It has become one of the coolest cultures.
How has running had a positive impact on your life?
Nakao:As I mentioned earlier, I feel that food and beer taste better, and I can keep my body healthy without gaining weight. I think it also keeps me young.
Do you mean mentally?
Nakao:Both mentally and physically. It is a blessing to have something to devote oneself to other than work. In my case, I became interested in trails and started going to the mountains. I recently bought an SUV. I go to the mountains, run, and camp with it. My hobbies have expanded.
When I interviewed runners, they were all very energetic and positive.
Nakao:I'm sure it does. I simply feel more energetic and confident when I move my body. That's something that money can't buy. The same goes for health.
Nakao:And you can only get it if you keep at it. Just because you ran hard today doesn't mean you will suddenly be healthier tomorrow. You can only get it by running steadily every day. When I first started running, I was sick of running 100 meters, but now I am able to run more than 100 km. I think that is a great achievement.
Do you have any other factors besides the "fun" feeling you get from running that encourage you to keep going?
Nakao:It's the friends I run with. They make me think, "If he is running today, I have to run, too. Also, recently one of our team members was training for a 100-mile race by running through the night in Yoyogi Park. The other members of the team brought him goodies, and he said, "Well, I'll run with you," and we ran together for about two hours. So having friends is a big thing.
Do you feel that the scene is growing?
Nakao:It's amazing. In the past, people started running for health reasons or as a sport, but now it has become a cool culture, just like fashion or music. I had the impression that going for a run was a diet, but now it has become an activity. I feel that it has become part of hobbies and fun. There is friendly competition with friends, pushing oneself, and as an extension of that, there are races, and when the rankings and times are measured, it makes you more passionate, frustrated, and happy. That's what makes it fun.
Do you have any goals for the future?
Nakao:I want to win a prize in a treerun race. In the past, my goal was to be in the top 5% or 10%, but now I want to get a commendation. I will do my best to do so in a well-known event. I will run road races as usual in training, and maybe run a full marathon somewhere and aim for sub-3 or so. In any case, I will keep running. That's all I can do.
