One small goal at a time.

RRC member interview

Text: Shun Sato

12th Course A1 Team (Goal: Full Marathon sub-3) MVP: Shun Takagi

Recovery from a failure

I was able to achieve a sub-3 time (2 hours 58 minutes 15 seconds) at the Shizuoka Marathon, and I believe this is all thanks to everyone at RETO.
Last year, after Tsukuba, my right Achilles tendon started to hurt, and despite going to a clinic and an orthopedic surgeon, it just wouldn't get better. Finally, I went to Uchida Clinic, where Tamken also goes. The acupuncture there helped, and I was able to run the Shinjuku Half Marathon at the end of January, aiming for 90 minutes, and make a comeback. In Shizuoka, I was clocking a time of 4 minutes 15 seconds, and when I slipped midway, I felt like I was being chased by Watabii (Watabe Kenta), a sub-3 pacer, so I thought if I kept going like this, I could make it, and I pushed hard and broke away.

Smiling at the cheers of support

Everyone's support was a great encouragement. The race is tough when everyone is cheering for me, but at those moments I can smile. I was reminded once again of the incredible power of support. Also, I didn't have any stomach problems in Shizuoka, which was a big factor. I had to go to the toilet during both the Matsumoto Marathon and the Tsukuba Marathon that followed, but this time I was fine. In both races, I was only able to use three of the four gels I brought with me, but in Shizuoka I used all four. I think it was good that my stomach and intestines had gotten used to the gels and were able to digest them well.

Running with friends

Right now, RETO is what motivates me to run.
Previously, I ran alone for health reasons, and my goal was to complete a marathon. Since joining RETO, I've found it fun to run with friends who share the same goal, and seeing everyone cheering me on during the races has really moved me. I'm really glad I joined RETO.

My beloved Professor Arima

Many people on my team are older than me, so it's hard to communicate with them, but I'm happy that they all talk to me. Watabee and the other high-level A+ runners give me advice every time I run, and I'm influenced by a lot of different people. Hiroyuki Arima in particular has consistently achieved sub-3 times, partly due to work-related reasons, so I've made him my goal. In Shizuoka, he kept telling me, "You can do it, Shun," and when I achieved a sub-3 time, he was the first to message me on LINE right after the finish line, and I almost cried when I saw it. I'm currently a medical professional, but I'm aiming to become a tax accountant. I've already passed the exam and all that's left is to gain work experience. I sometimes consult with Arima about work, and he often asks me to help him with his work. He's a really kind, cool, and fast runner, and I look up to him as a senior.

Run in your own way

After achieving sub-3 in Shizuoka, everyone told me, "Next time, aim for sub-EGA," and Sugi (Sugita Yuna), who ran with me, also said, "Let's aim for sub-EGA together," but now, rather than aiming for EGA, my goal is to be able to consistently achieve sub-3 times. Rather than always aiming for lofty goals, I want to keep my eyes on my feet, have fun with everyone, be grateful to everyone, and run at my own pace. I think that's what suits me right now.

-Why do you run?

I like to set lots of small goals and achieve them, and one of those goals is running a sub-3 marathon. To achieve that goal, I train hard and then enter races. The act of running itself is simply fun, but the process is what makes me addicted to running.