After getting through the lottery process for Berlin, I was greedy enough to try out other majors, started to look up other races and found Tokyo registration in time and put in an application with very less hopes of getting through. After I did finish my Berlin marathon and got back to the room and saw the confirmation mail from Tokyo Marathon adding to the delight of finishing my first world major race. With a failed attempt of targeting near 3 hour mark for berlin, wanted to take a conservative approach and try for a 3:04 which would also give a dual benefit of a sure shot Boston registration and qualifier for London. With only a 1.5 minute buffer beyond qualifier timing in Berlin I wanted to get another race to get a qualifier time.
Training started right one week after the berlin race and started well. As it works out as winter sets in my ankle starts to behave and takes time to get to more mobility which eventually means a longer warm up and to complicate things unpredicted sleep cycles with young kiddo at home kept getting the training a bit more complicated. Weekend long runs being shortened over extended weeks over winter months was making it tricky. Majority of the workouts around race pace mile repeats was going great giving some level of confidence yet the very thought of shabby long runs was still at the back of my mind. With no so contended training put in by me hesitantly applied for the Visa with only 2.5 weeks left for the race and booking the tickets and setting up for accommodation at Tokyo.
Travel Adventure and Pre-Race expo
With the nearly last minute booking was on the lookout for a cheaper tickets and ended up booking with a transit through Canada which had necessitated a transit visa which I realized only after reaching the airport and had to do a last minute reschedule and book via LA, which caused me a 12 hour lay over at LA and an overall 20 odd hour travel time and finally landing in Tokyo the day before the race with just few hours left for the expo to close. The very first impression after landing in Tokyo and seeing how the folks behave i was astonished to see how humble many of the social workers were and neat enough in spite of highly populated as opposing to other developed countries.
Took the airport limousine bu from Narita airpot and hopping on to a taxi reaching the expo only to realize that there was very long queue to get into the expo hall. i was already exhausted with couple of my back packs on was in the queue for almost 40 minutes, it was cleared off fast enough in spite of the huge crowd, and finally stepping out after picking the bib and t shirt, Srini gadde was waiting in the expo for quite some time to meet up, quickly wished and handed him my baggage to step into the expo hall to buy a bib holder which i couldn't figure at the last minute before my travel. Quickly went through the stalls to find something and another 20 min wait int the queue to get it billed. The biggest learning on how well the locals adopted to the local language big time on top of English, i could only ridicule on how our schools fine our kids for speaking in local language or their mother tongue over English. Much to appreciate about many of their behaviours.
Took up the train along with srini, discussing they whole adventure of travel and potential plan for the next day and reached Shinjiku station around 8:15 PM. that could have the most exhausted travel for any race done by me till date. Walked around 2 miles to the home accommodation booked through airbnb, luckily was able to fiind a Pakistani restaurant to suffice with the dinner and hit bet late at 11:30 PM
Race Day
With a late start at 9:15 AM for the race, and being put up so close to the start point, i had some time to sleep, wake up little early and be ready with the typical pre race nutrition, with no much of choice stuck with couple of slices of bread and a banana and ventured out to the start point in the cool breezy weather, though it was a perfect climate to run, it was not so much to walk around in the singlet and racing short. ended up walking around 1.5 kms with so many security checks enroute, ended up depositing the bag and soon ventured to the start coral just next after the elite runnres. it was a white themed start point with the same aura as any other event. Absolutely not understanding a single word that the race folks are announcing, patiently waited for 15 minutes before the start, with still confused minds on what to expect from the race and how would my left ankle fare out, started off strong, with a target of 3:05 in mind, which is either a hit or super miss target given my physical condition. With 7:01 constant pace in thoughts and with the course being really flat, i was more positive to hit the target with the cardio conditioning, but still doubtful on how my ankle would behave.
Mile 1 to 13
With absolute ideal conditions in all forms(weather, flat course, stunning volunteer support, manageable run crowd) i honestly wished that i make the best out of it. started off strong. first mile was slow at 7:06/mile and then on until mile 13 was keeping it between 6:50 and 7:00 min/mile, not realizing the fact that my HR has hit 180s in the very second mile and i have sustained on it until Mile 17. Cardio felt comfortable though my ankle was hurting on and off, with a relatively new shoe of a different form being tried out on the race was bothering a bit as well. With all the variations in the pace was so close to on target at the half way mark at 1:31:57.
Took the airport limousine bu from Narita airpot and hopping on to a taxi reaching the expo only to realize that there was very long queue to get into the expo hall. i was already exhausted with couple of my back packs on was in the queue for almost 40 minutes, it was cleared off fast enough in spite of the huge crowd, and finally stepping out after picking the bib and t shirt, Srini gadde was waiting in the expo for quite some time to meet up, quickly wished and handed him my baggage to step into the expo hall to buy a bib holder which i couldn't figure at the last minute before my travel. Quickly went through the stalls to find something and another 20 min wait int the queue to get it billed. The biggest learning on how well the locals adopted to the local language big time on top of English, i could only ridicule on how our schools fine our kids for speaking in local language or their mother tongue over English. Much to appreciate about many of their behaviours.
Took up the train along with srini, discussing they whole adventure of travel and potential plan for the next day and reached Shinjiku station around 8:15 PM. that could have the most exhausted travel for any race done by me till date. Walked around 2 miles to the home accommodation booked through airbnb, luckily was able to fiind a Pakistani restaurant to suffice with the dinner and hit bet late at 11:30 PM
Race Day
With a late start at 9:15 AM for the race, and being put up so close to the start point, i had some time to sleep, wake up little early and be ready with the typical pre race nutrition, with no much of choice stuck with couple of slices of bread and a banana and ventured out to the start point in the cool breezy weather, though it was a perfect climate to run, it was not so much to walk around in the singlet and racing short. ended up walking around 1.5 kms with so many security checks enroute, ended up depositing the bag and soon ventured to the start coral just next after the elite runnres. it was a white themed start point with the same aura as any other event. Absolutely not understanding a single word that the race folks are announcing, patiently waited for 15 minutes before the start, with still confused minds on what to expect from the race and how would my left ankle fare out, started off strong, with a target of 3:05 in mind, which is either a hit or super miss target given my physical condition. With 7:01 constant pace in thoughts and with the course being really flat, i was more positive to hit the target with the cardio conditioning, but still doubtful on how my ankle would behave.
Mile 1 to 13
With absolute ideal conditions in all forms(weather, flat course, stunning volunteer support, manageable run crowd) i honestly wished that i make the best out of it. started off strong. first mile was slow at 7:06/mile and then on until mile 13 was keeping it between 6:50 and 7:00 min/mile, not realizing the fact that my HR has hit 180s in the very second mile and i have sustained on it until Mile 17. Cardio felt comfortable though my ankle was hurting on and off, with a relatively new shoe of a different form being tried out on the race was bothering a bit as well. With all the variations in the pace was so close to on target at the half way mark at 1:31:57.
Mile 13 to 20
Just a little few distance of 14th mile, i started to feel my left calves tightening up, obviously i was altering my stride so that i avoid any major break down ;) to my left ankle. the pace started to dip and slide towards 7:30s , though the HR stayed constant hovering around 180s and no signs of any improvement. No changes in the fueling strategy along the race route as in previous race, a Gel every 45 mins and water and electrolyte sips along the route as provided on the course, beyond a point it was nothing to do with carb surge or any supplements that came from the gel mattered, i could evidently see the decline in strength and started to feel my ankle behaving so odd, i event thought of quitting the race at mile 18, but the very thought walking the remaining 8 miles and all the efforts taken to train and reach the international location crept in my mind and wanted to keep up to my records of no DNFs(Did not finish/Do Nothing Foolish) either of the cases and kept pushing as much i could knowing the limits of how much i could.
Just a little few distance of 14th mile, i started to feel my left calves tightening up, obviously i was altering my stride so that i avoid any major break down ;) to my left ankle. the pace started to dip and slide towards 7:30s , though the HR stayed constant hovering around 180s and no signs of any improvement. No changes in the fueling strategy along the race route as in previous race, a Gel every 45 mins and water and electrolyte sips along the route as provided on the course, beyond a point it was nothing to do with carb surge or any supplements that came from the gel mattered, i could evidently see the decline in strength and started to feel my ankle behaving so odd, i event thought of quitting the race at mile 18, but the very thought walking the remaining 8 miles and all the efforts taken to train and reach the international location crept in my mind and wanted to keep up to my records of no DNFs(Did not finish/Do Nothing Foolish) either of the cases and kept pushing as much i could knowing the limits of how much i could.
Mile 21 to Finish
by the time i hit mile 20 i was so sure that i am not finishing if i tried to push any further to keep up the pace, from that point on, i accepted the defeat and went into the mode of not to do anything foolish, yet try and complete the race. I cannot take the daunting thoughts of getting a DNF in spite of all the efforts put in, from that point on i was just enjoying the hospitality and humbleness of the volunteers along the course and observing how clean the course was kept with literally volunteers running towards you to collect any trash along the route. Pace started to hit 8:30s, creeping into 9 min mile though i totally know that i am losing an ideal race conditions to my ankle pain, i had no choice at that point. Started to see the lead runners at around mile 22 and with all the encouragement from the volunteers was making my way step by step. As i reached mile 25 i still had doubts as to if i would finish and ended up slowing down as much that i was running my warm up pace of hitting near 10:30/mile and final mile pushing with anything that was left out. Finishing with a shabby time of 3:27:05. I was just glad that i finished at that point and no other thoughts in my mind.
Self Consolation and think forward
at the end of the race the only satisfaction and the self consolation that i had was that i was able to finish and with it my second world major race experience which was equally good as Berlin. With this shabby finish i have almost nil chance of getting to register for Boston 2019 with my qualifier time of 3:08 from Berlin marathon. With high hopes that the previous year buffer margin reduces and if i get to register with 3:08 qualifier i would be glad, if not my quest would continue to get a better time in near future.
As i write this 4 months later than my race experience, had to take a 6 weeks forced rest due to Plantar issues and slowly starting to get my base building now , i a still struggling to cope with the stress my ankle gets to. With India vacation, get my ankle subjected to all Ayurvedic procedures hoping to get a break through and get going with my target.
Looking forward to the outcome of London marathon lottery and Chicago marathon in October for which i have a qualifying time, need to figure if i would be in any shape to even run a slower race if not a qualifier. Though i feel this to be the low light of my running habit over 10 years, mentally strong enough to get through and see through the other end of the tunnel. Hope/Confidence and right efforts and sticking to habits seems key at this point. With all the support that i receive from my wife and family, friends and coach, i wish i get back to optimal capacity in near future
STATS
GRAPHS
SPLITS
GARMIN ACTIVITY
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2519561071
SOME TOURING THERE AFTER
CITY TOUR PHOTOS - PHOTOS
to beat out the failure blues went out for a city tour for a day along with srini, must say that the humbleness and the inculcation of every quality right from schooling has definitely made japan a place of people with the best of character and conduct in spite of the population.
by the time i hit mile 20 i was so sure that i am not finishing if i tried to push any further to keep up the pace, from that point on, i accepted the defeat and went into the mode of not to do anything foolish, yet try and complete the race. I cannot take the daunting thoughts of getting a DNF in spite of all the efforts put in, from that point on i was just enjoying the hospitality and humbleness of the volunteers along the course and observing how clean the course was kept with literally volunteers running towards you to collect any trash along the route. Pace started to hit 8:30s, creeping into 9 min mile though i totally know that i am losing an ideal race conditions to my ankle pain, i had no choice at that point. Started to see the lead runners at around mile 22 and with all the encouragement from the volunteers was making my way step by step. As i reached mile 25 i still had doubts as to if i would finish and ended up slowing down as much that i was running my warm up pace of hitting near 10:30/mile and final mile pushing with anything that was left out. Finishing with a shabby time of 3:27:05. I was just glad that i finished at that point and no other thoughts in my mind.
Self Consolation and think forward
at the end of the race the only satisfaction and the self consolation that i had was that i was able to finish and with it my second world major race experience which was equally good as Berlin. With this shabby finish i have almost nil chance of getting to register for Boston 2019 with my qualifier time of 3:08 from Berlin marathon. With high hopes that the previous year buffer margin reduces and if i get to register with 3:08 qualifier i would be glad, if not my quest would continue to get a better time in near future.
As i write this 4 months later than my race experience, had to take a 6 weeks forced rest due to Plantar issues and slowly starting to get my base building now , i a still struggling to cope with the stress my ankle gets to. With India vacation, get my ankle subjected to all Ayurvedic procedures hoping to get a break through and get going with my target.
Looking forward to the outcome of London marathon lottery and Chicago marathon in October for which i have a qualifying time, need to figure if i would be in any shape to even run a slower race if not a qualifier. Though i feel this to be the low light of my running habit over 10 years, mentally strong enough to get through and see through the other end of the tunnel. Hope/Confidence and right efforts and sticking to habits seems key at this point. With all the support that i receive from my wife and family, friends and coach, i wish i get back to optimal capacity in near future
STATS
GRAPHS
SPLITS
GARMIN ACTIVITY
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2519561071
SOME TOURING THERE AFTER
CITY TOUR PHOTOS - PHOTOS
to beat out the failure blues went out for a city tour for a day along with srini, must say that the humbleness and the inculcation of every quality right from schooling has definitely made japan a place of people with the best of character and conduct in spite of the population.
Good!! Yet another memorable experience!!
ReplyDeleteThoroughly enjoyed your company to move around Tokyo
ReplyDeletethanks srini, same here
DeleteWishing you for a stronger come back, am sure you are going to get to Boston soon.
ReplyDelete