A JOURNEY TO EUROPE

I went to Bratislava in Slovakia to run Bratislava marathon .
The result is 1h49m07s.

I’m satisfied with this time, because I haven’t run a race for a long time, and in February snowfalls prevented me from training well.
The rap-times were as follows.

0～2km 10’21”
2～4km 10’16”
5K 25m42s
4～6km 10’13”
6～8km 10’05”
10K 51m09s
10～12km 10’18”
12～14km 10’15”
15K 1h16m52s
14～16km 10’23”
16～18km 10’28”
20K 1h43m23s
～GOAL 5’44”

I cannot describe my running in detail as I did in Japanese. I was waiting quite near the start line. As soon as we started, I was overtaken by many runners one after another. I told myself that it’s a long way to go, so I should keep my pace.

Seeing the 2km board, I was surprised that how fast I could run. I thought it’s enough to run by 11minutes. But a race is a race. I changed my mind to keep this pace and to run as far as I can.
The course is almost flat. On the way of our marathon it began to rain. While running I was thinking what I’ve experienced in Vienna. I made a difference. I have to continue the way I chose, even if it’s uncertain.

When I passed the half distance, I thought it’s enough for me, I don’t know if I keep this pace.
As I was panting, runners around me were also panting. I just started my new life in Vienna. Sometimes I envy Erasumus students, but they must have studied for a long time. I would like to catch up them.

More 5km. What I should do was just saying thank you in the local language. Somebody cheer us, that’s the reason why we can do something great. I had muscle pain by the legs. But thanks to them I’ve kept running.
When I saw the 20km board, I felt relieved. But for full marathon runners it’s still almost half distances. Three weeks later I run Vienna Marathon.
Being watched by many spectators, I headed toward the goal. I completed the race with sufficient.

I’m now wondering it’s my hobby or not. If it’s a hobby, why I was forced to consider so much?
I’d like to say, “Where there is a will there is a way.”
It’s often easier to find reasons not to do new things, not to make decisions, not to take action.
I’ll face many situations while staying here. I will need courage and faith. Have the courage to forge ahead. Have faith in myself.