Niigata City Marathon Race (The 32nd)

Date: Sunday, October 12, 2014 Weather: Fine

Location: Niigata City


Details of RaceRefer to the 25th Niigata Marathob Race


IMAGEF

 
Towel


Record

5 km	32 minutes
10 km	1 hour 02 minutes
15 km	1 hour 31 minutes
20 km	2 hours 00 minute
Middle point	2 hours 07 minutes
25 km	2 hours 32 minutes
30 km	3 hours 05 minutes
35 km	3 hours 40 minutes
40 km	4 hours 18 minutes
Finish	4 hours 33 minutes

Impression

• Saturday, October 11, Weather: Fine
  
  
  
  • Following Typhoon #18 of previous week, Typhoon #19 was approaching to Japan. Therefore, the weekly weather forecast changed suddenly.
  • The weather of Niigata city was first sunny, however, changed to be rainy owing to the Typhoon #19. However, as of Saturday, it changed to be sunny again. Moreover, the maximum temperature might be 25 degrees Centigrade.
  • Anyway, I got on the highway bus at 7:20 AM from Nerima on Saturday morning. Owing to consecutive holidays, the traffic on the metropolitan highway jammed regardless of the approach of typhoon. It took much time to get out of the metropolitan area.
  • It was fine and I could enjoy seeing the rural scenery from the bus. I could see Tanigawa range of mountains far away for the first time before entering into Kanetsu Tunnel.
  • After all, the bus arrived in Niigata Station one hour behind time at 13:15. I deposited the luggage at hotel and went to athletic stadium by free shuttle bus from the station for registration.
  • As usual, I went to bed earlier for the marathon race.
  
  
• Sunday, October 12, Weather: Fine
  
  
  • According to morning weather forecast, it would be fine then cloudy. The temperature would be from 11 degrees to 23 degrees Centigrade. Temperature change was noticeable. Typhoon #19 was very far away from Niigata and no influence on Sunday.
  • I went out the hotel at 6:20 AM and went to the shuttle bus stop. It was cool in the early morning. There was a long line of runners .
  • It took only 10 minutes to reach the marathon site. A lot of runners were already there.
  • I changed the wears at the stadium. It might be hot and I wore no sleeve T-shirt and short pant. It was fine and very warm.
  • It was announced that 13,000 runners joined this year and that the start of 10-km race would be separated this year. The start of 10-km race was 8:00 AM.
  • A guest runner was Ms. Naoko Takahashi, the same as that of last year. She declared that she would exchange a high five with 95% of runners. That means she would give high five to more than 12,000 runners. Thanks for her good job!
  • The start of both full and half races would be 8:30 AM. Runners moved to the starting line from the athletic field. It was still fine and getting a little bit hot.
  • The race started at 8:30 AM. It was hot for running.
  • First, runners ran through the downtown. When reaching the course alongside the Shinano River, the course became narrow and it was difficult to pass other runners.
  • After passing 10 km point, the course was alongside the Sea of Japan. The course was still crowded with runners since both runners of full and half races ran together until 13 km point.
  • After passing 13 km point, I could run freely.
  • It had been fine. I saw the LED indication that the temperature was 21 degrees Centigrade. There was no wind and I felt hot.
  • The Sea of Japan was blue and calm. There was haze on the horizon and thus I could see only shady Sado Is.
  • Around 14 km point, I came across two top runners who returned from the first turn-around point. They really ran fast!
  • I could run almost smoothly to the first turn-around point (20.4 km).
  • I could get two small rice balls made of newly harvested rice at 20.3-km water supply point. I could get energy.
  • After passing the turn-around point, comfortable wind was blowing and it was not so hot. However, after passing 25 km point, I felt tired and my running speed slowed down. I felt that the 30 km point was far away.
  • After 30 km point, I changed the mood and continued to run.
  • The water supply point next to 31km point was positioned at 36.4 km. However, every year, while running this interval, my running speed was getting slow and also I got thirsty. Therefore, it took much time to reach 36.4 km point and it was the hardest interval for me.
  • As soon as I reached the water supply point, I drank water in a gulp.
  • When I saw an indication "5 km to the finish", I was relived.
  • I decided not to hurry up and ran at my own running pace.
  • The wind stopped and it was getting hot again while running last 4 km.
  • I drank water heavily at the last 40.3-km water supply point.
  • It was hard to run the last 2 km, but I tried to continue to run with gut.
  • I exchanged the high five with Ms. Takahashi at the entrance of athletic field.
  • I also exchanged the high five with cheerleaders of high school gals. Those high fives were much better than that of Ms. Takahashi for me!
  • This time, I had no energy to rush into the finish.
  • The finish time was 4 hours 33 minutes. It was hard to complete the race. Anyway, to complete the full marathon race is always hard for me!
  • Incidentally, this race was the 90th completion of the full marathon race.
  • It was so hard that I could not enjoy seeing the scenery and young running gals this time.
  • As soon as I went back to the hotel, I took a shower and drank a canned beer, and then I could relax.
  • It was sunny all day and my nose was sunburned.
  • The towel, a prize for participation, is getting smaller and smaller every year, which is a pity!
  
  
• Monday, October 13, Weather: Rainy
  
  
  • I had a plan to visit Sado Island this year after the race. However, owing to the approach of typhoon #19, to my regret, I was forced to cancel the plan.
  • I took on the highway bus at 10:00 AM from Niigata Station to return to Tokyo earlier.
  • Fortunately, the rain was not heavy and the highway road was not crowded. The bus arrived in Nerima almost as scheduled. I could return home before the storm.
  
  
  
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