On December 14th I woke up at 5:45 am and half asleep headed to the Ome city to take part in the very challenging Mitake trail run.
Mitake did not only mark the end of my 2008 racing season and my debut in trail racing, but ended up marking me with memories of pain and fear.
Before I continue I will post a list of 8 factors/excuses that may have affected the race in order of meaningless to fear factor.
- I did not look at the course description and knew nothing other than the registration time and location.
- This was my first trail race and have minimum experience in trail running.
- I went to bed at 2:00am after having more than a few drinks at the Namban Bonenkai.
- I twisted my ankle 10 days before the race and took 10 days of full rest (was unable to test my ankle the day before).
Mitake did not only mark the end of my 2008 racing season and my debut in trail racing, but ended up marking me with memories of pain and fear.
Before I continue I will post a list of 8 factors/excuses that may have affected the race in order of meaningless to fear factor.
- I did not look at the course description and knew nothing other than the registration time and location.
- This was my first trail race and have minimum experience in trail running.
- I went to bed at 2:00am after having more than a few drinks at the Namban Bonenkai.
- I twisted my ankle 10 days before the race and took 10 days of full rest (was unable to test my ankle the day before).
- It rained the night before so the course was very muddy and slippery.
- I was totally lost pace wise with no km marks.
- It snowed throughout the entire race and I was wearing a singlet.
- I have falling phobia. I wear cycling shoes when I cycle but do not clip them for fear of falling. I do not run down a steep mountain but slowly and carefully crawl down at a speed of 2 meters / 5 seconds.
With that said I had decided to take this as a fun run. Once at the start though I was pumped up and ready to run it. The first 2 km were uphill (and paved), and by uphill I mean a 50 – 60 degree slope. Some how though I kept myself in the lead for the first 15 minutes at a comfortable pace. Perhaps I should have pushed harder (perhaps this was a bad decision all in all). Then the trail began and with it came the snow, the uneven ground and gone were the leaders. I was able to stay in the top 7 places until the 10th kilometer (marked). At this point though I knew winning or even staying top 10 was out of the question. The pace felt easy, the competition level at mine, but it hit me: I am not a mountain person. Every time there was a downhill somebody went by me and usually that somebody was not even at sight before the downhill began (and would be out of sight after the descend).
Between kilometer 10 and 11 the trail was very beautiful. I don’t think I’ve used the word beautiful in previous reports, but it really was a nice view. At this point the course runs along a shallow stream shaded by trees with just the perfect amount of sunlight going through.
Between kilometers 13 – 14 the trail was hell. I was still in the top 10 positions and actually felt rested after the easy run along the stream. Probably with a lot more energy left in me than the 400 runners behind me. Then it came … the last long descend. It looked like a cliff. I looked back and could see nobody. I had at least a minute lead on the guy behind. I grabbed the rope tightly and began going down. Step one, two, three (out of 300) … 10, 11 … osakini a Japanese tarzan flew by me jumping down. CRAZY I thought. 12, 13 – 25, 45 … osakini 2 wildmen went by me SUICIDAL. 50, 80, 81 …. Another two JEEZ … oh man I just need to get this 100 meters over with. In that descend only some 10 – 15 runners went by me. Kept running until the trail’s end at a shrine where a long flight of stairs waited. I was frustrated, freezing and tired at this point. Ended up walking half of the stairs been passed by some other runners there was well.
It was over, my first trail run.
Overall time 1.24.48
Place: 34th
I do recommend the race as it is a great course and the organization is wonderful as well. Yes it is a bit far and a bit more expensive than your usual 2000-3000 road race (4000) but you get free hot bath and a nice (big) pouch (not sure how to call it).
I will probably not do it again – although I’ve heard those who say that return for more.
- I was totally lost pace wise with no km marks.
- It snowed throughout the entire race and I was wearing a singlet.
- I have falling phobia. I wear cycling shoes when I cycle but do not clip them for fear of falling. I do not run down a steep mountain but slowly and carefully crawl down at a speed of 2 meters / 5 seconds.
With that said I had decided to take this as a fun run. Once at the start though I was pumped up and ready to run it. The first 2 km were uphill (and paved), and by uphill I mean a 50 – 60 degree slope. Some how though I kept myself in the lead for the first 15 minutes at a comfortable pace. Perhaps I should have pushed harder (perhaps this was a bad decision all in all). Then the trail began and with it came the snow, the uneven ground and gone were the leaders. I was able to stay in the top 7 places until the 10th kilometer (marked). At this point though I knew winning or even staying top 10 was out of the question. The pace felt easy, the competition level at mine, but it hit me: I am not a mountain person. Every time there was a downhill somebody went by me and usually that somebody was not even at sight before the downhill began (and would be out of sight after the descend).
Between kilometer 10 and 11 the trail was very beautiful. I don’t think I’ve used the word beautiful in previous reports, but it really was a nice view. At this point the course runs along a shallow stream shaded by trees with just the perfect amount of sunlight going through.
Between kilometers 13 – 14 the trail was hell. I was still in the top 10 positions and actually felt rested after the easy run along the stream. Probably with a lot more energy left in me than the 400 runners behind me. Then it came … the last long descend. It looked like a cliff. I looked back and could see nobody. I had at least a minute lead on the guy behind. I grabbed the rope tightly and began going down. Step one, two, three (out of 300) … 10, 11 … osakini a Japanese tarzan flew by me jumping down. CRAZY I thought. 12, 13 – 25, 45 … osakini 2 wildmen went by me SUICIDAL. 50, 80, 81 …. Another two JEEZ … oh man I just need to get this 100 meters over with. In that descend only some 10 – 15 runners went by me. Kept running until the trail’s end at a shrine where a long flight of stairs waited. I was frustrated, freezing and tired at this point. Ended up walking half of the stairs been passed by some other runners there was well.
It was over, my first trail run.
Overall time 1.24.48
Place: 34th
I do recommend the race as it is a great course and the organization is wonderful as well. Yes it is a bit far and a bit more expensive than your usual 2000-3000 road race (4000) but you get free hot bath and a nice (big) pouch (not sure how to call it).
I will probably not do it again – although I’ve heard those who say that return for more.
