Introduction: This is my third marathon in Japan I already made a hotel reservation back in November last year, and I entered the drawing and got selected in June. I began training from August and here I go!
Woke up at 5:30am and stretched my body then headed out to check my running
form around 7:00am and felt terrible. My lower back was pretty stiff and could
not bring my legs up, needing some help I guess. Coming home after 3km and took a shower.
I left home at 8:45am by car to get to acupuncture treatment appointment. The
drive to get there was not a problem but the bad part living in the city is I
have to face many traffic signals which is stops and gos in many places. I get
there on time, get my body setup and left at 10:10am, driving home. At home, I finished packing, my wife left the house, and soon my
turn. Dragging my bag to the station under cloudy weather.
After arriving at the station, I bought tickets for the round trip, walked up to the platform and waited for the train to come. The train ride to Nagoya was just fine. I get to see the buildings along the railway while hearing people talking on the background. Soon the train reached Kanayama, then made the final stop at Nagoya.
After getting off the train, I walked down the stairs to bullet train connection. Passing the gate at 13:07, and decided to hop on the next departing train. I was walking toward the non-reserve seat car door position as the train came in, and I found a seat quick. The train left on time and began speeding toward Tokyo. The cloudy weather blocks much of view. I was planning on reading a book but I fell sleep for a short period. After announcement is made, soon the train slowed down so I carried my bag toward the deck. There were already people readied to get off so I lined up.
Getting off from the train, finding the way to local train connection. Unlike in Nagoya, there are a lot of people here. I located the platform for Yokohama Line. The train was late about 5 minutes so 14:39 one came at 14:44, which I did not care much since there is nothing in hurry today. I have never realized that Yokohama station is not too far. Arrived at the destination at 14:57 and I began walk toward an exit.
Finding the way to the hotel at the place for the first time is always hard. We used to travel with a "map" or "travel guide" but such habit is gone years ago. There are also so many people in the station so I even get dizzy. I used a map app to find the direction to the hotel safe, walked out from west exit, seeing candidate for lower house making speech checked in at hotel at 3:30pm. The place is very much a business hotel but with some nice tone on how the interior is decorated including the hallway.
I relaxed at the room, pulled out my running gears for tomorrow. I still needed to buy some items and found there is an AEON supermarket at the next door, so I walked there and bought a banana, yogurt, riceball, and gifts to my family and coworkers. I stayed in the room until 18:15, watched course movie and other running tips.
Meeting up with my former boss at the lobby, he looked fine as usual, and we walked to a restaurant. The place was packed with young people, and given 2 hours limit. We chat for the whole hours while enjoying the meal, and for him, alcohol. When I come back to the hotel room, I did the last minute check and went to bed around 10:00pm.
I woke up around 2:00am, and stayed that way until 5:00am. Stretched my body, took a shower and geared up for the race. I prepared my regular breakfast, and packed the baggage. Check out from the hotel at 6:50am after asking a clerk to keep my bag. Met with a couple obviously going to the race so I gave them advice to ask the hotel to keep their bag. Walking out under morning sun, the sky is clearing out and I have a bad feeling about this but at least there is no sign of rain. On the way, I saw stores already open and people buy tickets to have their ramen for their breakfast.
News reporting that today is a chaos in Yokohama since we have not only the marathon (8:30-) , but also lower cabinet election, live performances by Yuzu (16:00-) and Mr.Children(17:00-), Japanese baseball championship game (18:00-) so the whole town will be packed with the people. I'd better get out as soon as I finish my race today.
Proceeding underground hallway to the east side of Yokohama station, began to see runners walking the same direction to Pacifico Yokohama arena. After getting there around 7:40am, I ate extra meals, get changed, dropped off my bag, then headed out to the starting point The announcement was made that I have to get in the line, used restroom for the one last time, then headed out. It was about 10 minutes walk, get to see the Ferris wheel with the clock, and Nippon Maru, a training ship retired here.
I lined up at my starting block just past 8:00am. The sky was still cloudy, and expected to be rain free until late evening so I should be able to get out peacefully. Opening ceremony started and since Yokohama is a port city, they used horns as accent. Government officials and celebrities. Some athlete to join today.
The race began on time at 8:30am, runners heading out to north under morning sun. I am at block F, so pretty far from the block A people and I have to wait until my turn comes. I saw my friend in another block. As result, I cross the line at 14:45 minutes after the gun. I can feel the temperature rising and I wonder how high today the temperature will go up. Crossing Minato Mirai Bridge Passing by central market and then Pacifico Yokohama and began heading south.
5km
Running by Yakashita Park, the street is somewhat western style so it was beautiful, kept going south to Honmoku, then began running under the expressway that provided runners shades to cool off.
10km
Continue running under the expressway to I do not need to worry about the sunlight. Still a lot of people around. Getting off to the open street by Nagishi station, then went back under the expressway again.
15km
Passing Isogo, and finally arrived at Sugita, making a turnaround by Nambushijo station before going up the ramp.
20km
Passing the 20km and soon began the climb to the Expressway, headed south for 2km and turned around so it was near where I came up the ramp..
25lm
25km marker was located near the entrance of where I came in, and from here on I had to fight against the incline of the pavement where the road is making either right or left curve which force me to put more load on one side of the leg.
30km
I somehow ran out of energy for the moment so I had to slow down. I was not sure what was the cause. I even thought about getting out of the race but after a moment of walking, I regain my energy back and resumed my running, slowly
35km
I am sick and tired of running on the express way so I am glad to get my 35km mark checked after a long climb and began coming down to the regular road. I get to eat a few more chocolates that help keeping my spirit high. Running by Yamashita Park and began to feel rain drops.
40km
Entering the Brick Warehouse area, the pavement is somehow slippery so I took caution because I do not want to ruin my run.
Finish
Running along with the ocean side, I finally made it to the goal.
Crossing the finish line finally, walked to get bottled drink, medal and finisher's towel. I am glad I made it. The rain caught its pace a bit so I found a shelter under a tree. I took a short break and decided to walk back to the arena to pickup my bag, I was looking at vending machines, but every one had its coke sold out. I guess it's a big sales day. Gathered items, met up with my friend from Houston life. It has been 5 years. I get to meet with his wife, and departed. We took a subway to Yokohama, had lunch together at Kiyoken around 3:00pm, finished the meal, I walked back to the hotel to pick up my belongings and returned to the train station. Gave a gift from Nagoya to them and we left apart. I pulled out train tickets from my travel bag and walked back inside the station. It's time to go home. (done)
Found a Kiyoken store so I bought lunch box for my wife at 5:07pm then proceeded to the gate. There was a train at the platform which was so packed and I gave up on boarding and waited for the next train. While waiting for the next train, I was still looking for the coke vending machine but they carried none. It has been more than 3 hours and still not grabbed the drink I wanted. The train came on time and I get on. I was tired so I was not paying attention on the view. arrived at Shin-Yokohama on time.
Bought last minute gift at a store and headed upstairs. I finally get to buy a bottle of coke. Walked to the position for the car 2, and waited for the next arriving train. I was a little surprised that there are people getting off from either Shinagawa or Tokyo. It's a short hop. I get on the train and found a spot in the first row. The guy by the window is sleeping with his phone on the table. The lady at aisle seat also sleeping. Japan is so peaceful. The side back to Nagoya is just a shy of 1.5 hours so I was just checking items on the phone and kept myself awake. The train moved under dark, night sky. After passing Mikawa-Anjo station, it's only 10 minutes away from Nagoya so I pulled out the bag and walked to the deck. I get to see local train stations which line running parallel. Finally I am back at Nagoya.
Nozomi 435 at Shin-Yokohama
After getting off the train, I saw a sign indicating that a local train is leaving at 7:00pm so I hurried
up the stairs and hopped on. The train moved smoothly, carrying a fair amount of
people. Sunday evening is a time for people to get ready for the new week so I
did not see partying people.
After getting off the train, I walked to Mos Burger to buy my dinner around 7:20pm. I took the meal home, took a shower, unloaded my items from travel bag, ate dinner then played with the cat. I did some stretching then setup my bed and went to bed around 10:30pm.
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