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.