The relationship between running and work.
I came here today to explore the relationship between work, running, and New Balance's "THE CITY" collection.
Yes, I do. In terms of shoes, there are many leather and suede types that are easy to match with work clothes. Anyway, my feet don't get tired when I wear them! I often wear "New Balance" shoes when I travel, and even when I forget my running shoes, I just run in them.
THE CITY RUN woven jacket ¥11,000, THE CITY RUN short sleeve T-shirt ¥4,730, THE CITY RUN joggers ¥8,800, "M880" sneakers ¥14,300 (all New Balance) Balance Japan Customer Service Center)
How long have you been running?
When I was about 25 years old, I was forced to compete in a marathon (laughs). That was about 10 years ago. I have been doing it for a long time, but not intensively. When I am tired from work or stressed out, I run to relieve the stress.
I think it's like a longer distance at a slower pace.
No, rather, I run as hard as I can. I run as fast as I can. I get my heart rate up so high that when I am done running, my brain doesn't even work (laughs). When I hit a wall, sometimes it is better to run than to think about it. When I was in my second or third year of work, I talked to my boss about some things that were bothering me at work or at the company, and he said, "Forget it, just go for a run now," and that's when I started running. As a result, I felt so refreshed that I decided to do my best again tomorrow.
Running is a positive experience, and that's one of the benefits of running.
Also, when I go on inspections or trips to foreign countries or other distant places, I take my running shoes with me, get up early in the morning, and run around that city. I feel that seeing various places at even slower speeds than by bicycle, rather than by car, is the best way to learn about an area.
What are the advantages of running for you, as a lover of the outdoors in general, including snowboarding and fishing?
It doesn't matter where or when, and you don't necessarily have to dress in perfect running attire to run. Outdoor sports, after all, have to wait until a weekend break and require equipment. Running can be done anywhere, like after work, so it's compatible with work.
What did you think of the "THE CITY" collection of running clothes?
I like that it doesn't look like so-called running clothes. It is chic black, so I thought it would be easy to fit in with urban life in various situations, such as stopping somewhere while running or having a drink at a cafe for that matter.
Were there any items that you particularly liked?
The pants are especially lightweight. They are not too flimsy or too thin when you stop at a traffic light or something, so they are not like running clothes in a good way and can be worn well in the city. They don't clump, they're not too tight, and they're lightweight, so I didn't have to worry about my legs or anything at all.
