When we left off I’d just crossed the finish line of the Tokyo Marathon. If you missed the race, read about that here. Of course it was still raining and windy and raw. I made my way through the finish area, got my foil wrap, then a nice bonus: a pretty (and much needed) marathon towel that they wrapped around my shoulders. I was shivering so much I’d take all I could get. The sweet volunteers congratulated us and apologized for the horrible weather.
One walks a long way after most marathons, however this one? Are you ready for it? We walked 1.5 MILES in the driving wind and rain. It was all I could do to pickup my feet. I took no pics, I didn’t stop for the professional ones, I just pulled that foil blanket tight and death marched. Eventually we arrived at gear check, which was indoors (thank GOD) in the Tokyo forum.
Gear Check At Last
We made our way downstairs (ouch), and found our gear area by bib color. We walked through, flanked by a long line of volunteers all applauding for us, which was so nice. I finally pulled off the trash bag, put on my giant raincoat then shuffled to a corner where I leaned against the wall and sunk to the floor. I wanted to curl up in the fetal position and warmup there until Maddie found me, although I knew she wouldn’t.
I’d read reports of phone service being very poor in previous years, however my text went right through. Remember how I told you I instinctively knew Maddie was not at the finish line? I was right. She’d gotten lost on the subway. I told her where I was, sort of, and waited there shivering, so we could go out to the bus together. Bus service back to the hotel is another perk of Marathon Tours. One I was very grateful for at that moment.
It took me most of the rest of the day to warmup and be able to keep food down, but I got there. I’ve had a variety of adverse marathon experiences, including extreme heat (CHI 07), hurricane (MCM 12), high winds (NYCM 14) and now I could add in hypothermia. While I always thought I preferred cold to heat, I will say hands down that a marathon in cold rain is just as tough (maybe tougher for me) than in extreme heat). I’ve since learned that my hypothyroid condition makes me more susceptible to hypothermia. Who knew?
Final Words
This is a great, great race, we just had horrible weather. The course is flat, similar to Chicago which is right in my wheelhouse. I already told you about the crazy rules, but it’s their race, their rules and I respect that. This is a city marathon and Tokyo is a world-class city. There are no dead or unsightly areas. The point-to-point course takes you through interesting neighborhoods, past all the attractions so there is always something to see as well as large, enthusiastic crowds and entertainment to cheer you on.
The expo left much to be desired but oh well.
The race shirt is okay. I could do without a unisex shirt and short sleeves are not my favorite but it fits and in Japan that’s something.
The medal is a stunner. Seriously I love it so much.
I LOVE the bonus finisher towel we got. A very nice and necessary touch on such a cold/wet day.
The kindness and enthusiasm of the volunteers is the best I’ve experienced anywhere. In Tokyo volunteering at the marathon is considered an honor and volunteer spots are awarded via lottery. The sweet water station attendants had to be freezing yet every one of them smiled, cheered and waved.
In the back half of the course there was all kinds of food. Oranges, bananas, salt candy, bean jelly, jelly, chocolate, buns, glucose, dried plums. Other than a nibble of a banana, I partook of none of it, but I appreciate that it was there.
The water stations were only on the left side of the road, which is odd for such a large race (38,000 runners). At times this made it difficult to pull over due to the crowding.
(google images)
See how crowded the finish is? This is not my finish pic but mine is very similar.
The course was very crowded from start to finish. Most of the time it seemed like it was me running among a vast sea of Japanese men. While I was pushed and cutoff constantly in Berlin, I was barely ever even brushed by another runner in Japan, and on the couple of occasions that I was, they apologized profusely afterward. It’s crazy how cultures differ.
Throughout the race, I bolstered my mental game by thinking about things that were going
right. Here are some of them:
- I arrived at the start line injury free and enjoyed a completely injury-free training cycle. All the glory goes to Dr. Miracle for that. My regular visits for chiropractic work and the time I spent on prehab paid off in a big way. I’m going to keep this routine going through to London for sure.
- My feet felt terrific throughout the entire day, rain and all. I am thrilled with how well my new Asics Nimbus coupled with Balega Silver socks and Body Glide worked out.
- I did not struggle with the time zones or jet lag. I expected to but it never happened. As I mentioned before the trick is to NOT sleep on the plane heading to Tokyo and crash as soon as you arrive. Heading home you need to sleep on the plane as much as possible. I felt a little fuzzy a few hours after I got home but I was able to make it until my usual bedtime. Another thing I did as soon as I boarded the plane was to “pretend” I was already on Tokyo time (or US time heading home). In my case the body believes what I tell it.
- They say the mind gives up a thousand times before the body does. In this case I felt my body failing from the cold and I KNEW I had to really bring it mentally to stay on pace enough to finish. This race was one of the hardest I’d ever run and I know I succeeded because I held my mental game together. All you can do is your best with what the day gives you and I’m proud I was able to do that. Finishing truly is winning.
Finish Time: 4:59:06
I cut it close, but how I achieved my sub-5 goal, I will never know. Most likely the threat of the course sweep kept me moving more than I would have otherwise.
Thank you to everyone who supported me along this crazy journey. I appreciate every kind word and comment. I received over 100 emails from those of you who read but never comment. It was so great to hear from you and I’m thrilled I’ve inspired so many! I’m still pretty amazed how the opportunity to run Tokyo sort of appeared out of nowhere. I wasn’t about to squander a chance like that and I hope you seize the opportunities that are presented to you as well. You just never know what lies around the corner.
Next up: Shamrock Shuffle and The London Marathon!
What’s next up for you? If you could run any race in the world, what would it be?
Well done, Marcia! So very well done 😉 You said it perfectly…you did your absolute best given the race day conditions, and that’s all we can ever ask of ourselves.
Wow. You freakin DID IT! I love that finish time!!! And yo are 100% correct about your mental game – it’s everything. Your body will absolutely believe what your mind tells it, but in those conditions, it had to be incredibly difficult. Walking even a 1/4 mile after a marathon seems like torture so I cannot fathom 1.5 miles in the rain…and then down the stairs???? Dear Lord!! So, so glad it worked out.
I also love that volunteering is considered an honor and the way you were treated on the course. We could all learn a lot from that culture 🙂
You will have this incredible journey and story for the rest of your life. How amazing is that? Congratulations!
You are definitely inspiring.
Maybe I can do NYM.
I’ll be asking for plenty of advice.
Congrats Marcia!! You continue to inspire me with your dedication and commitment to train for these marathons. Training during the winter is tough!
Keep on resting and hopefully I will see you athe Shamrock Shuffle.
I cannot imagine pushing on through those conditions but you did! Don’t you feel as if there’s nothing you can’t do?
That medal makes it all worth, doesn’t it? Congrats again! Truly, you are amazing.
Good job focusing on the positives!
I know that heat is always harder for me, but running a half in a Nor’easter was definitely hard & I can’t imagine twice that distance in those conditions.
I have to believe yoy’re Gonna have great weather in London now!
Congrats again Marcia. You did an awesome job.
After reading your post on the actual race, I was sure you didn’t make your 5-hour time goal! I almost jumped out of my office chair when I saw your time now. But I can see this race was so much more than that time goal – it was a show of true strength and a display of what our minds and bodies are capable of in the most challenging of circumstances. Well done again x
Well done! I felt so bad reading that you had to walk 1.5 miles to get your gear 🙁 I thought the walk after NYCM was bad but that’s nothing compared to over a mile!
I love the race swag, especially the medal and the towel. I also love that the volunteers get in via lottery. It really shows a huge respect for the race and everyone I know that has done Tokyo stresses how polite everyone was there. I’d love to visit Tokyo one day even if I don’t do the marathon just to experience the culture.
OMG, your finish time!! Nailed that goal perfectly!! That towel is awesome. You worked hard to get there healthy and strong, and push through every step. I’m so thrilled for you.
Finishing is always winning! I knew they would not dare scoop you up 🙂 What an amazing once in a runner’s lifetime experience. It was certainly fun to live this one through your vivid description. Way to persevere through difficult conditions. Fantastic job friend!
Your last post was so intense – it read like a suspense novel! I never would have survived those conditions. Congratulations on a great finish! My insomnia had hit that night and I was tracking you in real time. What an amazing experience! See you in London!
I’m so in awe of you and this experience Marcia. Honestly I just want to hug you right now! I don’t know how similar it was but Boston last year was the most horrendous conditions I’ve ever spectated in and I know just how freezing cold Ron felt afterwards. And how defeated yet elated that he finished. Is it odd that I’m actually inspired by all this?
I love the medal and the towel!!! What a great accomplishment and gift!
Well done, congrats! The medal and the finishing towel are well deserved!
2020 Rome?
Oh my goodness, you are a rock star and I send my most heartfelt congratulations! I loved reading both parts of your recap. Thanks for sharing!
The Japan Starbucks mug <3 <3 <3
Hypothermia had to be frightening but glad you were OK in the end
Look at all those people finishing!!!! That’s insane!!!! I’m getting anxiety just looking at it! I don’t think I could have handled being that wet and cold. My fingers and toes would have absolutely revolted. You are, quite clearly, a beast.
I do love reading how the running cultures and expectations differ in other parts of the world. So interesting.
If I could run any race, it might be the Big Five race – which goes through the African savannah and where you are trailed by people in jeeps with tranquilizer guns in case the rhinos get a little hostile. I think that would be incredible. Scary, but such a cool opportunity.
Those race conditions remind me EXACTLY like Boston in 2015; I know I shivered the entire race and was soaked to the core. It was a steady drizzle, unlike the torrential downpour of last year there, but your description matches what I felt the whole way (with Heartbreak Hill thrown in – hahah). I am super proud of you, Miss Lou! Your adventures without your favorite sidekick make me sad, but I am forever proud of all you keep putting into your running. Well done (and I don’t like the shirt and I LOVE the medal! 🙂 ).
xo
Congratulations, Marcia, you are amazing!! I’m glad that despite the weather and the hypothermia, you still had a great experience, and what a great finish time too! Racing in different countries and experiencing new cultures is so cool. The medal is gorgeous and I love the towel! Now on to the next one, lol!
Sounds like you had an amazing experience (minus the cold rain ;-( ). I love the medal and the towel. Congratulations and I look forward to hearing (reading) about London. You rock!
I loved following along with you on the road to Tokyo! You did amazing especially considering the horrible weather conditions. Heck, I couldn’t pull off a sub 5 in perfect conditions! Congratulations Marcia …I’m looking forward to keeping up with your London journey!
Marcia you truly inspire me! A sub-5 in those conditions is just amazing. Congratulations!!
I love this and your attitude! It’s amazing to finish a world marathon major. And even more so to do it in horrible race day conditions.
I’ve heard many many times that Japanese people are extremely polite and that Japan is really clean. I had friends who went to run this race as well and that was one of the first things they said when they came back. How clean and organized the city was in general. And how polite everyone was who was there. I’d love to do this one day!