Time 3:39:21
Last year I was disappointed when I did not get into 2024 Tokyo Marathon and I was looking around for a replacement race. My friend Keren recommended Shizuoka Marathon as he has run it before and it turned out to be a great choice. Unfortunately, because of the 8:20 start I needed to go down the day before which just happened to be my birthday. I didn’t mind missing the balloons, special dinner and cake but as I was sitting in Dennys eating my soy meat burger and drinking the 389 yen house wine, I did admit to myself that this was a bit sad. Fortunately, I was really tired and was able to turn in shortly after 8 PM.
I slept well and was up at 5 AM to start the preparations. The hotel breakfast was at 6 AM, and luckily they started early and I was done by 6:15 and in a taxi to the local station by 6:30. Everything was going so well. Or so I thought. I had checked the Overview Times on the website which clearly stated that the gathering was from 7:20 to 8:00.
Unfortunately, this did not state that the baggage drop off ended at 7:45 so when I rocked up at 7:47 with my burst bad, they kindly mended it with the tape that they had already prepared, but would not accept my bag even though the truck was still open. They directed me to a spill over truck which was still accepting bags. It all worked out in the end, but it was a hassle I could have done without.
I headed for C Block from which I was to start and quickly ran into Rie from my club Namban Rengo. Rie was bemoaning the fact that she had given in all her gels when she handed in her bag. Now I could have been kind and split my gels with Rie, but I thought that this was finally a chance to beat her in a marathon. And Keren had told me that there was lots of food on the course.
I started well and managed to maintain my pace. The course seems to loop around Shizuoka town before going out on the highway and heading for Shimizu, where I had stayed the previous night. There was no wind and I was feeling good. At a turn around at 13.5km I noticed that I had gained 2 minutes 20 seconds on Rie and was feeling pretty pleased with myself.
Just before the 23 km mark there was a sharp right turn and we were on the highway. And we were looking straight at Mt. Fuji. It rose majestically in front of us, capped with snow, stayed there for the best part of an hour. It was inspiring just running in its presence.
I was still going well. Running between 5:05 and 5:15 per km. Then the strawberries came out, just like Keren had promised. I enjoyed them and kept going. I didn’t feel too bad and my main goal was to keep running and not stop or walk. Then at 32km Rie came flying past. It wasn’t even a slow catch up, chat for a while and then move ahead. She went past with power and determination with just enough time to say hello. I asked if she was enjoying the food. Her reply was lost in her forward momentum.
I kept going. On and on and the craic was good, as Van Morrison would say. I realised that I might keep going onto the end. At 36 km we turned off the highway and headed for the finish. I knew that I did not need to stop. At 40km I saw Keizo with whom I used to work and he took this photo. He was the only person I knew who was out supporting. It was funny as I had seen him at Shonan Marathon in December.
I kept going. All the time calculating how fast I needed to run to get in under 3:40. We took a right turn, saw the 42 km marker and there was the finish in front of us. I finished in 3:39:21. 3 minutes after Rie.
I had a great day and a great run. I don’t feel too bad turning a year older if I can still do this.