Lessons Learned Training for the Tokyo Marathon
For Victoria Fortune, training for the 2025 Tokyo Marathon has included long runs on snowy 15-degree days.
NYRR Contributors Circle member Victoria Fortune will run the Tokyo Marathon on March 2 and is sharing her story leading up to race day.
Spring marathons are tough. Why? Because it means you have to train in the winter. No matter how cold it is outside, no matter which side of the bed you wake up on, no matter how intense your workload may be, the reality is, that marathon isn’t going to run itself.
When I finally got into the Tokyo Marathon, I was both ecstatic and nervous because I knew this would be the year I push myself beyond my limits. My mantra very quickly became “I can do hard things.” Before every run, strength workout, and weekly meal prep, I recite that one line “I can do hard things.”
For anyone thinking about running a spring marathon, or anyone currently training for one, here are a few things I am learning along the journey:
Do Hard Things in the Morning
If you’re like me and like to rip the bandaid off and get challenging things over with, then getting your runs done in the morning is essential. The morning time is when I’m at my peak cognitive function. I leave my house grumpy and return from the run an entirely different person. I release so many endorphins and feel like I conquered the world after running in 20-degree weather.
Mind Over Matter
So here’s something I had to get used to, it’s winter time, and with that, comes cold weather. Running in 15 degree weather feels no different from running in 30 degree weather (if you’re dressed for the cold) in my humble opinion. Once you get through that first mile, it becomes a mental game. I would often remind myself, “You got this. The world is your oyster. Your body has slowly acclimated to the brisk air, you’re well on your way. Think of the finish line at that spring marathon and how good it will feel to eat your favorite meal afterward.”
Your Body Is Your Temple
What you fuel your body with matters and what you put on your body equally matters. I realized it was important I ate nutritious/balanced meals throughout the day especially the night before a long run. I’ve made the mistake of not eating before a training run and forgetting to pack fuel and ended up feeling very fatigued midworkout. No bueno. I also didn’t realize that winter chafing was a thing. Being sure to use anti-chafe ointment on my body before going out on a run protects from potentially having a brutal shower experience.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
So I am a big fan of running with groups. I am all about community and typically run with DeFine New York Run Club every Saturday. One thing this winter training cycle has reminded me of is that I have to get out of my comfort zone. Most runs will be done solo, which is completely different for me. I had to get used to spending this intimate time with myself multiple times per week, in the cold. This was very uncomfortable at first, especially as the weekly millage increases, however; now, I embrace this time. It’s my time to really center and ground myself. It’s also a time for reflection and gratitude.
Honor Your Commitment
This journey is teaching me the importance of honoring my commitment. The commitment I made to myself and commitments I’ve made to others. I’ve had to be very disciplined this training cycle, because let’s be honest, some days I’d prefer to sleep in and not train, but I get up and train anyway. The way I show up for myself dictates how I want others to show up for me. So I’m going to put forth my best.
Less than a month out from the Tokyo Marathon and I couldn’t be more grateful for the lessons this training cycle is teaching me. I hope that these lessons remind every runner that they can also do hard things, it’s all about shifting the mindset, exercising discipline, and incorporating fun/play throughout it all. Good luck to anyone preparing for their next race.
Read additional blog posts about Victoria's 2025 Tokyo Marathon journey:
My Journey to the Tokyo Marathon
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