The morning started for me shortly after 5a.m. with the nerves kickin’ in high gear. I called one of my roommates, because today was also the Bennie/Johnnie Homecoming game and I knew she was there…and I was so sad to be missing it! After talking with a few of my college friends, I was in high spirits and ready to tackle this beast. The sun was shining, I was pumped up, yet slightly under trained (and that’s an understatement). Typically you run 2 or 3 20-milers in preparation. Whatever the reasoning, or my excuse not to go on long runs, I had only completed a 10-miler thus far since arriving in Japan. Granted, I did run my first marathon back in June (Grandma’s Marathon) so I had some inclination of what I was getting myself into.
Mr. Supe, friend, Mr. Bone Man, and his wife all picked me up at 7a.m. sharp. There were sunny skies to one direction (insert mother’s disappointed look here for not knowing N,S,E, or W) – ha, oops.
But to the other direction, cloudy skies. Bleh.
However, I’m pretty sure that a rainbow is a sure sign of good luck (if not my new gear and curled hair) Don’t worry, I really didn’t get primped for the event, I just did a little touch-up from last night’s ‘do and it made me feel better!
All morning I was getting into the right mindset and just kept telling myself, it’s just a race, do it for yourself, it’s just pain, it’ll subside… Here’s one pre-race shot, in front of Mt. Iwake:
I was definitely unaware that this picture was being taken, but I posted it, b/c I think it’s funny that my supervisors and wife are watching so intensely, ha.
And moments before the gun (loving life):
Through out the course of my race, I thought about a lot- will I finish, will my hips bug me, knees give out, my life after this year, the cute old grandma’s yelling “ganba desu” and even though I had my ipod on hand (the fear of running alone and having no one to actually talk to), I didn’t put the buds in once. The thing for me during a marathon- I enjoy the environment around me. The rivers, the trees, the people grunting and groaning, the skies, birds, rain, everything. I think with an ipod in, you truly miss out on the FULL marathon (or half) experience.
By mile 24, I wasn’t feeling so hot, and it was probably the first time during the whole race. The knees were experiencing this excruciating pain. Not good. Even trying to stretch it out while running did. not. help. The last 1k of the race was a bit hectic, because all the marathoners were sharing the narrow road with the 3k runners…Let me tell you how BAD OF AN IDEA that was (hmm planning committee) I just about took out a 4 year old sprinting along side me (not b/c he was in the way, but b/c I was annoyed by his presence!) All the marathoners are dying and here we have these genki kids running every which way, just a little frustrating. However, on the bright side, it did distract me for the last mile- I don’t even remember it! After crossing the finish line, I stopped dead in my tracks and cried…for a good minute. I don’t know if it was the immense pain I felt at that moment or the excitement of looking at the clock reading: 3:48. (I ran Grandma’s Marathon in 4:26 back in June). Maybe it was a combo of the two. Clearly I was not loving life so much after the race (this is a whimpering face, not a smile!):
Being that the little buggars were running around me as I crossed the finish, Mr. Maeda didn’t even notice me coming in (I pulled another give-it-your-all-mad-dash-finish) and I also didn’t get to run through the ribbon either. Oh well, I did get my certificate however 🙂
Overall, I finished 252 out of 1080, and in my age group 18th (80) women. Yippee!
My splits are as follows:
- START- 9:00a.m.
- 10k (6.4miles)- 9:57a.m. (57 min)
- 20k (12.8miles)- 10:47a.m. (1h 47 min)
- 30k (19miles)- 11:42a.m. (2h 42 min)
- 40k (25.2miles)- 12:37p.m. (3h 37min)
- FINISH/42.2 km (26.2miles)- 3 hours and 48 minutes!!! YAY 🙂
I got home and was curious what Boston qualifying time is– 3:40 for women 18-34…dang, missed it by 8 minutes…but still, I’m totally happy with my accomplishment.
Cutest runner of the day award goes to this girl though:
Now, I’ll be taking off from running for a few days! Ahh, that will be nice. Back to school bright and early tomorrow morning!
Night! Hope you all had a great weekend and those who have the Twin Cities Marathon (10miler)- Ganbatte o kudasai!
I’ve been MIA from reading your blog for a few days.. I can’t believe you ran the lastest marathon with little preparation.. you are a ROCK STAR!!!! you will definitely be running the Boston Marathon in no time at all!!
Oh no worries, glad you’re back! 🙂 I was probably really stupid to be so unprepared, but since I ran one this summer, I evidently “thought” I knew what was in store for me. Little did I know the soreness I’d be feeling afterwards! Talk to you soon! 🙂