The 22nd Tateyama Marathon Race

Date: Sunday January 27, 2002 Weather: Cloudy and occasionally rainy, then sunny

Location: Tateyama City, Chiba Pref.


Details of Races:Refer to the 21st Wakashio Marathon Race


Images

 
Display Shelter Tents Suvenior Boothes



Records

5 km	29 minutes
10 km	58 minutes
15 km	Unknown
20 km	1 hour 50 minutes
Middle-point	1 hour 58 minutes
25 km	Unknown
30 km	2 hours 45 minutes
35 km	3 hours 13 minutes
40 km	3 hours 43 minutes
Goal	3 hours 54 minutes 15 seconds

Impressions

• The sleet started to fall in the evening of Saturday, which changed the ground into white. Then, it changed completely heavy rain and wind.
• According to the weatherforecast, the weather condition on Sunday would be the worst thruout Japan.
• As forecasted, the heavy rain and wind continued all night. I got up at 4:00 AM on Sunday. The rain seemed not to stop.
• I was forced to go to the Higashi-kurume station by bicycle in the heavy rain with heavy bag filled with lots of wears for rain. I was almost wet to the skin. I took on the first train.
• Then, I took on the limited express "Wakashio" at Tokyo station bound for Tateyama. (Left at 6:45 AM). The heavy rain still continued after the start of train.
• However, to my surprise, the train stopped while the train passed Kimitsu station (Chiba Pref.).
• The train conductor announced that the rain also stopped in Tateyama area around 7:00 AM and that even blue sky had appeared.
• However, the arrival of train to Tateyama delayed almost 20 minutes owing to heavy rain in the early morning. (arrived past 9:00 AM) and thus I was a little bit flurried.
• When arriving in Tateyama, it was still drizziling although it was announced that the rain had stopped. Anyway, I rushed to the free shuttle bus and arrived in the site around 9:15 AM.
• I met my running mates in front of the reception and finished registration. I had to rush to prepare for start since only 45 minutes were available.
• Luckily, the rain stopped when starting. We were really lucky. I didn't imagine that the rain stopped so early! Besides, it was not so cold before starting.
• This was my third entry to the Tateyama Marathon Race and I was consideraly familiar with the course.
• However, suddenly, the rain started again at 5 km point and continued for more than 30 minutes. Moreover, cold wind from sea started to blow!
• So I wore the big vinyl bag with hole to prevent the rain and cold wind. I continued to run with vinyl bag until I passed 15 km.
• While I passing around 15 km point, I heard a sound, which something seemed to be dropped on the ground. But I didn't care and continued to run. Then, one of the following runners notified me that I might drop the "time-counting chip". I checked my number sheet on my breast (The chip was installed on the number sheet.), and found it was lost! I ran back to the place where I dropped the chip. Some runner picked it up for me. The adhesive attached chip seemed to be weakened by rain. The chip should be attached to the running shoes next time!
• After passing 20 km point, the sky started to be clear and it soon became fine and warm.
• Owing to the drastic temperature change, I felt a little bit exhausted, however, I tried to run as fast as possible.
• The tme at 30 km point was 2 hours 45 minutes, which was much faster than I expected.
• To my joy, during the last 10 km, back wind was blowing. However, it was hard to run last 5 km as usual. It was so hard that I wished I could give up running!
• I passed one runner around 40 km point. When I looked back, I found it was my running mate, Mr. N! I said "Sorry! I passed you!" and continued to run. However, suddenly, Mr. N speeded up. I was running in parallel with him for a while, but, finally, I was passed by him and could not catch up with him anymore. I was lost! Mr. N, I will win next time!
• My goal time was 3 hours 54 minutes 15 seconds (Gross), which was my best so far. Taking rainy/cold weather in the front half and hot weather after rear half into consideration, it was very nice record for me.
• I waited for other running mate to complete the race, then we went back to Tateyama station.
• When arriving, the train was almost starting (3:32 PM). We hurried up to the platform and took on the train. To my regret, I didn't have a time to buy beer/Sake at the Kiosk. The only relief was I brought cupped Japanese Sakes in my back. Thus we could enjoy only one piece of Japanese Sake each in the train.
• The number of train in Sotobo Line is very rare and it takes much time to come back to the metropolitan area by local train. When I came back to my home, it was almost 8:00 PM. Tateyama is too far!
• After taking shower, I again enjoy drinking to supplement the shortage of alcohol in the train!
• Before going to bed, I applied enough "Tiger Balm" on my foot! (My family always blame me since the smell of Tiger Balm is so nasty!)

About Marathon Races

• A lot of shelter tents were built owing to bad weather for runners. However, we could not use them since they were already occupied by many runners who arrived earlier.
• Enough sports-drink/water/bananas/breads/candies are available at every water supply point. I love bread with cream and ate too much!
• After the race, a big cup of pork-soup was served. However, the taste was not so great.

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