Ocean Day (3)

Coming out of the water, very tired but needed to run through the finish line such that the transponder on my ankle can register the time.
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Walking uphill is really not that difficult, but I am short of breath from time to time (no matter how hard I breath, I felt that I am not getting any air), feeling dizzy also. The high elevation of course is a factor but I believe my problem is more related to lack of sleep. I dozed off whenever we stopped, and felt much better after napping for 10 minutes (I was so tired that I sat down, holding my bag then passed out... Not even remember to eat the onigiri in my hand). The easiest path is actually paved by soft sand and pabbles, it is very hard to walk, that dissipated a lot of energy. To fight off the dizziness and short of breath, I walked slowly and breathed deeply. Terribly boring and hard.

Finally getting to the top of the mountain, where a bottle of water causes400 yen from the vending machine (we are still puzzled how the huge machine was put on the top). Japanese people are trying to keep Mount Fuji clean and eco, there is no modern establishment above 5th station. All the supply should be carried by human force. I guess we should not complain about the price.

We hurried down the hill after 15 minute break at the top, inspired by the thought of nicely cold Magareta. While others carefully select their foothold on the sandy path, 3 of us ran like crazy. I actually quite enjoyed the downhill run, it feels like skiing downhill. The soft ground works like snow, I carried the downward momentum, running pass people and leaved behind the sand dust. Ha ha ha... 2 hours later we are back to the 5th station. Yoshio thinks that is the record breaking speed (he hiked mount Fuji just a week ago, crazy guy came to the mountain again with us a week later).

4 hours later, we were sitting at the nice little Mexican pub drinking Magareta, and I am pondering about how I am going to move myself to Tateyama for my open water swimming tomorrow.