Ohmachi Alps Marathon Race (The 22nd)

Date : Sunday, October 16, 2005 Weather : Cloudy

Location : Ohmachoi City, Nagano Pref.


Details of Race :Refer to the 18th Ohmachi Alps Marathon Race.




IMAGES

 
Bath Towel


Records and Impression

• This time, I joined the race with my four running mates.
• On Saturday, four members gathered at Shinjuku Station and got on the "Super Azusa" limited express train bound for Hakuba to be left at 10:00 AM.
• As soon as we got into the train, we started to drink alcohol such as "Chuhai" and Japanese Sake.
• Mr. Mike, an American, took on the train from Hachioji Station.
• We got off at Matsumoto Station and had lunch at famous Soba restaurant with locally brewed Japanese Sake. We enjoyed them very much.
• We had a plan to go sightseeing in Matsumoto, however, it started rain and thus we gave up the sightseeing.
• So we went directly to Shinano Ohmachi station by local train. We arrived in the hotel located at Ohmachi Hot Springs around 17:00.
• We immediately visited the Japanese Sake Museum adjacent to the hotel since the museum was almost closed.
• At the museum, we could taste several Japanese Sakes. Then we checked in the hotel.
• We bathed in the hot spring and enjoyed buffet-style dinner with Japanese Sake again. We were all drunk and went to bed around 20:30. It was too early!!
• It seemed that the heavy rain continued until dawn.
• On Sunday morning, the weatherman said it would be cloudy in the morning and sunny in the afternoon. The maximum temperature would be 20 degrees Centigrade. It would be nice conditions for running. I could see blue sky from the windows of the hotel.�A
• At the buffet, we had enough breakfast. We went to Ohmachi Athletic Ground by taxi.
• I joined the race after an interval of three years. I did not notice previously, however, I found a very nice gymnasium at the entrance of the ground. This time, we went into the gymnasium and changed the wears there. It would be nice in case of heavy rain.
• The full and half marathon races started at 9:20 together. It was cool in the early morning. However, the temperature was going up just before the start since the sun appeared. I felt hot.
• The number of runners was almost the same as those of four years ago. Every runner started to rush to the exit of the truck of the field. Some part of the truck was muddy owing to heavy rain at night. I had difficulty to run there.
• The running course was the completely the same as that of previous time. I gradually remembered the scenery.
• It was almost sunny until I reached 8 km point and it was hot. Later, the sun disappeared and it became cloudy.
• My running pace was a little bit faster than usual until 10 km point. Thus I felt a little bit tired and was forced to slow down although the distance did not reach 20 km. I was wondering if I could complete the race.
• But fortunately, after the middle-point, the road was on the decline. Thus I could restore to my usual pace.
• I came across Mr. Mike, who was running ahead of me, just I reached the Lake Kizaki. I made high touch with him. He was running at the pace to reach the goal within 3 hours 30 minutes. (He actually completed the race in 3 hours 30 minutes.)
• Finally I reached the shore of Lake Kizaki. However, it took more time to arrive in the turning point (28 km point). I felt that I could not reach there as possible as I ran.
• I took "Amino Vital" at the aid station just after the turning point. I felt a little bit refreshed.
• Anyway, I felt it took so much time to reach 30 km point. I was almost tired of running further 12 km.
• To make the matter worse, the road became upward to 35 km point. The pace again slowed down.
• Anyway, I tried not to walk and continued to run. After passing 35 km point, the road became downward and I could run at usual pace again to the goal. The cloudy and cool weather at the rear stage contributed to my running pace.
• I ran as fast as possible during the last 1 km.
• The goal time was 4 hours 07 minutes. It was regrettable that I could not complete within 4 hours. However, I think it was a good time since I joined the race after 6-month interval.
• This time, I fully trained to complete the full race with ease. However, it is still hard for me to finish the race without difficulty. It will take more time and I need more training.
• After the race, we drank American beer, which Mr. Mike brought for us. It was delicious.
• We returned to the station by free shuttle bus. We had a after-the-race party at Soba restaurant. We took Soba and Japanese Sake there. We enjoyed them again.
• We took on the limited express "Azusa" to be left at 16:15. We started the drink party again in the train and drank Sake again.
• I came back home with a little bit drunk just before 21:00.
• I think we ran and drank very much. I wish I could have more time to enjoy hot spring.
  
  Record
  
  

  05 km	28 m
  10 km	56 m
  15 km	1 h 13 m
  20 km	1 h 54 m
  Middle Point	*
  25 km	2 h 13 m
  30 km	2 h 53 m
  35 km	*
  40 km	3 h 53 m
  Goal	4 h 07 m

  
  
  

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