Temporary Insanity

WARNING!!!! This particular post is very long and detailed, more so, for my own personal benefit. When I think about doing another marathon I will go to this post and possibly reconsider! There are more photos at the end of the post. Enjoy!

Once upon a time in a place far, far away, a middle aged mom and wife decided to do something crazy! The eldest of her daughters was running a 10 mile race in November, so the mom thought it would be fun to support her daughter and run the race with her. Why stop there, why not run the Tokyo Marathon on February 28th, she thought to herself!

For 20 long weeks the mom trained and followed her Runner's World Schedule, with the exception of a little illness in January and a knee that was starting to act up, the training went well. 5 hours of cardio and 3 hours of weights a week was clearly not cutting the mustard with getting the last 10 pounds of baby fat off, why not run 25-30 miles a week, surely that will get rid of those unwanted pounds.

Pretty soon the handsome prince of the Yokota Air Force Base Castle was running too! It was turning into a beautiful family adventure. The handsome prince was ever so supportive of his wife and would bring her ice packs after some of her long runs that caused some serious Charlie Horses. The handsome prince knew his wife could complete this marathon, even when she never thought she would be able to.

Not only was the mom getting support from her wonderful family, but also from her Mom and Dad, who were big time runners and from friends, both runners and the smart ones, who would never attempt a marathon.

There is one rather large issue at hand that I forgot to mention, the mom was training for the Tokyo Marathon, but did not have a slot. The running club that she joined for support, placed her on the waiting list and she was told she was 3rd on the waiting list and not to be too hopeful (nothing like encouragement). The mom just kept saying,"If it is God's will, it will happen and if doesn't happen I won't be crushed". 3 weeks before the race and many miles later, a slot opened up, unfortunately due to a friend's injury and other circumstances.

A week before the race the handsome prince called the New Sanno Hotel in downtown Tokyo to see if a room was available and lo and behold there was (Saturday's are booked at this hotel until September). On Saturday, the day before the race, the handsome prince called to see if there was a room available on Sunday so the entire family could see the crazy mom finish and then have some family time and guess what, a room was available. God's hand was definitely all over this. Okay, as if you haven't guessed by now, that crazy mom is me:)

I know many of you would like to be spared the details, but I need to document them, because at times, my memory fails me. My running friends and I are now firm believers that running marathons is like giving birth, you tend to forget the brutal details and remember the positive aspect. 7 days after the 26.2 plus miles, my memory is playing tricks on me, thoughts of, "It really wasn't that bad. It wasn't that cold, was it? 2 days after the race I could still walk (barely)".

The day before the race I took the shuttle to the hotel to decompress before the race. I met some fellow Strider's (my running club) on the shuttle and had lunch with 3 fantastic people I just met and my running buddy Marina (my carb powder pusher). Hisayo, Mina and Joe ran many marathons before and gave Marina and I, encouragement and advice at lunch, which calmed me down a bit. I have to admit I was nervous. I couldn't get over, if I haven't run 26.2 before, how can I run 26.2 tomorrow. Your longest run during training is 20 miles, so another 6.2 was mind boggling. Your body also plays tricks on you a week before, so I heard. Funny enough the Tuesday before the race, I had trouble running my 2 miles, because my knee and hip were really hurting. Some friends showed me different stretches the day before the race and guess what, my knee and hip NEVER bothered me at all during the run.

I love carbs, just love them, I tend to stay away from them, because they don't like me. 3 days before the race everyone was carbing up and for the very first time in my life, I had pasta and other carbs (not junk), guilt free, 3 nights in a row.

Every one's concern was the weather, in years past the weather was very unforgiving. Worst case scenario, freezing rain. I would take snow over freezing rain any day, my best run was running in the snow. Very peaceful!

Sunday morning, race day, I looked out the window at the overcast sky and the rain pelting the hotel window, a little wind to boot. I took a shower, stretched, ate a piece of bread, drank 16 oz of coffee, drank 32 oz of cytomax electrolyte drink, these details ARE important, trust me. I did get dressed, do you want me to add that? I almost missed the bus that was taking us to the train station, because I didn't realize that the buses were on the street. 5 months of training that would have been a bummer. The Strider's took pictures in the train station and Beau Veazy said to me, "At least it's not raining". I was confused, because it was raining when we entered the train station, there was freezing rain and many puddles, since it had been raining all night long. I realized later, during my run, that he was being sarcastic. From that point on I was a lemming, just following my fellow Strider's on to the train towards the start line.

Side note; lemmings are rodents known for their odd behavior, lemming suicide is a frequently used metaphor in reference to people who go along unquestioningly with popular opinion, with potentially dangerous or fatal consequences. I was doing the lemming thing, straight to the start line.

In hindsight, I should have used the ladies room room in the train station, but thought of the many port-a-potties and 7-11's they showed on our various maps that were provided at the Expo. I figured I would just go at the start area, the coffee and water were definitely catching up with me. Marina, Judy and I shuffled our way to the J start section, apparently I was not destined to start with the elites at the A, B or C (insert snicker here). I looked towards the restrooms and there was about 30 plus people in line for each potty, I would have to wait. As Marina and I waited in the freezing rain for 40 minutes, I believe hypothermia was starting to settle in, my shoes were already wet, the masses were shivering, thank God for the rain poncho and gloves. 32,000 of us huddled quietly under our ponchos, shivering. 5 minutes before the start I turned on my Garmin, only to see "low battery" displayed. Houston we have a problem, especially since it helped gauge my pace, okay don't panic, it was fully charged when I left the house and I never turned it on at the hotel. Marina had hers, but who new how long we would stick together, before she would run off like a gazelle on the African tundra and I, the sloth. Marina is a 9 and 10 minute LR gal and I am an 11/12 minute LR gal, I found if I run slower, I can go farther. I had my runkeeper.com on for my iphone and she, the runkeeper lady, will bark at me every mile and tell me what the split pace is and my average pace, so I had my fall back gadget.

The night before I wrote the times of what the 7 gate closures were so I wouldn't be surprised by a gate being shut in my face. Mile 10 my paper was tattered and soaked with the ink running, so I tossed it. Marina and I wanted to get to the first gate at 5K, before looking for a potty. It took 17 minutes for us to walk to the start line from the J section. Once you crossed that start line your microchip attached to your shoe was triggered, who knew marathons were so technologically advanced. The first 3 miles were the best, Marina and I really took in the moment, the cheering crowds and the excitement and kept saying how cool is this. Bathrooms, freezing rain and hypothermia were forgotten. We tried avoiding the puddles, but it was inevitable, my shoes were soaked, as if I jumped in a swimming pool, wet at the very beginning.
At mile 2 I was getting a little winded, my ipod barked at me, "average pace, 9 minutes 20 seconds". I said to Marina she could go without me, but I needed to slow down or I was going to hit that dreaded wall earlier than I wanted. She slowed down and we started the search of "find a toilet without 20 plus people in line". We ran into a 7-11, nope 20 people, port-a-potty, 30 people, directed down stairs into the train station, (at this point, I looked at Marina and said, "Is this the Amazing Race , can I have a fast pass, please...). We ran around for 5 minutes and never found one, back up the stairs, finally I stood in a line with about 12 people in line and waited for 10 minutes and no one ever came out, I finally said forget it. Marina decided to go on when I waited in that line. I went on for another 9 miles like this. I finally stopped at another 7-11 only to see a billion people in line, I rolled my eyes and a race director told me to go a 1/2 mile down a side street to a park and I did. I waited 15 minutes in line there, got back on course only to find I had 10 minutes left for the next gate closure. Hasta la vista 12 minute miles. I ran for 5 miles weaving in and out of traffic, wanting a nice cushion placed between me and those gate closures. It felt good and I was averaging 9 1/2 and 10 minute miles, so said my runkeeper.com lady, bark, bark, bark. Around mile 18 I got a horrible stitch in my side, I had to walk, it was so painful, never experienced this before. I found if I just held my side and ran it was okay, I started walking through water stations and rewarding my self with stretching at every 5 K point, only after I passed the gate. They always have the drink stations strategically placed, before the gate and not after. Why is this? I made up for lost time, somewhat, and had a 40 minute cushion between gate closures.

The last out and back was brutal, forget freezing rain, we now had sleet and these horrible gusts that would come from no where, I remember thinking to myself, could this weather get any worse? I attached the hood of my rain coat with one of my bib pins to my baseball hat, so when there was a gust of wind, I looked like one of those floats in a parade, about ready to take off. I was running by and passed a few fellow Strider's on the out and backs, it was really encouraging to see them and say hi. My iphone died and lost my information, I had a 30 hour charger to attach, but it took about 20 minutes to get it recharged, no music, stitch in side and kilometers 25-35, were brutal. It was the never ending out and back. I mentally could not convert my kilometers to miles anymore, because I was so exhausted. I was thinking the race was 44 kilometers long, the last closing gate was at 38 kilometers, where the hill bridges started. The sun came out, I tossed my rain coat and took in the moment. The last 3 miles were definitely an out of body experience. There were times when I felt like I was completely alone and it was silent, I was lost in thought (maybe cationic). Ironic since there were millions of people cheering us on and people surrounding me, both running and walking. The Japanese were so incredibly gracious and supportive. I can't tell you how many hands were held out to high five us, or five us, because there was no high involved, too much energy. They were handing out candy and food. One family must have owned a restaurant, because they were handing out bowls of udon noodles, another family had a tray of Dixie cups and was passing out shots of coca cola. Then there were those wonderful families that had Heaven in a can. Pain spray that numbed that area, I wish there had been a large pool of it, because I would have jumped into it. My left calf was really the only thing that was bothering me. It was starting to cramp and the pain spray helped, a lot! I was so excited when I found out that 26.2 miles is only 42 kilometers and not 44. At the 41.5 K I stopped at the top of a bridge overlooking Tokyo Bay and stretched and took pictures. It was absolutely beautiful. Little did I know there was a tsunami warning at that time. When I got to the finish line I wanted to cry, I was so happy to finish and accomplish what I set out to do 5 months before. Others weren't so lucky. I had 2 friends that were shut out by a gate, missed the closure by 7 seconds. They have a clock at each gate closure that taunts you and lets you know where you stand. Another gal, a fellow Strider that I didn't know, I passed around kilometer 41, I asked her if she was okay since she was dragging her right leg and didn't look so good. She just waved me off so I ran on. I found out later she passed out from hypothermia at Kilometer 41, it must have been seconds after I left her. She never took a rain jacket that was being given to each Strider member and she started in shorts and a short sleeved shirt.
After the race I collected my goodies and couldn't wait to see my wonderful family that was somewhere in the masses to greet me. After about 2 more miles of walking and searching for an exit, lemming mode helped me find the exit, I met up with my beautiful family. We went back to the New Sanno and spent some family time together, although I was pretty much worthless. I had multiple blisters on my feet from running in soaking wet shoes, chaffing on my forehead, from my baseball hat and the stitch I was getting in my side I found out later was my water bottle hitting my stomach. I had a bruise the size of a tennis ball. I didn't like that running pack anyway it sticks out about half a foot, people probably thought I was 7 months pregnant. Note to self; NEVER forget how sore you were on Tuesday, it took 2 hands on the railing and side stepping to get down the steps and sitting was another matter entirely. I knew I should have gone to the jacuzzi and the cold pool and dipped like everyone else, but it sounded like I would be exerting too much energy.
3 days later I got the stomach flu, which I was wondering if I was going to get sick after touching so many spectators hands along the way. I signed up for a 10K for this weekend, a few months back. It is supposed to rain and sleet. I don't want any part of this race. My friend Marina and I have decided we are fair weather runners. It was snowing yesterday and today and I have been mocking some of the marathon runners to go for a run in the inclement weather with me. No takers, including me.

If this crazy lady can do this anyone can, because running has never come easily to me. I am glad I did this and it was a great experience. I recall saying that it would be so amazing to see Tokyo without cars and just running through the streets. Let me tell you something there were many times I could have cared less where I was. I just wanted to be done with it!

The other night I took out the trash and the it was cold, windy and raining. I was freezing and the rain was pelting my face. I ran inside and told John I was having flashbacks and needed counseling for PTSD from the marathon.



I am at the bottom right, 3rd one back, black hat.

I was wheezing for 2 days, must have been the Tokyo pollution.

My dear, sweet friend Hillary left these for me. Thanks Hillary for all of your support you are a wonderful friend.

Me before the race, notice untattered running bib and size of face.

Marathon Expo on Friday night.

Here is a little taste of Japan for you.

This sports drink is good, but after 26.2 miles of it, well, the thought of it makes my stomach churn.

After race, nice swollen face, my entire body was swollen. It looks like I gained 10 pounds after running 26.2, how in the world does that happen?

That would be me at the expo! I was very proud of myself, I didn't buy a thing. I kept hearing in the back of my head the advice that someone gave. Never wear something new and cute that you bought at the expo. You never know what it could do to your body 26.2 miles later.

Note the torn and now tattered bib. John wanted to iron it out. I said noway, it tells the story.

Michelle, Jacquie and Vanessa.

Okay, I will give you one guess who suffered from hypothermia, only one guess!