Training Log Archive: dkonotopetz

I woke up at 6:00 am. then I had some breakfast and headed to the subway for the about 30 minute journey to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building where the race started. The subway was packed with runners that were traveling to the start. I got off the subway and followed the mass of runners along one path to the start area. First I went through security and into the runner’s only warm-up, food and baggage drop-off area. Then about 25 minutes before the start of the race I went up the stairs to the start line. I was assigned to group B, so I found that that start group and positioned myself at the front of the corral. About 15 minutes before the start of the race the ropes dividing the starting corrals were released and the runners could move up towards the start line. I made my way through the densely packed runners and I settled into a position about 30 meters from the start line. I was supper excited for this IAAF Gold Label Race! Then at about 9:00 am. the elite athletes walked by in their track suits. Then they removed their track suits 5 minutes before the start, as the temperature was only around 7°C . The gun went off and the race began. In the first kilometer I passed many runners including many in costumes who were positioned in the “A corral” for some stupid reason! I passed the 1 km. mark in 3:57, maybe a little fast, but it did not feel like it was fast at all. It felt like I was only jogging! I was passing many runners in the “A corral” who should not have been in the “A corral”. I passed the 5 km. mark in 19:05 and I was feeling really good cruising down the slight downhill almost effortlessly. Then I passed the 10 km. mark in 38:10, so my second 5 km. time was exactly the same as my first 5 km.- 19:05. I took a gel at this point. I continued along passing masses of spectators braving the cold weather to cheer on the marathon runners. I was still feeling strong as I took another gel at the 20 km. mark and then I passed the half-way point in a personal best time of 1:21:20! Then I seemed to slow down around the 28 km. mark. I took a gel at the 30 km. mark in attempt to get some more energy, although I felt like I was working harder and going slower. I took a final get at the 35 km. mark and attempted to push to the finish, but my legs were hurting and they could not turn over any faster. It was clear that I had slowed down quite a lot. I just wanted to see the finish line in a personal best time or under 3 hrs. As I passed the 40 km. mark sign I knew it was going to be close and then when I saw the 41 km. mark sign and I knew it was going to be even closer. I gave it everything I had as I went under the “Last 195 Meters” sign. I crossed the line in 2:59:37, 20 seconds off my PB and my second best marathon time in 21 starts!

Splits:
0-5 km. - 19:28
5-10 km. - 19:05
10-15 km. - 19:27
15-20 km. - 19:38
Half- 1:22:08 (new PB)
20-25 km. - 20:27
25-30 km. - 21:34
30-35 km. - 23:21
35-40 km. - 25:35
40-42.2 km. - 11:25

Results: https://www.marathon.tokyo/2014/index.php
Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com?r=6595856
Race Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx3eUohDEt8

Soi Witthayalai Asia Akhane, west along the canal to Phetkasem Soi 112 and back.

Suwannaphum, Thailand.

Phetkasem Soi 77/4, Phetkasem 77 Yaek 2, Phetkasem 77 Yaek 4-5, Phatkasem Yaek 4, Phetkasem Soi 77, Phetkasem Rd. to the knitting factory and back.

Phetkasem Rd., down Phetkasem Soi 77, Phetkasem to the far Bic C and back with a stop at Big C.

Phetkasem Rd., Thawi Watthana Rd., 3 km. around Buddhamonthon Park, Buddhamonthon Sai 4 Rd. and Phetkasem Rd.

West along the canal and then east along the canal, 5 laps of South-East Asia University (600 meters), Phetkasem Rd. to Big C and back.

On the beach at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Thailand.