Home

Pre-travel stress

As always, the stress of traveling to a marathon was alive and well. I can’t believe that that was 7 days ago. I had clinic on Monday and the tail that came along with it. I thought I would be able to finish tasks before leaving but I didn’t so thought I would finish in the evening and even the next morning. Then picked up kids from nursery.

Travel day – though this was going to be relaxed but not really. Still didn’t manage to finish all the letters and tasks. But took the kids to Breakfast Club and said goodbye. Then, I went for a 6 mile run. Initially planned to run 13 miles but time was not on my side as the bus to Heathrow was at 12:55. Got home, showered, packed the last bits. (Also, there were people working to re-do our downstairs bathroom). So it was hectic. Then David drove me to the bus station. Hmmm… I could do letters on the bus or at Heathrow. I didn’t really want to bring my laptop but Alas!

Chaos ensued when my computer decided to update when it wasn’t connected to the internet. Heathrow internet struggled so for 2 hours I watched a blue circle instead of trying to tidy things up. I also almost bought new shoes whilst this was going. Okay maybe the next airport – Beijing (MUST PRESCRIBE CHEMO!). No luck, the internet struggled again. Maybe when I get to the hotel. So the whole journey didn’t really feel like a holiday yet. I couldn’t get into the right frame of mind as I was still in work mode. Finally internet at the hotel. I spent the first night in Tokyo writing patient letters and prescribing chemotherapy! I finished. Let marathon mode (and the jet lag) begin.

The Tokyo Marathon Expo

Finally, I got to meet up with Andrea at the Seiko shop in Ginza, where all the runners names were printed on the shop window.

Expos are always similar in these big races – claim your bib then go through a maze of sportswear, nutrition, race previews, photo-ops, charity stalls. I found out that I didn’t have a Tokyo Marathon vest, which I needed to buy sometime in December. I also found out it was $90, which probably the reason why I didn’t buy it in the first place. However, I did but a kids size vest and also a hoody – which I was pleased with.

We then stopped by our charity’s stalls. Andrea’s was WaterAid and mine was KnK. We chatted with the charity workers and they wished us Good Luck!

Support crew

I have been so lucky so far that I have really good friends that come to see me run in each of the Majors. This time, Yang-Yang (from Amsterdam and ran the Tokyo Half Marathon in October), Paolo and Sohail (from the Philippines) all came to support me. Another one of our friends, Xyza, happens to be here as well so she will come out and cheer on the day.

Pre-race running

I did a couple of short runs around where I was staying – sightseeing whilst running and stopping to take some pictures, mostly around the Imperial Palace.

I am so lucky to be here and what an opportunity it is! Race day here we go!

It has been another one of those super-eventful weeks.

Exams

Finally! I sat and wrote them (again). I came out and felt better than the last time. I don’t really think that is a valid indication of passing. I will find out if those feelings correlate once I see my marks on the 7th of March.

In more ways than one, exams are like marathons. The months of studying are like months of training. This requires a level of discipline and not just reading but actually also understanding. For me, it takes me a while to understand a lot of things. I read but then more often than not, I have to re-read it as I didn’t really understand it the first time. I’m a lot better when things are hands on.

During the build-up to the exams, I always feel that anything I do is not enough; there is always more I need to do. At some point though, my time is up and I know what I know. Also, for this exam, training for the Tokyo was my distraction from revision. And revision was my relaxation from the training. Let’s just hope that they both have worked synergistically.

So exam results… 7th of March 2025.

New York Marathon Lottery

As part of this little quest of mine, I’ve been signing up to the NYC Marathon Lottery every year for the past 4 years. No luck so far. And I am not fast enough for a guaranteed entry and no long living in NY to be signing up to the 9+1 programme.

The lottery opened the day before the exam. I was revising in the hotel room. With the time difference, it opened at 1700 BST. Initially, I said I was going to sign up after the exam as a reward. BUT I didn’t. I went on the virtual queue and revised until it was my turn.

So lottery results… 5th of March 2025.

20 Mile Run

Last long run before the Tokyo Marathon – which is in 2 weeks’ time! I was going to do 21 but then I started getting tired and getting conscious that David was left with the kids. I was okay but towards the end, I was hitting 11-minute miles.

That was the last of it. I managed a 40-mile week. Now if I can taper correctly for the next 2 weeks. I may attempt one more 13 mile run next weekend.

So marathon results… 2nd of March 2025.

Clinical Oncology is a specialty in the UK wherein as an Oncologist, you can prescribe systemic (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, etc) and prescribe radiotherapy. So you can do both. However, in order to be able to do both, one must sit 3 sets of exams and pass each set at a certain time point within training in order to progress to the next stages.

There are FRCR Part 1, Part 2 (written), and Part 2 (oral). Currently, I am an ST4 (second year Clin Onc Trainee) and must pass FRCR Part 1 in order to progress to ST5. I sat this exam back in September. There were 4 modules (Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, Physics, and Medical Statistics). I passed the first 2 (barely) but failed Physics and Med Stats. And they are not easy exams.

I’ve never really been good at exam taking so I often have to retake some of my exams. I have accepted that they are just not my strong suit but I have to pass them to get through to the next level. Luckily in the UK, a pass is a pass.

And it so happens that the exams are a few weeks before the Tokyo Marathon. This time, I can’t really defer the marathon further so I have to revise and train at the same time. Either I run before going to the library or I go to the gym after the library. Whilst working, it’s one or the other or waking up at 5 am. There isn’t a set schedule as days vary so much – clinic days, long day, David on long day, David on nights. On my study leave days, I have better chances of doing both. As long as I get to do the long run on the weekend as early as possible in the morning.

Of course both activities are also time away from David and the kids. It does help that my mom is here visiting. So although erratic, I’ve still managed to get the miles down. But as usual, I could never follow an actual training plan. My logic is that well, if I am out running, I better just maximise my time and fit as many miles I possibly could.

So here I am, 3 weeks out from the marathon and 3 days out from the exam. Doing both is complete madness!

Last weekend’s long run

2 weeks ago, I ran around Portsmouth. Last week, the stars aligned and I finally got to run around Langstone Harbour. I nearly missed the 9 am ferry that would take me across the harbour to Hayling Island. I literally was running down the pontoon screaming for them to wait. There were a couple of other runners there with the same idea. Then I ran along the Hayling Billy Trail.

And as if by magic, it was low tide at the Southmoor Nature Reserve that I just managed to cross a small stream of water rather than backtracking. I was elated! It was pure joy and my favourite part of the whole run. At that point, I thought ‘Yes! I can do this! Finally!’ And I did.

Tokyo Marathon

A few years ago, when I started getting into running, I stumbled across the World Marathon Majors. Instantly, I thought ‘How cool!’ As I am not an athlete and definitely not fast enough, the only way I can get through would be through lottery or charity.

Tokyo was the first marathon lottery I got into. However, I didn’t get to run it as I had failed one of my exams and was not in the right frame of mind to continue training for a race and also study harder to pass an exam. As that was around COVID time, there was an opportunity to defer the entry but annoyingly, I then also missed the deadline for the deferment due to the time zone difference and me just not paying attention. So rightly so, I lost My Entry completely.

There were still 2 ways for me to enter – via the lottery again or via charity. The charity entry opens earlier than the lottery. Putting all the alerts on, I emailed one of the charities in Japan for a place and was granted one. In October, I officially paid my entry fee to the Tokyo Marathon 2025.

Kokkyo naki Kodomachi (Children without Borders)

Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi (KnK, Children without Borders) is a non-governmental humanitarian association based in Tokyo. They do a lot of work providing education and psycho-social support for disadvantaged children and youth around the world including the Philippines (which is also why I chose them). In the Philippines, they work with ‘street children,’ children who live in the slums in Manila.

KnK’s complete and ongoing programs, including House for Youth and community-based programs such as the alternative learning system (non-formal education), “Street” programs, activities at the jails or detention centers for juveniles in the suburbs of Manila, and “Income Generating Activities” are all in favour of marginalized children, youth and other groups of population.

Marathon Training + Exam Revision

After the disaster that was the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon, of course I want to do better. Add to the mix that it is the winter time, I have decided to train on a treadmill to get some fitness back and run outside for my long runs. I was actually quite pleased that I could stay on the treadmill for an hour without stopping so that in itself was an accomplishment. As mentioned in my previous entry, I aim to run 100 miles a month. I clocked in at 113.7 miles (I actually was aiming for 120 but oh well).

Add into the mix, I am also revising for an exam. For Clinical Oncology training, we have to pass a series of exams – FRCR Clinical Oncology Part 1+2. Last September, I took the Part 1 exam which includes 4 modules – Physics, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, and Medical Statistics. I passed Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, I failed Physics and Medical Statistics. So on the 12th of February, I have to retake both.

So as you can imagine, training for a marathon, revising for an exam, whilst having a full-time job, with 2 children. I myself don’t understand how I am still standing. But here we are and onwards we go.

2025 Goals Round Up.

1. Social – Blog twice a month (check). Write a letter to a friend once a month (check).
2. Physical – Lose 7 kg in 8 weeks (Goal 50 kg). Maintain 50 kg. (Weighed in at 55.5 kg).
3. Running – Run 100 miles a month (113.7 miles). Tokyo Marathon (4 hours 30 min). Edinburgh Marathon (4 hours 20 mins). The Great South Run. Portsmouth Coastal Marathon (4 hours 15 mins).