2024 Komedawara Marathon Trip


Introduction: I ran this event for the first time in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic started, and 5 years have passed already. A couple years ago they resumed the event but only opened up for locals for the first time, and now they are open for all public since the last year. Maybe it's good time I go back there and do another.

2024/11/23: Going to Iida

Preparation for the trip

Because I was in Toyohashi until noon, everything is in rush to get on the 17:00 bus leaving Nagoya. I began cleaning the house, but I was only doing vacuuming and skip wiping the floor to save time. It was done in 1 hour. Next thing I did was to play with the cat around 3:00pm since I did not play with him yesterday and I won't be tonight. My wife came home so decided to have snacks I brought from Toyohashi together.

Going to Nagoya: Ozone (16:16) - Nagoya (16:30)


Local train at Ozone

I left home at 16:00 after finish packing, walked under sunny and windy condition back to Ozone station. The train came on time, and despite today is a holiday, the amount of people onboard was not so many. The situation changed as I get off the train at Nagoya. One step outside the gate, there are so many people moving around. Walked in crowded street of Nagoya, seeing people shopping, buying lottery tickets, and I swung by Nana chan which was in brilliant color, before taking stair up to the bus terminal.


Nana chan

To Iida: Nagoya (17:00) - Iida (19:15)

I reached at the bus terminal at 16:30. I did check which gate is for the bus bound for Iida, then a quick shopping at adjacent convenience store so I won't get hungry or thirsty during the ride. So many people at waiting area, and influenza has just started to spread around so I stayed away from there. The but came about 10 minute before departure time. I loaded a bag into the compartment and hopped on. Other passengers also got on the bus and it left on time at 17:00. The bus came down to join the evening traffic in Nagoya, made a short stop at Sakae to pick up more passengers, by then the bus was almost full.


Highway bus to Iida


The bus moving in Sakae

Getting on Nagoya expressway at 17:35, it was already dark outside. The traffic flow was smooth, no congestions. The bus passed by Magome at 18:45, getting off the expressway at 19:06, making a brief stop at Iraga at 19:10. People with large items in both hands got off here. They must have spent time in Nagoya shopping. The bus continued on the route toward Iida station, and arrived at the destination at 19:10, a little late but not that much, the driver did a good job. Stepping out from the bus, looked out the city in deep night sky, with not many places still open. I grabbed my bag and began my search for food.


Arrived at Iida

Dinner, Hotel

Walked to Tatsuya for dinner. There are not many places open on Sunday evening and places still open nearby train station looked crowded and they are usual for skewers and alcoholic drinks. I found this place maybe I can get pastas. Inside the restaurant, there were a couple of groups already there partying loud but several tables are still available. Because other customers chat so loud, it was a bit too much noise. Had a salad, ham, mushroom pasta and quickly left then headed to the hotel. It was already getting pretty cold at near freezing. So after checking in the hotel, I get changed and went to the hot bath, only spent 5 minutes in the bath but was good enough, and there was nobody. Went to bed around 11:30pm. It's not comfortable sleeping outside the house two days in a row.


Tatsuya


Salad, and smoked hams, waiting for the pastas to come.

2024/11/24: Race day, Returning to Nagoya

To Iijima: Iida (7:41) - Iijima (8:45)

Just as expected, I did not sleep too well, getting up at 5:00am tired.. Stretched my body and had breakfast in the room. I brought banana, yogurt and a cup full of fruit granola from home so I did not have to find a place to eat, like this place offers breakfast at next door for 1,600 yen in buffet style. I get ready for the day and headed out after 7:20am to the train station. The outside was simply cold near 0C but when I was talking to the hotel Clark, they did not have any snow yet even at the peaks of mountains nearby. The weather was sunny, clear sky. Such a good day for running.

After arriving at the train station, I bought a round trip ticket Hopped on the train which left Iida station on time, heading out north toward Iijima which is just about one hour to get there. .


Iida station


Local train to Iijima


Train moving under morning shine

The train was moving smoothly under morning sun. They had heater but the cabin was still too cold. I was wearing items for the winter running but lost heat and I had to use restroom. I put on more clothing to stay warm. It was fun looking outside otherwise because it was running on winding track with countryside view with mountains on the back on both sides. The train finally arrived at Iijima. It's been a while but remembered the location. I walked up to a shrine on the way to the starting place.

Race

After check in, I tried to fit the rice sack into the backpack which I was going to throw away after the event but could not close it. This won't be good because I did not bring any rope or other tools. I guess I am not prepared well this year. I get another idea of using my eco bag, it was a just size and fits if I try hard. I think I will replace it when I return to Nagoya. It was just cold especially with the wind. I did not want to join the opening ceremony, nor the stretching at outside. The kids run started from 10:30am, and I waited for the time to pass. I finally made up my mind and walked out from the hall. I lined up at the starting at 10:40am. It was breezy and getting cold as I await for the start.

Began the race at 11:00am, going up hill like last time, saw some kids still on the course which I felt not safe. I ran down the hill to the main street which is National Route 153. Headed up north, then turnaround and ran for a while before making another turnaround before the bridge. They used to organize the route which extended to the other side of the river to the hilltop. The new route is heading back to the hall at 5km, and do the came course twice to make up 10km.


Items received


At starting point


On the course


Finish


Goodies

After the race, I was hoping to get a hot bowl of pork soup but it looked like sold out. Instead, they were already preparing the rice cake. I have received the goodie bag, they did not have commemorative rice bowl either and only had a bottle of water, 3kg of rice, and two cold rice balls. It was more than little disappointing. I guess certain things cannot be kept in the same way but I felt this is the last time. Since my shirt was soaked with sweat and the outside was cold, I changed my underwear and into jeans pants and fleece jacket.

Back to Iida: Iijima (13:49) - Iida (14:41)

I have plenty of time before catching the train back to Iida, so I slowly began walking back. While at the waiting room, I was chatting a couple of locals. If I did not talk to them, I won't know things. so I am glad. I walked crossed to the other side of the station so I will be on the platform for the correct side, The train came on time and it was occupied less so I got a whole block for myself. It was another nearly 1 hour ride, the train moved under nice weather so I look out from the window to see mountains. It was simply peaceful.. The train arrived at Iida on time, I got off the train.

Back to Nagoya: Iida(16:00) - Nagoya (18:05)


The bus back to Nagoya


Evening, heading to IC


On the expressway

First thing I wanted to do was to buy gift, then stopped at a cafe so I can put something into my stomach. The first one was easy, I know there are a couple of gift shops in front of Iida station so I bought some snacks, and a heavy apple pie for my cousin. I could not find any place for a light meal, so I walked into a cafe and had snacks. I left there at 15:40, waited for the bus. The bus came about 5 minutes before 16:00. I took a seat. It was a full ride. Slowly going back on the path I came in, made a stop at Iraga Highway Bus stop, then got on the expressway at 16:22. The bus was keeping at a high pace then soon joined the traffic jam, and it was snarling for the next hour. Making a stop at Achi PA at 17:04, which was supposed to be only 10 minutes after 16:00. I was sitting by window, and the whole time I felt like my body heat was taken by the interior wall, I guess this means the outside is cold. Clearing the Ena tunnels and kept going. Entering Toki at 18:00, and reached Komaki JCT at 18:30. Getting off the expressway at 18:50 at Kogane IC, and the bus kept moving toward the bus terminal and arrived at 19:00. It was a long journey.

Back to Ozone, Dinner

Catching a train leaving at 19:13, I walked to Gyoza no Osho for the dinner after coming back to Ozone, finished it very quick and left at 7:56pm. I come home around 8:15pm, played with the cat after taking a shower and I am set to get rest by 9:00pm. Unpacked, get ready for tomorrow back at work, going to bed around 11:00pm.


Dinner


Cost: 26,020 Yen


Back to Home / Running Record / 2019 Komedawara Marathon

Copyright 2024 - Kosuke Ishikawa / Unauthorized copying of contents, partial or whole, is not permitted.