Event up-date: Runners from over 60 countries, and nearly all American States, have already registered for this year’s BMO Vancouver Marathon race weekend!
RIKA HATACHI
Elite Athlete Rika Hatachi will be competing in this year’s BMO Vancouver Marathon. She shares her training plan and race tips here.
Rika Hatachi of Coquitlam, BC, has been training all winter long with her husband and fellow runner, Tatsuya Hatachi, for this year’s BMO Vancouver Marathon. Due to the excess rain and snow, this past winter in Vancouver has been tough to train in – worse than any other winter since she has began training for Marathon races. During the poor Fall and Winter weather, Rika and Tatsuya have been working on strength training and have been going for shorter runs. With only two months left to train for the Marathon, Rika and Tatsuya are now planning backwards from race day.
[twocol_one]
Rika’s Training Plan until May 7
- Until Mid-March:
- On weekends: start with slower and longer runs to build-up base stamina.
- On weekdays before work: work on strength training and shorter runs on the treadmill, including hill-training and intervals. At least one swim during the week, partially for recovering, and also to improve basic cardiorespiratory function at the same time.
- Mid-March to Mid-April:
- On weekends: increase the pace of longer runs. Try to pace-up towards the end of the run when possible.
- On weekdays before work: start running more on the track and include some intensive training, such as intervals or middle-pace runs.
- Mid-April to Race Day:
- Start reducing the distance but keep the pace and intensity.
- Focus more on recovery between runs.
[/twocol_one]
[twocol_one_last]
Tatsuya’s Training Plan until May 7
練習開始３月１日。体重１０キロ増の６５キロ。体脂肪率２０％からのスタート。
- 平日（水曜以外）は、ＬＳＤ（キロ６分半～７分半）で２時間もしくは２０キロ
- 水曜日はスピード練習（1,000ｍ＠キロ３分半×５本インターバルもしくは、１５キロペース走＠キロ４分）
- 週末、土、日どちらかはロング（キロ５分～６分）で３０キロもしくは３時間
- 週末月１回 ３０キロペース走＠レースペース
バンクーバーマラソンの前半、起伏対策にアップダウンコースをベースに練習
[/twocol_one_last]
Why Vancouver?
[twocol_one]
Rika finds Vancouver to be a great destination for all types of runners because of its climate, sights, people and the course.
Vancouver boasts a perfect running temperature in May – it’s not too cold and not too warm. Runners can enjoy the beautiful scenery throughout the course, and go sightseeing before or after the race as well. “The event is filled with great volunteers and spectators, and the local runners are all so enthusiastic about running. The race organizers are very dedicated to improving the quality of this event in all aspects,” shares Hatachi. “The course is attractive for both ‘fun runners’ and ‘competitive runners.’ ‘Fun runners’ can enjoy the clean air, beautiful nature and scenery, and the fun, festive atmosphere of this event. And ‘competitive runners’ can enjoy the fast and challenging course, and aim for their PB.”
[/twocol_one]
[twocol_one_last]
バンクーバーは「世界で最も住みやすい街」No.1に過去5年連続で輝いた人気の街。私にとっては、「世界で一番走りたくなる街」。あちらこちらに自然いっぱいのトレイルが無数に広がり、大自然に引き寄せられるかのように、走り出してしまう。ここは、街のすべての場所が、走るためのスポットになっていると言っても過言ではない。その中でも、バンクーバーマラソンは、「バンクーバーの魅力」を４２キロの中にすべて集約して詰め込んだ「これぞ、バンクーバー」というコース設定になっている。綺麗な州立公園内を駆け抜け、残雪の山々を望み、真っ青なビーチ沿いを横目に走り抜ける…まるで、夢の世界に入り込んだのかと錯覚してしまう。
私は、ここに住んで２２年。ランニング歴は８年。その魅力に惹かれ、今年で８回目の参加となる。今年も、世界各国、そして、日本からの多くのランナーとこのコースの魅力で共感できるのが楽しみだ。
特に、日本からは北米の入り口でもあり、ゴールデンウィーク中の開催もあって、人気があり、リピーターの多い理由だろう。コース前半は、アップダウン変化に富むも、山々の緑と残雪、森の新鮮な空気、美しい州立大学内の景色が苦しさを忘れさせてくれる。
後半は、ゴールまで海沿いのフラット。右手に山々。左手には、美しい海岸沿いの景色が次々と目に入って圧倒され、苦しさを紛らわせてくれる。そして、多くの沿道の応援もうれしい。ゼッケンに名前が書いてあるので、自分の名前を呼んでくれるのでパワーがみなぎってくる。
自分の限界、記録に挑むランナーにとっても、ここは一見、難攻不落と思えるコースだが、記録を十分に狙える高速コースである。しっかり練習を積んだ上でのコース攻略がカギを握る。
バンクーバーマラソンは、ファンラン、シリアスランナー、すべてのランナーに、この街全部が応援してくれるそんな素晴らしいレース。
[/twocol_one_last]
Race Tips for the BMO Vancouver Marathon
When running the Marathon, Rika breaks down the long 42.2KM to several sections, and clears them one by one so the entire course does not feel as long. She suggests keeping a steady pace along the start and downhill sections of the course. Along the Stanley Park Seawall, Rika notes the various curves along the path and suggests trying to find and follow the “shortest” route, and assures it will make quite a difference in your finish time. Down the homestretch, you can start seeing more people cheering you on, and this is when you know you’ve made it. This is the moment you can truly enjoy your accomplishment!
Rika & Tatsuya Hatachi
Join in!Book your hotel and Save 50%!
JOIN IN | ELITE ATHLETE PROGRAM | PHOTOS | AWARDS | ABOUT THE CITY | ABOUT THE PROVINCE