I took part in The Great Wall Marathon in China.
I had been interested in the marathon since I read “MARATHONS OF THE WORLD”.
The participants were going to run through the Great Wall, a village and an orchard, so it was attractive.
I thought I would try to go whenever I got a chance.
The competition takes place once a year.
It cost me more than 200‚000 yen.
I was very anxious about how I had to get involved with strangers at the dinner party because I could join the event with only a tour.
I was shy so I worried about it rather than the marathon itself.
This trip was different from the regular ones that I usually go with freedom.
The agency arranged the hotel, airplane and grand transportation.
I was not motivated though I applied for the marathon.
I only trained to climb up and down stairs after work.
I took ANA this time.
I was not worried because the flight time was short and there was no transit.
When I got of the airplane, I felt boiling hot.
It was true that the local temperature was 36 degrees.
I was going to meet the agent Mr.Kubo at the exit.
I was kind of concerned about where the exit meant, but I managed to meet him.
Mr.Kubo was wearing a pair of half pants and running shoes with a backpack.
He seemed to be a typical trail runner.
I felt relieved to know that the other is a woman.
We headed for the hotel by taxi.
I didn't feel like that I was in Beijing because I was talking with Japanese people.
The town was clean and abundant in nature, so there seemed to be no shady massage parlors probably.
The hotel was very large, as expected it was a three-star hotel.
I met Mr.Tanaka who was a Japanese participant in the lobby.
He was wearing casual clothes with sandals but he was well-built like a typical runner.
He was kind and refreshing.
He presented us with some knee supporters and supplements.
Before we enter the room, a Danish staff member explained the details of the convention in next day.
I managed to understand his English explanation.
Mr.Kubo translated it into Japanese.
We received course maps and race bibs.
I was invited to run 5‚6㎞ with sightseeing as a warm-up.
It was interesting to run the town in Beijing, but taking pictures, I also want to take a walk carefully.
I hesitated to consume my physical strength before the performance.
I wanted to spend as much time alone as possible.
I declined Mr.Kubo’s invitation and decided to go sightseeing alone.
However, I felt a little lonely when I broke away from my tour members.
It was terribly hot outside the hotel, so I was exhausted.
I strolled for a while and arrived at a station.
I really worried whether I go to The Forbidden City by train, or old town.
However, I decided to walk to the Liulichang instead.
The roadway and sidewalk in Beijing are twice as wide as those in Tokyo.
I saw unsanitary and chaotic barracks on the back road.
With the heat and humidity, it felt like I was in Southeast asia.
I like this atmosphere.
In addition to Qing Dynasty-era buildings, this area had a local feel such as a convenience store and a vegetable store, which I found quite fascinating.
I bought a cloth with The Great Wall of China drawn on it, at a small textile art shop.
I talked with the shop owner’s son who has been learning Japanese.
They seemed to be nice.
On my way back to the hotel, I had Udon which is a carbohydrate, and bought a piece of bread at a convince store.
I prepared for tomorrow and went to bed at 8 p.m., but I was not able to fall asleep.
It was tough not being able to sleep while traveling, and I felt lonely.
