Race Recap Tokyo Marathon 2023

[@chickengoneturkey2]

Sounds simple, but yet so powerful. "Just say yes" every time the marathon asks you, "Do you want it?"

That bit around min 22 about the mantras (the question the marathon poses and the answer you give, "Do you still want to hit your goal? Just say yes"; "This is what I came here to do") is extraordinary, awesome motivation. Thank you so much for putting it into words.

[@kofuzi]

I hope it makes sense

@@kofuzi It does indeed. I, for one, not only understand, but "feel" and apprehend your message.

[@cswizzle0232]

@kofuzi what watch do you where when you train? Do you race in a different watch?

[@FullmetalScientist]

Revisiting this video now that I’ve gotten my first entry to the 2025 Tokyo Marathon!

[@kofuzi]

Have fun!

[@johnrwilker]

My first marathon was Chicago last year. I thought I was ready for the day. I got to mile 20 which was the longest training run I had done in preparation for the day. At that time, my brain convinced me to take a break and walk a bit. I’m sure now that I was physically capable of continuing to run but when the marathon ask me, I was unprepared and answered poorly. I need to spend more time focusing on my mental training for Grandma’s in June.

[@kofuzi]

that's a great place to run a great time

[@joelsoncoelho4002]

@@kofuzi I do agree. Chicago 2017 is still a my PB 2:53:00, and I really enjoy the race. Gotta be back soon.

[@fooshoes]

The 2.5 min ‘mantra’ section from 20:20 is the best content I’ve ever seen from you. Absolute gold. Massive congratulations on your PB 💪🏻

[@idanyella1]

I love that you showed us that running a marathon it is not easy. Ive watched lots of ppl doing these videos after they run a marathon and they try to make it look like it is easy and almost anyone can do it. Thanks for make it REAL for us. Congrats of your marathon!

[@kofuzi]

it is not easy

[@AlwaysDoing]

Congrats on your new PB! And yay Pocari Sweat, it's my fav. As for the course being quiet - spectators were discouraged from yelling "more than necessary" as part of the Corona countermeasures. All the big races here, like the Hakone Ekiden, have had cheering/yelling prohibited for several years, so I think that played a part, too.

[@23mmroadie49]

Hi Ko, you are so right, the doubts in the last 10km can consume you, it is harder too when there is a noisy crowd and you feel you can’t hear to think - i say: “you are there to get a job done, no regrets, get it done”. see you in Boston (love the content, always top notch)

[@smalls26.2]

Hell yeah! I love how you felt with the thoughts of doubts. Acknowledge and let them slide off !

[@TheNampow]

"Do you want it? Just say yes!!" .These are great. Thank you.

[@asdfghjklgym]

This is the best marathon recap video I’ve seen! You’ve got me so excited (& nervous) for Rotterdam marathon in a months time!!

[@doernerrr]

Congrats on the PB and thanks for sharing the details of your inner struggle to hold pace over the final 5K, that’s so inspirational. I’ve run only one full marathon but that was enough to fully appreciate the pain one feels in the last mile.

[@josenaveo588]

“Just say yes!” and “What did we come here to do!?” Thanks so much for sharing! Definitely will be thinking of this in Boston next month. Nice work!!!

[@VELATRICK]

During those moments in my races I always repeat this quote to myself which has helped my get through a lot. “How bad do you want it? To realise your potential you must respond with some version of this answer: More”.

[@robertburpee9473]

One of the best race reports I've seen, I was with you by your side for the whole race, thank you for taking the time to put it together.

[@davidevans5032]

These are great. As I’m getting ready for my 2nd marathon, going though the mental side of it is very helpful.

[@kofuzi]

Good luck on your next race!

[@aliza6491]

I love love these recaps on how the race went. So helpful in knowing the mindset, things to consider and how you were doing at each 5k. Thank you

[@LearningFast]

Congrats! You really are running strong 💪 right now. Keep up the great work.

[@kouvang6256]

Grandma's recap series was my favorite, but this now takes the cake. It gave me goosebumps, it was that good. As everyone else has mentioned, the mantras and meditation. Love it and thanks for bringing this one. Looking forward to Boston plans. I'm planning to come down for the weekend for the activities.

[@bev9708]

AWESOME!!! Thanks soooo much for sharing your thoughts during the race and the mantras that helped you cope, THAT is extremely useful and I'm looking forward to seeing if my brain will go that way for my fast approaching Paris marathon. I'm still at the just-trying-to-run-the-whole-distance stage, and my godsend mantra is "if it hurts to walk and it hurts to run, you may as well run"!!

[@Klian159]

Let's go Kofuzi! Practice& Hard work doesn't make a man perfect, but it makes IMPROVEMENTS! Let's goo on the new PB, this is the result of dedication on what you love- RUNNING!!! YESSIR!

[@russisrunning]

Somehow to fight with the mind and physical in the middle of the marathon and still able to film these amazing content just insane, love the breakdown! 💯 😁

[@manfredh.7591]

Great description of the mental aspects of running a marathon. I’m sure I’ll remember your words when running Tokyo 2024.

[@kalistadewi1471]

running my first marathon next year in Tokyo, your video really motivates me, thank you and wish me luck!

[@kofuzi]

Have fun! 🍀

[@davidboyce5320]

20 mile warm up for a 10km race. I experience the same self talk. Usually I tell myself that I have put in this much work (in training and to this point in the race) to be so close to reaching my goal - Don't give in now! So happy you were able to finish and get a PB.

[@kyleryczek]

Huge congratulations on the PR Ko! The bit from 20:20-22:38 about mastering your mindset and saying yes are extremely powerful, not to be understated nuggets of wisdom. Thank you for sharing with the running community!

[@ChristianRunsNY]

Well deserved, loved the videos coming out of Japan overall

[@notfoureveryone]

It is great to hear your thoughts from one of the most biggest marathon held on earth Definitely learned some of the tips from you for the upcoming race that I will have in October

[@blackadar]

20:58 this whole general point is the single most useful piece of content I think you’ve posted. This is gold and will be something I come back to for race days. Thanks Ko!

[@davidgunther1282]

There is a lot of valuable wisdom in this video. Thanks man.

[@kofuzi]

thanks for watching!

[@richardarthur9706]

EXCELLENT video. Thank you.

[@kofuzi]

Thanks for watching!

[@brianhoo123]

This is the most inspiring recap, and I still kept watching couple of times with your Tokyo race video!

[@ozenfant_ozn]

congrats Mike you legend, this is so awesome to watch!! mega PB! Tokyo! that whole 22nd minute of this vid should become an instant motiviational classic. that's what it's about.

[@kofuzi]

I'd been saving it for a Run Motivation video, but I felt like it was the right time to share it here

[@michaelberry7438]

I spotted myself at 14 minute mark in the pink next to the hedge. I also ran a PB and first time under 3 hours (2:57:44). Great recap video and bought back that unbelievable feeling.

[@kofuzi]

great job!

[@christopherwilliams2]

Great effort @Kofuzi! One day I will be able to do the 6! Hopefully one day the Caribbean will be a location for a world majors marathon!

[@ScottTuscher]

I got emotional when you got emotional Kofuzi. 😊 just say yes! Love this and congrats!

[@BullitCake]

love the detailed breakdown of the kit

[@TheLongHaulCoach]

Wow! What a great combination of race information for folks looking to race Tokyo and how the race was for you!

[@michaelcaricoo]

Thanks for putting that part around 21-23 minutes in, I know it could've easily been cut from the video but with my A race coming up on Sunday and I'm having the doubts set in already I really needed to hear it. Thank you

[@PiercingArrowz]

Thanks for the gear run-through. Appreciate the encouragement to "just say yes", congratulations on the new PB!

[@jassaljs]

Hi Kofusi! Thanks for sharing all your experiences🙏 Best wishes🙏

[@jasonvennard4550]

More great stuff thank you sir!

[@SendingStache]

congrats on the third star and, as always, i'm so grateful for your amazing content. I'm preparing to run LA marathon this sunday (it will be my first marathon), and your channel has been such a huge source of inspiration and motivation for me throughout this training block. I'm somewhat new around here and continuing to enjoy your older videos as i try to keep my psych high for this weekend! forever grateful to you!

[@kofuzi]

take it easy on the uphills!

[@doncarlospipely8852]

Go get it Karan. All the best.

[@svenja5596]

Congrats on your PB.. well done 👏🎉 love hearing your race reports+awesome clips 👌

[@davidwatt7570]

The whole Tokyo series has been great, and this was my favourite of the lot. Interesting and useful.

[@Deprived.drifter]

Wow I see some people have already commented on this but was a seriously powerful and wise perspective on not only achieving your marathon goals, but all your goals in life! You will be asked in the most difficult times and all you have to do is say “YES”! Ive noticed doing so will make your brain figure out how to make what you’re saying yes to happen! I love it! Thanks for sharing! Reminds me of a time when i was grabbing my bib for my second marathon (LA) and overheard the woman picking up her bib and her friend saying “wow i can’t believe you have to run a marathon tomorrow!” The woman responded, “I dont have to, I get to.” Such a powerful saying that really made me grateful to be doing so myself and changed my life and attitude for the better. I remind myself of both of these constantly now.

[@kofuzi]

perspective changes everything

[@Deprived.drifter]

@@kofuzi absolutely!

[@94657649]

Congratulations! The inner struggle is real... thanks for sharing before my first marathon :)

[@edcoronado]

Bro I love your breakdowns. Your videos are so insightful and helpful.

[@runnerdrey201]

What an awesome race recap! You made such a good point about saying yes. Way to dig deep Ko!

[@tsubakichan]

You can find Pocari Sweat wherever you can find a Japanese market in the US! (San Francisco, San Mateo, San Jose, Torrance, etc) I grew up having it as a drink option!

[@Unseennova]

So happy for you! Thanks for sharing! ☺️

[@kathmandu888]

Awesome recap, loved the Tokyo coverage! Can relate to everything you said for my Tokyo race. Congrats again on your PB 👍Best of luck in Boston!

[@tomtigermc]

Great breakdown of your race Cousin Ko and the Mantra to keep you going to the finish is inspiring to me. Thank you!

[@irunovermountains]

The Tokya content has been really good. Thanks Ko

[@nberkel]

Super congrats man. Love the recap, much like others have said about how you respond to the marathon asking you ✌️

[@karatechop]

Nice recap! I always enjoy and take note of the mental strategy and mantra portions of these recaps. Congrats again on the PB!

[@kofuzi]

thanks Sean!

[@fosforito1522]

Just say YES. Loved it!

[@TheNextraa]

Congrats, Kofuzi on the PB. Just say yes!

[@felixyu755]

mindfulness and self talk. huge mental skills.

[@kofuzi]

Once you have aerobic conditioning under control, it’s the next most important thing for marathoning

[@imixmag]

Your mantras are fire. Great video. Congrats.

[@Camillemonade]

Congrats! I appreciate your insight, very motivating!

[@potblack7951]

Enjoyed greatly your Tokyo experience Kofuzi ..thank you so much for sharing your athlete experience 💪👍

[@silvermandavid]

Well done, Mike! It looks like such a cool race and experience all around.

[@seancassidycowie4193]

Congratulations on the PR Kofuzi. Looking forward to hopefully spotting you in Boston. We are around the same pace so maybe I’ll be able to use you as a pacer 😊

[@bcockton]

I’ve watched all of the race recaps and this one was the best. The mantras that you were describing were so powerful. Incredible what the kind can do when the body wants to quit. Great advice that I will use for my BQ attempt in Toronto. Congrats on a great PB.

[@myndiquirion180]

Just say yes. I will take this with me on my next race. Thanks for the content!

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Heartfelt congratulations!!

[@szervo77]

Love that part about the meditating. Definitely felt like that on many hard long runs and last year when I ran my first marathon and really struggled from 22 and on. Your mind starts to run wild and say "this is hard you should stop", but deep down you know you can keep going and have to keep pushing 😈

[@s.jatighetchi9021]

Huge congrats on the PB Kofuzi. Really enjoyed watching your Tokyo Marathon vlogs. You've inspired me to hopefully definitely do this marathon one day🤞. Cheers man :)

[@DrRamiNader]

Yes! I love the race recap videos!

[@kofuzi]

Thanks Doc!

[@Feanaro5503]

When you got to the part about your left leg hurting near the end, I had a genuine OH NO! reaction even though I already knew you had finished the race with a new PR.

[@zpttpzzpt]

Kofuzi! Way to bring it in! Im going to use that mantra!

[@mejulesyap]

Glad you had a great race! Congrats again on the PB. That guy running in flip flops... wow!

[@keegan_breaksaway]

Pocari Sweat was offered in last year’s Soldier Field 10 in Chicago. I haven’t seen it anywhere else in the US but I grew up drinking it growing up in Malaysia & Hong Kong.

[@TheAdrian1977]

"You hear a voice in one ear saying that you didn’t train hard enough to go that deep, and a voice in the other ear encouraging you to keep going. If you want to achieve your goals, the second voice must be much louder. Your mind is a great defence mechanism. And you either force it to be your weapon or else it’ll become your weakness." Congrats on listening to the second voice.

[@chrisy0610]

Kudos to giving it all to make this a PB. As a marathon runner from HK, Tokyo has been the most desirable major I want to go. Kudos to pushing yourself thru the last 5K. My self-talks in the last 5K is very similar to yours, when my body was under so much stress and the energy level was so low. I am glad I didn't give up trying, even though I was shy of the goal time.

[@ciprianos4]

Sounds tough but somewhat worth it and a bit fun, enjoyed the video 🎉

[@TheHalfDome]

I also started in corral C and it was the most congested 2-3 miles I’ve ever experienced. I think I started even further back then you. Everyone around me said they were running in the 3:15-3:30 range (I was trying for 2:58). I never was able to find that sub-3 group and since my main goal was to finish so I could get that Abbott 6-star medal, I was fine just cruising easily to the finish. My legs did get tired after that last 180-degree turn. Similar to your mantra, mine was “just keep your feet moving” over and over. Congratulations on your PB! Good luck in Boston! You’ll find that it’s also a congested start, but everyone around you is about the same pace as you so you’ll be able to settle with your pace group much easier than in Tokyo.

[@kofuzi]

congratulations on that 6-Star!

[@嘿嘿嘿-z1v]

Nice recap. Next time I will tell myself yes I want it to hit the goal🤗

[@el_arte]

It’s great to realize we all go through the same struggles during a marathon. Congratulations on a great race! All my PRS came when something at the beginning of the race prevented me from running as fast as I wanted. It must mean something. As for Boston, take it easy. Running 2 marathons so close to each other can shorten your career. Don’t ask me how I know.

[@izumibayless1497]

Congratulations on your Tokyo marathon👏👏👏!! Great video! It was my first major marathon in my home country. I had a great race. Wishing you all the best for Boston next!

[@kofuzi]

congratulations on your race!

[@izumibayless1497]

@@kofuzi Thank you😊

[@midwestaarron]

Congrats man. You ball out and it's a big inspiration for me. Hopefully i can meet you one day and personally thank you for helping ne achieve my first marathon - i played american football in college ad an offensive lineman. We're not supposed to be able to do this, but i did! Congrats again!!

[@kofuzi]

I hope we can meet soon!

[@TJKarlson]

Congrats on the PB. I was going to ask you to do a video explaining how you have been training in recent years to get your sub-3 marathons, but then you mentioned at the end of this video that you are going to do that. I am looking forward to seeing those videos and hopefully incorporating some of those ideas into my own training.

[@kofuzi]

Training methodology video coming up next week

[@GeorgiosA]

Awesome video, and series, thanks for sharing and congrats on your PB!! Here's a tip on getting accurate splits in big city marathons (I run London, a *lot* slower than you!): get yourself a Stryd pod, their focus is on measuring power, but a side effect of that is that they are very, *very* accurate on pace/distance measurement, and you can set your watch to display that, rather than GPS. It works great, even in a skyscraper jungle, guess that will be handy in Chicago too? By the way - Chicago is a bucket list marathon for me, my parents studied there and would love to come and run the marathon there someday!

[@JoebsTV]

Congratulations to your race well done sir.

[@allanricharddias]

Brilliant! 🙏

[@MrN0115]

I got the same feeling for the last kilometre. The tiles road seems like never ending. Well said 20:50 A life time memories to run in Tokyo and bumped into you. #fanmoment

[@davidfraseur71]

Congratulations on the PR [was at Grandma's when you set your previous]. As always, very much appreciate your marathon race thoughts and analysis on your performance. You do a great job of videoing and I hope you continue to share your talents with us! Hope to see you in Boston.

[@kofuzi]

see you soon!

[@shuminfan101]

Great great video, I watch it twice 😊. Last marathon I used your “yes I still want it “ , got me to Boston ❤❤❤

[@kofuzi]

yes!

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Man…my hamstring locked up just hearing about that 42nd km. Way to show up and make it happen! And congrats again on the PB!

[@michellekelsey5257]

I found your comments about the crowds and sitting in the corrals interesting because I have done multiple runDisney events and that is the norm. It's crazy crowded and course congestion is real but I guess I'm just used to it. Looking forward to (hopefully) seeing you at Cherry Blossom! After all, your race recap video of it last year made me throw my name in the hat!

[@cebukid70]

Nice "mantra section" Ko...you're giving your viewers valuable mental keys...thanks man! I noticed you got a bit emotional...I get it.. well deserved PR!

[@Stentordoc]

Kofuzi is legend

[@safikawilby5573]

Thank you for explaining this very clearly. 3rd March will be my first marathon and i am so so scared. The mantra that you said for the last 5K i will say it to my self too. Wish me luck 🥺🥺

[@kofuzi]

Have a great race!

[@samwell7640]

Pocari sweat is usually available at h-mart and other Korean stores and mitsuwa Japanese market

[@matthewvillegas6494]

Congrats on your PB! Been a longtime lurker and you definitely inspired me to tackle the marathon again. The breakdown helps and the approach to nutrition is key. Currently I would be lucky to keep up with you for a 5k but slow and steady. I liked your travel vlog. Getting lost in the mall doesn’t sound fun and I started to learn Japanese, especially the alphabet starting with hiragana

[@stforte1852]

Great recap. Congrats on the PR.

[@FordyRuns]

You lost the insta360 and your socks!!! You defo need some help when travelling 🤣🤣🤣 bro awesome as ever super inspiring ❤

[@manueltan8962]

YES !

[@kap0no22]

Those ponchos look niiiice! Way to go! Hope to run this one day