The Osaka Marathon was filled with the "humanity" that is typical of Osaka!

landlocked masu salmonWell, that was a lot of fun, wasn't it? I've run many marathons in the past, but this one was probably the most fun.

Yamamoto.I really enjoyed it a lot! This was my first time to run an urban marathon, but the cheering along the way was uninterrupted, and I was able to enjoy the sights such as Osaka Castle, Midosuji, and Tsutenkaku Tower, and I was able to run the entire race without getting bored at all.

landlocked masu salmonSpeaking of urban marathons, the Tokyo Marathon, which I have run before, is similar in that you can enjoy major Tokyo landmarks such as the Imperial Palace, Sensoji Temple, Tokyo Tower, and Sky Tree, and the cheering along the way is uninterrupted, but there is no denying that the atmosphere is a bit tense. Of course, there is no doubt that this is a wonderful event.

Yamamoto.In this respect, there was not the slightest sense of tension at the Osaka Marathon. The atmosphere was friendly all the way from the start to the finish.

landlocked masu salmonThe runners and volunteer staff, not to mention the cheering along the roadside, all seemed warm and personable.

Yamamoto.I really don't think so. I wonder if it is the temperament of the people of Osaka. While driving through the streets of Osaka, I could strongly feel a kind of regional character that is unique to this area.

landlocked masu salmonFrom the roadside: "It's just your imagination that you're having a hard time! Hang in there! or "Beer will be waiting for you at the finish line! and some people were holding placards saying "Beer will be waiting for you at the finish line!

Yamamoto.There were also a few food aids along the way, just like in Osaka. Well, I really enjoyed the Osaka Marathon. I want to run it again next year!

The secret to setting a new personal best is to not get carried away!

landlocked masu salmonAs for the time, both Yamamoto and I ran the Osaka Marathon while having fun and not getting carried away, and as a result, we both beat our personal bests by a wide margin.

Yamamoto.I finished in 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 50 seconds, and Enomoto-san finished in 3 hours, 18 minutes, and 16 seconds. We were surprised at our own good times.

landlocked masu salmonIf I get too enthusiastic, I tend to run at a high pace in the first half of the race and then stall out in the second half! When I get too enthusiastic, I tend to run at a high pace in the first half and then stall out in the second half, but I was able to run the Osaka Marathon this time without being overawed and relaxed, which probably contributed to my good time.

Yamamoto.I was just trying to run at a comfortable pace. As a result, I got such a good time. People around me were surprised, but I was the most surprised myself.

landlocked masu salmonYou're aiming for sub-3.5 (under 3.5 hours) next time, right?

Yamamoto.: hmmm ....... I've been told that a lot, but I don't care about the time at all, and I don't care about sub-3.5 or whatever, to be honest. To be honest, I don't care about sub-3.5 or anything else. For me, marathons are all about having fun.

landlocked masu salmonI am a time-conscious person, and I take every race seriously because I want to beat my personal best time, even if it's just by a second.

Yamamoto.I know that you always drink with me on the day before a race until you get intoxicated.

landlocked masu salmon: ...... That's what I mean.

Yamamoto.I think it's a good thing that we all enjoy marathons in our own way, because there is no right way to enjoy a marathon. We are not professional athletes, but merely citizen runners.

Why are marathons so popular that they are flooded with applicants?

landlocked masu salmonI heard that the Osaka Marathon has an entry ratio of about 4 times, and the 2017 Tokyo Marathon has the highest ever ratio of about 12 times. And the Shonan International Marathon, where entries are on a first-come, first-served basis, also reaches its capacity in the blink of an eye every year. Why are marathons so popular now?

Yamamoto.: I wonder why: ....... Because beer and cigarettes are good after finishing the race, right?

landlocked masu salmonI don't care about beer, but not cigarettes. Yes, a smoke after a full marathon is great, but it's not the same thing.

Yamamoto.One of the attractions of marathons is that I personally enjoy talking about marathons with my running buddies. If you have run the same race, you can look back on the race based on shared experiences. Even if you have not run the same race, if you have completed a full marathon, it becomes a common language and the conversation can become lively.

landlocked masu salmonI think it's true that the experience of completing a marathon is a common language. Even people who have never met each other before get excited talking about marathons, and they hit it off.

Yamamoto.I am a runner who enjoys running purely for fun, but there are many people like you, Enomoto-san, who are stoically aiming for the time.

landlocked masu salmon: I think it's more of a percentage of people who are looking for time.

Yamamoto.I know that the sense of accomplishment you feel when you beat your personal best is not overwhelming. The beer after finishing the race tastes even better.

landlocked masu salmonI'm not sure if that's the point after all (laughs).

Why are people running so much in the first place?

Yamamoto.In the past few years, the number of people who are running, including ourselves, has really increased. Moreover, it is not just a passing fad, but has taken root as a culture.

landlocked masu salmonI think so. There are many people who run, but their motivation for running varies from person to person. Some want to lose weight or be popular, some want to shorten their marathon time, and some run because they want to enjoy a good beer after running. I think running, including such diversity, is maturing as a culture.

Yamamoto.In my case, I like to drink a good beer after running, but as I mentioned earlier, the main reason I continue running is that I genuinely enjoy running. The act of running itself is just plain fun. Nothing more, nothing less. But I really dislike the cold weather, and running is no fun when it's cold, so my running distance will decrease dramatically in the coming seasons.

landlocked masu salmonI guess that's also a little different from me. In my case, I love the feeling of saying "It's cold, it's cold, it's cold" on a cold day, and then gradually my body warms up.

Yamamoto.I don't understand that. I enjoy running in hot weather while sweating much more.

landlocked masu salmonI am different from Yamamoto in that I do not enjoy running in itself. The act of running is not fun; it is rather painful and tedious. I run almost every day, but when I change into my running clothes at home, I always think, "I have to start running now.

Yamamoto.: Jonio-san (Jun Takahashi of Undercover) also answered in an interview in "Huinam Unplugged" (vol. 3). What do you think about when you are running?" He answered, "I think about it when I'm running. (Laughs.) Then he added, "Running itself is hard, to be honest. But when I get over it, I get an exhilarating feeling that can't be replaced by anything else, and every time I finish a run, I think, "I'm glad I ran again today.

landlocked masu salmonI totally agree. I usually do the same thing when jogging, and even during a full marathon, while I'm running I keep thinking, "I can't wait to get to the finish line and have a beer. If it's too hard, I even have regrets like, "Why did I enter this race? Sometimes I even regret it. But when the race is over, I forget all that and am left with nothing but happy memories.

Yamamoto.I'm sure you're right. Even the hardest memories become more beautiful as time goes by. Running is a strange sport, isn't it?

What shoes supported the significant improvement of his personal best from the feet up?

Both Enomoto and Yamamoto wore Mizuno's Wave Aero 15 shoes for this year's Osaka Marathon.

The WAVE AERO 15 is a racing-specification shoe that features Mizuno's signature "MIZUNO WAVE" technology, yet is significantly lightweight. The sole, which is neither too thick nor too thin, is well cushioned to provide comfortable support for the 42.195 km.

One of the factors that contributed to our new personal best was F.O.R.M., a running form diagnostic service offered exclusively at Esport Mizuno in Jimbocho, Tokyo, as well as at other stores.

The participants run on a treadmill for about 10 minutes wearing special markers, and their movements are measured by motion capture. Based on the results of this analysis, a dedicated staff member will advise you on how to choose the best shoes for you.

It is a rare opportunity to have a professional look at your running form and give you advice. If you are having trouble choosing the right shoes, why not give it a try?