MY TOKYO MARATHON - RACE DAY

This week I travelled to Tokyo for the Tokyo Marathon which is one of the Abbott World Major Marathons.

As I was still nursing my bruised ribs so there was no training this week. I was concerned about racing and decided to go with the flow and as usual listen to my body. I know I have completed seven marathons before so not worried about getting around the route, I have put in the training, there is always room to train harder, but I was happy with the work I have put in. I just worried about the pain management. Breathing still hurts but its not as bad as it was last week. I’m still using pain killers and Voltaren gel on the area. There is an improvement, hoping by race day I can manage to run.

Wednesday afternoon I travelled from Dubai to Tokyo arriving into Tokyo on Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get much sleep on the flights as I had to connect with two hours transit in Hong Kong. Fuelled with excitement I decide to stay with the local Tokyo time, once I landed I tried to keep the fatigue at bay. Luckily, I had some industry friends in on a supplier trip, so I tagged along with their dinner plans. This was a prefect start to the trip as I had great company and dinner plans organised. We met for an early dinner, as we all work in hospitality and enjoyed food and drink, we had two dinners! Yes, this is normal for us foodies. First stop was a traditional izakaya in Ginza. A traditional drinking house – the Japanese equivalent to a pub. There were lucky that one of the friends’ wife was Japanese and took over the ordering. We feasted on small plates with beer and sake. For our second diner we went to a local seafood BBQ restaurant where we had to BBQ our selected seafood at the table. Great evening catching up with friends in Tokyo.

Friday, I was lucky enough to get access passes to the tuna action at the fish market. No rest for the wicked. The morning started at 4am where I met with my friends and we made our way to the famous morning fish market and explored the Tsukiji Market. We enjoyed a fish feast for breakfast and then I parted with my friends and went to the Tokyo Marathon expo to collect my race number. The expo wasn’t too busy when I arrived at 11am. I got through relatively with ease and the friendly efficient staff made it pleasurable experience. I met a few runners aiming for their sixth Abbott World Major Marathons, their stories are always inspiring. A total of 740 runners will be collecting their sixth star finishers medal on Sunday. I generally don’t hang around much at an expo, a quick walk around and then it was back to the hotel with my race number, wrist band, t- shirt and goody bag. I planned and early dinner and early night so I can rest up and catch up on my sleep.

Saturday, I woke up early, well rested from a good 12 hours sleep. I went for morning a stroll in the Meiji Shrine. It was a beautiful sunny morning walking the temple grounds around the park. I made an offering at the shrine and wrote a prayer on an ema (wooden plaque which prayers are written on) to wish everyone running on Sunday a speedy, safe and successful marathon. I visited the Nike shop to pick up some Tokyo Marathon apparel. On my way back to the hotel I stopped at Shinjuku Station and familiarised my route for race day. I picked up a rain mac in the local 7/11 supermarket in anticipation of the rain on Sunday. Back at the hotel I was ready with my race day bag packed and running gear laid out. I was feeling very nervous and not knowing what to expect on race day. I haven’t run in two weeks and the bruised ribs were feeling less painful but certain movements and deep breathing is still caused pain. To take my mind off things I decided to go to a local onsen (hot baths) near the hotel. Thermae Yu in Shinjuku was the perfect place to relax, bath and spend a few hours before race day.

Sunday – Tokyo Marathon Race Day (3rd March 2019)

I woke up at 5.30am and got myself ready for race day with my breakfast of instant porridge, banana and coffee all washed down with a High Five electrolyte drink. Once I was ready, I checked the weather forecast, it was due to rain non-stop from 8am. Thankfully I had my rain mac. I applied lots of Voltaren gel on my ribs and lower back and took my pain killers and walked to the start line. As soon as I got to Shinjuku Station everything was well sign posted with volunteers directing runners to the correct gates. Once you got to the gate they checked for your wristband and then went through to bag check. Once through the gates you have changing rooms, restrooms, water, Pocari Sweat and fruit stations. I was early and had time to relax undress from my sweat pants and coat and put on my rain mac. I picked up a banana, Pocari Sweat and some water. No water bottles are allowed into the race area or on the running route, all water stations have paper cups at the start area and also along the route where the water stations are. This I can imagine this rule stressed a lot of runners out who would be used to carrying their own water. I don’t carry water as a general rule, so it made no difference to me. I learned to listen to my body and drink at regular intervals enough to keep me hydrated during my training runs. From there I went to the bag drop area, then I queued for the bathroom (they have both western and traditional toilets in the porta loos) and headed to the start line pen G. It started to rain and was coming down quite heavy. I was taking in the race day atmosphere with fellow runners exchanging stories on where they have travelled from, congratulating six-star runners and wishing each other good luck. It began to get cold and the rain was putting a damper on the day, runners were jogging on the spot to keep warm. I decided to focus and put on my headphones and get myself mentally prepared. As the race day cannons went off the energy in the pen began to increase and I could sense the excitement, everyone was high fiving and wishing each other luck, patting each other on the back and away we went. As we headed to the start line, there were rows of volunteers collecting up unwanted clothing and rubbish. As we cross the start line a few runners slipped on the melted slush of confetti that was sprayed by the starting cannon.

I decide to keep my rain mac on for as long as possible as I was feeling very cold and could not feel my fingers. I took it slow and steady listening to my breath and focusing on my stride, already jogging step by step I noticed my stride was smaller than normal, I thought to myself baby steps. I wanted to reduce the impact so not to agitate the rib area. It was not my normal running stride but never the less I was running. It was about 3km when I eventually got some feelings in my fingers. The running crowd was quite dense as the roads were quite tight in width compared to the NYC and Chicago Marathons. I noticed there was no blue line (the official measure of the marathon running route) so I could possibly be in trouble. Normally I would use the blue line as my guide as I made the mistake in NYC zig zagging and wasted meters on high fiving the crowds. I also find the blue line gives me something to focus on during my previous marathon runs. I was running at steady pace, enjoying the sea of spectators who braved the elements cheering, waving and some where even in full dress up costumes. I looked out for six-star finishers sign on their back and made effort to cheer them on saying “congrats you got this!” just to see their smiles. I took my first gel at 8km I was feeling good but not warming up enough to unbutton my rain mac and certainly not ready to take it off. It was keeping me warm and dry.

At 10km I need a bathroom break so queued and used a bathroom stop, these bathrooms were not labelled western or local, I got a local toilet so was a bit of a struggle to squat in my mid length rain mac. I continued along the route fully lined with spectators in a sea of umbrellas. I was impressed by the sheer number of volunteers (young and old) that lined the route braving the elements with smiles and bags just to collect the rubbish to keep the route litter free. I took my second gel at 16km and was feeling good, still had my rain mac on but had started to feel a bit warmer and began unbuttoning the mac for some ventilation.

Headphones went on and I started to listen and focus on the lyrics of my running tunes, some gave me memories, and some put a smile on my face and some just made me sing along. I needed anything to distract me from the cold, rain and the wind. At 20km I was beginning to feel hot I ran with my rain mac fully opened till about 24km we hit a few inclines I was getting hot so and I took off my rain mac. It was probably a bad mistake. I was warmed up and I was fine running in my wind proof and rain proof running jacket but as the kilometres passed I was getting colder. I took another Gu gel at 24km. My hands were getting numb again by 30km. I put the hood up too keep warm, but the wind was too strong and kept blowing it off. I tried to tuck it into my headband but couldn’t because my hands were so cold, I couldn’t feel anything. I took my last Gu gel at 32km.

At around 34km my rib area was beginning to hurt,my right leg and hip was feeling pain. I took my pain killers and I washed it down with some water and took a red bean paste thing that was being handed out to help line the stomach. I thought a bit of sugar would help warm me up too. The next few kilometres I was struggling with the pain in my right leg, I tried to breath through it and focused on my breath and tried to meditate through my run, I have practised mediation running before for the Chicago marathon and used it to get through the rain and the wind during the though moments. This was one of them! Focusing on my breath and repeating my running mantra “I came for this, I trained for this” until I got into a rhythmic state and repeated it over and over. I kept this up until I hit some medicinal smell in the air, it was the pain spray station by the sponsors Salonpas. I was at 40km at this point when I ran straight into tent off the race track. They were handing out miniature sprays. My fingers were so cold I could not remove the protective seal I just handed to one of the attendants and asked for help, they were happy to assist. I just sprayed the whole miniature on my right hip and the back my calves and around my right ankle. I high fived the attendant as I left the tent and off I went. It had a cold numbing sensation on my legs and hip which was similar to Biofreeze. I didn’t care I couldn’t feel a thing momentarily with the spray, I may have over done it, but I felt it helped with the pain. I was almost there only another 2km to go. I wanted to cross that finish line so bad. I spotted a few people who were clearly struggling, walking with limps and pushing themselves hard. I approached them and asked if they were ok and told them they were almost there, well done and I could see them either giving me a thumbs up as they were in so much pain or just a smile to acknowledge me or a thank you. You never know how a little encouragement at the last kilometres really helps. I’ve been there!

Finally, it’s the home straight I can see the dense crowds of spectators lined along the street. It was a beautiful view, the cheers of the crowd just lifted my spirits, as I turned the corner of the last 100 meters I saw the finish line ahead of me, I was over come by emotion and tears streamed down my face. It was a feeling of joy, accomplishment, pain, determination and happiness. As I crossed the finish line I dedicated my race to my late husband Bo. Tokyo was the place on his bucket list that we never ticked off. This week was his 12th anniversary that he passed away. This was a big emotional race and trip for me. I have always wanted to visit Tokyo and tour around Japan. It never felt right to go without him, when I got into Tokyo Marathon by lottery last year it was my time and I embraced it.

Now I have another Abbott World Marathon medal to add to my collection. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the race. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers and supporters who braved the elements and made the race an enjoyable event despite the weather conditions they smiled, encouraged and cheered all the way. At no point was there a gap in the crowds. The volunteers who showed pride for their city by keeping it clean and tidy, the spectators who respected the runners and showed unconditional support and encouragement I salute you. It was tough out there, but you were with us all the way.

At the finish line there were lots of volunteers congratulating us and directing us through the gate to the water station, towel station, foil wrap and goody bag. Then we were directed to our baggage collection point and the changing areas. I was so cold my hands were so frozen I could not untie my bag to get my clothes out to change into. I sat on my hands for several minutes in the changing room watching everyone undress and put on warm dry clothing. It felt like the longest few minutes in life. I was desperate to change into my dry warm clothes and go back to the hotel. Tokyo Marathon provided a travel card which lasts for 24 hours of race day. The finish area was right next to the metro and once you side stepped and struggled as many of us did to the entrance of the metro a group of helpful, friendly, empathetic volunteers were at available to direct you on the required metro line to your hotel.

I will not bore you with the pain and struggle to get back to the hotel but to tell you I was overjoyed, like the cat that got the cream, on this occasion my finisher medal worn with pride and my fourth star! As I type this blog I am still waiting confirmation of my official race timing and race day photos. It was so cold there was no time for pictures pre and post race. My Garmin states I did 43.7km in 4.47.53 hours. My timing was secondary considering I was injured and the race conditions that was in it. I was just happy to cross that finish line.

Next up Berlin Marathon in September 2019. I’ll aim for my fifth star and a personal best will be a bonus.

Thank you for following by blog. I hope you enjoyed "My Tokyo Marathon" I have certainly enjoyed writing it and sharing my journey with you.

Happy running!

Chrissy x