Introduction: This is my fourth marathon in Japan. I was told the route has a lot of hills and maybe challenging. While monitoring the weather forecast for the last seven days, The weather on race day may be rainy. I needed to get ready for the first full marathon under rain. Bought train tickets on the night before, and packed up mostly on Friday night, so here I go.
Woke up at 5:30am as usual. I stretched my body and headed down to have my breakfast. I opened up the windows to get fresh air before turning on the heater. I took a shower after the breakfast then finished packing my bag. I left home at 9:25am, walking under chilly sunny sky to the train station..
Local Train to Nagoya at Ozone at 9:45am (Series 315)
I was planning to catch 9:53am train, but arrived at Ozone station at 9:43am, so I was able to get on the 9:45am train instead. Therefore I will be arriving at Nagoya earlier than planned. The train was fairly packed but since it is not in the weekdays, I was standing comfortably.
Nozomi 119 arriving at Nagoya at 10:18am
After arriving at Nagoya, I carried my bag down to transfer to Shinkansen Line. The waiting area is packed as usual. A lot of people depending on this rapid transportation system. When I get to the platform, I noticed that the train is not arriving on time but quickly catching up. It came in only 2 minutes behind of the schedule. As the train came in to the platform, there were a lot of people getting out, and more than 10 people getting in also, I was in a rush to hop in before hurried departure. Stepping into the car and found out very much the entire car is seated, and I am glad I made a reservation. The train ride is only 30 minutes so I was just spending time checking weather and browsing the net. I think the rain in Nara to stop just before 9:00am on Sunday which is the starting time of the race. The train moved under sunny sky, and began slow down to stop at Kyoto, very much erasing the delay.
Expecting the rain to be over just before the race start
After arriving at Kyoto station, I got off and began walking toward the gate, then to the platform 10 to Nara Line. The rapid left on time and began heading towards Nara.
Miyakoji Rapid at Kyoto station at 10:57am (Series 221)
While I was on the train, I saw an ad about book award, I was curious about one of the pick so I added it to my reading list. https://www.hontai.or.jp/history/index_icoca.html
The train moved under sunny weather in countryside like place. I can see fields and mountain in far. I wonder how those people live here. In Nagoya there is no open space and some many buildings. I was seating by myself in a section but soon foreign visitors filled the rest. They must have been travelling in Japan. The train is reaching Nara station on time so I get ready to get off.
Former Nara Station 11:57am
Arriving at Nara, I noticed there is an old looking building just off the terminal. I guessed it was the former train station which was build back in 1934, and moved to this location on 2004 due to renovation.
The first thing I did was to drop off my bag at the hotel, so I walked in to the hotel just a minute away from the station. When I checked in, the staff said the reservation was cancelled back in October 31, puzzled, but I do not have any other choice so I asked them if there is any room available. They offered me at 18,500 Yen which is 7,000Yen cheaper than when I made reservation. I wonder why but took it as a luck, it could have been worse. I thank them and asked to hold my bag until I come back and left.
Unlike Kyoto, Nara was not crowded by tourists and it is peaceful. Under sunny sky with a bit chilly wind, I walked toward east to a ramen shop where I picked it on the net. I was expecting a long line of people but the place was half full so I can take a seat. I ordered a mixed one.
Lunch at 12:30 at Menya Samurai All in option was for 1,500Yen
After a quick lunch, I continue walk toward east, saw a Lawson convenience store in old fashion, and checked out a few more places before heading back to JR Nara Station to head toward the stadium for check in.
Lawson
Former Nanto Bank Head Office 12:45, the building was build back in 1926.
Old Part of Nara 12:48
Nakatanido, so many people came to see making of mochi 12:53
After returning back to JR Nara station, I walked into a grocery store to buy items before taking a bus to the stadium for packet pickup. I grabbed yogurt and bananas. The bus was in time for the departure, and the ride was just fine, I can even check on a part of marathon route, noticing this is a hilly one. I can see many people going on their f, and coming back from the park on foot, maybe it is going to be a good exercise. I get off at a bus stop and walked to the arena..
Checked in for packet 13:46
After receiving the packet, I walked to the expo to pick up the commemorative shirt. I do not have anything planned to buy here so I simply decided to come back, there is a guy distributing the marathon edition of Nara Newspaper so picked a copy. I thought about the walk of 2.5km back to Nara Station and maybe it is good for me to check out more places so I began coming back the way where I came from. More people kept coming up the hill, eventually I reached the main street, I have decided to pay a visit to the Great Buddha statue since I am here for a day. I may have to walk extra but just feel like it..
I walked to Nara Park at 3:22pm. Todaiji Temple is one of the most popular tourist attraction, so there are a lot foreign visitors on site. I walked to the temple and paid admission.
Nandaimon 14:34
Todaiji 14:42
Walked inside the building, and met the Buddha statue. It has been nearby 30 years since the last time when I come here as a part of school trip when I was in elementary school.
Great Buddha 14:47
I bought a small gift at store nearby 3:22pm and I took a public bus back to JR Nara station. I had enough fun and walk for the day. Now it's time to get ready for the race..
Walked to the hotel ay 3:30pm and checked in. I get a key card and put my shoes in a locker. I walk with socks here.
Checked in at the room 15:37
At the room, I unpacked my items and relaxed. Read the newspaper handed out at the
stadium covering the tomorrow's event.
Local newspaper covering the event 15:49
View from the hotel, still sunny 15:48
The sun was still high but I wanted to save energy so I stayed in, pulling
gears up for the race.
I walked out to under dark sky around 5:15pm, to grab dinner at nearby Chinese restaurant from 5:30pm. The place was not opened yet so there were a couple more people lining up already. I am glad I made the reservation. Their fried rice came out in a few minutes after the order and it was a surprise, finished the meal in 30 minutes and left. It was a great, warm food for the night..
Dinner at Shijin 17:37
As I walk back to the hotel, I wanted to grab a few bottles of drinks for tonight and tomorrow. I saw a drug store on the route so I walked in. Come back to the hotel, organized items for tomorrow then went to hot bath around 7:00pm, double checked the gears for tomorrow, before I go bed around 9:00pm.
Did not get to sleep a lot, the electrical unit nearby was just noisy Waking up at 5:30am and checked outside. It was wet but not raining hard. The temperature was at 8C to start the day. Headed to hot bath after stretching around 6:00am, quickly had breakfast at 6:30am.
Good morning 7:17
6:16 Breakfast
I checked out from the hotel at 7:20am under rain with my bag checked there for the day. Walked to the train station to line up for the shuttle bus at 7:25am. The line already stretched long, and took 15 minutes, until many other people.
Lining up for the bus 7:26
Finally my bus left at 7:40am, but it was moving slower, at least I do not have to worry about the rain or the long walk. Other passengers must been feeling irritated as well. Reached the bus stop at 8:10am, and by the time when I reached the arena for dropping off my belongings, it was already 8:20am. Even during the time I was in line walking to find a place to get changed, the background announcement was informing that the gate will be closed at 8:45am and expect 10-15 minutes walk from the current location. Okay so I have very much no time. Quickly put my race shoes and other gears on, and left. When I reached the K block, it was 8:40am, just 5 minutes shy of assembly cutoff. I guess I have to hold on to my restroom for a while.
Gathering at K Block at 8:41am
The rain was over, I guess all 20,000 runners' wish power made it stop. 9:00am start but my block was not moving for a while. So I had an opportunity to use restroom.
Crossing the start 9:11
My record
| Distance | Time |
| 5km | 0:32:41 |
| 10km | 1:10:02 |
| 15km | 1:41:39 |
| 20km | 2:17:51 |
| Half | 2:26:50 |
| 25km | 2:53:02 |
| 30km | 3:30:41 |
| 35km | 4:05:58 |
| 40km | 4:40:03 |
| Finish | 4:54:47 |
The race started with a down hill, making a right turn in front of Kintetsu Nara station and head toward west until reaching Heijo Palace. Hitting the first turnaround where is already 5km.
From here on the route is flat until 8km, where crossing with JR track, and uphill started toward Nara Park, about 10km mark. I head down south for about 1km, making a turn by Nara University of Education, and shifted to Route 169, continued south for about 5km. Making a turn into east bound on prefecture road 187. This is the beginning of the hardest part of Nara Marathon. Slight hill started. Getting into mountain area where continuous steep hills.
Heading up for the hilly section 11:05
Approaching to private property of Tenri, the reached half point where the sky is finally clearing. Crossing the Shirakawa Bridge, which is open area and the wind was just so chilly Running in the city of Tenri, with many unique looking building of Tenri Academy.
Reaching at 25k where the Tenri University is located. From there, I have to gain back the height I lost. Leaving the urban area and from 29km point, the route is constant hill, passing 30km mark, People began slowing down and some are even walking.
Finally Sunny 12:35pm
Exiting from the private property again, and now on steep downhill. I was speeding up while there were some attractions along side of the road. Arrived to the point where I came up, then taking a different path from there starting with up hill again. For a while. I was running on prefecture road 188 toward north back to Nara, passing 35km mark, joining back to Prefecture road 80 and retuned to Nara Park, passing 40km mark, I am almost there. Heading down the course toward west while I was watching my time to make sure I can finish the race under 5 hours. Making the right turn to open road back toward the stadium, and soon reached the final uphill, making my way into the track field and crossed the line.
Finished under 5 hours.
After the race, I walked to the arena to pick up my belongings. I did not have change of clothing and feeling cold so I just wanted to head home quick. I wanted to buy a bottle of coke but the internet connection was slow so unable to get the vending App working, and since it was 190Yen, I needed exact change so I gave up. I walked to the north side of the park to catch at bus back to JR Nara station. There is a bus waiting and it departed at 2:45pm. It made a stop at Shin-Omiya and arrived at JR Nara station at 3:00pm. I walked to the hotel to pick up my bag and headed back to the station. I was hoping to catch a rapid train leaving at 3:37pm.
When I passed the gate and walked up the platform, I noticed there are a lot of people waiting so I just thought I won't have a seat, but soon realized that the train operation was halted. This is a trouble number 2 for the trip. While I wait for the operation to resume, I ate riceball and banana which I missed eating them at the arena.
Train operation halted 15:24
Soon the operation resumed and the train which was scheduled to depart Nara at 3:07pm came in so without hesitation, I hopped on. It departed at 3:32pm, and headed toward Kyoto. The ride back to Kyoto was quiet, and less people so I pulled out and put my windbreaker pants on, changed back into my walking shoes and ate snack and drink on the train. Train made it the Kyoto terminal at 4:25pm.
Miyakoji Rapid at Kyoto station at 16:27 (Series 221)
I stepped out from the train and walked to the Shinkansen gate, bought a reservation seat ticket at a vending machine. I then walked to a store to buy my (late) lunch before I go up to the platform as the bullet train was just coming in. I just made it in time and took a seat in the car. Unlike the trip to Kyoto, it was filled about half way. Ad the train moves toward east, the sky had just enough brightness for me to see the outside. It's nice that Nozomi do not stop at any station. The train began to slow down and arrived at Nagoya under night sky on time.
Late Lunch (and finally a bottle of Coke) 16:37
Nozomi 422 at Nagoya 17:11
After getting off the train, I walked to local train at platform number 8. The train had some seats so I took one on the fist car the ride was quick, no rush hour congestions. The train moved smoothly and arrived at Ozone on time.
Local Train to Kozoji at 17:20 at Nagoya station (Series 315)
I walked out from the train station and headed to nearby restaurant for a dinner. It was cold in Nagoya as well, and the soup warmed me up. I ate the meal very quick and walked home. Took a shower and get changed. Dumped the clothing for laundry, and prepared my bed. I went to sleep by 10:00pm.
17:56 My Dinner
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