9th Izu Oshima Ultramarathon 100k race report by Eric Lebrasseur

Eric on 100km race:
 * Time: 11:51:24

Yuki on 58km race:
 * Place: 46th (34th male)
 * Time: 6:02

This race was a preparation for UTMF for me, and the first ultrarunning for my wife Yuki.
 * Place: 11th and 1st female !

It was also a opportunity to have a short holiday in a nice island.

On Friday, there was a strong wind, but the organiser said that the wind was three times stronger last year. Hopefully, the weather was very good during the race, on Saturday.

Before the race, I met Don for the first time.

Actually, we are neighbours: we both live in Taito-Ku.

Don, I knew that your real objective was much less then 12h ! ;)

I hope next time I will be in better condition and I will be able to follow you for more then 1 or 2km…maybe 5 or 6 ;)

I did long trail run before, but it was my first ultramarathon road race. My legs didn’t like it, but the rest of myself enjoyed…good weather, nice route with beautiful landscapes, and very well organized.

Yuki and I decided to go our own pace, but we reached the 58km (start and goal point) almost at the same time: I left at 6h and Yuki arrived two minutes later! This was the most difficult time for me because my legs were allready very painful but I had to run one more marathon. Anyway I knew why I was here so I just kept on going. Finally I walked for the last 10km even downhill. I didn’t want to overdo because UTMF is only one month later.

Next day, we visited the Camelia garden and the zoo, and went back to Tokyo.

I was a very nice weekend with a necessary (though not sufficient) training for UTMF for me, and a first success for Yuki for her first ultra.

Don, I hope we can train together sometimes.

PS. some pictures of the island from Eric here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wPPU4poAN1bJVLLd6

and from Yuki here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/5a6oCgrj6Hh16SoU9