Mary Joy Tabal (CDN FILE PHOTO)
Almost a month into her rigid training in wintry Japan, Mary Joy Tabal still feels homesick. That’s the bad news.
The good news is, the country’s undisputed marathon queen is getting better, faster and stronger as she continues preparing for what she calls the most important race of her life, the 2016 Boston Marathon next month with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Boston Marathon, slated on April 18 is one of the qualifying races for the Rio Olympics.
Tabal who is now in Shizouka, Japan, told CDN that she is nearing the peak of her grueling training and that she’s already feeling better and better every day since she started training in Tokyo a few weeks back. She also revealed that she has adjusted to the very cold weather in Japan and has gained new friends mostly her fellow trainees.
The Cebuana running sensation arrived in Shizouka last Tuesday and will leave for Chiba on April 22 to train there with several long distance runners from the Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU) until March 26.
“I can’t say what level I am right now with regards to how prepared I am for the race but I’m sure that I’m nearing the peak of my training,” said Tabal. “I am enjoying my training here.”
Tabal disclosed that her focus right now is improving her strength and building her confidence which she said is her primary dilemma when competing especially in major races. “I am here to challenge myself and to survive this training. I am also bent on improving my confidence and focus on my goals,” Tabal stated.
Tabal has been training in Japan for 26 days.
Despite cutting ties with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), Tabal is still optimistic that she can fulfill her dream of competing in the Olympics with the support of her family, teammates and her team, the Motorace Racing Team.