Tateyama Wakashio Marathon Race (The 29th)

Date: Sunday, January 25, 2009 Weather: Fine

Location: Tateyama City, Chiba Pref.


Details of RacePlease refer to the 21st Tateyama Wakashio Marathon Race.


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T-Shirt

Records

5 km	29 minutres
10 km	58 minutes
15 km	1 hour 24 minutes
20 km	1 hour 51 minutes
Middle Point	1 hour 58 minutes
25 km	2 hours 19 minutes
30 km	2 hours 49 minutes
35 km	3 hours 19 minutes
40 km	3 hours 49 minutes
Goal	4 hours o2 minutes

Impression

• According to weather forecast, it would be fine on Sunday. However, it would be severely cold. Anyway, I was relived that I would not need to run in the rain.
• I left home before 5:00 AM. I took on the limited express train to be started at 6:45 AM from Tokyo Station to Tateyama. Most of the passengers were runners.
• On arrival, I could get on the free shuttle bus from the station. Owing to fine weather, I found that I could see snow-covered Mt. Fuji from the bus window over the sea. I joined this marathon race several times, but for the first time I knew that I could see Mt. Fuji in front of the sea. Owing to strong wind, the sea was stormy and it seemed to be very cold outside.
• After registration, first, I went to get a bunch of flowers of field mustard. Then, I changed the wears and strolled around the marathon site. A lot of booths were there and many souvenirs were sold.
• I was on the start line around 9:45 AM. The sun was shining and it was warm if the wind did not blow, but cold wind was blowing.
• The loss time to the starting point was almost a minute.
• Shortly after the start, the runners could see the sea on the right side. The cold wind blew from the sea. I could see Mt. Fuji over the sea, however, I had to catch up with other runners and had no time to see Mt. Fuji.
• This time, I thought I was running at a good running pace from the beginning. However, the time at 5 km was 29 minutes and that of 10 km was 58 minutes. Contrary to my expectation, my running pace was not so good.
• Anyway, I continued to run as fast as I could.
• I saw a sailor-suited schoolgirl with blond-hair running. However, I found that she was a dressed-up male runner. She (He?) was fully cheered by roadside people.
• This time, I could continuously see marvelous Mt. Fuji over the sea until I ran to the open sea. I was much impressed that Mt. Fuji was getting larger until I reached the open sea.
• When reaching Suzaki, I saw wonderful contrast between white Suzaki lighthouse and blue sky.
• I could see both Mt. Fuji on the right side and Ohshima Is. on the left side over open sea.
• The wind was still strongly blowing at open sea.
• The time at the middle point was 1 hour 58 minutes. I might complete the race within 4 hours.
• It was hard to run between 20 km and 30 km, but I could run up the slope past 30 km point.
• As usual, I could get two small rice balls at privately operated aid station and was refreshed.
• After passing 33 km point, runners had to run up several gentle slopes. Every time, it was hard fro me to run.
• Anyway, I had to continue to run, but I was getting tired.
• When I saw an indication of "5 km to the goal", I thought no more slope, however, I was shocked to learn that I had to run up one more slope.
• The last 3 km to the goal was so hard for me to run. I wished I could finish the race within 4 hours.
• The time at 40 km point was 3 hours 49 minutes. Just a bit more!
• I ran as fast as possible during the last 1 km. However, the goal time was 4 hours 02 minutes. I was completely exhausted after the race.
• I joined the race by myself. After having one cup of free pork soup (The taste was not so good.), I changed wears and got into the bus to the station.
• The reserved seats of the limited express to Tokyo were fully booked. I took one canned beer and one-cup Japanese sake in the train and fell asleep imperceptibly.
• Tateyama is far away from Higashi-kurume. I was exhausted this time.

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