5. ITJ Training (Revision) | The response gained from a 30km run with a steady rhythm

Following the previous stall, I ran the same 30km again.
Focusing on "steadying" rather than speed,
I felt a response I had never seen before.

Introduction

Last time, during the same 30km run,
I clearly ran out of steam in the second half.

I covered the distance.
But my rhythm fell apart, and I had no energy left.

So this time,
I decided to run with the theme of "not losing my form" rather than speed.

→ Previous: 4. ITJ Training (Failure)

Overview

• Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

• Area: Shizuoka

• Distance: 30.0km

• Activity Time: 2 hours 53 minutes

• Cumulative Elevation: +129m / -137m

A 30km run as training for ITJ.
On a flat-based course,
I aimed to keep a consistent rhythm.

What I was conscious of this time

(= Corrections from last time)

1. Keep the start slow

Last time,
I let the feeling of my body moving dictate the pace, and it increased in the first half.

This time,
I started at a pace that felt "maybe a bit too slow."

I ran with the intention of "saving" energy.

2. Rhythm is the top priority

I check my watch.
But I don't chase the numbers too hard.

I am constantly conscious of whether my breathing and footwork are in sync,
and if I feel the pace fluctuating, I bring it back immediately.

Rather than the numbers,
I prioritized my body's rhythm.

(3) In the second half, too, with the same form

Even as the distance progresses,
I don't try anything new.

Instead of pushing myself, I don't let my form collapse.

Even after entering the second half,
I made it my only goal to continue running in the same way as before.

Sensations while running

Even after passing 20km,
no major fatigue hit me.

Things like what I experienced last time,

・Leg heaviness
・Loss of focus

I didn't feel those kinds of discomforts,
and had the sensation of the distance just ticking away calmly.

"I still have energy left."

Being able to finish 30km
while holding onto this feeling
was, I think, the biggest gain this time.

Reflection

Last time,
I just "managed to finish" the 30km distance.

But this time,
I was left with the feeling that I was able to "control"
the 30km duration.

It wasn't flashy.
Honestly, it wasn't that grueling either.

Even so,
as training for ITJ,
I believe this run definitely improved the quality of my training by one level.

It was precisely because I had the experience of burning out that I was able to be conscious of "running with composure."

I want to build on this progress
for what comes next.

▶ Previous: Click here for the failure where I fell apart at 30km

All that was left was to do some 'non-depleting' adjustments for the race.

▶ Next: 6. ITJ Training (Final Adjustments)

▶ Click here for the issues identified during the actual practice (TTT)

▶ Click here for this month's summary

Conclusion

Focusing on the mountains of Shizuoka,
I walk the ridgelines every weekend.

Rather than flashy mountains,
I prefer quiet mountains, deep mountains, and mountain trips where I have to read the conditions.

Click here for my past mountain trip records
▶ Magazine: 'One Mountain at a Time, Mountain Trip Records'

I have compiled a list of long courses you can walk in Shizuoka
▶ 'Hiking in Shizuoka Prefecture | Long Course Edition'

If you like mountains,
I would be happy if you followed me.

See you next time with a record of another mountain.