Tukuba Marathon Race (The 26th)

Date: Sunday, November 26, 2006 Weather: Cloudy

Location: Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Pref.


Details of Race�FRefer to Tsukuba Marathon Race (The 20th)


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T-shirt Design

Records & Impression

• Weather forecast for the weekend had been as changeable as a chameleon every day. Final forecast in early morning on Sunday was sunny and rainy at night. I was relived to learn that it would not be rainy during daytime.
• Since the starting time of full marathon race advanced 30 minutes this year, I had to leave home before 6:00 AM. It was already cloudy contrary to the forecast and cold!!
• I met two running mates at Higashi-kurume Station and got on the train at 6:09 AM. We changed the train at Shin-akitsu and Minami-nagareyama. Finally we took on the train of the Tsukuba Express at 7:21 AM. There were only several minutes to change the train at Minami-nagareyama Station. However, there were long lines of runners in front of the ticket-issuing machines of the Tsukuba Express. We came close to missing the train. The train was so crowded with runners as it was last year.
• This year, the shuttle buses to the marathon site were operated from Kenkyugakuen Toshi Station, just one stop before the terminal. (One-way fee: Yen 250) Therefore, the express train temporarily stopped there only on marathon day. A lot of runners got off the station and stood in line to the bus stop.
• The building of the station was so marvelous. However, all I could see around the station was one conndominium being built just near the station. The billboard said, "Thanks for sold out! 2LDK is sold at a cost of twenty-two-something million Yen.
• It took approx. 15 minutes to reach the marathon site by bus. It was still cold there.
• After the registration, we gathered with other running mates there. Totally 7 members were there.
• The start time of full marathon race was 9:30 AM. The running course was also changed from round-trip course to the loop-back course.
• I lined up at the point where the runners to be finished around 3 hours at 9:00 AM. It was still cloudy and cold.
• It was announced that almost 9,000 runners joined this year. The narrow road was filled with runners.
• The race started at 9:30 AM. The road was so crowded that I was forced to walk to the start line. The loss time was almost two minutes.
• The runners made one turn in the university campus as usual and went out to the outer road. It was so cold that my body did not warm up even after I ran 5 km.
• The running course was so narrow until 10 km point and the course was full of runners. I could not pass other runners. Sometimes I touched other runner's arms while running. It was a little bit dangerous.
• I could run freely after 10 km, but I felt cold and a little bit tired.
• Until middle-point, I could keep the running pace as those of other runners. However, I felt it was so far to the turning point (22.40 km)
• I felt tired after the turning point and my running pace was gradually slowing down. To make the matter worse, the rain started. I was so worried and wondered if I could finish the race at that time.
• Fortunately the rain shortly stopped. Anyway, I tried to continue to run as much as possible to 30 km point. The passing time at 30 km pint was 2 hours 48 minutes. Not so bad for me. It was still possible to complete within 4 hours.
• However, soon after passing 30 km point, I suddenly slacked up. I tried to run as fast as possible, however, I could only run slowly. I was passed by a lot of runners including young ladies. I could not catch up with them anymore.
• Anyway, I continued to run slowly, then I heard a lady shouting "Shiruko: Sweet bean paste soup is being served!!" I have not known that there was a point where "Shiruko" was being served.
• Anyway, I had a small amount of Shiruko served with paper cup. At the same time, I took a few Umeboshis: pickled Japanese apricots.
• Owing to Shiruko and Umeboshi, I got my strength back. I could pass several runners.
• The course just before 35 km point was changed.
• I felt it was so far away to the goal after 35 km point.
• I slacked up again at the 5 km point to the goal. I took Amino vital to revive.
• It was very hard for me to run the last 3 km to the goal. My pace completely slowed down. A lot of runners passed me again.
• I gave up to complete the race within 4 hours at 40 km point. I could not run fast anymore.
• I finally came back to the athletic field, but I had still run the three quarters of the track to the goal. I felt no more running!
• I was passed while I was running the track. It was a quite shock for me that the old lady passed me just before the finish line.
• Anyway, the goal time was 4 hours 8 minutes. I could not move for a while after the goal.
• I was surprised since it started raining immediately after the goal. But I was relived that the rain stopped shortly.
• After the goal, we drank beer. It was cold, but the beer was delicious.
• I was very much impressed that a lot of ladies, mostly young ladies, joined the race this year. It's good news for us.
• Only water and sports drink were available at the water supply point of the approach route. It was a pity for me that only bananas were served as food.
• We stopped off at Minami-nagareyama Station and we to Japanese pub in front of the station to have an after-the-race party. We had a good time to drink and chat. I could warm up my body with hot Japanese sake.
• There are several stand-up bars serving alcoholic beverages in the street between JR Akitsu Station and Seibu Shin-akitsu Station. Our three members dropped in one of them.
• As soon as we entered the bar, the high-spirited master said, "Drink quietly! Maximum served glasses is three only!!" Surely there were only individual customers and they were drinking and eating quietly in the bar.
• We chatted and drank one bottle of beer quietly and left the bar hurriedly.
• I was late in coming home than scheduled and reached at 8:15 PM.
• Anyway, I experienced a hard race after a long interval.
  
  
  Time
  
  

  5 km	29 minutes
  10 km	56 minutes
  15 km	1 hour 18 minutes
  20 km	1 hour 50 minutes
  Middle-point	1 hour 56 minutes
  25 km	2 hours 18 minutes
  30 km	2 hours 48 minutes
  35 km	?
  40 km	3 hours 50 minutes
  Goal	4 hours 08 minutes

  
  

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