich cultural history combined with its amazing architecture, make it a favorite for both travelers and adventure seekers alike. For those runners who want beautiful countryside and aren’t afraid to sweat (more than average), Japan offers marathon runners a uniqueness not found anywhere else on earth. Make your way around the city during the Tokyo Marathon, taking in the touristy sites. Or, run from the Pacific Ocean to t ... Seguir leyendo

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Paul

Nagano Marathon, Comentario realizado el 20 septiembre, 2023

Race preparation Getting injured in mid-December, just weeks after entering the Nagano Marathon, I hadn't fully recovered until mid-February and thus, my build-up was suboptimal. I averaged only 42 k... Race preparation Getting injured in mid-December, just weeks after entering the Nagano Marathon, I hadn't fully recovered until mid-February and thus, my build-up was suboptimal. I averaged only 42 kilometres per week in the ten weeks leading up to the marathon and only managed to do two 30-kilometre training runs during that time. I hiked the Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo in the weeks leading up to the event, which helped my strength and endurance. Start After entering the marathon with a 3 hours 15-minute expectation and catering for my lack of preparation, I adjusted my goal time down to 3 hours and 45 minutes (5 minutes 21 seconds per kilometre pace), setting my Garmin Connect workout for the marathon to alert me if my pace was faster than 5 minutes 10 seconds per kilometre. What I couldn't change however was my start area. Running the first 5 kilometres in 26 minutes and 1 second (5 minutes 12 seconds per kilometre pace), the route was crowded, and it felt like everyone was passing me. We reached the highest point of the course (383 metres above sea level) soon afterwards, at 6.5km. With a straight downhill from Zenkō-ji Temple, spectators grew considerably, and I ran my fastest kilometre (4 minutes 59 seconds). Sandra had planned to see me at the 7-kilometre mark, and I was excited to see her. As the Strava Beacon tracker was late, she hadn't expected me (yet) and scrambled to take a photo as I suddenly appeared in front of her. 10 Kilometres I reached the 10 kilometres in 51 minutes 57 seconds (at a steady 5 minutes 12 seconds per kilometre pace). Still faster than what I wanted, but I was struggling to go much slower. I knew that would come eventually. I was taking water at every aid station - something I don't do on my regular training runs. It was good, and it helped me feel relaxed and in control. At 15 kilometres (1h17m45s - 5m11s/km pace), I saw giant caterpillars trying to cross the road hoping that they wouldn't get squashed under all the runners' feet. I was enjoying the run and the views of the snow-capped mountains around us. Up ahead was an out-and-back section. It was busy with lots of spectators, some even holding signs and cheering in English. The 20km mark (1h43m41s - 5m10s/km pace) was by a long bridge. There were no spectators on the bridge - except Sandra. She was easy to spot in her orange-coloured Marmot Eclipse rain jacket. Half Marathon At the half-marathon point, I decided to stop - for a photo (which I don't normally do, but after all, I was running a marathon in Japan). My finish time was important but not that important. I got to 25km - just past another out-and-back section - in a net time of 2h09m38s (5m11s/km pace). The support stations now offered bananas, so I took a piece at every station to the finish. Digesting bananas during a marathon is easy (and I know them, unlike the artificial sports nutrition that was also handed out). The 30km had been my longest training run, but when I got there on race day (2h36m17s - 5m13s/km pace), I didn't have the same aches and pains I'd had in training. It just goes to show: that marathon adrenaline helps a lot. Or maybe the two Ibuprofen tablets I took at the 20km mark had worked their magic. Either way, my hips and groin weren't hurting. But my toes and Morton's Neuroma were starting to impact me (again). While there were a few undulations over the final 12 kilometres (in the form of bridge crossings and river banks), the views took my mind off my pain. By now, a few people were walking, and I felt as though I was passing as many people as were passing me earlier in the race. 30 kilometres From 30 to 35km, I could feel a nice tailwind gently pushing me along, but I also knew we would be turning back into the wind at 35km. I tried to take advantage of it and kept my pace steady, reaching the 35km mark and the headwind at 3h02m57s (5m14s/km pace). The bear was on my back for the next 4 kilometres. My toes hurt - a lot. I wondered how many would become black. I tried to stay focused, but I also knew with every kilometre that I was slowing. Eventually, the 3h45m pace group flew past me as if I was standing still. With positive self-talk and meditation, thinking of those who wish they could but can't, I fought the pain and slowly counted down the kilometres to the finish line. I knew I could break 4 hours, even if I walked. But I also knew the faster I got to the finish line, the sooner I could stop. 40km (at 3h32m39s - 5m19s/km pace) didn't come soon enough. At that point, I had walked between a couple of lamp posts. But walking didn't change the level of pain, so I reasoned (with myself) to just continue running to the finish line. As I turned from the road onto the gravel path leading to the Stadium, the balls of my feet were screaming at me. At least, I was now less than 800 metres from the finish. On through the tunnel (wondering what it would have been like to win the Olympic Marathon), we finally reached the grassy area inside the Stadium - what a relief. The finish was 200 metres away, and I slowed right down to take in the spectacle and savour the moment. My net finish time was 3h46m14s (5m22skm average pace). I was happy. After the finish line Ten metres after the finish, I looked up and spotted Sandra waving excitedly in the Grandstand. A brief hand signal and smile signalled I had seen her and would meet her at the exit. The finish area was big enough to have a few photos taken of me by a volunteer. Next, I received my medal, finisher's towel and a disposable mask. As I left the stadium (through yet another tunnel), a sports drink was thrust into my hand. I was pretty thirsty by that time as the temperature had risen sharply, but a sports drink would have been my end. Where was the water? Fortunately, Sandra met me on the other side of the tunnel, and she had our water bottle. She led me to a shady area near the exit where I rested and drank water on the grass for a while. Once I felt strong enough, we slowly walked to the departure point for the shuttle buses (about 100 metres away). Very un-Japanese, the volunteer at the bus stop barked at me as soon as I arrived, as I didn't have my shuttle voucher ready to hand it to him. After I managed to find the voucher and hand it to him with shaky hands, I was finally allowed on the bus. I even found a seat. Sandra took off on her bike, and once our bus was full, it left for Shinonoi Station. From there, I had to (pay to) take the (by then packed) train to Nagano Station, which (due to delays on the line) meant I ended up standing for more than 40 minutes - not much fun after running a marathon. In hindsight, I should have (not listened to the advice in the participant's guide and) taken the other shuttle bus option straight to Nagano Station.

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Ed	Ed Yokohama Marathon, Comentario realizado el 11 marzo, 2019 Well organized, easy access from Tokyo, convenient start and finish locations. Need to more toilets at the start. Overall great marathon and certainly recommend it. más