Tama River Memorial 50 km Running Race for Mr. Toshizo Hijikata (The 8th)

Date: Sunday, May 11, 2014 Weather: Fine

Location: Hino City, Tokyo


Details of Race:Refer to Tama River Memorial 50 km Running Race for Mr. Toshizo Hijikata (The 4th)




Image

 
Towel

Records

5 km	30 minutes
10 km	1 hour 01 minute
15 km	?
20 km	2 hours 06 minutes
25 km	2 hours 38 minutes
30 km	3 hours 12 minutes
35 km	3 hours 49 minutes
40 km	4 hours 30 minutes
45 km	5 hours 14 minutes
50 km	5 hours 54 minutes

Impression

• The weekend weather forecast changed drastically. After all, the forecast of rain changed to fine weather on Sunday. Moreover, the high temperature would be 26 degrees Centigrade. It would be almost summer!
• I left my home past 6:00 AM. It was fine and still cool.
• I arrived in Hino Station of JR Chuo Line at 7:30 AM. I saw a lot of middle-aged and older hikers in the train. It's a nice weather for hiking.
• As usual, I walked to the marathon site, Hino Sports Park.
• It took around 20 minutes to reach there and I registered.
• It seemed to be hot and thus I decided to wear no-sleeve T-shirt and short pant. This time I used spray sunscreen for the first time. I found it was so effective.
• Around 400 runners joined the race this year. It's a nice and small-group race.
• After the opening ceremony, 50 km race would start at 9:00 AM. It was still fine and temperature started to rise. Wind was not blowing and I felt scorching sunlight.
• This time, I started to run slowly from the tail end. My target finish time was less than 6 hours.
• As usual, the runners first started to run alongside Tamagawa River upstream.
• I thought the course was exactly the same as that of last year. However, actually, the course was considerably different and I was slightly bewildered.
• Last year, runners ran 10 km to the first turn-around point. However, this year, runners had to run 15 km to the first turn-around point. That's the reason why it took more time to come across the top group runners who returned from the turn-around point.
• While running, I could clearly see Mt. Fuji fully covered with snow over the Tamagawa River.
• I also saw acacia trees filled with white flowers alongside Tamagawa River, which were very impressive.
• It had been fine, but wind was blowing and the humid was low. Generally speaking, it was good weather for running. I did not sweat so much.
• I could have various kinds of waters and foods each aid station. My favorite one was Umeboshi!
• I managed to pass both 20 km and 30 km points steadily.
• After passing 30 km point, I felt a little bit tired. The temperature rose, but I continued to run.
• At 34 km aid station, I could have rice balls and vinegared rice stuffed in a bag made of fried bean curd for the first time. I liked them.
• Soon the course was alongside Asakawa River. My running speed slowed down.
• I managed to reach 37 km aid station. I rested there for a while.
• I managed to pass 40 km point. However, it's hard to run last 10 km.
• I drank much water at the aid station to quench my thirst. However, owing to dry weather, I started to feel thirsty shortly.
• It's so hard to run the last 3 km to the finish. Owing to the following wind, I felt no wind and that my body was getting more and more hot.
• I wanted to start to walk, but I stood for it and continued to run slowly.
• I drank last water at the last aid station located 1.5 km to the finish. My running speed slowed further.
• Anyway, I managed to finish the race. My finish time was 5 hours 54 minutes. I am happy that I could complete the race within 6 hours.
• After the finish, I could have a cup of cold sweet bean paste soup with rice cake.
• A spray sunscreen was so effective.
• I found my body was covered with salt after the race.
• After the race, I got a severe cramp in my leg. It was my first experience to have such a severe cramp that I was a littl bit surprised. The reason may that I ran more than 40 km after a long interval and I did not cool down properly. I realized that it is necessary to take a cool-down period after long running.�A
• I had a hard time on the way back to the Hino Station from the marathon site, because I repeatedly got a cramp in my leg. I could not walk for a while due to pain.
• On the way back to my home, I dropped in the Japanese pub in front of Akitsu Station. I gave a toast by myself to celebrate the completion of the 50 km race.
• Next morning, I felt pain in my leg. It's hard to get down and up the stairs. Don't want to get older!!

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