Tales from Tokyo

Tokyo Marathon

Race Website: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/
Cheri Edwards: 4:25:36

My first big city marathon (have previously done Hullavington and Stratford, both significantly smaller number of entrants!) and WOW it did not disappoint. The crowd support was immense, so much noise and shouts of “ganbatte”!

I’d trained hard and felt quite prepared but the taper fortnight wasn’t ideal; caught a cold on the plane journey out, spent several days at Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan, walked 20,000+ steps a day sightseeing beautiful temples and generally having a fantastic holiday!

When we first arrived in Tokyo it was quite chilly, but on race weekend the temperatures spiked to 20 degrees so I adjusted my pace and decided to run to feel. By the halfway point the heat was massively affecting me and threatening to dampen my enjoyment – thankfully the scenery and crowd support was sufficient distraction with plenty of people offering muscle sprays, extra snacks (including some dubious looking pickled plums and rice wine!), handfuls of ice as well as the usual high-fives and motivational signs.

Although I was initially disappointed not to PB, pleased to have finished in 4:25 given the conditions, and glad I didn’t push myself too hard – sadly witnessed many runners receiving medical attention on the course. The route features 4 switchbacks, 3 shrines, 2 towers and 1 bridge – I was mentally ticking them off as I passed them. I was also fortunate enough to see the elite lead runners – I think they were at 33km when I was around 12km in!

My first World Major, will it be my last?!

Chippenham 10 Miles

A gloriously sunny loop around the Chippenham countryside, with a great turnout with 19 RSE runners. The course was gently undulating, mostly on road with a couple of small muddy patches (which Darren unfortunately took a dip in). Fantastic atmosphere, a superb haul of PBs, and some very pretty medals!

James Ball 01:06:16
Nia Glover 1:10:23
Alan Powderhill 1:17:07 – A 4 minute PB!🏅 💪
Paul Robertson 1:18:26
Darren Jenner 1:19:58 – 1 min 40 second PB
Anne Gardiner 1:25:18 – New road race 10 mile PB
Paul Beaumont 1:23:59 – V70 category winner!!
Teresa Hazelwood 1:26:23
Zoe Markham-Lee 1.27.34 – PB!
Sarah Page 1.28.12
Elaine Chapman 1:31:08
Jade Beaumont 1:34:46
Sue Navin 1:34:25 – V70 category winner!!
Felicity Crotty 01:37:21 – 40 second PB!
Jess James 1:38:30 – First go at 10 miles
Sylvia Warman 01:55:29 – Took almost 10 minutes off PB!

Teresa: 2.5 mins faster than the Wiltshire 10 a few weeks ago, very happy with that!

Zoe: Elaine redeemed herself this week with a flat (apart from the bridge) 10 miler. Excellent weather and company. A PB for me! Wine must help hydrate… Pleased for Sue and Paul won their category. If they ever need someone to share their alcohol prize with…

Felicity: This was our second race weekend in 2 weeks and although the weather was beautiful and sunny, it was substantially colder than Malta last week! Unfortunately I came back from our holiday with a cold, so wasn’t thinking I could do very well in this one, but I managed to get a 40 second PB! Was great to see so many RSE out and so many PBs. Darren also got a 1 min 40 second PB with a time of 1:19:58! (His second PB in 2 races). This was despite a rather dramatic fall just before mile 9 which meant he was covered in mud!

Jade: It was my first ever 10 mile road race so I found the pacing a little tricky but overall really happy with the time! Was lovely to run with Sue for a while as well!