I took this photo on the way down, at Chureito Pagoda in Yamanashi Prefecture. It's a peace memorial, which I found fitting, and I felt a special connection with Mt. Fuji, standing so singularly powerful and magnificent there in the background. It made me feel hopeful, and gave me some much need extra power for the race, and hope for the future.

Work is so busy, and money is so tight, but I did it. I went down to Shizuoka and ran my race. My car broke down the weekend before, and I almost dropped out. But so many of you encouraged me, and I had trained for too long to quit. I have not been blogging here nearly as much as I wanted to, but...I did it. I hope you enjoy the video. Thank you all, again. Why do I run? I run....just to run.

-GS

Previous posts in this series:

Shizouka Marathon Blog, I - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/why-i-run-shizuoka-marathon-blog-i

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, II - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-ii-training-in-the-hills-and-marathon-update-shoutout-to-vivaultra

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, III - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-iii-awaiting-signup-day-plugging-scorum-on-twitter-youtube-and-facebook

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, IV - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-iv-running-through-the-simulation-running-for-peace

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, V - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-v-shizuoka-here-i-come-signed-up-and-ready-to-rock

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, VI - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-vi-7-miles-under-the-stars-running-in-october-introducing-a-new-friend-on-scorum

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, VII - https://scorum.in/en-in/fitness/@running-japan-77/books-and-distance-runs-shizuoka-marathon-blog-vii

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, VIII - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-viii-running-in-the-rain-running-in-the-cold

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, VIV - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-viv-knocked-out-with-a-cold-but-back-on-track

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, X - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-x-the-akiha-mini-marathon-running-a-course-i-created-through-rural-japan

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, XI - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-xi-new-kicks-cold-weather-and-real-trips

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, XII - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/scorum-crowd-my-apologies-a-request-and-a-much-overdue-update

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, XIII - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-xiii-talking-music-and-running

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, XIV - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-xiv-final-long-run-before-the-race

Shizuoka Marathon Blog, XV - https://scorum.com/en-us/running/@running-japan-77/shizuoka-marathon-blog-xv-long-run-complete-next-is-the-big-race