I am now officially selected for the WC marathon, which this year will be held in Tokyo in just two weeks. It's a big one—both in terms of the event's prestige and the personal goal I've worked towards for a long time. A WC ticket in hand signifies not only that the form is on track; it's also a confirmation that the long, hard work pays off, even when it's been uphill.
For those who have followed my previous articles here on runningxpert.com, it will be no secret that earlier this year I encountered some challenges. I sustained one of the more severe injuries and had to take a three-week break from running. During that period—especially towards the end—I prioritized the bike a bit too much in an attempt to build form without too much strain. It seemed like a good idea in theory.
Back as a Runner
The form was good, and I felt strong, but in my case, cycling took up a bit too much and became too intense. It ended up compromising both recovery and the necessary run volume—and thus the rebuild itself.
Therefore, about two months ago, I made a conscious decision to drastically reduce cycling and instead focus on the two most important elements for a marathon runner: recovery and running training. For the past 7-8 weeks, I've finally been able to ramp up the run volume again, and it's been noticeable—both physically and mentally. It's as if the system is slowly starting to find its rhythm again. I'm beginning to feel like a runner—not just someone training to keep going.
Patience and Focus
It's still early, of course, and two months are both a lot and a little. But for the first time in a long time, I feel I have an upward curve to work on, and form-wise I'm in a good place. It provides calm and motivation—and not least the belief that I can stand on the start line in Tokyo with ambitions for a great result.
Being selected for the WC has huge significance! It's more than just a place in a starting field. It's recognition of the work put in and a symbol that someone believes you have more in you. For me personally, it's also a reminder of why I do this: I love to compete, but I love the process just as much—the small progress, the daily choices, and the long, solitary runs where you know you're building something.
Now it's about continuing to build—wisely, controlled, and with a sharp focus on the goal in Tokyo. I look forward to sharing the journey there and hopefully achieving the goals I've set.
