Status: Contender in the New York City Marathon this Sunday November 1.
DOB: October 27, 1978 In: Japan
Running Inspiration: “I feel the accomplishment after finishing the race. So it’s a feeling of accomplishment.”
First Running Memory: “When I discovered I could be the first place winner. When I ran many races as a young girl, I recognized that I can beat other people.”
Sports Heroes: “Reiko Tosa (2007 bronze medalist at World Championships in marathon), Paula Radcliffe.”
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “Shopping, aroma therapy, swim sometimes.”
Last Book Read: “I don’t read much.”
Favorite Movies: “I don’t watch a lot of movies.”
Musical Tastes: “I don’t know any foreign artists, but is it okay to name Japanese artists? (Sure.) Superfly.”
Favorite TV Show: “I like to watch the news in the morning [smiles].”
First Job: “I worked a little bit in an office, but not much.”
First Car: “I don’t have a car.”
Pre-Race Feeling: “Forget the rest of the world and just concentrate on myself.”
Favorite Meal: “I like everything [laughs].”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Green tea.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “The greatest moment is the first marathon that I ran – I felt that I can be a runner. That was the greatest moment. (Where and when?) In Osaka in 2007.”
Most Painful Moment: “That was the Osaka race in 2008. I participated with injury (sole of foot). I needed to stop the race.”
Favorite Marathon(s): “Probably New York, London and Berlin.”
Funny Career Memory: “During the 10k race in 2005 in New York I did fifth place. The person who gave me the medal for place – he was actually an NBA basketball player. So he was extremely tall. So everyone was laughing. That was funny.”
Embarrassing Career Memory: “After I became famous, the results are more important. And when I can’t have a good result in a preparation race, I feel a little bit embarrassed. Many people are expecting me to win the race. Sometimes I can’t because it’s a preparation race which is not as important as the Olympics or New York Marathon. So those are the times I feel a little bit embarrassed.”
Last Vacation: “I went to Awaji Island – in west of Japan. For two days.”
Childhood Dream: “I wanted to be a pastry maker [smiles].”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “I don’t have particular people that I like to watch. But a sport I like to watch is swimming.”
Personality Qualities Most Admired: “I don’t like the extreme people [smiles]. I like people who are balanced.”
Translation by Yukari Watanabe
Career Accomplishments: Personal marathon record is 2:24.27; Placed in top three in four of six of her marathons; 7th in Berlin World Championships in 2009; Winner of Hokkaido Marathon 2007.
Topics: 10k Race, Aroma Therapy, Bronze Medalist, Favorite Tv Show, First Car, First Job, First Marathon, Greatest Sports, Green Tea, Japanese Artists, Musical Tastes, Nba Basketball Player, New York City Marathon, Painful Moment, Paula Radcliffe, Place Winner, Sports Heroes, Sports Moment, York City Marathon, York London
Biofile with Yuri Kano | 