Baked Sweet Potatoes, Cold Weather, and Fast Legs

This race wasn’t about being fast or chasing a PB. It was more like a check-in. I wanted to know whether the work I put in over summer actually meant something, and whether I could trust myself enough to make a plan, and stick to it.

I was six weeks post ankle injury. The week before, I’d run in the Okutama Ekiden, so I knew the ankle could handle the impact of running again.

This half marathon was about staying patient, staying composed, and not letting the mind spin out of control when the kilometers started stacking up.

I’ve realised lately that racing and competitions aren't really about proving anything to anyone. It’s more about asking yourself questions and seeing if you’re brave enough to answer them honestly.

Serious about these dried fruit snacks

Rolling Into Tomioka

I travelled up to Tomioka the day before the race. I was feeling quietly excited. Not super hyped-up. Not anxious. I was feeling calm and relaxed.

On the train I topped up carbs the way only Japan lets you. A 1.5 kg baked sweet potato. Warm, jammy, and sweet. Honestly, there's almost nothing better. Kind of like a dessert that forgot it was supposed to be a dessert.

I sat there looking out the window, thinking about my race plan, and feeling grateful that my ankle was in a good state to run.

Yaki-imo heaven

The accommodation was simple and quiet. Double bed, private bathroom, zero distractions. Not quite a capsule hotel. More like a sea-container hotel. Ideal pre-race setup.

20ft self-sufficient sea-containers

Dinner And Rural Japan Hospitality

The forecast said rain, but I got lucky. I walked from the station in dry weather, dropped my bag, and headed out to find food. It wasn't too late in the afternoon but during winter, the sun has been setting at around 430pm!! It was dark by the time I set off.

I ended up in a tiny Japanese diner. Menchi katsu, a big bowl of rice, two bowls of miso soup, and an easy chat with the two grandparents who ran the place. We laughed and ate and watched Japanese TV togegher. Super cute.

Pre-race dinner :)

The ojii-san pulled out a course map for the race the next day. Absolute gold. I'm starting to realise how valuable it is to know where I'll actually be running. Where the straights are, and where the corners tighten. It shapes your whole mental game knowing the course before the race.

And that’s when another thought hit me: racing well isn’t always about pushing harder. A lot of it is just knowing what’s coming, and staying calm enough to respond instead of panic.

Few laughs between bites

I went to bed at 8:30 feeling calm and ready for the next day.

Race Morning Reality Check

Race morning was freezing. Three or four degrees. I woke up at 5am, had my oats and berries and started hydrating. At 7 I left the accomodation and walked a couple kms to the race event.

I almost walked in the wrong direction thanks to typing the wrong elementry school's address into my phone. Apparently it was Takase Elemetry School, not Tomioka Elementry. That would have ruined my day lol.

Luckily I spotted what looked like a few runners heading the other way and decided to follow.

Inside the school gymnasium I stretched, warmed up, ate my pre-race nutrition and thought about the plan.

Five kms easy speed. Then maintaining the same effort from 5 to 10kms. From 10 to 15, lift. At 15kms, decide if we race.

The Switch Flips

15 kms came. The ankle felt strong. I was moving fast. So I decided to commit to racing.

From there it was in chunks.

15 to 18kms.

Then 1 km at a time.

18 to 19.

19 to 20.

20 to 21.

Hold on. Stay honest. Empty the tank.

My rough goal had been around 90 minutes. I crossed the line in 81 and 7 seconds. First ever official half marathon. Six weeks post injury. I was buzzing.

I stuck to my nutrition plan. I listened to my body, not worrying about my watch. And I'm learning. Learning the difference between effort and pace. Pace is just the reflection. Effort is the truth.

Follow my Strava lol

Podium, Curry, And More Sweet Potato

I ended up 6th overall and 2nd in my age group. I was literally walking past the awards ceremony when they called my name.

After picking up my certificates, I walked back the way I came just a few hours before. Hopped on the train, grabbed a quick curry at the station, and another baked sweet potato. Two kgs of happiness. It was about a 2 hour trip back to Tokyo.

Back in Koenji that night, Sebastian and I celebrated with chicken katsu. A perfect end to the day.

Tori-Katsu, literally the best chicken katsu in Tokyo

Why These Races Matter

More than just a weekend race, I love the overall experience.

Rural Japan feels like an adventure. I pack my little overnight bag, including my racing gear. I catch multiple trains, seeing parts of the countryside I havne't before. I pass through different train stations and see their little town mascots.

Takase Train Station Mascot

I get to walk around new streets and sleepy neighbourhoods. Visiting tiny restaurants run by families. A $15 meal might not look like much, but it means something to a small business. This is the way I love spending my weekends.

Going on adventures, visiting new places, contributing to their local economies, and doing something physical :)

Little Japanese diner <3

Next Up

This weekend was about testing my endurance and trusting the process. Next week will be about speed. I have a naughty little 10km to wrap up the year.

After that, another year of hard training in the Japanese summer and fast racing in winter.

Excited for what's ahead. Thanks for reading :)