12 Days Until the Hofu Yomiuri Marathon: The Temptation of Cramming Practice and 'Super-Sized' Challenges

Less than two weeks until the full marathon. I have run 93 full marathons so far. The next one will be my 94th. I know I cannot dramatically improve my record in the remaining 12 days. Even so, I end up cramming to make up for my lack of preparation. This is all my own responsibility. After all, I am the one who planned the training and the one who signed up for the race. I am also the one who decides what to eat and what to do or not do. It is all on me.

1. Today's Training

Following a 20km hill run the day before yesterday and a 13km build-up run yesterday, today I am keeping it light with a jog. A 13km jog consisting of 5km + 8km.

My VO2 max has also improved slightly. It is currently 54.

2. Thoughts on the Hofu Yomiuri Marathon

The 39th Hofu Yomiuri Marathon, my 26th marathon, was my personal best.
Including that one, I have run Hofu 9 times so far.

For the past three years:
2022.12.4 53rd 3:28:33
2023.12.3 54th 3:33:33
2024.12.1 55th 3:27:48
I have been hovering around the sub-3.5-hour mark. I wonder how it will go this time.

In the past, Hofu required finishing within 3 hours to complete the race, but as the number of participants, which once exceeded 1,000, dropped to around 400, the time limit was significantly relaxed to 4 hours starting from the 2008 race.

Hofu became accessible due to the relaxation of entry requirements.
Upon hearing this news, I entered this dream race starting from the 2008 39th race.

By the way, the current entry requirements are:
・Marathon within 4 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds
・Half marathon within 1 hour 33 minutes 00 seconds.

For now, I should be able to participate for a while longer.
I want to test what I can do if I run with all my might at my current strength in the race where I once set my personal best.

3. Running and Eating (Super-Sized Challenge)

Before a full marathon, there are strategies like carb-loading and water-loading. During marathon week, I try eating a bit more carbohydrates starting around Thursday, or drinking electrolyzed hydrogen water. I have tried various supplements and snacks.

Taking things to the extreme is high-risk, but perhaps it is just right to enjoy the process of preparing with a bit of ingenuity.

With 12 days to go, I think I should have shed more weight, but trying to restrict and lose it from here is truly high-risk.

Also, it is just my luck that during this time, my favorite Lawson's Super-Sized Challenge is happening. Whenever I see it, I end up buying it.

Competing with Lawson, Ministop is doing it too.

Even if you have a full marathon or a 10km race coming up, you still have work and work-related social drinking events.

I used to never eat sweets before a race.
I would bet on slimming down as much as possible and running light.
I would tell myself, 'I don't need to eat this now.'

Now, I think it's better to train hard and eat in moderation.

Though overeating is a no-go.

Let's keep up the good training.