Tsukuba Marathon Race (The 28th )

Date: Sunday, November 30, 2008 Weather: Fine

Location: Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Pref.


Details of RaceRefer to Tsukuba Marathon Race (The 20th).


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Eco-bag

Impression

• On Friday night, I retuned from the business trip from Europe. Therefore, my physical condition was not so good and my training was not enough.
• I left home at 5:45 AM. It was fine, but it was so dark and cold outside.
• I arrived in Tsukuba-gakuentoshi Station of Tsukuba Express Line at 7:32 via Seibu Line and JR Musashino Line. Then I took on the bus (Fee Yen 250) to the marathon site. A lot of runners rushed to the ticket gate and they made a long line at the bus stop.
• I reached the marathon site around 8:00 AM. The reception area was re-located.
• I went to the athletic field to change the wears, where many runners gathered.
• The total number of runners this year was almost 16,000. (Full: 12,000, 10 km: 4,000) The scale is almost the same as that of Shonan Marathon Race.
• There were so many runners and thus the toilets were extraordinarily crowded. There were many long lines in front of the toilets. I once lined up, however, I soon gave up since I would miss the starting time.. There should be more toilets!
• The full marathon race would start 9:30 AM. This year, the runners had to line up according to the number on the number cloth. My number was around 5,200 and the position was just ahead of the middle point of the line. It took almost 4 minutes to pass the starting point. The loss of 4 minutes was cruel blow to me.
• As usual, the course was narrow and crowded to 10 km point. It was almost impossible to pass other runners.
• I was shuddering with cold before the start. But it was getting warmer owing to fine weather and sunshine. The wears of short pant and short-sleeve T-shirt was just fitted for running.
• The air was clear and I could clearly see Mt. Tsukuba, which I climbed in September.
• Usually, I could see marvelously colored ginkgo trees, however, unfortunately, almost all leaves were gone this time.
• The time of middle point was 2 hours one minute. The turning point was 22.8 km.
• On the way from the turning point, I could see an 67 years old man running with a cloth on the back saying "Full marathon race: 21 times, Half marathon race: 21 times, and still counting!" I would say "A good job!"
• I was passed by the group containing one female pacemaker of sub-four just before 27 km point. I could not catch up with that group. However, around 30 km point, I was again passed by male pacemaker of sub-four. I wondered which was correct.
• I had a cup of sweet bean paste soup with rice cakes at 31 km aid-station. I could be refreshed.
• After that, I felt it took much time to the goal, but I restrainedly continued to run.
• The goal time was 4 hours 06 minutes. I could almost keep the even pace. I wished I could achieve sub-four.
• The course of Tsukuba marathon race is generally flat and thus it is possible to have a good record. Moreover, the number of gal runners is larger.
• I could not meet my running mate and I took on the bus immediately after changing wears. I returned home at 16:30.
• The gift for participation was not a T-shirt, but a Eco-bag in consideration of environment.
• I was surprised to learn that many big condominiums were being built in front of each station of Tsukuba Express Line.
  
  
  Record
  
  

  5 km	31 minutes
  10 km	58 minutes
  15 km	1 hour 28 minutes
  20 km	1 hour 53 minutes
  Middle-point	2 hours 01 minute
  25 km	2 hours 23 minutes
  30 km	2 hours 53 minutes
  35 km	3 hours 23 minutes
  40 km	3 hours 53 minutes
  Goal	4 hours 06 minutes

  
  

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