My First Marathon Memory

On November 27, 2005 I ran the 30th Annual Lake Kawaguchiko Marathon. Since this is also my first running essay, let me start off with some personal running background. I started running in the autumn of 1995 as a way to jump start my mornings before going to school. First it was just a 10 minute lap around the block, then 2 laps and so on. My first organized race was the Elizabeth River Run 10k in April of 1996, in Norfolk, Virginia. I remember the fresh ocean air and the sound of hundreds of runners’ feet crossing the bridge. I was hooked. I am currently running about five days a week, around 100k (65 miles) per week. I have run more than 40 races. Running makes my life better.
The Lake Kawaguchiko Marathon was two laps around the picturesque perimeter of the lake. There are two bridge crossings and two tunnel transits. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning with the brilliant snow-capped summit of Mt. Fuji in the background. The fall colors were all around, the sky was blue and with winter approaching, the air was crisp. I can’t imagine there being a more scenic marathon. It was chilly at the 7:45 start, just below freezing. I started about 20 heads from the starting line and I’m glad I had my winter running hat and gloves with me. There were very few non-Japanese runners. I believe the registration was stopped at 16,000 race entrants.
The start was very exciting as the anticipation level built rapidly in the minutes before the starting gun was fired. Bang! We were off, thousands of spectators lined the path, waving and cheering in support. Fireworks were exploding overhead and I felt the rapture of being alive. I remember passing hundreds of runners, doing their duty, as soon as the roads emerged from the tourist shops and residencies into more open areas (including parking lots!) During the run, there was an abundance of treats for us to indulge in, including sports drinks, salt water, bananas, ume boshi (dried, salted plums), chocolate and vitamin C tablets galore. There were also people offering food who weren’t part of the race organizers, I’m fairly certain, but were still out in droves offering more drinks, candy and slices of fresh mikan tangerines. We passed taiko drummers, school brass bands, and more fireworks going off overhead. The running course was virtually flat and since finishing was more important than finishing time, I ran at my usual comfortable pace the entire time until the finish line was in sight. Then I really kicked it into overdrive. It felt good to pass hundreds of other runners in the final struggles over the last kilometers. Crossing the finish line can be described in two words “ultimate nirvana”. My finishing time was 3 hours, 19 minutes and 29 seconds. Just under my personal goal of 3 hours and 20 minutes.


After the race in addition to the variety of beverages and bananas, we enjoyed large bowls of free pork and vegetable miso soup. It was a very nice touch to a marathon with a true Japanese feel. I look forward to running many more marathons in Japan. The most memorable part for me was the locals and children waving flags and shouting “Gambatte, Kudasai!” or “Fight, be strong, and never give up!”