Tokyo Kita Marathon Race (The 50th)

Date: Sunday, June 3, 2012 Weather: Cloudy occasinally sunny

Location: Kitaku, Tokyo (River terrace of Arakawa River)--- Twenty minutes on foot from Adachi Odai Station of Toneri Liner Line


Details of race:Refer to Tokyo Kita Marathon Race (The 46th).



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Bag


Record & Impression

• To my regret, the weatherman had been saying that it would be rainy on Sunday morning and that the temperature would be lower than usual.
• Since the marathon site is river terrace of Arakawa River, there is no building to keep out the rain there. The only place is under the bridge. However, it would be impossible to stay all marathon runners.
• The weather forecast on Sunday morning was the same as before. I fully prepared for rain and low temperature. I left home around 6:30 AM. It was not rainy as yet. However, the dull sky was gorged with deep gray clouds and it seemed to start to rain and it was cool. Thinking about wear change in the rain, I had a little bit depressed feeling.
• Adachi Odai Station of Toneri Liner Line is the nearest station for the marathon. It is possible to change the train at Nishi-nippori station, next to Nippori Station of Toneri Liner Line. However, I was afraid that I could not get on the train from Nishi-nippori Station owing to full of marathon runners. Therefore, I took on the train from Nippori Station.
• As I expected, the train was not so crowded at Nippori Station; however, a lot of runners got into the train from Nishi-nippori Station and the train was fully filled with runners.
• From Adachi Odai Station, it took 20 minutes on foot to reach the marathon site. It was still cloudy.
• After registration, I changed the wear. Believing the weather forecast, I wore half-sleeve T-shirt. Anyway, it was good that it was not raining when changing wear.
• After radio gymnastics, almost 2,000 full marathon runners started at 9:30 AM. It was not rainy. My loss time was almost one minute.
• As usual, the course of full marathon race was the double of half-marathon course.
• First, the runners reciprocate 6.5 km toward downstream of Arakawa River, then they again reciprocate 4.5 km upstream.
• Contrary to the weather forecast, it seemed not to rain. The sun sometimes started to appear and the temperature also started to rise.
• Anyway, I tried to drink water at every water supply point to avoid heat stroke.
• The passing time at 10 km point was 57 minutes.
• However, after passing 10 km, I felt that my body temperature was extraordinarily getting high. I should have wore no-sleeve T-shirt, however, I had no choice. I drank a lot of water at next water supply point.
• Just before start, I took my own rice ball and thus I could run only with water in the initial half. When returning from the turnaround point of the upstream, I could see completed Tokyo Sky Tree Tower far away.
• Passing time of 20 km was 1 hour 54 minutes. That of middle point was 2 hours 01 minute.
• This year, only small sliced apples and cross-sectioned bananas were available at the aid stations. The quantity was so small and the runners scrambled for them.
• I could return to the starting point (21.0975 km point) and the second turn started. I found that the Tokyo Sky Tree Tower could also be seen from the starting point. I could not notice when started.
• I continued to run matter-of-factly during the second turn. I ran with a sweet gal with pink wear for a while. However, to my regret, I was fell behind shortly.
• Since the food at aid station was not enough, I took M & M chocolates and caramels in my waist porch to satisfy my hunger. I also had salt since I sweated so much.
• During the last 10 km to the finish, a lot of runners started to walk. I could continue to run owing to my own food, but I had to run in patience.
• When returning from the last turn-around point of upstream, I came across a lot of 10 km runners who started at 13:00. As to be expected, their running speeds were faster than those of full marathon runners.
• I managed to reach the 2 km point to the finish and I was relieved. The sun appeared and it was getting hotter.
• The finish time was 4 hours 16 minutes.
• This time, I was deceived by weather forecast. However, I was happy that I could run without rain although the temperature might reach to around 25 degrees Centigrade.
• I sweated so much that I was covered with salt after the race.
• This time, I joined the race by myself. I changed the wear and started to go home immediately after the finish.
• The gift of participation was the same bag as usual. I already got three bags. Please prepare different gift next year! Is there anyone who wants my extra bags?

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