On Sunday I ran Tokyo marathon 2014 and I finished my first full marathon in life. My record is 4:24:28 and the goal was 4:00:00. I didn't achieve it, but why not, I am happy now. I think a full marathon is a great experience for everyone.
Now let me feedback my record about why I didn't achieve my goal. Because I will forget if I don't do this...
In the official site of Tokyo marathon. We can easily see the runner's record if you input their race number. And since I'm an engineer, I made a line chart with the data.
Average pace per killometer of each 5km
This shows the average time per one kilometer for each 5km (3mile). My goal was sub-4-hours run so I needed to run in the pace of 5 min 45 sec per km (red line) but actually I ran in the pace of the blue line.
0-10km (0-6mile):
Baaaan! The race started. I was in the middle of 35,000 runners. As you know, since it's so crowded, for the first 10 minutes I can't start to run , I just walked.
Started!
It was what I expected. And I thought I should run slowly for my first 20km (12mile) because I will be tired from 30km (18mile), I need to save my energy for it.
10-20km (6-12mile):
When I check my time and I understood that I'm running so slow! So I ran faster, actually I aimed the pace of 5:45. But by the line chart it was over 6:00...
20-30km (12-18mile):
I was doing good in this 10km. I tried to keep the pace and it was almost succeeded. I was surprised because it snowed suddenly. A weather report never forecasted. I didn't care and kept running. It stopped in 10 minutes I thought.
I can see Jesus runner..
30-42km (18-26mile):
Finally I came to 30km point. In my training the longest distance I ran is this. From here the last 12km is an unknown world for me. I was scary a little but I was not so tired than I expected.
I thought I tried to keep the pace until 35km (21mile) and I just do my best for the last 7km.. While running I easily understood that my pace is falling little by little. Actually the graph showed that. I kept he falling.
After 35km I remember that there were two big hills. After the hills my energy had all gone! I promised my self that I don't walk in the race. So I kept running like a robot without mind. Haruki Murakami said in the book "pain is inevitable , suffering is optional"
When I crossed 40km point, I was running but maybe a faster walker can win me easily... When I crossed 42km I felt happy to run the last 195m because I saw the goal line, 42.195km :) I crossed the goal with a victory pose! See this Video.
Last 195 m of Tokyo Marathon 2014
Goal!
I got finisher's medal!
By the line chart I understood that now I can not run sub-four-hours running because I never run the pace of 5:45 in the race and my pace was falling after 30km. And I also knew that I used 100% of my body.
Now muscle pains are attacking me and my commuting is challenging this week. I never walked in the race , never, but now I can't walk... hahaha :D
