The 20th Tsukuba Marathon Race

Date: Sunday November 26, 2000 Weather: Fine & Warm!

Location: Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki Pref. (30 min. by bus from JR Tsuchiura station)


Records and Impression

Race	Full	Runners	6,042	�–
	10 km		2,500	�–
Entry Fee	Full: Yen 3,500 10 km: Yen 3,000
Contact	1-3-5, Nihonbashi-motomachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8302 Secretariat of Tsukuba marathon race Tel: 03-5200-3293
Gift	T-shirt
Free Service	Water supply point is set every 2.5 km (Sports drink & Water). Foods such as bananas, chocolates & candies are available at four points. (13.5 km, 30 km, 35 km & 38.5 km)
Remarks	Shuttle buses are available from JR Tsuchiura station to Tsukuba Educational Institute Town. (One-way fee: Yen 590) Full marathon race starts at 10:30 AM. Traffic regulation is off at 2:30 PM (4 hours after start). The race finishes at 4:30 PM (6 hours from the start).

IMAGES

 
Reception Goal T-shirt



Records & Impression

• I had been catching a cold for almost 2 weeks (very rare experience for me!) and thus the condition was not so good this time.
• I could not make enough training for the race and I was not sure that I could complete the race.
• However, I felt good in the morning of the race day. Besides, the weatherman said it would be fine and warm!
• I left home past 6:00 AM and arrived in JR Tsuchiura station at 8:40 AM. Then I rode on the shuttle bus (The one -way fee is Yen 590, which seems to be expensive!) The buses start one after another from the station. To my regret, the passengers were all men!
• It took almost 30 minutes to Tsukuba University. A lot of runnners were already gathering there.
• I met my running mate in front of the reception and then changed the wear at the gymnasium crowded with runners.
• By way of precaution, I applied Tiger Balm onto legs before start.
• It was very warm and thus I decided to wear half-sleeve T-shirt and made preparation for start.
• Roadside trees turned yellow and were very beautiful!
• It was almost 2 minutes later when I passed the start line after start since a lot of runners (more than 6,000) joined.
• The first 5 km course was set in the premises of Tsukuba University. The yellowed larch trees were so beautiful!. The split time at 5 km was 28 minutes. (Net time: 26 min.)
• The course outside the Tsukuba University is to go around the Tsukuba Educational Institute Town.
• At the beginning, my running condition was so good that I could catch up with runners who started together with me. ( I means the runners who were waiting start around me.) The time at 10 km point was 53 minutes.
• The course to the 13 km point was northward and flat. Then the course turned to left. The split time of 15 km was 1 hour 19 minutes. The contrast between blue sky and yellow ginkgoes were marvelous. I could see Mt. Tsukuba far away at the right side. So far, I could have enjoyed seeing scenery.
• After passing the 15 km point, the course turned left again and became southward.
• Split time of 20 km was 1 hour 52 minutes, which was almost the same time as that of half-marathon race. (The time of middle point: 1 hour 55 minutes)
• I continued to run with confidence that I could complete the race within 4 hours.
• However, soon after passing the middle point, my running pace suddenly slowed down.
• I might have overrun at the initial stage since I was in good condition.
• As soon as my pace was down, the other runners passed me one after another! Even young gals passed! Usually I tried my best to catch up with them, however, this time, I could not.
• I did not expect that I had exhausted before 30 km point. I mistook the allotment of my running paces.
• I tried to avoid walking and continued to run very slowly. However, after 25 km point, I finally stopped to run. ( This is my first experience.)
• Once I walked, I could not continue to run. I repeated to run and walk.
• The spilt time of 30 km was 2 hours 58 minutes. (I could pass within 3 hours!) However, I did not have any confidence that I could run 12 km any more!
• After passing 30 km point, I was almost walking rather than running. (A lot of runners were already walking.)
• I managed to arrived in 40 km point. The time was 4 hours 20 minutes.
• I did not have any stamina, however, I tried to run as much as possible in the final track field.
• The goal time was 4 hours 39 minutes 20 seconds. (Net time: 4 hours 37 minutes 47 seconds) Although, I completed the race, I was not satisfied with the result. The course was completely flat and seemed to be easy to run----.
• Immedeately after the goal, the certificate was issued. I was 3,908th out of 6,042! I was a little bit relieved to learn that more than 2,000 runners was behind me!
• I will vindicate my honor(!) next year since I became familiar with the course.
• I met my running mate who goaled within 4 hours and came back to JR Tsuchiura station by bus. Then we had a drink party at the Soba( Noodle) shop in the station building. Anyway, this time, I was completely exhausted! ( I was a little bit refreshed after drinking hot Japanese sake!) I found a lot of review points during this race.
• I will join Wakashio Full Marathon Race next January. I must be careful not to catch a cold and will try to complete the race within 4 hous.

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