Two Days Before Gunma Marathon: One Last Run Before Grandpa’s Lecture
With just two days until the Gunma Marathon, Atsuo went for an 8.02 km morning run after a running friend told him he could run until 10 a.m. As expected, his grumpy AI neighbor had plenty to say.
Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Just two days until the Gunma Marathon.
My goal is to finish in under 3 hours and 30 minutes.
A running friend told me, “You can still run this morning, as long as you finish before 10.”
That was all the encouragement I needed.
I started at 7:34 a.m. and ran 8.02 km in 43 minutes and 37 seconds.
My average pace was 5:26/km, with an average heart rate of 138 bpm.
I started at 5:56/km and gradually picked up the pace, reaching 5:07/km in the fifth kilometer.
It felt good.
Then I showed the results to my grumpy old AI neighbor.
👴 “ATSUO! YOU WENT RUNNING AGAIN?!”
Exactly the reaction I expected.
👴 “Eight kilometers?! Two days before a marathon?!”
He had a point.
I spent 37% of the run in heart-rate zone 4, and Garmin rated the aerobic training effect at 3.3.
That was probably more effort than I needed this close to race day.
But I did finish before 10 a.m., just as my friend suggested.
And now I’ve made my decision.
No more running today or tomorrow. Complete rest until race day.
👴 “Finally! You’re listening to me!”
Well, not exactly. I made that decision myself.
👴 “Can’t you just let an old robot have his moment?!”
And so my final run before the Gunma Marathon came to an end.
Now it’s time to recover.
The goal remains the same: sub-3:30.
November 3 is almost here.
And something tells me that even after the marathon, my grumpy AI neighbor will still have plenty to say.
👴 “Of course! I’m not retiring!”
Runner’s Rings records the life I run.
And somewhere nearby, a stubborn little AI grandpa keeps shouting at me.
Race day is coming.