We are back from Tokyo marathon. Knowing it was a flat and fast course, we went there with an expectation of running our PB (Personal Best). William aim to break 4 and your humble botak wanted dearly to go into 4:30. Look what Tokyo done to us ! or should it be the other way round - "look what we done to Tokyo"
William 04:30
Botak 05:32 :)). (55 mins slower then my PB of 04:37)
Tokyo marathon, 30,000 full marathon runners plus 2 pirate marathon runners. We were group in the J starting block (5.30h finish), gun went off at exactly 9.10 am and it took us 15 min to cross the starting line. Japanese are well know for their efficiency and Tokyo didn't disappoint, from race expo to start and finish it was clock wise precision. Spectators? ai-say-man! despite the cold weather, it was drizzling and with wind blowing at a speed at up to 40kph, they were still there in full force lining up the whole 42.195km cheering, encouraging and adding a colorful festival mood to the event. And did I told you there was so many makan given out enthusiastically by those wonderful people. Libin says Xiamen mara = mini buffet., then Tokyo must be Lines @ Shangri La , chocolate, candy, biscuit, cookie, coffee tea or me , red bean soup, miso soup, tao sar bun, custard bun... the makan goes on and on ......
Maybe due to the many high rise building, the GPS of my Garmin 305 gone hey-wire, how can i be running as fast as 33kph!! When I reached the 10km distance marker ( 305 say 11.3 km !) it was already 70 min, knowing I can't achieves my PB, I decided to soak in the atmosphere, enjoy the fun, festival mood/food and took as many pictures as possible. I specially bought a new Fuji WPZ "water proof" camera and it was water proof alright but the battery life "suck" to the core. the camera shouts low battery loudly after only 50+ shots. Had to stop because need to reserve for finishing. At 40 km, the rain got heavier, told myself die die also must take dancing in the rain , so out come my nokia E71, more shoots in the rain and now my phone is dead :( (
Moral of the story #1 - Buy a water proof Phone too
Moral of the story #2 - If you want to achieve your PB, don't do Tokyo, the festival mood and makan will distract you
Moral of the story #3 - If you really want to achieve your PB , DON'T EVER RUN with a CAMERA! :)
After thought of Tokyo Marathon -
William 04:30
Botak 05:32 :)). (55 mins slower then my PB of 04:37)
Tokyo marathon, 30,000 full marathon runners plus 2 pirate marathon runners. We were group in the J starting block (5.30h finish), gun went off at exactly 9.10 am and it took us 15 min to cross the starting line. Japanese are well know for their efficiency and Tokyo didn't disappoint, from race expo to start and finish it was clock wise precision. Spectators? ai-say-man! despite the cold weather, it was drizzling and with wind blowing at a speed at up to 40kph, they were still there in full force lining up the whole 42.195km cheering, encouraging and adding a colorful festival mood to the event. And did I told you there was so many makan given out enthusiastically by those wonderful people. Libin says Xiamen mara = mini buffet., then Tokyo must be Lines @ Shangri La , chocolate, candy, biscuit, cookie, coffee tea or me , red bean soup, miso soup, tao sar bun, custard bun... the makan goes on and on ......
Maybe due to the many high rise building, the GPS of my Garmin 305 gone hey-wire, how can i be running as fast as 33kph!! When I reached the 10km distance marker ( 305 say 11.3 km !) it was already 70 min, knowing I can't achieves my PB, I decided to soak in the atmosphere, enjoy the fun, festival mood/food and took as many pictures as possible. I specially bought a new Fuji WPZ "water proof" camera and it was water proof alright but the battery life "suck" to the core. the camera shouts low battery loudly after only 50+ shots. Had to stop because need to reserve for finishing. At 40 km, the rain got heavier, told myself die die also must take dancing in the rain , so out come my nokia E71, more shoots in the rain and now my phone is dead :( (
Moral of the story #1 - Buy a water proof Phone too
Moral of the story #2 - If you want to achieve your PB, don't do Tokyo, the festival mood and makan will distract you
Moral of the story #3 - If you really want to achieve your PB , DON'T EVER RUN with a CAMERA! :)
After thought of Tokyo Marathon -
Applauses dies away
Trophies gather dust
Winners are soon forgotten
But Memories remains
Running marathon is not only just about getting PB, it is also about enjoying the companies, be overwhelm by the experiences, humble by fellow runner's passion and share the joy and happiness with your friends. Life is short! seize the moment. I've learned that running is a journey, not a destination. There is no better time to start running than right now! So work like you don't need the money(give them to me), love like you've never been hurt (love hurts), dance like no one's watching (salsa anyone?) and run like.. run like.. a loan shark is chasing :))
Will do a full Tokyo mara FR later.
Tokyo, good run, good fun. Next year we will be back as registered runner.
Will do a full Tokyo mara FR later.
Tokyo, good run, good fun. Next year we will be back as registered runner.
My over confident, fool hardy, big audacious target time 04:29:59
22 Mar, 8.30 am, Q @ J block
So kiasu! we had 5 layers - 2XU compression top, 2XU singlet, Asics T, Reebok wind breaker and an 80 cents disposal rain coat
Off he goes, william was too fast for me
The supportive crowd lining the streets of Tokyo
Pay peanuts and you get monkeys
Give red bean bun and you get botak freddy
Don't play play, that pair of SKINS sleeve cost a cool US$80.
Rain dance
Price for this shot? My Nokia E71 dead
Price for this shot?? My fuji camera battery clonk off
