Tsukuba Marathon Race (The 34th)

Date: Sunday, November 23, 2014 Weather: Fine

Location: Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Pref.


Details of RaceRefer to the 20th Tsukuba Marathon Race


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Impression

• The weather forecast on Sunday suddenly changed to be fine and warm on Saturday.
• The day after Iizaka marathon race, I visited Yamadera temple in Yamagata and climbed up and down the stone steps of more than 1000 steps. As a result, I injured my right knee. Thus I was forced to stop running for 2 weeks. I was not ready for Tsukuba marathon race.
• I left home around 5.30 AM. It was cold.
• As usual, I reached Kenkyugakuen Station of Tsukuba Express via Seibu Line and JR Musashino Line. I could see Mt. Tsukuba from Tsukuba Express train. It was cold at outside of Kenkyugakuen Station. Same as usual, a long line of runners was there to take on the shuttle bus to the marathon site. The one-way ticket increased to Yen 260. It took almost 20 minutes to get on the bus. The bus arrived in the marathon site past 8:00 AM.
• A lot of runners were already there. It was getting warm.
• Although it was said it would be warm, I decided to wear long-sleeve T shirt. It proved to be mistaken later.
• Then I went to the toilet. The number of toilets increased compared with last year. A waiting line was short, but it took almost 30 minutes.
• I reached starting line around 9:00 AM. It was very warm in the sun.
• It was announced that more than 13,000 runners joined the race this year. There were so many people and so crowded. I was disgusted with it.
• The race started at 9:30. The loss time was 3 minutes.
• The course was the same as that of last year. I could run as usual pace until 10 km point. I could see Mt. Tsukuba clearly in front. The yellow ginkgo leaves were beautiful.
• After passing 15 km point, I came across two top runners who turned the 20-km turn-around point. 9 km distance difference between I and them!
• Between 14 km and 20 km, I was forced to run facing the sun. The temperature rose than expected. I ran with my sleeves with rolled up.
• Hot condition continued to 29 km point. It was so hard to run, but I continued to run with patience.
• At 29 km point, I had sweet bean paste soup served every year. The volume was very small this year. I took two cups.
• I managed to pass 30 km point. It was getting a little bit cool. It was still hard to run, but I turned defiant and continued to run until 35 km point.
• I took much water and bean-jam bun at each aid station. Therefore, I did not get thirsty and hungry this time. The number of toilets at each aid station increased this year. It was very good!
• After passing 35 km point, a slight slope started. It was very hard to run up it. I ran up with very slow running pace.
• Around 37 km point, I felt my calves started to be get cramped. I endured it and ran slowly.
• Finally I could see the indication "5 km to the finish". However, it took much time to the finish. My running pace further slowed down.
• Near the last turn-around point just before 40 km point, I heard someone called my name. I found my running mate running just after me.
• He passed me around 40 km point. I had no energy to catch up with him.
• The running pace during the last 2 km slowed more. I could not raise my legs while running. I was passed by lots of runners including young gals.
• Last year I fell just before the finish and injured. Thus I ran in a careful manner to the finish.
• Finish time was 4 hours 28 minutes. It was a hot and hard marathon race for me!
• I met my running mate at the finish point. After changing the wears, we had a toast with a glass of beer.
• We departed and I went to the bus stop to Kenkyugakuen Station.
• The waiting line was longer than that of last year. It took more than 30 minutes to get on the bus. I could stand since it was not cold.
• The bus was crowded and I could not get seat. The road jammed and it took much time to reach the station. Just before reaching the station, I started feeling sick. I found myself in a cold sweat. I had to sit down on the floor. The lady near me asked me if I was alright. I answered OK, but actually I was not good.
• Finally the bus arrived in the station. I was relived and rested for a while. Then I took on the semi-express train of Tsukuba Express to be left at 16:03.
• However, the train was also crowded and I could not sit down. I got sick again and was forced to get off at Moriya Station. Fortunately, I could get on the local train on the opposite side of the platform and could sit down.
• I got on the train of JR Musashin Line from Minami Nagareyama Station. I could sit dowm, but I felt sick again just before reaching Shin-akitu Station.
• Anyway, I could return to my house via Seibu Line. It was a long and painful train journey.
• I took a shower, but I had no appetite. I lost no time in going to the bed. It was an unexpected incident.
• I could see a lot of gal runners. I could enjoy seeing their colorful running wears.
  
  
  Record
  
  

  5 km	31 minutes
  10 km	59 minute
  15 km	1 hour 28 minutes
  20 km	1 hour 58 minutes
  Middle-point	2 hours 05 minutes
  25 km	2 hours 29 minutes
  30 km	3 hours 02 minutes
  35 km	3 hours 37 minutes
  40 km	4 hours 12 minutes
  Finish	4 hours 28 minutes

  
  

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