Earning a spot in one of the World Marathon Majors is not an easy feat. Boston requires all runners to achieve strict qualifying times, and the other five are so popular that they have introduced a lottery process. I applied for the Tokyo Marathon last summer, and I couldn't believe when I learned that over 300,000 people had applied for only ~30,000 spots. With a 10% acceptance rate, this race is harder to get into than some Ivy League schools!
In anticipation of the race, I followed the official Facebook page. They did not post much in English, but I can't really blame them since only a small minority of runners come from outside Japan. Mail correspondence, on the other hand, was top-notch. I received a detailed race brochure several weeks before the trip, which even included a map of the city and subway system to plan my sightseeing around Tokyo.
Any good marathon is preceded by big expo, and Tokyo's was among the best I had ever seen. Of course it was well organized (this is Japan, after all), but more importantly, it made me proud to be running in such an important event. The first area after packet pick-up was an introduction to all the World Marathon Majors. Then, there was a history of the Tokyo Marathon (which is incredibly only in its 9th year).
The race-branded souvenir section was quite popular, although most of the items just looked like overpriced throwaways to me. There were also a lot of little games and partner promotions that I could not understand because they were all happening in Japanese. The lower level of the expo was like a shopping mall for running gear. I was in retail paradise.
After visiting the expo, I spent much of the afternoon and evening just walking through the city and experiencing the sensory overload that is Tokyo. From the subway map to the street signs - everywhere you look is a feast for the eyes.
My pre-race dinner was some yakitori (meat on a stick) and a giant bowl of ramen in the cool area of tiny restaurants near the Shinjuku train station. The pedestrian-only alley is called "Memory Lane", and each restaurant only seats about 8 people at a bar, tended by the owner/chef. I loved the relaxed atmosphere, which was a huge contrast to all the big-city action that surrounded it. With sufficient levels of carbohydrates in my system, I was well-prepared for my first race in Japan.
My hotel was only one block from the starting line, so race morning felt much more relaxed. I love being able to prep for my race from the comfort of a warm hotel room, while everyone else was lined up at the portable toilets. The weather was drizzling, which further enhanced my satisfaction of being able to stay inside.
At the last possible moment, I gathered my belongings and made my way to the starting corrals. Unfortunately, due to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, there were enhanced security measures in place that included metal detectors and bag-checks for all runners. We were even prohibited from bringing liquids into the warmup area.
I debated whether to keep my jacket for the race because the threat of rain was over 50%, and also because I am now intolerant to the cold weather after living in Hong Kong. In the end, I decided to leave the jacket on. I even brought running gloves and a scarf with me. Overkill? Perhaps, but it was a long wait before the race started, and I knew that I would feel really cold at the end after depleting my energy supply.
The waiting time in the starting corral felt long (particularly in comparison with my rushed start in the HK marathon a month ago), but I loved it when the cannons went off with confetti and the Roppongi Men's Choir started singing as we passed the starting line.
As always, the first kilometer was very slow and crowded, but people soon started to spread out in the wide roads (smart route planning). Before too long, I started noticing a lot of really fun hats. Where Hong Kong will always be remembered as the "costume" marathon, I think I will remember Tokyo as the "hat" marathon.
I will also remember the incredible crowd support throughout the entire route. Unlike some marathons that take runners way outside the city, this one remains in the urban limits. Of course Tokyo is such a sprawling metropolis, but I appreciate a city that is unafraid to shut down prime areas for a marathon to take place.
Prior to this marathon, the most crowd support I have ever seen is in Boston. It felt like even more people were lining the roads in Tokyo, which is a huge morale boost. Initially, I was surprised to read that the race attracts 1.7 million spectators, but it seems possible when you consider that the course is so long. For comparison purposes, I looked up the statistics and it said that Boston Marathon attracts 500,000 spectators.
My goal for this race was to qualify for Boston 2016, and I knew that would only happen if I could maintain a running pace throughout the entire distance. Somewhere around the 10 mile mark, I reluctantly passed the 3:00 pace group, which made me nervous because I don't think I am in 3-hour shape these days.
I don't consider Tokyo to be a very beautiful city, but it was fun to pass some of the major sites along the course, such as the Imperial Palace, the Tokyo Tower, and the Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate (which also happened to be a turn-around point).
By around the 32-km mark, I was starting to feel really depleted of energy and I was not looking forward to motivating myself through another 10k. At that point, I started looking for some food at the refreshment points and I was ecstatic to see M&M's in a giant bin.
I never really stop running as I pick up food & drink, so I just plunged my hand into the bin and grabbed the biggest handful I could manage. As I aggressively swept by, I could hear one of the cute volunteers express her surprise with a giggle. I greedily shoved about half of the handful into my mouth and immediately regretted the decision. M&M's are one of my favorite snack foods, but they are not the best idea when I am mildly dehydrated and running a race in cold weather. It felt like a real effort to swallow the chocolaty glob in my mouth, but I knew that I needed the energy boost.
By around the 38-kilometer mark, I was really starting to feel pain and my legs just could not move at the pace I needed them to. It's times like this where my lack of training is apparent, but I kept pushing. I started feeling cold again, so I put my gloves and scarf back on.
All I wanted to do was walk, so I succumbed briefly to get a bit of relief around 40 kilometers. At that point, I saw some balloons bob past me and I saw that it was the 3-hour pace group. Part of me was supremely disappointed that I would not log another sub-3:00 time, but the rational part of me realized that I was literally pushing myself to the limit.
With that spirit, I convinced myself to start running again - even if it was just a jog. My knee was hurting, so I just wanted to end this thing. The amazing volunteers really made a difference at this point in the race, as they enthusiastically cheered for us all like we were superstars.
The last 0.195 kilometers felt like an eternity, but the finish line was the most incredible site of the entire race (not because it was anything spectacular, but just because it marked the end of this torture)!
I crossed the finish line with a very safe Boston qualifying time, and I knew my net time would be at least a minute less than what was shown on the clock. I may not have beaten my personal best, but I reached my goal of a Boston qualifier and I was proud of my effort throughout the entire race.
The post-race organization was really impressive, but more importantly, the volunteers were BEYOND incredible. I love anyone who volunteers their time at a race but these people were truly something special. In a country where not many people speak good English, I was shocked to hear so many people congratulating me with good pronunciation and such genuine smiles on their faces.
Everyone says that the people make all the difference in life, and that was absolutely the case in Tokyo. The city (in my opinion) is nothing special, but the spectators and the volunteers made this experience so special for me. One group of volunteers even allowed me to ride on an express shuttle bus back to my hotel (which should have only been for people who purchased the tour packages) - probably because they could see that I was unable to bend my right knee.
I got back up to my room, took a long shower, and looked out my window at the views of the vast city surrounding me. When I applied for this race back in August, the race day seemed like it would never come. But now, 6 months later, here I am living in Asia and taking a weekend trip to Japan for my 11th marathon.
Whenever I finish a race, it doesn't take long for the feeling of accomplishment to supersede any memories of pain. Years from now, I will remember the funny hats, the amazing volunteers, and the overall thrilling experience of running in the only World Marathon Major in Asia.
In anticipation of the race, I followed the official Facebook page. They did not post much in English, but I can't really blame them since only a small minority of runners come from outside Japan. Mail correspondence, on the other hand, was top-notch. I received a detailed race brochure several weeks before the trip, which even included a map of the city and subway system to plan my sightseeing around Tokyo.
Any good marathon is preceded by big expo, and Tokyo's was among the best I had ever seen. Of course it was well organized (this is Japan, after all), but more importantly, it made me proud to be running in such an important event. The first area after packet pick-up was an introduction to all the World Marathon Majors. Then, there was a history of the Tokyo Marathon (which is incredibly only in its 9th year).
The race-branded souvenir section was quite popular, although most of the items just looked like overpriced throwaways to me. There were also a lot of little games and partner promotions that I could not understand because they were all happening in Japanese. The lower level of the expo was like a shopping mall for running gear. I was in retail paradise.
 |
| Standing in line to enter the Tokyo Marathon Expo |
 |
| Getting excited to run through the streets of Tokyo! |
After visiting the expo, I spent much of the afternoon and evening just walking through the city and experiencing the sensory overload that is Tokyo. From the subway map to the street signs - everywhere you look is a feast for the eyes.
 |
| This is the inside of an appliance store. Signs everywhere! |
 |
| A busy street in Shinjuku area |
My pre-race dinner was some yakitori (meat on a stick) and a giant bowl of ramen in the cool area of tiny restaurants near the Shinjuku train station. The pedestrian-only alley is called "Memory Lane", and each restaurant only seats about 8 people at a bar, tended by the owner/chef. I loved the relaxed atmosphere, which was a huge contrast to all the big-city action that surrounded it. With sufficient levels of carbohydrates in my system, I was well-prepared for my first race in Japan.
 |
| One of the restaurants on Memory Lane (photo courtesy of Silentskylark) |
 |
| Outside the restaurants on Memory Lane |
My hotel was only one block from the starting line, so race morning felt much more relaxed. I love being able to prep for my race from the comfort of a warm hotel room, while everyone else was lined up at the portable toilets. The weather was drizzling, which further enhanced my satisfaction of being able to stay inside.
 |
| Looking down at the warm-up area from the comfort of my hotel |
At the last possible moment, I gathered my belongings and made my way to the starting corrals. Unfortunately, due to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, there were enhanced security measures in place that included metal detectors and bag-checks for all runners. We were even prohibited from bringing liquids into the warmup area.
I debated whether to keep my jacket for the race because the threat of rain was over 50%, and also because I am now intolerant to the cold weather after living in Hong Kong. In the end, I decided to leave the jacket on. I even brought running gloves and a scarf with me. Overkill? Perhaps, but it was a long wait before the race started, and I knew that I would feel really cold at the end after depleting my energy supply.
The waiting time in the starting corral felt long (particularly in comparison with my rushed start in the HK marathon a month ago), but I loved it when the cannons went off with confetti and the Roppongi Men's Choir started singing as we passed the starting line.
As always, the first kilometer was very slow and crowded, but people soon started to spread out in the wide roads (smart route planning). Before too long, I started noticing a lot of really fun hats. Where Hong Kong will always be remembered as the "costume" marathon, I think I will remember Tokyo as the "hat" marathon.
I will also remember the incredible crowd support throughout the entire route. Unlike some marathons that take runners way outside the city, this one remains in the urban limits. Of course Tokyo is such a sprawling metropolis, but I appreciate a city that is unafraid to shut down prime areas for a marathon to take place.
Prior to this marathon, the most crowd support I have ever seen is in Boston. It felt like even more people were lining the roads in Tokyo, which is a huge morale boost. Initially, I was surprised to read that the race attracts 1.7 million spectators, but it seems possible when you consider that the course is so long. For comparison purposes, I looked up the statistics and it said that Boston Marathon attracts 500,000 spectators.
 |
| Here I am, running through a street lined with enthusiastic spectators |
 |
| Leading the pack of runners (not really) |
My goal for this race was to qualify for Boston 2016, and I knew that would only happen if I could maintain a running pace throughout the entire distance. Somewhere around the 10 mile mark, I reluctantly passed the 3:00 pace group, which made me nervous because I don't think I am in 3-hour shape these days.
I don't consider Tokyo to be a very beautiful city, but it was fun to pass some of the major sites along the course, such as the Imperial Palace, the Tokyo Tower, and the Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate (which also happened to be a turn-around point).
 |
| Here I am in front of the Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate |
By around the 32-km mark, I was starting to feel really depleted of energy and I was not looking forward to motivating myself through another 10k. At that point, I started looking for some food at the refreshment points and I was ecstatic to see M&M's in a giant bin.
I never really stop running as I pick up food & drink, so I just plunged my hand into the bin and grabbed the biggest handful I could manage. As I aggressively swept by, I could hear one of the cute volunteers express her surprise with a giggle. I greedily shoved about half of the handful into my mouth and immediately regretted the decision. M&M's are one of my favorite snack foods, but they are not the best idea when I am mildly dehydrated and running a race in cold weather. It felt like a real effort to swallow the chocolaty glob in my mouth, but I knew that I needed the energy boost.
By around the 38-kilometer mark, I was really starting to feel pain and my legs just could not move at the pace I needed them to. It's times like this where my lack of training is apparent, but I kept pushing. I started feeling cold again, so I put my gloves and scarf back on.
 |
| Trying to hold my composure, but I was over it by this point |
All I wanted to do was walk, so I succumbed briefly to get a bit of relief around 40 kilometers. At that point, I saw some balloons bob past me and I saw that it was the 3-hour pace group. Part of me was supremely disappointed that I would not log another sub-3:00 time, but the rational part of me realized that I was literally pushing myself to the limit.
With that spirit, I convinced myself to start running again - even if it was just a jog. My knee was hurting, so I just wanted to end this thing. The amazing volunteers really made a difference at this point in the race, as they enthusiastically cheered for us all like we were superstars.
 |
| Distracted by something...at this point, it could have been anything |
The last 0.195 kilometers felt like an eternity, but the finish line was the most incredible site of the entire race (not because it was anything spectacular, but just because it marked the end of this torture)!
 |
| Crossing the finish line in Tokyo |
I crossed the finish line with a very safe Boston qualifying time, and I knew my net time would be at least a minute less than what was shown on the clock. I may not have beaten my personal best, but I reached my goal of a Boston qualifier and I was proud of my effort throughout the entire race.
The post-race organization was really impressive, but more importantly, the volunteers were BEYOND incredible. I love anyone who volunteers their time at a race but these people were truly something special. In a country where not many people speak good English, I was shocked to hear so many people congratulating me with good pronunciation and such genuine smiles on their faces.
 |
| Everyone's belongings were lined up with military precision |
Everyone says that the people make all the difference in life, and that was absolutely the case in Tokyo. The city (in my opinion) is nothing special, but the spectators and the volunteers made this experience so special for me. One group of volunteers even allowed me to ride on an express shuttle bus back to my hotel (which should have only been for people who purchased the tour packages) - probably because they could see that I was unable to bend my right knee.
I got back up to my room, took a long shower, and looked out my window at the views of the vast city surrounding me. When I applied for this race back in August, the race day seemed like it would never come. But now, 6 months later, here I am living in Asia and taking a weekend trip to Japan for my 11th marathon.
 |
| Views of Tokyo from my hotel |
Whenever I finish a race, it doesn't take long for the feeling of accomplishment to supersede any memories of pain. Years from now, I will remember the funny hats, the amazing volunteers, and the overall thrilling experience of running in the only World Marathon Major in Asia.
 |
| My performance in the 2015 Tokyo Marathon |
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