Sakura Marathon Race (The 25th)

Date: Sunday, March 26, 2006 Weather: Sunny

Location: Sakura City, Chiba Pref.

IMAGES

 
T Shirt Design


Records & Impression

• I left home at 6:00 AM. It was cloudy and cold a little bit.
• I met with my running mates at Nippori Station and took on the limited express train of Keisei Line bound for Narita Airport at 7:09 AM. Fortunately, we could have seats.
• We arrived in Keisei Sakura Station at 8:02 AM.
• A lot of runners were waiting for free shuttle bus in front of the station.
• This year, the number of buses was not enough. We had to wait for a while.
• It was rainy in the morning around Chiba Pref. I was worrying about the weather. However, fortunately, the rain already stopped before we arrived in Sakura.
• The weatherman said the maximum temperature would be 16 degrees Centigrade. When I reached the marathon site, it was breezing and not cold. Thus I decided to run with half pants and half-sleeved T-shirt. It proved that it was a good decision.
• The full marathon race started at 9:30 AM. The number of runners was not so many compared with other major marathon races. The loss time to the start point was only one minute. I set my goal time as 4 hours 30 minutes since I joined the race after an interval of almost 4 months.
• I could run smoothly until 10 km point. I could enjoy seeing spring flowers such as daffodils, rape blossoms, forsythias, etc. while running. I found a lot of horsetails were growing alongside the running course.
• The wind started to blow while I was running in the paddle field. I was relived that the wind was not cold north wind, but mild one.
• Before the start of the race, the announcement was made that the rabbits of sub-three, sub-four and sub-five would run the race. Just before the 30 km point, I could catch up with the rabbit of sub-four.
• I could not pass him to the goal, but I tried to follow as much as possible. I was a little bit tired after 30 km point.
• After 34 km point, the course was in the paddle filed, where I ran in the initial stage (The direction was opposite.). The course was monotonous and thus I was getting tired of running. A lot of runners started to walk. Anyway, I tried to continue to run with my own pace.
• Finally I passed the 40 km point. The time was 3 hours 45 minutes. I thought I could finish the race within 4 hours.
• It was so hard to run after I saw the display saying "500 m to the goal" since there existed a slope to the goal in the athletic field. Anyway, I ran as fast as I could to the goal.
• The goal time was 3 hours 58 minutes. I could complete the race within 4 hours.
• After the race, I celebrated the completion of the race with my running mates by drinking canned beers, which I brought.
• Later we came back to the station by shuttle bus and went to the Chinese family restaurant where we went every year to have an after-the-race party,.
• The restaurant was crowded as usual. We cheered with beers and sakes.
• By the way, the service of the restaurant was not so nice every year since the number of waitresses was not enough. Does anyone know better restaurant around there?
• I got home around 6:30 PM. I was satisfied with the result of the race today.
  
  Records
  

  5 km	28 minutes
  10 km	55 minutes
  15 km	*
  20 km	1 hour 49 minutes
  Middle Point	1 hour 55 minutes
  25 km	*
  30 km	2 hours 51 minutes
  35 km	3 hours 15 minutes
  40 km	3 hours 45 minutes
  Goal	3 hours 58 minutes

  
  

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