The sense of accomplishment was even greater than when I ran sub-4 in Nagoya.

RRC member interview

Miwa Obuchi, Team C (Goal: Full marathon sub 4 hours 00 minutes) was selected as the 5th round MVP

Despite being called "the perpetual C team," she worked steadily and achieved a sub-four time at the Nagoya Women's Marathon and a sub-six minute time trial in the fifth course of the 1500m time trial (TT). Always supported by many team members, she overcame one or two major obstacles, and from the sixth course onwards, she will begin her challenge as the B team.

Motivation for the 1500m time trial

I think the MVP this time was because I finished the 1500m trial race in under 6 minutes (laughs).

One of the reasons I aimed for a sub-six minute marathon was because when Kamino ran the Sendai Half Marathon, I went to cheer her on, but she looked incredibly frustrated because she couldn't give it her all. At that time, I wondered if there was something I could do, so I asked her, "Would you be happy if I could break six minutes in the 1500m TT?" and she said, "That's impossible. If you can do it, I'll do whatever you want." At that moment, I thought, "Okay, let's give it a try!" (laughs)

The 1500m time trial was a major goal

Another thing is that it's been over a year since I started on the C team, and the original members have achieved their goals and moved up to the B and A teams, and before I knew it, most of the people around me were new members. I'd also achieved a sub-4 time, and I'd been here for over a year, so I didn't want to lose to the new members. That's what I thought, but on the last day of the Fujimi training camp in May, when I ran on the forest road course, I lost to the new members and was so frustrated... At that point, I knew I had more than I could handle. I showed my determination and pride in the 1500m time trial, breaking six minutes and deciding to move up to the B team.

The Fujimi training camp was filled with frustration

The response I felt

During this training session, I felt like I was running in my own way. A month before the Nagoya Women's Marathon, where I achieved a sub-4 time, I started running behind the pacer during training sessions. At first, I would tell the pacer, "They're slow, so go ahead," but that would leave me behind, and I would often think, "Here we go again." However, when I was running in front, I didn't want to be overtaken, so I ran desperately and eventually I was able to complete the training menu.

During the official training session, he focused on running at the front of the pack.

For the 1500m TT, I planned my own "Miwa-chan practice" and increased the number of key practice sessions. I thought, "I can't do another one at this pace," but everyone encouraged me, so I was able to keep going. To be honest, the Miwa-chan practice was harder at the end than the RETO practice (wry smile). After my final practice session for the 1500m TT, I wrote on Facebook, "If I can go under six minutes, I want to join Team B." I hesitated for about an hour about whether to post it, but I'm glad I did. I decided that since I had told everyone, I had to do it.

She is affectionately known as "Miwa-chan."

Appreciation to team members

This time, I was able to achieve my goal in the 1500m TT thanks to the help of my overly supportive teammates (laughs). When I casually mentioned what happened in Sendai to Kei (Niinuma), he said, "Let's do it. I'll pace you," and he came to every Miwa practice, and he even cheered me on on the day of the race. I don't remember exactly what he said (laughs bitterly). My time was 5 minutes 59.57 seconds, and I wondered if he was giving me an extra pat on the back, but I was happy. I was relieved to be able to repay everyone who cheered me on with a result in front of them, and the sense of accomplishment was even greater than when I ran sub-4 in Nagoya.

With Niinuma-san, who volunteered to be the pacer for the "Miwa-chan training"

Future goals

My next race is Beyond at the end of the year. I want to get over the disappointment of last year's finish (due to the time limit). I want to get under 3 hours 45 minutes, and next year I'll be competing in the Nagoya Women's Marathon wearing the Nike VaporNext 3. I'll also be starting the next season with the B team. I might cry every time because I can't keep up, but I still want to get stronger.