Ohtawara Marathon Race (The 16th)

Date : Sunday November 23, 2003 Weather : Fine occasionally cloudy

Location : Ohtawara City, Tochigi Pref. (10 minutes by taxi from Nishi-nasuno Station of JR Tohoku Line)


Details of Race

Race	Full	Participants	1,000 Runners	*
	10 km		700 Runners	*
Entry Fee	Yen 3,000
Contact	3-2-62 Mihara Ohtawara City, Tochigi Pref. 324-0047 Secretariat of marathon race TEL : 0287-22-8017
Gift	T-shirt
Free Service	There are 7 water supply points and sponge points.
Remarks	Time limits of full race:90 minutes at 15.4 km point, 200 minutes at 35.4 km point.

IMAGES


Reception of special drink Curtain Exit

Ad baloon

Records & Impression

• I left home at 5:15 AM. It was cloudy and cold.
• I took on the train of Seibu Line at 5:33. I changed a few trains and lastly, I took on the train of JR Tohoku Line bound for Kuroiso.
• I arrived in Nishi-nasuno Station at 8:44. It was very cold outside the train. I could see the Nasu mountain range covered with snow far away. I was in the trains almost 3 hours and thus I felt as if I were going on an excursion.
• I was picked up by free micro shuttle bus from the station. I reached Ohtawara Athletic Field around 9:00 AM.
• You can deposit your own special drinks at the entrance.
• After finishing the entry, I went to the gymnasium to change the wears. It was air-condioned and thus it was warm and comfortable.
• It seemed to be cold all day and thus I decided to wear a long-sleeved shirt and tights. I fully applied Tigerbarm on my foot.
• I went to the track field around 10:00. The participants of full marathon race were around 1,000. Not so many.
• The race started at 10:40. Runners went out after running one round the field. When starting, it was fine. The temperature was 9 degrees Centigrade. It was breezing.
• Runners must run the same course twice. The course was flat among the rice fields.
• During the first round, although the wind was a little bit cold, the condtion was best and I could enjoy the runatic senery while running.
• I could pass the first gate of 15.4 km (Time limit to be 90 minutes after the start.) within 80 minutes.
• When entering into the second round, I felt a little bit tired. Moreover, it became cloudy and colder.
• Anyway, I could run at the normal pace. The time at 30 km point was 2 hours 41 minutes, which was my best time.
• However, immediately after passing the 30 km point, my running pace suddenly dropped.
• I felt it was so far away until I arrived in the second gate. I felt I could not reach there although I tried to run as fast as possible.
• I could pass the second gate almost 3 hours after the start (Time limit to be 3 hours 20 minutes.) However, I was exhausted there.
• One of the causes seemed that I ran faster during the first round than usual.
• The second was that there were only sport-drink and water at the water supply points. No food!
• I wished I could have bread and bananas to re-fill my energy.
• Fortunately, I had several chocolates in my waist-bag and thus I ate them while running. However, I should have them in the earlier stage.
• The other cause may be the heavy drink at previous night. Usually, I do not drink on the day before the race. However, this time, I had to get up at 4:15 AM on the marathon day. To go to the bed earlier, I decided to drink, however, the volume seemed to be too much! I could sleep well, however, ------.
• After passing the 35 km point, my running pace further slowed down. I was passed by young gal and even middle-aged lady.
• I was disgusted during the last 5 km to the goal since my running pace was almost the same as walking. I could not pace up although I tried as much as possible.
• I was relived when I saw the indiaction that the distance to the goal was 1 km. However, I could not rush to the goal this time.
• My goal time was 4 hours 03 minutes. Three minutes over to the time limit of full marathon race. (Traffic restriction on the course is finshed after 4 hours from the start, however, time measurement is made until 4 hours 20 minutes.)
• I could have my best record this time if I could keep the first round running pace----.
• However, somehow, after finishing the race, I did not felt exhausted.
• After finishing the race, I went to the corner where the free pork soup was served, however, unfortunately, it was almost getting out of stock. Anyway, I could have half cup of the soup. I wish I could have full cup of soup!
• This time, I joined the race by myself. Thus no after the race party! As soon as I changed the wears, I took on the shuttle bus to go to the station.
• I bought a 500cc canned beer and took on the train to be started at 3:41 PM.
• I finally arrived in my home around 7:00 PM. All I did this day was taking on the trains and running!
• My reflection: I need more training so that I can finish any full marathon race without difficulties.
• Anyway, I realized that the full marathon race is fully effected by the runner's physical conditions. Runners have to be careful to get the best condtions on the marathon day. However, it's very difficult especially for amateur runners.
  
  
  Split Time
  
  

  5 km	26 minutes
  10 km	51 minutes
  15 km	1 hour 18 minutes
  20 km	1 hour 48 minutes
  Middle point	1 hour 52 minutes
  25 km	?
  30 km	2 hours 41 minutes
  35 km	?
  40 km	3 hours 52 minutes
  Goal	4 hours 03 minutes

  
  

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