The long and winding road to Fuji begins here.
(Photo by Erean at Morguefile.com)

Well, back at it.

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New personal best tonight, speed wise. Was fun to push it, but I have a new long-distance goal coming up in April, so it’s time to start studying up on distance training.

Good lord-willin’ and the creek don’t rise, I’ll be doing the Fuji 5Lakes Ultramarathon in April.

Ultra runners, lemme know yer secrets!

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About the race:

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The Fuji 5LAKES Ultramarathon runs its course around the magnificent Mt. Fuji. Go for either the Fuji 5LAKES run (118 km, 19,000 yen), 4LAKES Run (100km, 18,000 yen), or the 3LAKES Run (71 km, 14,000 yen) - but whichever you choose, this Japanese marathon allows you to experience the best of the country's spring, with its cherry blossoms and cool breeze. The largest lake, Yamanakako Lake, is situated at the highest among the five lakes, and 5LAKES and 4LAKES runners will bypass that lake during their course. This is yet another marathon in Japan where the scenery is simply too beautiful to simply let fly by. If you are planning to join, it is recommended that you stay for longer since the event also coincides with the Fujikawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival in mid-April. You have to be at least 18 years old and in good health to join this event, in which around 4,000 people participate in annually.

SOURCE.

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Tonight's Run.

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DISTANCE: 5.01 miles
AVG. MILE TIME: 8'07"
THEME SONG: Gobbledigook - Sigur Rós

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At 26.2 miles there's a sign that says, "This is the distance of a marathon." There's a white line painted on the concrete indicating the exact spot. I exaggerate only a bit when I say that the moment I straddled that line a slight shiver went through me, for this was the first time I'd ever run more than a marathon. For me this was the Strait of Gibraltar, beyond which lay an unknown sea.

~Murakami Haruki, WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING

~*~

Previous Ultramarathon Posts:

• A New Goal, A New Challenge, and A New Plan: THE FUJI 5LAKES ULTRAMARATHON!

~KafkA

!

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Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)