My First Full Marathon by Irene Kaneko

2019 had been an incredible year for me. So many firsts – my first Mt. Fuji climb, my first 10km run, my first half marathon run and my first full marathon run. All these happened in 2019, the year I started running. My favorite running place to practice is the Imperial Garden Palace in Sakuradamon, one round of 5km of mostly straight road with uphill and downhill routes, a famous place for running enthusiasts. As early as March, I had been eyeing to join the Honolulu International Marathon for my first full marathon of 42.195km. My other reason is to be able to see my brother, Kevin and sister-in-law, Marife after 10 years of not seeing each other. Aside from my regular strength and aerobics training at the gym in preparation for the full marathon, I studied and watched You Tube on nutrition, fueling, breathing techniques, running economy and more. I was lucky enough that a runner friend, Daniel Tanciatco, coached me during some of my practices. After I joined the10K and Half-Marathon events in city and prefectural running events, I became condent that I can finish the full marathon which made me decide to register for the race. I did hiking and carb loading with Kevin and Marife on the days leading to the race day on December 8, 2019, the Honolulu Marathon. I woke up very early at 2:00am to eat my breakfast. I was very excited. I only had 3 hours sleep! I wore my running wear and placed my number card on my chest. The running chip is located at the back of the number card. In Japan, we tie the running chip to our shoe. My flipbelt is filled with Energy gels and some mango dry fruit. Aside from the belt, I also have a pouch where I placed my Iphone & wi- fully re-charged, Pocari Sweat powders, a 350ml water bottle and salted candies. As you can see, I was ready to run the beautiful coastline of Honolulu. We left the house by 3am. Kevin and Marife drove me to Ala Moana Park, the starting point of the marathon. However, most roads were blocked for the marathon so I need to walk about 10 mins to the

starting place. We arrived 3:30am so I still have a lot of time. The weather that day was nice at 22 degrees C. Everybody was stretching and running around getting ready for the run. The marathon started at 5am with a show of reworks. Was it the adrenaline because I was running with a crowd of more than 30,000 full of energy and enthusiasm.

The 1st water station came at the 3rd km. I took my first energy gel at the 5th km. I was doing well on the first half of the race. If I kept this pace, I could have finished in about 5 hours. However, on the 30th Km, my knees were starting to hurt. So, I did run-walk, run-walk strategy. But there came a time when my legs were too sore and tired already. I tried to run again but my legs wouldn’t. I stopped a few times to stretch my sore feet. I literally walked through in the last 10km.

I remembered Fred Lebow’s quote on running. He is the co-founder of the New York City Marathon. He said: "It doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."

At this point, I did not care about the early finishing time anymore. What mattered more to me was I need to reach the finish line! I was not ready to give up but determined to finish the race no matter what. I saw the finish line already. There was a big clock and didn’t realize it was past 7 hours since I started running. 7 hours 17 mins and 29 seconds was my time. I was so jubilant when the Finisher Medal was placed around my neck.

Kevin and Fe treated me to a delicious ramen shop before going back home. Soonest we arrived home, I took a shower, iced my knees and legs, drank my pain relievers and slept for 14 hours!

Despite the 3 big blisters on my toes, I’m so lucky I still could walk! Marife treated them with the juice of Aloe Vera plant.

My gratitude to Kevin and Marife who were there all the way for me from carb loading to hiking to sightseeing to the day of the marathon and after. Thank you very much!

Despite all the excruciating pain on my knees, I unbelievably was able to reach the finish line. With jubilance, wonder and satisfaction, I whispered to myself, “I made it!” And now, I am ready for you, 2020 and am looking forward to new challenges and new “firsts!”