Race Day

Morning
I woke up around 3:30 and never really got back to sleep even though I had taken a sleeping pill last night. I did get nearly 7 hours of sleep. That's really not too bad the night before race days in general. I had everything laid out the night before and was all set and excited to go. Every time is a such an amazing experience with how the organizers take care of us. Michiaki wanted us to get the full marathon experience. So, we drove to a shuttle stop to get a ride on that to the library where we wait for the race. After arriving at the library, I realized I left a small bag with my uniform in it. Toshiko was still at home and brought it for me. So, it all worked out.

Getting ready to race
In the library, there were the usual sandwiches, tempura, and banana twinkies. Everyone sat around visting. I was talking a little and giving ideas to people about the race. Nikki and I talked about pace a little. Cameron, who came with his mum from STG (she is the town council rep), was going to to the half marathon. We talked about nutrition before and during. I gave him a Glukos bar which he ate about 90 minutes before. His day ended up going well. I'm sure it was because of my help!

Miracle in the library

Yesterday, I felt like I was getting in the right state of mind, but I still wasn't completely convinced that I was ready mentally for the race. I went over to the corner of the library and lied down. I listened to Adventure of a Lifetime while I thought about the course and how I would pace the race. I decided to do a few sit-ups to warm up. While I did that, I glanced over at the bookshelves and saw some hiragana labels. I like to try to read when there are characters I recognize, so I read what was there. "ma", "ra", "so", "n" I stared at that and read it again. It really did say "marathon"! I looked at the books there and they were all running books about training and so on for marathons. I decided to take that as a sign. I looked around at how many labels there were in all these shelves and thought, "What is the chance that the only label I looked at to read was the one that said 'marathon'?" All of a sudden, I had the realization that I was here for more that just a race. The marathon is an important part of the experience, but the people we connected with and the lessons learned about the culture and values of the people here are much more meaningful. I understood then, that I needed to put all my effort into the race, but the outcome was not what really mattered.

After that, I had complete confidence in the race that I would be able to put forth the needed effort to be pleased with the day no matter the final outcome.

As I finished getting ready, Rebecca shook out my legs for me and I got hydrated and felt like I was in a great state of mind and body. I still had the unknowns floating through my mind, but felt good. Two people were assigned to me to help me get to where I needed to be prior to the race. Mako had worked with me before and she told me that I know what I'm doing since I'd been there before and told me just to let her know what I wanted to do. She was a great help.

Nikki asked Rebecca to do her French braid for racing. That's a high pressure request, but it worked!

The usual pre-race photo in the library

The race

When the gun went off, I wasn't able to find Rebecca and figured she probably went somewhere beyond the start to watch and cheer. About 400m into the race, there she was cheering enthusiastically. She took a picture of me leading. The pace wasn't very fast and I wondered if this would just be an easy victory feeling like a long run (it didn't end up turning out that way). Later, I learned that she was with her escorts who were worried about her wanting to go away from the start area. They agreed though and she ran ahead. The escort that went with her got winded and had a hard time keeping up!

I went 5:24, then 5:35. After that, we started heading up the canyon. I had a great time slapping hands with the children watching the race. I was able to drink without feeling any worries about my gut. I often get an ab strain part way in, but didn't feel that coming on at all the entire time. After two miles, bib #8 passed me and I didn't want to go his pace, so I let him go. I stayed in 2nd place with him anywhere from 14-54 seconds ahead of me up the canyon. I got to 13.1 miles feeling great running around 5:35-6:05 up the canyon coming through the half at 1:14:50. I hoped to run 2:30 and had mostly downhill the rest of the way. However, when I looked at my watch during the 16th mile, I saw it said 6:44 for my pace on that mile. I knew I slowed a little, but didn't think it was by that much. My legs felt very heavy all of a sudden in that mile and I was feeling a bit light-headed. My vision was having those little stars showing up dancing around in my view. I made it though mile 17 with two runners going by me with no ability to respond to them going by. I had to walk for a couple of minutes. I thought, "This is going to be a really long final 9 miles!" I never had any desire or thought to stop and get a ride. I knew I had to finish the race. I ran as much as I could, but it was slow and I had to walk a few times the rest of the way. When I got to aid stations, I felt a great desire to fuel up as much as possible. I ate persimmons, miso soup, cola, other soda, sports drink, and water. Near mile 21, I told myself to make it through the mile split before walking again. When my watch beeped, I felt like I could continue for another quarter mile. I kept doing this as much as I could. I met up with the half marathon shortly after that and saw my favourite bridge where we take photos every year. Then, I heard my name being loudly yelled. I was a bit delirious, but looked up and saw Rebecca and Jami. They were so enthusiastic and inspired me to keep pressing on. I ran to the other side of the road to slap hands. I really wanted to stop to hug them and thank them, but realized I was moving and needed to keep moving.

Rebecca and Jami has asked Nori (one of our favourite translators on the trip), if there was a way they could get onto the course to cheer. Nori and others have been so dedicated to taking care of any need or desire we've had here. He found one of the people in charge of the race and they ended up in a car on the way to the bridge. They made it to the bridge in time to see the half marathoners in both directions and me as I came down. They were cheering so loudly, the Japanese people kept looking at them laughing at how much fun Rebecca was having and how much enthusiasm she was showing. I loved that as I went by. Rebecca was amazed and grateful to Nori for his help. I think Nori loved having the opportunity to help.

I passed and got passed by other marathoners. We sometimes said things in English and Japanese whenever we passed by. It was motivating and I felt love and gratitude as I pressed on. I'm very familiar with the final two miles. I was able to get through it without stopping. My legs were so worn out. I don't know if it was something specific to the day or just that I wasn't prepared after the short time recovering and retraining with relatively low mileage since STG. As I came around the final turn, I passed a couple of marathoners from determination to make the most of the day. Many of our group were there cheering me on from the side. I was relieved to be finished!

Rebecca and others met me. It was a struggle to make it from the finish to the awards stand just in time to see Aaron, Nicole, and Rosy get their awards. I really wanted to just go up to the library and eat and drink, but was so excited that they did so well and wanted to see the awards ceremony. Fortunately, we were able to sit on chairs to watch. Rebecca got me some food and drink. Aaron won overall in the half marathon by 1 minute. Nikki was second and Rosy was fourth.

So many people in our group were congratulating me on my race. I was disappointed in my time, but not my efforts, so everything was fine and I have no regrets and am not upset at all about how the day turned out. I've never felt that much fatigue in my legs, but kept on going because of wanting to do my best for my friends here, myself, and to have the most meaningful experience possible.

Helping a calf cramp

On the way to the car after the race, Rebecca noticed a lady on the ground in pain that people were walking past unaware of her trouble. Last time we were here, we stopped to help a man with calf cramps that could not stand up. It was the same situation. Michiaki and another man carried her to the side of the path. Then, Rebecca and I went to work on massaging and stretching her calves. We were able to get her legs to go straight after about 10 minutes of work. When we were done, the lady handed Rebecca her rice in a package that all the runners receive after the race. Rebecca declined, but the lady insisted, so Rebecca took it even though we didn't really want it. It was hard to see the lady in so much pain. She was crying when we found her and for the first while when we worked on her, but I think what we did really helped and she was able to walk after we left her.

Even though the time of my race was not what I'd hoped for, the outcome of the race (my best effort considering how my body responded) and the outcome of the day as a whole was great!

More shopping

Eventually, we went home and after a shower took off to go shopping. Michiaki was so tired and sore, but was a good sport, but had to rest in the car while we browsed at thrift/consignment store. We stopped at 7-11 to get some yen since we figured the store wouldn't take cards. They did though. So, now I have quite a bit of money in yen ready for next year. I sure hope it works out again!

The store was so much fun! Shopping with Rebecca is an "Adventure of a Lifetime"! She hadn't found much for Orie yet other than a Red Hot Chili Peppers shirt that had nothing to do with Japan, but we found something for him there more Japanese connected. Rebecca really wanted some incense ever since last time we were here. I tried to hard last time to sneakily buy her some and never worked it out. Whenever we found any here, no cards were accepted. I asked a worker there in my best Japanese if she had incense while Rebecca was looking at something else. The lady took me to the perfume counter. I showed her a picture of incense on my phone and she realized what I wanted. There was a section with some, but it was hidden behind other things. I ended up finding the perfect little stand and a few different sticks of incense. I was excited to get her something because I was so excited to give her something to thank her for coming with me. She is so good at connecting with people she doesn't know. That made me appreciate so many more people here that I might not have otherwise.

Giraffitt with some friends

Michiaki finished about 4 minutes slower than he hoped, but was very happy. I jumped over to give him his medal after the race.

This man is the MC and a musician that is very well-known. I see him every year and he is always excited when he recognizes me. He is the one that had me share a little speech before the race.