Tim Trowbridge's Blog

Friday, March 27, 2009

I just got back from Japan. The trip there was a long one. From the time I left my apartment in Columbus to the time I arrived at my hotel in Tokyo, it took about twenty-four hours. In addition to that, I was coming down with a cold, so the day before the race, I was worried about becoming dehydrated. However, I drank plenty of fluids (including a big bottle of Pocari Sweat), and I seemed to fight off the cold. (I think I drank more fluids the day before the Tokyo Marathon than on any other single day of my life.)

As for the race itself, it was extremely windy, and it started to rain during the last few kilometers, but it was a great race. There were people lined up cheering for almost the entire 42.2 kilometers. (By the way, I think I like kilometer markers better than mile markers. They come more frequently. It's easier to stay motivated to get to the next kilometer marker.) It was also incredibly well-organized. Within ten minutes of finishing the race, I had my chip taken, my medal given to me, my food given to me, and I retrieved my drop-off bag. This was with thirty-thousand runners. I was amazed.

I had a great time in Japan. In addition to running the Tokyo Marathon, I also did some sightseeing. I visited Kamakura, Nikko, Yokohama, and just hung out in Tokyo. The trip back home was also a long one, but I passed the time by reading the novel Out by Natsuo Kirino. I would thoroughly recommend the Tokyo Marathon, but unless you've been to Japan before or know at least some rudimentary Japanese, I would probably recommend it as part of a tour. I don't know if I could have handled it by myself if it had been my first time to Japan.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Monday, March 23, 2009

Yesterday I finished the Tokyo Marathon with an unofficial time of 3:17:21. Out of the eight marathons I've completed, that was my second-best time. I'll write more when I have better internet access.

Tags: , , ,

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Since the United States is just about the only country that uses miles, all the markers along the Tokyo Marathon course will be in kilometers. There are approximately 1.609344 kilometers in a mile, so a marathon, which is 26.2 miles long, is approximately 42.2 kilometers long. Therefore, if I wanted to run a 3:30 Tokyo Marathon, I would want to run at a pace of just under five minutes per kilometer. I’m not saying that’s the pace I’m going to run during the Tokyo Marathon (it depends on how I’m feeling), but I’m trying to get used to thinking in kilometers. My next post should be from Tokyo. Hopefully, I’ll survive the long flight!

Tags: , , ,

Thursday, March 12, 2009

I successfully completed my twenty-four mile run last weekend, so I should be ready to go for the Tokyo Marathon on March 22nd. Also, I recently found out that the former sumo wrestler Akebono will be participating in the Tokyo Marathon. (I’m not sure if he’ll be running it. My guess is that he’s walking it.) Akebono, born in Hawaii, was the first foreign-born Yokozuna (grand champion) and was very popular when I was in Japan. Speaking of Japan, over the weekend I also saw the German film Cherry Blossoms. The second half of the film has some unbelievably realistic shots of Tokyo, so I would definitely recommend it.

Tags: , , , , ,

Friday, March 06, 2009

Here is the latest update from the Tokyo Marathon website:

To Runners Planning to Wear Costumes

We understand that wearing of costumes and putting on a disguise is one of the enjoyments to participate in a major marathon event. On the other hand, it might cause the runner itself to fall, and also make the other runners or audience feel uncomfortable.

Please be advised that in order to permit wearing of costumes in the future, we request for each runner to understand the circumstances and extend exercise of their sensibility.

The organizer will prohibit all costumes stated from 1 to 6 below and other related behavior that may disrupt public order and other standards of decency. In the event that the organizer finds behavior related to this notice the runner will be immediately disqualified from the race. We will not accept any objection upon our decision in relation to this matter.

1. Clothing that may harm others, induce fall, and conduct that may interfere with others.

Example 1: carrying a knife or a sword, wearing armor or costumes with rivets etc.
Example 2: long skirt, kimono etc.
Example 3: holding of hands among the runners

2. Clothing not appropriate for a sporting event that may cause discomfort to others.

Example 1: running naked, wearing of costumes or underwear that may resemble nudity.

3. Wearing of clothing intended to promote political preferences or views, religious belief and advertising of products or establishments other than the event sponsors.

Example 1: sash containing political party or candidate names, religious beliefs.
Example 2: costumes resembling a political or religious figure or merchandise other than the event sponsors.

4. Usage of fireworks, whistle and lighting apparatus etc. that may be used to distract or misguide other runners.

5. Wearing of clothing requesting of a donation or signatures for a petition etc.

6. Other clothing or costumes deemed inappropriate by the event organizer.

Tags: , , ,

Sunday, March 01, 2009

I ran fourteen miles yesterday with the Premier Sports Marathoner in Training (MIT) group in preparation for the Tokyo Marathon. Next weekend I plan to run twenty-four miles, and then I should be ready for the marathon on March 21st. I’m still being bothered by some nagging aches and pains. There’s still some soreness in my left ankle, and my right shoulder is still sore from a fall on the ice a couple months ago. I don’t think either of these issues is going to go away without an extended period of rest, but they’ll have to wait three weeks, because I have a marathon to run. It’s not going to be my fastest race, but I still want to perform respectably, since I’ve invested a lot of time and effort (and money). Most of all, though, I want to have a lot of fun.

Tags: , , ,