In search of a sense of accomplishment

RRC member interview

Text: Shun Sato

12th Course C Team (Goal: Full Marathon sub-4) MVP: Yuka Kusunoki

Sub-4 time achieved in Nagoya

I was able to achieve a sub-4 time (3 hours 54 minutes 04 seconds) in my third marathon, the Nagoya Women's 2025. I think I was able to achieve my goal because I was able to prevent my slowdown in the second half, which was an issue for me, by including a 20-30km long run and a half marathon in Hachijojima before the race.

Peer support

But the biggest thing was the support I got from Tomoyo (Takewa). She said, "I'll pull you to Nagoya," so I put on the ribbon hat she gave me and headed to the starting line. There, I met Shii (Shiina Keiko) and we decided to go together. All three of us were running in the same uniform, so someone on the sidelines said to me, "The sub-4 pacer has arrived," and when I looked behind me, I was surprised to see so many people.

Focus on looking forward

Running with Tomoyo-chan, I realized how much easier it is to run without looking at the clock. I always keep an eye on my heart rate, and when it goes up it gets tough. But this time, I only checked my 1-kilometer laps. She also provided all the aid stations and water. When I tried to take some sodium powder because my legs were cramping, she said, "It's a lot, so let's take 5 kilograms at a time," and she took the half of it and threw it away after I drank it, so I was able to just concentrate on running straight. At one point, Tomoyo-chan said, "The thought of you finishing in sub-4 with Hi-chan makes me want to cry," and I thought to myself, "That makes me want to cry too," so I ran. I really did everything for her, and it felt like I was completely reliant on Tomoyo-chan to achieve my sub-4 time.

To overcome difficult climbs

I started running marathons initially to improve my trail running. I'm good at downhill running but not at uphill running, so I thought I'd never get better unless I trained my running ability on the road. I set my goal for 2024 to participate in road races, and entered the Half Marathon, Saitama Marathon, and Fuji Five Lakes 100km.

Ready to run a marathon

In trail running, if you pass one runner in front of you, you move up one place, and that's quite a big deal. But in a marathon, it's a battle with yourself, a battle against time. In Tsukuba, when I was caught up by a sub-4 pacer and couldn't keep up, I was shocked that I couldn't beat my time, and I was running half-crying. On trails, you can walk because it's uphill, and you can rest quite a bit, but I felt that difference too. So at first, I was quite negative about marathons (wry smile). My biggest problem is that I can't run at a consistent pace, and my pace fluctuates a lot, so I end up losing pace. Doing this alone won't do the trick. I thought I needed to practice running properly with a pacer, so I joined RETO, and it was a huge help.

Setting your own goals

From now on, I won't be placing more emphasis on road running, but I want to enjoy both road and trail running 100%. Personally, I don't like to do things half-heartedly, and I will see things through to the end if I set a goal that is too far-fetched for me. The moment I set a goal that I think I can't achieve, I give up. Just because I've achieved a sub-4 time, I won't immediately aim for a sub-3.5 time next time, and if I can run 35 kilometers on trails, even if I'm told to run 100 kilometers next time, I think I'll start with 50 kilometers. Once I can do that, I'll try to improve again, and I'll clear goals that I'm sure I can reach, and then set more achievable goals. I want to continue making steady progress.

-Why do you run?

I think I might be addicted to the sense of accomplishment. Of all the things I experience in my daily life, the sense of accomplishment I get from running a marathon is the most satisfying (laughs).