Time waits for no one. Beast of a winter or not, the Tokyo Marathon is approaching fast. The length of my taper was riding on this week’s long run. I wasn’t entirely sure I possessed the endurance to squeeze out 20 miles at this point, no thanks to too many weeks of long runs cut short. Here’s how the week unfolded:
Monday: Yoga, prehab
Tuesday: Run 7 miles
Wednesday: Strength, Chiro visit
Thursday: 5 mile progression on mill
Friday: Rest (road trip)
Saturday: Rest (road trip)
Sunday: Run 20 miles
I’d been jacking around with a long run shoe for literally this entire training cycle. The New Balance 1080s went back and in their place came some Asics Nimbus. I’d loved the Nimbus in the past but a redesign that received lots of complaints had me worried. In my desperation, I decided to try it. Turns out it feels nothing like the old, pillowy Nimbus I loved. It has a firmer, lighter ride that I liked just fine. But would my ornery feet like them?
I wore them for the first time ever on my long run, fully prepared to turn back if necessary. I wanted at least 18 miles, 20 would be optimal. In an effort to avoid all the ice that’s plagued me lately, I veered from my usual marathon route and chose the hilliest, net uphill route I have. What was I thinking?
Of course it got hard. It always does. But when you don’t do the endurance runs you should have, it’s harder. By mile 15 I wasn’t sure 20 would happen. But I decided to hang on and fight for it. If I could get 20 today I could taper. I visualized the Tokyo finish…whatever that looks like…and not being pulled from the course. More on that in a sec.
In a word, the shoes are stars. They felt great for the entire 20 miles. I couldn’t be happier with how they performed. I’ve got my Tokyo and London marathon shoe!
I mentioned in my last post that we had a Tokyo Marathon briefing via conference call last week. I’d heard that Tokyo is unique in that there are stringent pace requirements. We combed though those carefully. Basically there are several points on the racecourse where, if you are not maintaining a certain pace, you’ll be swept. What’s more odd is the pace requirement changes as you go. What’s most weird is the first time cutoff is at the 5k mark. You read that right: You can be swept at 5k.
Another oddity is that the sweep times are based on gun time vs chip time. So if you’re in the last corral, which takes on average 25 minutes to cross the start line, you have 35 minutes to finish that first 5k. Anything slower and you’re done.
I don’t love that my hydration pack is not allowed on the Tokyo Marathon course. What’s more weird though is that you can’t use a handheld either. You basically MUST drink what they’re dishing up on the course. If you wanna add anything you have to add it to their little cup. Say what??
This should be interesting…
I’ll leave you with this quote from Charles Lint:
That’s the thing about magic. You’ve got to know it’s there, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.
How was your week? Ever run a race with weird course rules? Would a 5k pace cutoff scare you? Are you a fan of taper time?
Finding a good shoe can be so hard. The brands are always changing their styles (I used to love Brooks Launch but they made the toe box so wide!!) etc. Best of luck to you in Tokyo! That’s so exciting!!!
I can’t seem to find a shoe I love since saucony changed their triumphs last year. I am dabbling in Hokas but still haven’t really found one that i super duper love. Those rules would really scare me. When I am taking it easy, I would be over their time for the 5K and I don’t think I would want to sprint the first 3 miles of the marathon. Yikes!
Ok, my anxiety level just went to 11 and I’m not even running the thing! No handheld? What are they serving up, saki? Knowing you, you’ll just roll with it. Me, I’d be a mess. I’m so glad the Asics Nimbus came through for you. Thank goodness they’re back to their old selves!
Who the heck has a 5K cutoff for a marathon – especially with gun time?!
So glad you found your marathon shoe just in time! I bet getting that 20-miler under your belt must have felt great. Enjoy your taper!
I do remember when I ran Tokyo that some of the people who were there with us through Marathon Tours did get cut. They are quite strict on those requirements. I didn’t remember about the handhelds, but didn’t have a problem with what they were serving on the course (though they do serve tomatoes, which is so random!)
Yep, there’s no way I’d run Tokyo. I knew about the crazy sweeps when my then flatmate ran it, but I don’t think they were that tight then
You are AWESOME
Funny – was the Nimbus tinkering that got me to New Balance after being #ASICS4EVA
WHoa, I had no idea about the sweepers at Tokyo – that seems like an unfair time disadvantage for the last few waves if it’s based on gun time. Do other Majors do that too?
You are a badazz, not that I ever thought otherwise 😉 A 5K sweep cutoff, based on gun time? That seems a bit harsh, but certainly not the oddest oddity of the event. Glad you found the dream shoe!! (and, BTW, I love taper!!!)
Well, being swept at the 5k point may have an upside 🙂 LOL! That is crazy!! I’ve never heard of so many rules and sweeps in a marathon. You are in for an adventure woman!! I’m sure it will be a great experience and at least you found the most important thing – SHOES!!!
So happy that you were able to get in your 20 miler AND that the sneakers were awesome!
Wow…those rules seems a little bit cray-cray. Going off the gun time is just nuts to me, especially with the first cutoff being the 5K mark? Of course I know you’ll be fine but it just seems so strict! Also weird about not being able to use a handheld for hydration…what about a hydration belt? It just seems odd that they would force you to use what’s on the course, especially if it’s something you haven;t used in training.
OK, so there will be challenges, but it will just add to the adventure. (But seriously, I would be worried about GI issues …..). Yeah on the shoes! This really is going to be an amazing experience.
I say don’t even read all of those rules, they will just stress you out. Just get out there and do what you do!You totally got this. I am so excited to follow along on your adventures
So glad you found a shoe that works for you, that’s one less stress. Now let’s talk about Tokyo’s rules. Holy moly! Swept at the 5k mark! I’m sure you’ll be fine but I would be freaking out.
Yikes! Those rules would definitely raise my anxiety level. Got to be running at lease an 11:15 pace so I wonder if many people do get swept up at the 5k mark? Just a few weeks away though! So exciting!!!
Yay! So glad you gave the Nimbus a shot and that they worked out for you! Those are the exact same ones I have – color and everything 🙂
Awesome job getting those 20 in! I’ve been reading so much about those sweeps based on gun time and you know I am no way ready to do Tokyo. One of my FB groups has shared so much information about this race. At least when I finally make my way there I will know what is and is not allowed. I saw on someone else’s page today that it is just 20 days away. I can’t believe it’s almost here! I’m so excited for you!
are you glad you are nearly there??? this training for Tokyo has gone by so quickly!! I’m so glad you’ve got your shoe! I mean, that’s pretty important!
Tokyo scares me to death. I want to run it so badly but I am just not at the right pace to not be worried about the sweeps. It’s tough. But you are tougher, Marcia. You are definitely going to make it to the the finish.
Well, i’m pretty sure I would get swept, at least somewhere. I’m also pretty sure you won’t, despite the really tough training cycle. Enjoy that taper & enjoy Tokyo!
I understand why big cities don’t allow hydration vests — I guess — but that would be a big problem for me. Do they at least allow bottles in pockets? How far in advance will you be there? That time difference can be killer!
Hm, those are some pretty interesting rules! So, essentially, the 5k cutoff is after an hour? Or 35 minutes and you’re basically screwed if your in the final corral because it’s definitely going to take more than 10 minutes to cover the 3.1? That’s so crazy. I understand sweeping – you have to make sure everyone is safe – but it seems like they’re going a little overboard.
And no handhelds? That’s even crazier! I wonder why?
Congrats on banging out that 20 and finding the right shoe! I know both of those can be so hard!