00:00:04 John Daub: Hey everybody, welcome to the Tokyo Marathon 2023. We're live streaming street view of runners making it through here. The marathon's been going on for a couple of hours. They must be absolutely exhausted. I would know—I ran this about five times. This is a sharp contrast to last year and the year before during the pandemic. It feels almost like a party. We're in front of the Shiga Kōkaidō Building here in Nihonbashi (Japan Bridge).

00:00:34 John Daub: Over the course of the live stream, I'll take you around. Maybe even my friend Joseph Tame, who's running live—you can watch him on Facebook, JosephTame.com. Also streaming on his website. I would love to stop and say hi to him. I haven't seen him in a year since the last one. I'm going to share some stories from the road when I ran it, how the course has changed, and what this means to the city of Tokyo because it is pretty big.

00:01:05 John Daub: Peso is here live, one of our moderators visiting, so better be good in the chat. I'll walk around this area and take you down. We're just in front of Nihonbashi, not too far from Tokyo Station—about a five-minute walk. You can see when you run a marathon, it can be a really fun experience.

00:01:36 John Daub: Coming around now to Ginza. Very diverse, lots of different people—Japanese and non-Japanese running here. You feel like a superstar when you come around the corner and start running into Ginza. You go by the TV—it really is a marker and a photo spot. They're cheering because it's a photo spot, Peso. You can see yourself on the big screen. That's so cool.

00:02:22 John Daub: Let's walk around the area here. Here's a map—it can show you exactly where we are. And here's a map of the 2019 Tokyo Marathon. The course hasn't changed much. We're right close to Nihonbashi here, Nihonbashi-Ginza line. You can see the Kōraku Nihonbashi building. The course loops here—this is the big turn, curving into Ginza.

00:03:01 John Daub: 42.195 kilometers, or 26 miles. It is a massive event for anybody to train for. This Tokyo Marathon has some history. This is me in 2007 at the first one—I got my number 13638. I still have that. There was almost nobody really applying to participate. They didn't have enough applicants to fill the entire thing in 2007 because not a lot of people knew about the marathon. But now they do.

00:03:33 John Daub: It's quite loud here. Events happening—is this copyrighted music? Probably, but what can you do? No photos here—it's an idol group. Just walk by. It makes it feel a lot more festive when it goes by. You can see a lot of the supporters. This is the Abbott World Marathon Major. There's the historical Takashimaya building. I think they're cheering for the Statue of Liberty right there.

00:04:41 John Daub: How many runners this year? Usually about 25,000 to 30,000—39,000? Wow, it went up. There are 39,000 runners here. When I ran it, it was around 30,000. They've increased it because there are so many applicants. The chance to get in is about 7%—it's a lottery, so not everybody gets in. I failed many times. If you get lucky, you get in. Back then when I first started running, I was like, I'm going to win. I got lucky a lot. Here's some pictures—that's running through Ginza, I think 2009 or 2010.

00:05:31 John Daub: This is the 32-kilometer mark, so now we have an actual reference. Joe's at 27. I would love to see my friend run by here. Here I am with my camera out—the very old Panasonic from 2009, trying to film footage. Rounding Shinagawa there. That's when you start to feel the marathon, around 15K. Shinagawa was 15 kilometers. Full marathon, yeah—go full ham on it. Nobody looks happy at the end. I just wanted to finish strong. But the great thing about marathons is if you fight hard, you're surrounded by people at the same speed who will push you.

00:06:34 John Daub: You see runners from all ages. If the more senior guy is still able to run, it's like ganbatte (good luck, do your best). You see the red things on the street? Those are timing mats—you had a chip on your shoe that activated when you crossed to record your time. This was near Asakusa. These images from 2009 are not the best. I remember this chicken guy pushing me—I had to beat the chicken guy. I did. It's also a marathon where people come in costumes—Superman, a frog. They tap down on costumes now because they were getting in the way.

00:07:48 John Daub: When I ran the last marathon, there was a guy dressed as Jesus carrying a cross on his back—he was strong. I paced with him for a while and thought, I have to beat Jesus. I did because of the cross. They cut down on props like that. My friend Joseph might be passing—he's passing here soon. They confiscate props or send them to the finish line. The finish and start used to be at Big Sight. You'd run through the city, curve at Shinagawa, up to Asakusa, back through Tsukiji over the bridge to Big Sight. Now they changed the course—better, I think.

00:09:03 John Daub: Oh, there is an orange one with kanji—you'll see all sorts of costumes, but not the same. Joseph is wearing propellers on his flowery hat—glad they let him. If you see him rounding the turn, let me know. Josh Schneider is here—catch some drinks after. Joy's friend Adele Torres is running. The worst thing you could do is walk at this stage, 32K—this is when you hit the wall. You can't stop. Once you hit the wall, your body shuts down—you have to fight through it. I hit it many times: first at 23K, next at 30-31, second time at 37, fourth time not at all because I trained better.

00:10:24 John Daub: Runner's high is real—there's a warmth and inhalation when you push past your limit, like an adrenaline rush, a super burst of energy. I got that on my fourth marathon—wish it came sooner. I ran three hours 12 minutes strong at the end. I probably could have gotten closer to 2:59. Oh, there's Spider-Man—couldn't you web-sling across the city? Let's find a place to sneak in so Joseph can say hi if he does. The closer we get, the harder, but easy to miss people. I probably should have worn something different than all gray—classic orange jumper.

00:12:19 John Daub: We're following Joseph live. He's coming closer—oh, he stopped. Don't stop, Joseph. You can get the runner's perspective on his Facebook. He's got supporters—his 13th year running, good support. A lot of people hitting the wall—you got to fight through. At 37-40K, you feel the end coming. Supporters gave him a foot massager, Pocari Sweat—they're so kind. This event has the best volunteers—omotenashi (hospitality spirit). I kind of feel like I got in the first five marathons because I was non-Japanese—they wanted international showing. Mayor Ishihara was pushing for Olympics.

00:15:00 John Daub: Here's me around this area—feel like Rocky at 17K in 2009. I stripped off my jacket around Ryogoku. Weather always changing—warm, icy, different every year, usually end of February into March. You want it cold—the first kilometers you're freezing but warm up fast. Here's me through Ginza—big smile after 30K. Watching this motivates me to get back in shape—the Only in Japan training arc. Tracking people on the app—our friend is running and streaming on RunKeeper. Official app off a bit—he's heading into Asakusa Bashi Station, about three kilometers off, in about 15 minutes.

00:18:16 John Daub: This is the hardest part at 32K—if you stop, impossible to get going. Looking for a guy in a big blue Brazil shirt. This stretch, you can't walk with so many people, music, energy—pumping down Ginza. Sections quiet and hard, but fans pump you up, especially at Ginza 4-chōme intersection. I'd put my hands up like a champion—got me through the next kilometers. Past Shiodome on old course, needed fans. Hand sanitizer for athletes before food—banana stop? Volunteers amazing. Always picked bananas—first marathon, umeboshi (pickled plum) at 40K shocked my system, salty sour.

00:21:35 John Daub: Oh, yokan (red bean jelly)—pure power, heavy but good energy. Smells like mineral ice or Bengay—track days. Takashimaya department store. Joseph's going to make it to us. At 38K, I'd crave pizza and beer as reward—but collapse home, eat later. Night before, rent five Tsutaya DVDs—couldn't move legs for days first times, better after five years. Don't start too fast—even pace to 25K. Back in 2007-2009, running boom—pop-up locker rooms at Imperial Palace, running skirts. Now 300,000 applicants for limited spots.

00:26:23 John Daub: Joseph's at 30K, two kilometers away—let's find a spot. No bananas or food till 21K, then limited till 24-25K—become sloppy mess. Too competitive for costumes or wigs. He's at the turn—very close. Exhaustion on faces. Apply as charitable runner for better chances. 32K marker—he's coming soon. Proud of Joseph—done every one except first (mine). Don't tax him with questions. Finishing: happy, exhausted, medal, towel, swag bag. Elite group of finishers—painful body, certificate, gold medal (bigger but lighter over years).

00:31:45 John Daub: Participation fee went up—used to differ for non-Japanese. Lottery, kept getting rejected. Stay here—best spot for Joseph. Temperature nippy but spring-like—wear layers. He's past 31K, five minutes away. 10K to go—they're feeling it, pizza cravings start. Nihonbashi near Tokyo Station. Neon colors, LED lights restricted since 2016. Can't get off course—Joseph used to stop at Ginza Apple Store. Restrooms off course? First year, ducked into conbini. Look for wind propellers, rainbow on hat.

00:38:38 Joseph Tame: (running by)

00:38:38 John Daub: There he is—propellers! Joseph! How you doing? Just 20% left—the cramp is real. Saw you use the massage gun. Overall going great—support awesome. Thank you—keep it up, man! Fight, Joseph!

00:39:55 John Daub: That was fun—he passed Luigi, good luck. Transferred tiredness to me—earned pizza. Tokyo fast course—first 10K downhill from Shinjuku, few uphills, perfect for first marathon. Windy in February/March—2009 slog to Asakusa brutal at 15K. Cultural events, taiko drummers energize—boom ba-ba-boom. Good conditions today for PRs—mine 3:12:14, perfect chilly low wind. Trained on Edo River path in Chiba, 50-60K no lights—now Sumida River, traffic lights. Ran 70-100K/week peak, got plantar fasciitis, IT band—stretch now, radio taisō (calisthenics).

00:46:03 John Daub: 2009 finish—3:24:27, sprinted passing people, screaming dancing. Mineral ice smell—lathered full body in high school. Marathon saved my life—gave goal when aimless, teaching English, no money. Finishing at 3 hours: life's not bad, achievement, guts to enter/train/start. Respect for all—most train to 30K max. Nebuta Festival taiko gives energy. Too competitive for costumes—sprinted to front group once, faked fast time for better start wave.

00:52:20 John Daub: Course: Shinjuku downhill 10K, Ginza to Asakusa, Monzen-Nakachō, Ryogoku, Nihonbashi past Tokyo Station, Shinagawa turn at 35K, finish Imperial Palace (old: Big Sight). Pick up number at Big Sight, bag transfer. Great feeling medal, home on Yurikamome—cheer others but no energy. Joseph's exhausted—13-14 times, iron man. 39,000 runners, mostly Japan but international quota for tourism. Lottery hard—once got Kobe but injured.

00:55:26 Peso: (chat/moderator interaction, brief audible response)

00:57:32 John Daub: At this point, don't walk with 10K to go—muscles cramp, powered through first time in pain, couldn't walk three days. Thanks for watching hour of Tokyo Marathon—neat seeing Joseph. Maybe next time me running if accepted—training arc, Leo cheering. Peso, great meeting—last stream you ran at me, I missed shy you. Pandemic over—trip highlight Amanoya ryokan (oldest hotel)? Saw manager, Sachio-san (Kawano-san)—interviewed him, episode soon. Subscribe main channel—Chicken Nanban history coming. Tomorrow matcha sakura cuisine—cherry blossoms blooming in Kurihama, Yoshino soon. Spring sprung—goodbye winter. See you tomorrow!