Iizaka-Spa & Moekko-lake Marathon Race (The 7th)

Date: Sunday, November 2, 2014 Weather: Sunny then cloudy

LocationFIizaka-cho, Fukushima Pref. (Iizaka-Spa Station of Iizaka Line of Fukushima Transportation)


Details of RaceRefer to Iizaka-Spa & Moekko-lake Marathon Race (The 5th)





ImageF

 
T shirt design

Record

5 km	29 minutes
10 km	58 minutes
15 km	1 hour 30 minutes
20 km	2 hours 01 minute
Middle Point	2 hours 06 minutes
25 km	?
30 km	3 hours 06 minutes
35 km	3 hours 40 minutes
40 km	4 hours 13 minutes
Finish	4 hours 27 minutes

Impression

• Saturday, November 1. Rainy
  
  
  
  • I left home past 6:00 AM. It was rainy.
  • I got on the highway bus bound for Fukushima at 8:00 AM from Shinjuku.
  • It had been rainy until bus reached Fukushima Station.
  • The foliage season already arrived in Tohoku District.
  • Owing to consecutive holidays, the highway traffic jammed. However, since the weather was not good, the bus arrived in Fukushima Station at 14:00, only one hour behind the schedule.
  • On arrival, I tried to check in the hotel, but I was told that the check in time would be after 14:30. I was forced to wait for a while.
  • The weather was not good and thus I decided to stay hotel.
  
  
• Sunday, November 2, weather: sunny, then cloudy
  
  
  • I got up at 5:15 AM. It was cloudy outside.
  • According to morning weather forecast, it would be cloudy and occasionally sunny daytime, then rainy in the evening. The maximum temperature would be 24 degrees Centigrade.
  • I left hotel at 7:20 and reached Fukushima Station at 7:30. Two shuttle buses were already there.
  • On taking on the first bus, the bus started.
  • It took around 40 minutes to reach the marathon site. It was cloudy and foggy in the mountains.
  • Soon the fog cleared. The sun appeared and it was getting warm.
  • This time, one of my running mates joined the race. I could manage to meet him there.
  • This year, a half marathon race was added. Both full and half marathon races started at 9:40.
  • It was fine when the race started. I even felt a little bit hot.
  • The course was exactly the same as that of last year. First, runners ran down the stream 5 km and back to the starting point again.
  • I started to sweat while running. I wore a long-sleeve T-shirt since it would be cold. However, my judgement was wrong. Anyway, I ran with my long sleeves rolled up.
  • After passing 10 km point, 2-km slope started to the dam.
  • I managed to run up the slope.
  • It was hard to arrive in the second turn-around point (18.7 km) since it was hot owing to no wind.
  • It was fine and autumn leaves in the mountains were beautiful.
  • Finally I reached the second turn-around-point. The following wind was blowing during the return course and I felt cool. I felt tired after 20 km point. I felt it was so far until I reached the third turn-around point (26 km).
  • I had to return to the second turn-around-point (32.6 km) again. I felt depressed, but I restrained myself and continued to run. It was getting hot again. I drank much water at each 5-km water supply point.
  • Anyway, I could pass 30 km point. At the opening ceremony, one of organizers said you might come across monkeys while running. I saw one monkey crossed the road when I was running 31 km point. I saw him on the tree when passing.
  • It was hard to return from 32.6 km point. I continued to run my own pace.
  • Finally I reached the dam (39 km). My running pace slowed down.
  • I reached 40 km point after passing the dam. Downward slope started from there. While running down slowly, other runners passed me one by one.
  • I managed to complete the race without walking. Finish time was 4 hours 27 minutes. It was hot than expected.
  • My running mate already finished. His finish time was 3 hours 08 minutes. He might be tired of waiting for me.
  • In addition to bath towel, one of various kind of prizes was given. I got rice last year, but this year, I was given T-shirt. I prefer food rather than T-shirt.
  • I returned to Iizaka Spa with my friend by bus at 14:30. From Iizaka Spa Station, we got on the train to return to Fukushima Station.
  • At night, we had a dinner with wine at Italian restaurant to celebrate the completion of the race. It was rainy at night, but we were lucky since it was sunny while running.
  
  
• Monday, November 3, Scatterred cold shower
  
  
  • It was cloudy at Fukushima in the morning. I went to Yamagata Station by local train via Yonezawa. It was cold in Yamagata owing to scattered cold rain.
  • From Yamagata Station, I got on the local train of JR Aterazawa Line and got off at Uzen-takamatsu Station. I walked to Jionji Temple. I enjoyed quiet atmosphere of famous Tohoku district's old temple.
  • I returned to Yamagata and got off at Yamadera Staion. I visited Yamadera Temple.
  • Different from Jionji Temple, lots of tourists were there regardless of bad weather. The staffs of souvenir stores were attracting customers. I felt I was pulled back to the real world.
  • In the rain, I climbed up 1,000-stone stairway to the innermost sanctuary.
  • When returned to Yamagata Station, it was 16:30. It was dark and cold.
  • I drank locally-brewed Japanese Sake at Japanese Pub and waited night bus at the waiting room of the station.
  • I got on the bus at 22:50 bound for Tokyo. The bus was occupied 50%.
  • Next morning, the bus reached Ikebukuro at 4:40 AM. I could not sleep well. It was cold in Tokyo in the early morning.
  
  
  
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