Takahashi breaks pain barrier for Olympic bid

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former Olympic marathon champion Naoko Takahashi has put herself through a tortuous two-month training camp in a last-ditch bid to qualify for this year's Games.

The 35-year-old endured a punishing routine running 70 kilometres a day high at a secret location high in the mountains of southwest China before next month's Nagoya marathon.

"I lost count of the number of times I ran 40km and then another 30km," Takahashi told Japanese media on Thursday. "You can achieve your dreams as long as you don't give up."

Takahashi acknowledged, however, that only a victory in the March 9 race will secure her the final spot on the Japanese women's team for the Beijing Olympics in August.

"I think it's certain I won't get selected unless I win," the 2000 Sydney gold medallist told reporters on her return from Kunming.

"You never know what's going to happen with marathons -- that's the scary thing."

Reiko Tosa was the first to secure one of Japan's three Olympic berths after taking bronze at the world championships in Osaka last year.

Athens gold medallist Mizuki Noguchi is favourite to take another spot following her victory in Tokyo last November.

Japanese officials will formally name their line-up for the women's marathon after the Nagoya race.

(Compiled by Alastair Himmer)