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Published: November 28th 2009
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My time, the rank I attain, my outward appearance — all of these are secondary. For a runner like me, what’s really important is reaching the goal I set myself, under my own power. I give it everything I have, endure what needs enduring, and am able, in my own way, to be satisfied. From out of the failures and joys I always try to come away having grasped a concrete lesson. (It’s got to be concrete, no matter how small it is.) And I hope that, over time, as one race follows another, in the end I’ll reach a place I’m content with. Or maybe just catch a glimpse of it. (Yes, that’s a more appropriate way of putting it.)
-- Haruki Murakami
I do a bit of running myself. 10km is a distance I'm most familiar with. One year ago I was still entirely innocent of marathon running ambition. After I read Haruki Murakami's "What I Talk about When I Talk about Running", the thought of running a marathon started to surface. Before I get myself ready to run a full marathon, I have the pleasure to meet some marathon runners and to witness the whole process from preparation to recovery before I make up my mind to try it one day.
Japan is exactly where you want to be if you enjoy pounding the pavement as a means of exercise. Marathon races abound even far away from the cities. The very first day I arrived at my school, Horibe sensei approached me with a pile of marathon pamphlets after he learned that I was interested in running one. Horibe sensei had earned my deepest respect after I got to know him better. He teaches Chemistry, speaks English, plays bass guitar at the sensei-band, runs marathons, and is as handsome as my father. You can't beat the last point... yes I miss you daddy.
Anyways, we arrived in Fukuchiyama
as early as 8:00am on Nov 23rd, 2 hours and a half before the race started. The gym was already half filled with participants. Most of them resting, stretching, changing, or having snacks for the last chance of energy intake. When Iker told me he was gonna tape his nipples to prevent friction and bleeding I thought he was joking, you must be elite athletes who sprint the whole marathon course to make any differences. So I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw many
nipple-tapes on men's bodies in such an awkward way. Brilliant though.
The evening before the race Iker and I went shopping we found this awesome underwear shop so we decided to dress up foolishly and spice up the tedious long run. "We are so gonna make it on TV," we proudly thought. But wow! As I later learned that a lot of people finished 42.195km in
costumes!! ^^ Like a Halloween second round party! Many of them were really fast runners, managed to enjoy themselves, entertain others and finish the whole course with ease. Love it!!
Here we go. The race started at 10:30am. 10km and full marathon altogether. Different from the
Vancouver Sun Run where I pass people more often than the other way around. In Japan it's the opposite. Doesn't it make you self critical every time a runner in his/her 50s pass by you? Doesn't it make you feel glad about our physical potential at the same time? Subarashi. This marathon was also open for people with vision disabilities. I tried not to look at
blind runners who were accompanied by another runner. I just couldn't control myself and be emotional. I passed by one of the many of them, said to her, "Ganbarre!" She raised her head as she continue pounding the pavement said, "Arigato!" I tried not to let any tears flood out of my eyes when I saw her hollow eye sockets.
It was a scenic course. I finished it in about 56 mins, my average time. The last bit of the course was especially nice as the sun slowly making its way out of the shades of clouds. After I filled my stomach I went to the finish line to wait for the marathon runners making their way back. Young volunteers in bright yellow were chatting and laughing as they waited. Guest runner Eric
Hey you
Let's spice up the race with some silliness ^^ from Kenya was there warmly welcome by Japanese people. At about 2 hours 25 minutes after the race started, the first runner was making his way back....wow!!! Greeted by a round of applauds he smiled as he sprinted toward the finish line ribbon.
Slowly more and more runners approached the finish line. Some
collapsed on the floor right after that with pain shown on their faces. That was one of the moment when you feel glad that you didn't sign up for the full course while admiring their strong determination and wills. I'm sure it takes more than I could imagine to complete that tedious long race. As Horibe sensei put it, every time he completes a marathon he is amazed by himself.
When a
blind runner accompanied by his partner showed up at around 3 hours, thunderous applause was welcoming him. If running a marathon is the ultimate challenge for a healthy person, then what else does it take for a blind person to complete it? Imagine if the joy of seeing scenery is taken away from my running, add in the strange stares from other people, and the trouble it brings to my running partner every
time I wish to go for a run, would I still be running?
The world is not fair, but with LOVE we make it fair. One little detail that moved me was that after these runners finished their race, instead of shouting and cheering for the victory, they all turned around and make a 90 degrees
bow to running trail, to show their respect and gratitude. Maybe after the long race as the runners acknowledge their limits it becomes natural to be humble, and to thank the whole experience which they take a lesson away from.
There were countless scenes that touched me during the day, runners finished the course and celebrated their accomplishment with their love ones, who had helped them to get this far. They dropped tears of joy. Extraordinary moment.
In the journey of life, may we all lend a helping hand to others and let others do for us. 4 hours and 36 mins had passed. Horibe sensei appeared among a group of runners!!! Amazing time!!! Hats off!
Within 15 minutes, all of our friends reached the finish line. We shared joy and details of our experiences. Resting in the
Tears of Joy
I reckon they are sisters gym before we make our way back to Osaka, our marathon warriors were all burned out and debilitatedly laid flat on the floor. We all thought the photo I took at that scene was hilarious. ^o^
4:30pm we started to make our way back to Osaka, as the finisher gun marked the end of this race. The traffic jam took us three and a half hours for a trip that should only take one and a half. Iker and I were snoozing at the back seats while Horibe sensei drove us all the way back home. Thank you again Horibe sensei for all your support, encouragement and strength that had taught me lots, looking forward to learning more from you in the two years I live here in Japan. You're truely a great role model for young people like me and our students.
My deepest respect for all the marathon runners out there. Between now and spring next year, I will remember today as a force of motivation to train for my half marathon and a full one in the not-so-distant future.
Until then, live love learn~! ^^
Love, Fang
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