The English translation is below
⭐︎このストーリーは連続シリーズとなっていますので
EPISODE 1からお読みください♪
ランニングマシンでトレーニングを始めてまもなく3ヶ月
「大会に出たい！」という目標を現実にすべく
地元の大会の5キロ部門にエントリー
まだ5キロなんて走れてませんが
制限時間が1時間とのことだったので、歩っても着くじゃん♪
と軽い気持ちで申し込みました
やっぱり期限のある目標があると違いますよ！
10日ほど前にゼッケンが届いた日にゃぁ、いよいよだなっ！
とギアが入ります
大会直前には、フルマラを走る友人にアドバイスを
仰ぎます。４月のランの服装は？半袖じゃ寒い？と聞くと
「基本半袖かな〜」と答えつつも、
「だいじょぶだぁ〜！何着てたって5キロなら走れっから！」
と、さすがフルを走る者の助言です
「スタート前の、あの高揚感をぜひ味わってほしい」
との言葉で、送り出してくれました
やってきました当日！
目標は完走なので、ジャマにならないよう最後尾に並びました
司会の方が「スタート3分前です！」とあおってきたあたりに
ようやくスタートの最終ブロックへ。。。
周りを見てみると、70歳は超えてるよね？っていう
おばあさん、軽く腰の曲がったおじいさん、太った人、着ぐるみ
。。。などなど「こんなんで走っていいんだ」という
ゆる〜い、温かな雰囲気の集団の中にいました
おそらくここには好タイムを狙う人はいないと思われます
初出場だったので、新参者の居心地の悪さを想像してた
んですけど、5キロ完走という同じ目標に向かって
がんばろうねっ！って励まし合う仲間に見えました
緊張がほぐれて、みんなと一緒に走るって楽しい！
ってウキウキしてきましたよ🎵
「スタート1０秒前です！９、８、７・・」
カウントダウンからの号砲で、一斉にスタートです‼︎
「行ってらっしゃ〜い‼︎」って送られるの、いいもんですね
最後尾は歩きから徐々にジョグへとゆっくりスピードアップしていき。。。
人混みがバラけて、自分のペースで走れるようになるまで
けっこうかかるんですわ。その間、速度がゆっくりめなので
周りを見渡しながら、初めての大会を満喫する心の余裕もありました
沿道の「ガンバレ〜！」って声援も、やっぱりありがたいですね🎵
あっちからもこっちからも、日常生活であんなにたくさん
応援されたり、励まされることないですよ
練習でも5キロ走ったことはないけど、雰囲気に乗せられて
歩くことなく完走！記録も32分台と思ってたより速かった‼︎
もしかして才能ある？！
なんて調子に乗っちゃうじゃないですか！
翌年2024年 ４月 同じ大会の同じ5キロに出場
今回は30分切ることを目標にしていたので、ちゃんと25〜30分
以内を目指す区分のスタート地点に並びました
周りの顔ぶれは去年と全然違います。サークルや同好会で
作ったTシャツ着ている人たちがけっこう多かったな
ガチなランナーばかりって感じで、花柄Tシャツにランニングスカートを
はいてる私は少し浮いていました（笑）
スタートしたら、のっけからペース速いのなんのって
これ、最後まで持つのか…？と不安を抱えながら走ってました
足は動いたし、気力もあったけど、さすがに呼吸が苦しくて…
でも3キロ過ぎた所で時計を見たら、十分狙えるタイムだったので
これはもういくしかない！と、そのまま勢いで走りきっちゃいました
苦しいながらも沿道の怪しげなコスプレ応援に、ブッと吹き出す
余裕はあったみたいです。でも残り300m位からは
陸地なのに、溺れるかと思ったくらい息ができなかった。。
終わってみれば27分！おっしゃ〜！バリバリの達成感です‼︎
久しぶりだな〜こんな気持ち！やるじゃん自分！
早く友人に報告したい！って気分でした♪
マラソン大会って、初心者でも参加できるし、
しかもトップアスリート達と同じ舞台に上がれるんですよね
なかなか味わえない非日常を体験できる上、
実践の場を経験して気づくことも多いですよ
何より日々の練習のモチベーションになりますしね
その日の夜から筋肉痛が始まり、次の日はもう「歩き方変だよ」と
みんなに言われるほどヨレヨレ、ガタガタでした
動くたびにイテテ。。となりながらも、何の後悔もありません
あるのは、達成感、充実感。
そしてさらに成長すべく、次は１０キロを目指すのでした
みんな！ 大会出ようぜ！！
次回は完結編 走るようになってからの心の変化
自信がつくと、メンタルも変わってきます！
→EPISODE 5 完結編へ続く
This story is told as a series, so I recommend starting with Episode 1.
About three months after I started training on the running machine,
I entered the 5 km category of a local race in order to turn my goal — “I want to enter a race” — into reality.
At that point, I still couldn’t run 5 kilometers yet.
But since the time limit was one hour, I thought, “I’ll make it even if I have to walk ♪”
So I signed up without too much pressure.
Still, having a goal with a deadline really makes a difference.
When my race bib arrived about ten days before the event,
I thought, “Wow… it’s really happening,” and that’s when I shifted into gear.
Right before the race, I asked my friend who runs full marathons for some advice.
“What should I wear for an April race? Would it be too cold in short sleeves?”
She said, “Short sleeves are usually fine,”
and then added with a laugh,
“You’ll be fine! It’s only 5 kilometers — you’ll manage no matter what you’re wearing!”
That was advice you’d expect from someone who runs full marathons.
With those words — “I really want you to experience that rush of excitement right before the start” — she sent me off.
Race day finally arrived!
Since my goal was simply to finish, I lined up at the very back so I wouldn’t get in anyone’s way.
Just as the announcer called out, “Three minutes to the start!” and began to hype everyone up,
I finally made my way into the last starting block.
When I looked around, I saw all kinds of people —
a woman who looked well over seventy, an older man with a slightly stooped back,
people of all shapes and sizes, even someone in a costume…
I found myself thinking, “Oh, so this is okay.”
I was standing among a group with such a relaxed, warm atmosphere.
It was clear that no one there was aiming for a fast time.
Since it was my first race, I had imagined feeling awkward as a newcomer.
But instead, everyone looked like teammates,
encouraging one another with a shared goal: “Let’s finish the 5K together.”
My nervousness melted away, and I started to feel excited.
Running together with everyone suddenly felt fun 🎵
“Ten seconds to the start! Nine, eight, seven…”
With the countdown and the starting gun, everyone took off at once!!
Being sent off with people calling out, “Have a great run!” felt really nice.
At the very back of the pack, we began by walking,
then slowly picked up the pace and eased into a gentle jog…
It actually took quite a while for the crowd to thin out and for me to be able to run at my own pace.
During that time, the speed was fairly relaxed,
which gave me enough mental space to look around and truly enjoy my very first race.
The cheers of “You can do it!” from people along the course were truly heartwarming ♪
In everyday life, you’re rarely encouraged and cheered on by so many people — from all directions at once.
I’d never run 5 km in practice before, but caught up in the atmosphere, I finished the race without walking at all!
My time was in the 32-minute range — faster than I expected!!
And of course, that makes you think, “Wait… do I have talent?!”
You can’t help getting a little carried away.
The following year, in 2024, I entered the same race — the same 5 km course.
This time, my goal was to finish in under 30 minutes, so I lined up at the starting area for runners aiming for around 25–30 minutes.
The atmosphere was completely different from the year before.
There were lots of people wearing matching T-shirts from running clubs and groups.
Everyone looked serious — real runners.
In my floral T-shirt and running skirt, I definitely stood out a bit. (Laughs)
Once the race started, the pace was fast right from the beginning.
I kept thinking, Can I really keep this up until the end…? as I ran.
My legs were fine, and I still had the will to push on, but my breathing was definitely getting tough.
Then, just after the 3 km mark, I checked my watch — and the time was good enough.
At that point, I thought, There’s no turning back. I’m going for it!
And I just ran all the way to the finish on pure momentum.
Even though it was tough, I still had enough mental space to burst out laughing at some of the bizarre costumed supporters along the course.
But from about the last 300 meters, I could barely breathe — it honestly felt like I was drowning, even though I was on dry land.
And then I crossed the finish line: 27 minutes!
Yes!! The sense of achievement was unreal.
**It had been a long time since I’d felt that way.
Not bad at all, I thought. I did this.
All I wanted was to tell my friend as soon as possible.
One of the great things about marathon races is that even beginners can take part — and share the same stage as top athletes.
It’s a chance to experience something truly out of the ordinary, something you don’t get in everyday life.
You also realize a lot by actually putting yourself in a real race setting.
And above all, having a race gives you strong motivation for your daily training.
That night, the muscle soreness kicked in.
By the next day, people were already saying, “You’re walking funny,” and I was completely worn out — stiff and shaky.
Every time I moved, it was Ouch… all over again.
And yet, I had no regrets at all.
What I felt instead was a deep sense of achievement and fulfillment.
So, ready to grow even more, I set my sights on the next challenge: 10 kilometers.
Everyone — you should try entering a race!
Next time: the final episode.
How running changed my mindset — and how gaining confidence began to change everything.
→ EPISODE 5: Finale
