The starting point for the TDT100 race is Tenkubashi Bridge near Haneda Airport. So I flew from Osaka the evening before. It's been a while since I last flew, so I was excited. My seat was seat 55A (window side), which was quite far back. I was surprised to see a famous celebrity sitting in the first class seat at the front.

I heard from an acquaintance that being in good condition the day before my first 100-mile run is very important, so I decided to: 1) avoid oily or heavy foods for dinner and have udon noodles and rice balls instead. I wanted to drink alcohol, but I'd settle for non-alcoholic beer. 2) go to Shige no Yu, a public bath near my lodging. This is the best hot spring, and while soaking in hot and cold water, I can relax my muscles and warm myself from the inside out. 3) return to my lodging and get plenty of sleep.

The next morning, I went for a walk to get a feel for the distance from the inn to the starting point.

I figured it was about a 10-minute walk away. The weather was also excellent. Even though it was December, it wasn't cold and there was no wind. And it was a clear, cloudless day. It was the perfect conditions. I held back my enthusiasm and didn't even jog, walking alone in an unfamiliar place.

You will then pass a building that appears to be the headquarters of Yamato Transport, and the premises will be covered with these silver plates (engraved with famous quotes from famous people) at your feet.

These timely words resonate with me.

I see, I see.

Words that normally wouldn't bother me much suddenly seem heavy, deep, and resonate.

After packing, we headed to the starting point. If the size of the drop bag exceeds the specified dimensions, we would have to run with such a thick book. Fortunately, everyone made it.

Then, the RD (Race Director) Tomo-san begins the briefing. At this point, everyone recites the "TDTism" once again. Amen.

Before the start of the race, I took a commemorative photo with pacer Saku (left) and Yoshida-kun aka Yoshi (right), who I introduced in my last blog. I felt like I was sandwiched between the manager and coach lol. And then the long 24-hour journey finally began.

We started at 11:00 a.m. from the large torii gate of Tenkubashi Bridge, commonly known as Salomon Gate. Wearing green caps, we headed north along the Tama River.

My pace is about 6.5 km/h. Some people are going faster, but there's still a long way to go. I tell myself to run slowly.

The sun gradually begins to set, and I maintain my own pace. 📷 Wada-san (NO NAME FM)

There, many people were lined up with their cameras ready, and a group of people wearing green caps ran past them.

This is what I was looking for: "Mt. FUJI." There are limitations to taking photos with a cell phone, but I was able to take beautiful photos without any editing.

After this, I didn't have time to take any photos myself. *I only took photos with my GoPro at the start lol. Saku, the pacer, was at the railway park. I decided to leave the rest to him. We met up and ran along the Ome Takamizu trail, turning back at Jofukuji Temple and returning to the railway park. The trail section was about 25km round trip. Saku told me, "The real 100 miles begins once you pass 120km." This is when the real challenge begins, I told myself. I was feeling sleepy and tired, so the walking section increased. And we exchanged fewer and fewer words. I just ran while looking at his back. 📷Tate-chan

As morning arrives, I start to worry about the time limit. I look at my watch, but I haven't made any progress. I start to get anxious, wondering if the watch is malfunctioning or if I'm not feeling well.

Finally, I found someone waving their hands. This "Naniwa Aid" is run by members of the Grape Club, who I always run with in Osaka. I sat down for the first time in a while and ate some Akashiyaki. The broth was delicious. It was truly soothing. 📷Moto-san

Along the way, I skipped the "0 calorie aid station" and "Gas Bridge aid station" because it was so close to making it in time for the time limit. I also wanted to stop by a convenience store in Futakotamagawa, but skipped that too. For the last two hours, I ran at a faster pace than on the way there. No walking, just giving it my all. And I reached the finish line about eight minutes before the time limit. Finally, finally, I reached the finish line.

There were times along the way when I felt like giving up, but I looked back on what I'd done over the past year, remembered everyone who had been cheering me on, and thought about my family, who had forgiven me even though my lifestyle had changed and I was spending less time at home, and I was able to finish the race. I really owe it all to everyone. 📷Koba-san

Finally, we took a commemorative photo with the fellow classmates who finished the race together at Salomon, the start/finish line. The TDT at the end of May next year will also have some very interesting members. I'm already looking forward to it.

Bib number 1. First 100-mile run. First buckle.

I'll keep it a secret for now, but my trusted pacer, also known as the finisher , unexpectedly got lost twice .