Race time predictions

Anyone care to set me a target time based on this training:


The race in November was a 1:35 in Otawara (it completely killed me). The other race in January was a 1:40 at Shinjuku Half (much less uncomfortable). The only other issue is a suspected cracked rib.

TOKYO MARATHON 2008 - WEATHER FINE?!

I hardly dare say it, but the forecast is about as good as you could ask for... The next five days all more or less the same fine weather with a few clouds, min 0c max 8c. It will be chilly of course, but conditions are looking pretty good for Tokyo Marathon 2008.

Post Marathon Training Question

After running 3 marathons in the last year, I'm planning on concentrating my training on shorter stuff, 5 and 10k's etc. For my Tokyo Marathon training I did a long run of 30-35k once a week and one or two medium runs of 22-24k a week. A portion, about 14-16k, of these medium runs was at marathon pace, 4:25-4:30 per k. I think this was good training and likely is what enabled me to get PB's in 5k, 10k, half and marathon since the end of January. Maybe I could have had a better marathon time without the other PB's but that's another question. So now with the decreased mileage I'm thinking about having the medium, marathon paced run as my weekly long run. I think the duration (1:40-1:45) is sufficient for a long run. My question is this: do I need the slow paced run that marathon training is usually associated with? Will I be missing something physiologically if all or most of my runs are at marathon pace or better? Do I need to be in the "fat burning" zone to train for shorter races? (If you didn't notice, he preceding three questions are basically all the same). Looking forward to the input of the collective wisdom of Namban Rengo.

AZ

Tokyo Marathon...it's not about the rain...

This was a battle between man, pain, and rain.

Motozo prevailed with a 1 minute personal best (PB) at the first annual Tokyo marathon.


Preparation was key...lots of pasta meals to the point of overload..nearly every meal was rice or pasta the final week...no alcohol for the last week and no caffeine for the last 4 days. A nice sleep-in on Saturday morning and off to bed again at 9 PM on Saturday before the race. The taper was enjoyable and my legs healed up nicely following months of pavement pounding. After a peak of 108K 3 weeks prior to the race, I reduced drastically to 64K 2 weeks before and 56K the final week with mainly marathon pace 5K and 10K runs to maintain fitness levels.


read the gory details here: http://davidmotozo.blogspot.com/

Ponchos Will Be Provided

In the runner's kit (swag bag) there's a white sheet titled "Instructions for Tokyo Marathon Runners," which states that at the bag check area ponchos will be provided for the runners to keep warm. It seems only natural and logical. However, to hedge your bets you might want to have a cheap poncho or jacket ready that you can quickly toss in to your bag after seeing if they are giving them out. I bought one today, with snaps down the front, making it easy to discard. Price: 100 yen. Check out your neighborhood 100 yen store.

Beginners luck

Looks like the almost uninterrupted clear blue skys of the last two months will take a turn for the worst for the 1st Tokyo Marathon this Sunday.

Keeping warm at the start

In my blog I made a passing comment (among a number of passing comments) wondering what to wear at the start line after handing in our bags. It drew a few comments so I thought it is probably something we might want to discuss here.

Unsettled weather is forecast so it may be cool or even cool and wet. My original comment was mainly based on the fact that I was wondering how the organizers are going to view the discarding of plastic ponchos or garbage bags (suggestions by Brett & Gordon on my blog) and old clothes (suggestion by Clairie & Tesso). There is no reference to it in the information pack, so I guess by default, all suggestions are fair game.

Since we do not have any "Vinnies" (St. Vincent de paul opportunity shops) I have already identified one old jacket that my wife says can be sacrificed to the Running Gods. The lightweight ponchos etc are also an atractive option, but I must admit, either way I am not totally comfortable with the idea of leaving all that gomi strewn around the streets, not just because it is gomi, but it must cause havoc for the people running behind.

I was thinking it would be cool (not necessarily for this race) if a charity could be mobilized to organize an army of volunteers to collect clothes at the start along with a 1000-yen donation (much in the vein of Taro's Run for Africa concept). I am sure these clothes could be put to use in poverty- or disaster-stricken places.

What do you all think?