Early September marked a significant milestone in my running journey—my first road half marathon. Having just returned from a holiday in Japan, I had a few weeks to prepare. In the week leading up to the marathon, I only did an easy 5K to keep my legs fresh.

The Stressful Start

Race day arrived, and I woke up early, eager to get to the starting line. However, a mix-up with the trains had me heading in the wrong direction. Have you ever felt that rush of panic when things don’t go as planned? Stressed and anxious, I decided to take an Uber. Even finding the Uber was stressful, adding to the pressure I was putting on myself.

Finally, as we approached the start line, we saw runners heading in different directions. It turned out there was another race nearby, which added to my unease. When we arrived, I tried to contact my friend, who was also running, but could only leave a voice message. Unable to reach him before handing in my bag, I headed to the coffee area where he said he’d be, but he wasn’t there. Not being able to contact him added to my anxiety. As the waves of runners were called to the start line, I slowly made my way there, hoping to spot him. Just as the start whistle was about to blow, I saw him walking towards me. He gave me words of encouragement, calming my nerves.

The Race Begins

The energy from the crowd was electric as we started. I knew I could finish the race, but my goal was to do it in under two hours—30 minutes faster than my previous trail race. I tried not to start too fast, but with so many people, it was a challenge to find my pace.

As the race progressed, the sun climbed higher, and the temperature followed. It turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year. Have you ever felt that unrelenting heat beating down on you? The early drinking stations were crowded, and I avoided them to save time, relying on the drink I brought. But as the heat intensified, I saw more and more runners slowing down, some even collapsing.

The Challenge Intensifies

Running in the humidity of Tokyo had helped condition me for this race, but the heat was still overwhelming. Ambulances appeared along the course as runners struggled with dehydration. Have you ever hit that wall where your body just wants to stop? In the last 5K, my energy levels plummeted. I ran out of water, and the remaining stations had very little. I realized I should have taken another gel, but my inexperience showed.

The last few kilometers were a real struggle. My pace slowed, and people started passing me. With 1K to go, I saw the finish line and somehow found a surge of energy. I dug deep to cross the finish line, feeling like the race would never end.

Crossing the Finish Line

I found my friend at the end of the race, sitting in the shade. I collapsed on the ground, exhausted. I was a bit disappointed to have missed my sub-2-hour goal by just three minutes, but knowing that over 20 people ended up in the hospital due to the heat made me feel a little better about my performance. It was a tough day for everyone running.

Reflection

The organization of the race left much to be desired. The extreme heat and lack of preparation by the organizers were evident. Last year’s event also faced a heatwave, with several runners ending up in the hospital. This year, the number increased significantly. Witnessing runners pass out and medics scrambling to provide aid was distressing. There were not enough marshals along the course, and spectators had to call ambulances. The race should have been rescheduled to a cooler time of day, like early morning or late evening, similar to practices in Southern Europe.

Comments from other runners echoed these sentiments. Many shared their frustrations about the lack of water stations and the extreme heat:

This race was a testament to perseverance and mental strength. Despite the heat and the hurdles, I pushed through. It was a reminder that every race is a step forward in our journey of self-discovery and improvement. Have you ever faced a challenge that pushed you to your limits? Let’s share our stories and inspire each other to keep striving for greatness. Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.